We had a rocky start here because the air conditioning had been out, and the room was a steamy 87 degrees when we checked in. However, Patrick at the front desk did everything in his power to make it right, and the entire staff--from the doormen to the woman working at Starbucks--made us feel welcome.
Long story short, the A/C kicked in, the room was fantastic, and we had a terrific stay in the end.
We chose the Drake because we were attending a wedding at the nearby Wilder Mansion, and it set the tone for a lovely weekend. The property was stunning, with an abundance of flowers and greenery, and the lobby and bar exuded classic charm.
Our deluxe king room was spacious and well-appointed, overlooking the garden area that was always set up for weddings and the patio of Coa, the tapas fusion restaurant (which I highly recommend--especially the paella). The only odd thing was that the A/C came out of vents in the windowsills, so we had to use pillows to hold the curtains back so the air would flow.
Keep in mind that large parties often book here, and the lobby bar can get quite rowdy with post-wedding festivities, but our room was quiet and comfortable. Surprisingly, the price was about the same as other generic chain hotels in the area, making this a go-to next time we're in the area to visit.