The Story of the LITTLE Hotel That Made BIG Headlines

February marks the fifth anniversary of the Drake Hotel a cause for celebration, especially for the many Toronto artists and curators who have benefited from its diverse programming. This exhibition highlights work produced through the hotel's ongoing residency program, which imports talent from international cities into the Toronto scene. Participants include Danish multi-disciplinarian Sergei Sviatchenko, Miami video artists TM Sisters and Winnipeg's Paul Butler, whose affection for collage informs the exhibit's curatorial approach.

The Drake Hotel has become a Toronto cultural, entertainment and culinary landmark. In the five years since the opening, the Drake has come to be known as an energetic hub for visual & performance art, dining and hospitality, providing one of Canada's most unique and sought after hotel and culinary experiences.

The Drake has earned a following that includes some famous faces - Johnny Knoxville, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Nick Nolte (who insisted on mixing his own cocktails), Orlando Bloom, Penélope Cruz, Rachel McAdams, Ron Howard, Scott Speedman, Tommy Lee, Viggo Mortensen, The Black Eyed Peas, Heather Graham. Part of the appeal is the hotel's rags-to-riches pedigree: The Drake was rescued by intreprid and ingenious owner Jeff Stober, who injected C$6 million into creating a boutique hotel. The renovation endures as one of Toronto's refurbishment success stories. While the 19 guest rooms are mostly on the tiny side -- they range from 14 to 36 sq. m (150-385 sq. ft.) -- they are cleverly designed and have good amenities -CD/DVD players and pretty linens, for example.

The Drake's strength is in its public spaces, and for a property this intimate, it offers many options. There's a restaurant and bar, a rooftop lounge, and a cafe; an exercise studio for yoga classes and a massage room; and a performance venue, the Underground, that features live music.

By Si Si Penaloza

The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J1J3
(416) 531-5042
www.thedrakehotel.ca

Si Si Penaloza
		About the author:
		Si Si has cultivated strong ties with editors, producers and publishers at all major Canadian media outlets. She is a seasoned print, radio and broadcast specialist. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in Maine, Si Si moved to Manhattan to study Film at New York University. Her strengths lie in contextualizing relevant content for a broad audience. She's driven to stay competitive and at the top of the market - commissioning exclusive features and launching bold initiatives.
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