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May 28, 2023

15 Secret Experiences at Philly Hotels — Visit Philadelphia

No doubt about it: Philly is a top spot for museums, historic sites, restaurants

No doubt about it: Philly is a top spot for museums, historic sites, restaurants and nightlife. But experiencing all of the city's incredible sites, tastes and excursions takes time. Luckily, the city offers plenty of great hotels to serve as your home base for a weekend or well beyond.

Of course, Philly's varied hotels — with more than 13,000 walkable rooms to Center City alone — feature top-level in-house dining, fantastic fitness centers, lavish spas and salons, and inspired common spaces.

But among the plethora of perks is an intriguing selection beyond what you might expect. Think amenities that go above-and-beyond, as well as hidden and unexpected extras only the most experienced travelers know to ask for.

If that sounds intriguing to you, read on to explore a dozen Philly hotel properties offering a little something special.

Billed as "Philadelphia's first vertical neighborhood," West Philly's FMC Tower at Cira Centre South is a high-rise hybrid structure, part office building, part apartments and part hotel. AKA University City is the hotel, featuring ultra-luxury suites and extended-stay lodging on its top 18 floors.

Where: AKA University City, 2929 Walnut Street

Nine miles northwest of Center City, in one of Philadelphia's most beautiful neighborhoods, lies the historic Chestnut Hill Hotel. Built in the late 1800s (and renovated a decade ago), the quaint inn features 36 rooms across three buildings along Germantown Avenue. While the main house is decorated in classic 18th-century Enlightenment-style, the most interesting accommodations are in the five-room Post Office building next door (literally the same building as the Chestnut Hill Post Office), which is outfitted as a 1950s pop-culture time capsule with Andy Warhol-inspired art, furniture and décor adorning the lobby and guest rooms.

Where: Chestnut Hill Hotel, 8229 Germantown Avenue

There are only around 100 luxury spas in the world with a Forbes’ Five-Star rating — and one of them is right here in Philadelphia. The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia is a 17,000-square-foot luxury-meets-New Age space on the 57th floor, featuring seven treatment rooms, a 30,000-gallon indoor infinity-edge pool (one of the highest in the nation) and 700 pounds of healing crystals embedded into the walls. And for couples, the spa offers an ultra-romantic Night Spa package that includes private use of the infinity pool lit by a runway of dreamy candles, an hour-long massage, champagne, pastries and a bouquet of roses.

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, 1 N. 19th Street

From Betsy Ross to Dolley Madison, Philadelphia women have always made history. Members of the turn-of-the-century women's club New Century Guild advocated for women in the growing workforce. The group was headquartered in an unassuming 19th-century rowhouse in Washington Square West, a National Historic Landmark now home to the Guild House Hotel. The boutique property honors New Century's legacy through 12 suites inspired by Guild members, each adorned with furniture, art and more tied to a member's story, from the brass lamps in Guild President Edith Brubaker's suite to the textured fabrics of NAACP founding member Florence Kelley's.

Where: Guild House Hotel, 1307 Locust Street

Kimpton's two Philadelphia properties — Hotel Monaco in the heart of Independence National Historical Park, and Hotel Palomar in chic Rittenhouse Square — know how to let travelers experience the city in style. But they also know it's not just family, friends and pets you sometimes leave behind while you’re away. Through Kimpton's Plant Pals Program, plant lovers can satisfy their anthophile desires by simply ringing up the front desk to have a locally sourced Ostrich Fern (a Philadelphia property exclusive) houseplant delivered right to their room. The foster plants — curated by Christopher Griffin (aka Plant Kween) — come complete with a nametag and simple care instructions.

Where: Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, 117 S. 17th Street

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, 433 Chestnut Street

Hotel breakfasts can be the best way to start your day away from home. At the 170-year-old Independence Park Hotel, which sits just four blocks from the Liberty Bell Center, that means make-your-own Belgian waffles with a 3D image of the famous Bell right in the middle. This fun and oh-so-Philly breakfast treat is part of the complimentary breakfast served daily in the Skylight Atrium. Enjoy it traditionally or take a crack at the chocolate batter with whipped cream.

Where: Independence Park Hotel, A BW Premier Collection Hotel, 235 Chestnut Street

With its glowing crown lights shining over Center City, Loews Philadelphia Hotel is one of the city's premier hotels, occupying the 90-year-old former PSFS Building, considered to be America's first skyscraper. But the 36-story tower's limestone façade belies the luxury amenities housed inside.

Where: Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street

A great destination for pleasure travelers and conventioneers alike, the 15-story Notary Hotel Philadelphia lies in the heart of Center City, a block from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and just across from City Hall, offering a number of luxurious amenities.

Where: The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia, Autograph Collection, 21 N. Juniper Street

Just a few hundred feet from the Delaware River, the nearly two-century-old building that houses the Penn's View Hotel lived past lives as a warehouse, hardware store and cafe. Not until 1989 did it transform into a luxurious hotel in Old City, with its on-site restaurant, Panorama. The trattoria's wine-by-the-glass program is the largest in the country, offering more than 800 wines (flights are a great way to dive in). Not to be outdone, Panorama's custom cruvinet dispenses 120 wine options, the Guinness Record for world's largest wine preservation machine.

Where: Penn's View Hotel, 14 N. Front Street

Arguably the most fun addition made during the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown's massive recent renovations, Liberty Lanes offers hotel guests and visitors (via OpenTable) a chance to go duckpin bowling and shoot pool — all right off of the hotel's lobby level. The space also offers more than a half-dozen large-screen TVs as well as craft beers, specialty cocktails, wine and light bites (think: burgers, wings, flatbreads). Bonus: Don't miss the hotel's new Arcade & Game Room on the second floor. (We call four-player Pac-Man.)

Where: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1200 Filbert Street

Several hotels surround splendid Rittenhouse Square, but only one is The Rittenhouse. Scores of publications rank the hotel a world's best, and it's even earned a Forbes Travel Guide 2023 Five-Star Award. Luxury escapism is the vibe at The Rittenhouse, with a Belgian stone courtyard, an award-winning spa, Sunday brunch at Lacroix and gold leather barstools at Library Bar, afternoon high tea and massive guestrooms. But one amenity stands above them all. All guests have access to the hotel's driver's service, a complementary chauffeured luxury Jaguar XJL sedan that will transport you anywhere within a 20-block radius. Note that service is offered on a first-come first-served.

Where: The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square

The ritzy Fitler Club is a members-only "stay-work-play" lifestyle club known for its top-tier wellness spaces, upscale dining, next-gen business facilities and private urban social club ambiance. But it also features The Rooms at Fitler Club, a 14-room boutique hotel open to non-members. Guests receive access to all the same superb amenities as club members, including the state-of-the-art gym, lap pool and luxury spa and salon. But a hidden gem at Fitler is The Trophy Room, an extraordinary game lounge with a vintage bowling alley (with its own bar), billiard tables, retro arcade games, pop-a-shot, virtual golf, a smoothie stand and posh private movie theater.

Where: Fitler Club, 24 S. 24th Street

The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.

Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute.

Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Which will you choose?

Where to splash and swim indoors and out, rooftop and not — and then spend the night...