According to one source, "it boasted innovations such as automatic refrigeration as well as spacious, luxurious rooms and suites".

Other notable guests included Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Judy Garland, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Glenn Gould.

Publishers Bob Guccione and Kathy Keeton maintained a permanently reserved suite at the Drake Hotel as their New York residence prior to acquiring the Jeremiah Milbanks Mansion at 14-16 East 67th Street circa 1977.

[2] In the 1960s and 1970s, the Drake Hotel was the preferred accommodation in New York for a number of touring rock bands, such as Led Zeppelin and The Who.

During their stay there in July 1973, Led Zeppelin had $203,000 in cash stolen from a safe deposit box at the hotel.

[3] The British rock band Slade stayed at the hotel on October 6, 1973 after their gig at the New York Academy of Music.