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Best Hotel Bets
Best Historic Hotel: Well, it's only the "lite" version of what it used to be, when Thomas Edison designed the fixtures and the ballroom defined swank. But the top floor of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets, or 1415 Chancellor Ct., between Walnut and Locust streets (tel. 800/223-1234), with its Library Lounge bar and pastel-painted, domed Barrymore tearoom, retains traces of a century's worth of history.
Best for Business Travelers: Hotel Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St. (tel. 800/SOFITEL), has a convenient location and rooms that are large and elegant, with easy access to plugs and modem jacks at a handsome desk. The delicious French coffee doesn't hurt either. The service staff is efficient and courteous.
Best for a Romantic Getaway: The Penn's View Hotel, Front and Market streets (tel. 800/331-7634), feels like an exquisite club, with views over the Delaware River. And how could you not like what the New York Times hails as "the mother of all wine bars" downstairs?
Best Hotel Lobby for Pretending You're Rich: There's no place like the cool, plush Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Sq. (tel. 800/332-3442), for rubbing elbows with the moneyed elite (it's also a great place to stay if you are the moneyed elite). The Swann Lounge overlooking Logan Circle is a constant stream of chic outfits, custom suits, and the frequent black tie.
Best for Families: The Hilton Inn at Penn, in West Philadelphia at 3600 Sansom St. (tel. 800/445-8667), is a cross-town ride from the historical sights, but offers the whole family space to roam among spacious corridors, ever-present fruit to munch on and tea to sip in a comfortable library lounge, plus TV for children to watch while parents exercise. The campus of U. Penn across the street is perfect for throwing a Frisbee or playing tag. In Center City, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. (tel. 215/627-1200), doesn't have the biggest rooms in town, but it's got a great game closet.
Best Moderately Priced Hotel: The Hotel Windsor, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. near Rittenhouse Square and City Hall (tel. 877/784-8379), is the best choice in its price range. A one-room suite with two double beds and full kitchen goes for $150. A generous continental breakfast is included in the rate.
Best B&B: Shippen Way Inn, 418 Bainbridge St. (tel. 800/245-4873 or 215/627-7266), has nine rooms in two Queen Village row houses built around 1750 and lovingly maintained. You might also try Ten Eleven Clinton, 1011 Clinton St. (tel. 215/923-8144), an elegant 1836 Federal town house on a quiet tree-lined street.
Best Service: The staff at the Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Sq. (tel. 215/963-1500), knows the number-one secret of flawless service: Be nice. (They know the second secret, too: Always keep your cool.) No matter how many NBA players are in their exquisite Fountain Restaurant, no matter which rock-'n'-roll giants are taking tea in the Swann Lounge, or who turned up in the whirlpool at 4am, these employees take it in stride, getting their jobs done efficiently and courteously -- and appearing to have fun all the while.
Best Hotel for Historic District Hopping: If you're here to see Independence Park, why not wake up looking at it through the floral chintz curtains at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park, 4th and Chestnut streets (tel. 800/843-6664)? All 150 guest rooms have views of the Greek Revival Second Bank of the U.S. and a half-dozen of America's Georgian jewels. And the clip-clopping of horses and carriages below maintains the historical feel.
Best Hotel Health Club: The Sporting Club at the Bellevue, on Broad Street between Walnut and Locust streets (tel. 215/985-9867), counts Governor Rendell, Dr. J., and most of the city's movers and shakers among its members. Honorary membership is given to guests of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue. The gym facilities are the best in town, and classes are top-notch.
Best Hotel Pool: Splashing around the glassed-in pool of the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. (tel. 215/928-1234), is doubly fun, because just beyond the pool is the Delaware River. For exercise and a skyscraper city view, however, the skinny lap pool at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. (tel. 215/627-1200) is well worth the $10 per-visit charge.
Best Views: In Center City, all the rooms at the Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. (tel. 800/635-1042), have wonderful views of the Philly landscape, from the leafy park below on the east to the western view of the Schuylkill and the Parkway.
Best Hotel Restaurants: The Zagat guide to restaurants has listed the Fountain Restaurant in the Four Seasons, 1 Logan Sq. (tel. 215/963-1500), as one of the country's top 10 dining spots. A meal here is virtually perfect, with high prices to match the high quality. A worthy rival is Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. (tel. 215/546-9000). This haute-meets-modern French restaurant is soothing and sleek, with park views, limestone accents, and elegant green-velvet seating; it has received great acclaim from Esquire's John Mariani, among others.
Best Splurge Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, 10 Avenue of the Arts (tel. 215/523-8000), delivers an overwhelming dose of luxury, with its massive domed lobby, lavish furnishings, and clubby bars. Upgrade to the Club Level for less than $50 and experience a lounge spread of champagne and endless hors d'oeuvres.
Best Trendy Hotel: Philly's luxuriously hip Hotel Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St. (tel. 800/SOFITEL), has modern decor, a groovy long bar, and lots of French people swanning around, plus Deco-contemporary furniture and a great location for shopping near Walnut Street. (We're expecting some tough competition in this category when the W Hotel opens in 2009.)
Best Hostel: Centrally located near all the historical and nightlife attractions, the Bank Street Hostel, 32 S. Bank St. (tel. 800/392-4678 or 215/922-0222), is smack in the Old City/Society Hill nexus; it's perfect for budget or adventurous travelers.
Best Country Getaway: Plush lodgings scattered throughout a picturesque hamlet, proximity to the gorgeous Brandywine Valley's fine attractions, plus an on-site spa and deliciously eclectic restaurant make the Inn at Montchanin Village, Route 100 and Kirk Road, Montchanin, DE (tel. 800/269-2473 or 302/888-2133; www.montchanin.com) an incomparable weekend retreat.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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