Places to Stay in Old City and Society Hill
May 18, 2021
Old City’s proximity and Philadelphia’s tremendous walkability put the historic district within just a short walk of many of the hotels found in other downtown neighborhoods such as Washington Square West, the Convention Center District, Chinatown, and Rittenhouse Square, as well as those along the Delaware River waterfront.
For those looking to sleep over while surrounded by history, consider the recently remodeled Philadelphia Marriott Old City. The hotel was reimagined in 2019 and now features a four-story Greatroom Lobby with Society Commons bar, 364 modern guest rooms, a 4,000 square foot state-of-the-art fitness center, and M Club – a private, 24/7 lounge available exclusively to Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, Titanium Elite and Platinum Elite members – the first of its kind in Philadelphia.
The four-diamond Kimpton Hotel Monaco boutique hotel borders Independence Mall and is home to 268 luxurious rooms. The ground floor restaurant, Red Owl Tavern, features modern twists on American favorites (including a signature cheesesteak), while the Stratus Rooftop Lounge presents an open-air bar space with signature cocktails and small plates. The neighboring Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown is another four-diamond hotel with 150 total rooms, an indoor pool, and a new on-site restaurant and lounge, the Franklin Social.
The Thomas Bond House Bed & Breakfast is set within the restored 18th century home of Dr. Thomas Bond, co-founder of Pennsylvania Hospital — the nation’s first hospital. Owned by the National Park Service, the bed and breakfast, which is just steps from Independence National Historical Park, features 12 guest rooms, each with their own unique historical elements (including two rooms with working fireplaces).
Located beside historic sites such as Christ Church Burial Ground – the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin – and the Arch Street Meeting House, the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District is just one block away from Market Street and features over 360 rooms and a rooftop pool. Lokal Hotel on 3rd Street focuses on invisible service to create an authentic “like home” experience in its six apartment-style units. Other neighborhood accommodations include the those properties included in A Bed and Breakfast Connection of Philadelphia and the Penn’s View Hotel, the latter featuring rooms that overlook the Delaware River.
Many of the hotels listed here also serve as excellent venue options for meetings and events. For resources to help you find a hotel for your next gathering, click here.
Cover photo: The lobby at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia.
