Philadelphia’s Best and Hippest Hotels for Out-of-Towner’s Holiday Vacation or At-Home Staycation

W hotel

With internationally known holiday attractions such as the street lights in South Philly and Christmas themed bar/restaurants such as U-Ville (like Dr. Seuss’ “Who-Ville”) across from City Hall, Philadelphia, all-over, has become beloved and renowned for how uniquely it treats the wintry holidays, from Thanksgiving Day on through New Year’s Day and its Mummers’ Parade.

Whether you have friends or family coming from out of town you’d prefer not stay at your house, or do have friends and family coming in from out of town which means you need to get the hell out of Dodge for a mini-staycation of your own, here is a list of some of the swankiest, coolest, motel-hotel-holiday-inns in the area for your trip. (Plus, see A.D. Amorosi’s “The mark of a great city comes with the sophistication of its hotel restaurants” for further reporting)

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Technology Center, 1 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA, 215 419-5000

four seasons hotel philadelphia

Moved and transformed from its original location along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Logan Square, the new, luxe 4S, designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster of Foster + Partners for the city’s tallest building is an open-air, steel and glass marvel made even more elegantly spectral, and even avant-garde, courtesy Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s top tier restaurant, Jean-Georges Philadelphia atop the Four Season’s 59th floor. If you cannot afford its pricey American fare, you can take in its sweeping views at the Sky Bar with many cocktails.

The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton, One Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA, 215 -963-1500

logan by hilton

What took the place of the old Four Seasons (above) is nothing to sneeze at, as the 5-star Logan Philadelphia holds nearly as much dusky vibe as The W (below), is warmer than the new Four Seasons, and has a hearty, sustainability-focused steakhouse (Urban Farmer) at its ground floor level, and a towering, private bar (the Assembly Lounge) high up in the sky.

Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, 900 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 1 833 472 5483

live hotel philadelphia

The concept of a wide room, high ceiling hotel in a casino – or a casino in a hotel – sells itself. Gaming, Concerts. Gaming. Comedians. Gaming. A top tier steakhouse in the Prime Rib. Gaming.  All far enough from the main drag, in South Philly. Yes. And. Yes.

Guild House Hotel, 1307 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 855 484 5333

guild house philadelphia

Opened in 2021 in what was/is a 19th Century working women’s advocacy and support group known as the New Century Guild, the 12 suite salon in the Washington Square West area has that abolitionist, activist, suffragette vibe about the space, especially since its founder Eliza Turner’s name is set above the GHH’s front door.  Yet, the Guild House feels like a home, a cluttered artists den perfect for chill time and work time. Plus, GHH got named one of the best new hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2021, if that sort of thing is important to you. 

Hyatt Centric Center City, 1620 Chancellor Street, Philadelphia, PA, 215 985 1234

hyatt centric

The Hyatt chain just found a way to “go boutique” with its new brand’s flagship Philadelphia location, the Hyatt Centric Center City in the very location that once housed the legendarily late-night diner, Little Pete’s. At 332 rooms with a view of Rittenhouse Square, as well as one of Marc Vetri’s pizzaerias, this upscale lifestyle hotel has a restaurant and bar dubbed Patchwork that pours a stiff drink at happy hour, a grab-and-go Patchwork Market for antisocial shut-ins, and pet-friendly accommodations – crucial as I go nowhere without my pharaoh hound.

Alexander Inn, 301 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 215 923 3535

alexandr inn philadelphia

As one of Mid Town Village/The Gayborhood’s oldest original intimate hotels, the Alexander Inn puts the ‘boo’ in boutique lodging. OK, there are no ghosts at the Inn. There are, however, cool stained-glass windows, original oak moldings, and, a dignified tree-lined setting towards the end of the block of Spruce Street.

The W Philadelphia Hotel, 1439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 215-273-3030

W hotel

Forever connected to nightlife and tequila entrepreneur Rande Gerber through its Whiskey Park at Hotel W, The W Philadelphia – a long awaited location when it comes to downtown hotels – is a dimly-lit and atmospheric destination space whose Fellini-esque Italian restaurant, Dolce, doubles down on the hotel’s overall sense of panache.

The Dwight D Hotel (A City House Hotel), 256 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 215 772 1901

dwight hotel philadelphia

This one time, 11-room private residence brownstone in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood is swank and artsy, with its American Abstract Expressionist painting and vintage brasserie posters dotting its walls. Plus, along with being within walking distance of tony restaurants such as a. kitchen and Parc, the named-for-Eisenhower hotel’s recent expansion allowed for a huge private garden space and a new chef’s kitchen. Still, who named this thing after a war general and an early Republican president?

Lokal Hotel Fishtown, 1421 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA, 267 702 4345

lokal hotel fishtown

if John “Jawn” Morgan ever books a hotel stay in Philly, he’s going to want to make it in Fishtown’s Lokal. Here, in its six loft apartments, the names of the room coincide with Philly’s own brand of possessive jargon — the jawn. So you get Baller Jawn, Big Jawn, Front Jawn, Garden Jawn, Your Jawn, and My Jawn, all created by the True Hand Society who asked of its 30 local artisans and makers to create 21st Century-stylized blond wood furniture, earthen pottery and original modern Impressionist art for the naturally lit spaces. Hey, the fact that Fishtown has a tony, boutique hotel to begin with, let alone something so high concept minded shows how far Philly has found itself in terms of reformation.

The Morris House Hotel, 225 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 215 922-2446

morris hotel philadelphia

The grandfather of the Washington West boutique hotel scene, its gardens alone – perfect for gatherings, weddings, divorce parties – are worth the price of admission. Beyond that, this Georgian-style mansion around the corner from Independence National Historical Park and the Liberty Bell, thankfully does not look all hokey, patriotic and old-world-y, Instead, the Morris House’s heart pine floors and neo-colonial front is fresh, modern, airy and luxe.

    • A.D. Amarosi's Headshot

      A.D. Amorosi is an award-winning journalist who, along with working for the Philadelphia Weekly, writes regularly for Variety, Jazz Times, Flood and Wax Poetics, and hosts and co-produces his own SoundCloud-charting radio show, Theater in the Round for Pacifica National Public Radio station WPPM 106.5 FM and WPPM.org.

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