This lovely European-style, family-run hotel lies hidden in the Old City just north of the little bridge at the end of Market Street that leads to Penn's Landing. Rooms are classically styled, with Oriental rugs, exposed brick or ornately muted floral wallpaper, oversized clocks, and rich tapestries.  "Premium" rooms come with working gas fireplaces and spa tubs in the marble bathrooms; a few have patios with views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge. 

Tucked into the ground floor is Il Bar, a fantastic wine bar offering some 150 vintages by the glass—120 of them literally on tap in a Guinness World Record–holding winekeeper—and available by flights of five 1.5-ounce pours. It's part of the hotel's Ristorante Panorama, which specializes in Northern Italian cuisine and (nice touch) offers half-portions on pasta dishes.