15 Secret Experiences at Philly Hotels

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.

• Level 28 Yoga: AKA University City’s crown jewel amenity is Level 28, a full-floor resident- and hotel-guest-exclusive lifestyle club 28 stories above the city featuring a Technogym fitness center, 3D golf simulator, bar, outdoor garden terrace and 72-foot-long Olympic-sized infinity “pool in the sky.” And it’s upon that pool, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, where you can experience one of Brides magazine’s “Coolest Yoga Classes in The World.” Presented at sunset by local conservation organization Aqua Vida, floating acro-yoga is classic yoga practiced while standing on a (secured) 10-foot paddleboard on the water while overlooking the stunning Philly skyline. Reservations are required.
• a.cinema Private Screening Room: The Level 28 lifestyle center at AKA University City offers the a.business workspace, a.lounge parlor and the luxurious a.cinema private theater space. This intimate cinema seats 16 in fully automated reclining leather lounge chairs in front of a massive 80-inch screen to enjoy an exclusive theater-quality movie experience from Level 28’s extensive film library or during curated screenings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa & Salon: The high-end Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa & Salon takes up Loews’ entire fifth floor, offering a number of singular experiences. During the skin-softening Soft Pack Float, guests are exfoliated, scrubbed, coated in mud, wrapped in a sheet and set afloat on a bed of warm cushioning water. And the authentic Turkish Bath envelops visitors in color-changing lights and therapeutic music while they lie on a heated hammam table underneath a ceiling of Swarovski crystals. For an über-indulgent experience, try the Youthful Elixir Mask facial enhancer made of 24-karat gold and truffles or a full-body whipped pumpkin, chocolate or butter crème wrap.
• Bank & Bourbon Barrel-Aging Program: For a different kind of relaxation, head down to the Loews’ signature restaurant Bank & Bourbon. The rustic yet modern gastropub serves farm-fresh American classic entrees alongside a local craft beer selection and extensive cocktail menu. But the bistro’s centerpiece is the innovative barrel-aging tasting program. A rotating selection of bourbons house-aged in charred American oak barrels is served by an on-site Bourbon Master, who educates patrons, guides pairings and creates custom bourbon flights. Frequent visitors can even barrel-age their own creations with an exclusive private locker membership program.

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.

• Notable Love Story Package: The brotherly kind isn’t the only flavor of love offered at The Notary. Couples celebrating anniversaries, milestones or just everyday adoration can craft a romantic experience and memories that will last lifetimes with the Notable Love Story package. Before your arrival, the Notary’s in-house poet will work with the gift-giver to pen a custom poem on any desired topic (known as a cinquain), which will then be decoratively framed and placed in the guest room along with roses and chocolates, a $75 credit at Spanish tapas bistro Sabroso + Sorbo and a late check-out the next morning.
• Guided Walking Tours: One advantage of The Notary’s central location is its proximity to so many of Center City’s noteworthy attractions, shops and restaurants. Don’t know where to start? Don’t fret. The Notary has you covered with complimentary walking tours every Saturday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Local guides lead hotel guests on exciting excursions to iconic Philly sites, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, LOVE Park and more.

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.

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.)

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.

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.