If you are here for the historic sights around Old City—and you dig four-star amenities in a groovy boutique atmosphere—this Kimpton hotel is for you. Its biggest selling point: It sits kitty-corner to Independence Hall itself and a block from the Liberty Bell, and overlooks Independence Mall Historic Park from the 1907 Greek-revival Lafayette Building. Inside, however, it's all alternative retro-chic, a richly patterned and brightly colored collision course of styles and eras—say a '60s-mod floor lamp wedged between an Empire chair with cheeky upholstery and a table on curvy Queen Anne legs atop which sits a candelabra table lamp. There's a hosted wine hour in the main lounge every evening at 5pm. 

The on-sit Red Owl Tavern is a modern restaurant lofted amid the exposed brick of the century-old structure, serving burgers and sandwiches at lunch, steaks and seafood at dinner.  The Stratus is an indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge and bar with comfy-cushion seating and an elongated modern fire pit for chats and chasers under the stars.