1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 877-784-8379,
Rates: Studio suites with a queen or two double beds start at $99; one-bedroom suites start at $139. Check the Web for specials. Overnight parking is $31.
Stay here if you: are on a budget and plan to visit the city’s cultural sites. It’s well-located for business travelers and tourists alike.
It’s close to: everything. Philadelphia’s downtown is compact. This hotel is a short walk to urban shopping and some of the best restaurants in a city where the restaurants are always getting better. The Franklin Institute science center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum and the city’s ornate train station are all in the neighborhood. Cabs are cheap and plentiful to historic spots such as Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House.
The rooms are: huge. These rooms were designed as full-time living spaces, so there is enough square footage to stretch out. There are chairs for reading, walk-in closets and tiled bathrooms. Each room has a kitchen complete with full-size refrigerator, toaster oven, microwave and a smattering of pots, pans and dishes. The higher rooms offer great views. Some of the kitchens could use a little counter work, and the elevators are a bit slow.
They put all of the money into: the public spaces. The lobbies and hallways are well-appointed. This place is not fancy, but it’s tasteful. There’s a functional fitness room, a restaurant on the first floor, free Internet access in each room and a business center with a few computers good enough surf the Web or print out a boarding pass for early check-in. Breakfast is included.
The bottom line: Plain and simple, this is one of the best deals in the city, and the kitchens will come in handy for on-the-go families who want to slap together breakfast or lunch. It’s not for travelers seeking four-star luxury and service, but it’s warm, welcoming and well-located.
Ray Rinaldi
