Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City

This modern hotel’s most distinctive feature is the vaulted glass atrium at its entrance that ushers in lots of natural light and provides excellent views of the bustling downtown street outside. The lobby is generally busy, with lots of people coming and going from meetings during the week and social events on weekends, and the lobby bar usually has a few guests. Three huge, jellyfish-like chandeliers hang above the lobby and its busy brown carpet with big swirls of orange, gold, and white. At night, the chandeliers and their long strands of LED lights cast a reddish glow that gives the space a festive energy. Most guests are business travelers, though the downtown location also attracts plenty of tourists. 

The DoubleTree is in the theater district of downtown Philadelphia’s lively Center City, which is chock full of restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s a safe place to walk around, even at night, but as it's downtown, it can be noisy and busy. There are plenty of restaurants and a convenience store within a two-minute walk from the hotel, and getting to the Walnut Locust subway station takes around the same amount of time. Wilma Theater is adjacent to the hotel, and the Academy of Music and Kimmel Center are across the street. City Hall is a seven-minute walk, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center is 14 minutes on foot. Independence Hall is 11 minutes by public transit, while getting to historic Reading Terminal Market takes 11 minutes on foot. Philadelphia International Airport is approximately 25 minutes by car or 35 minutes by public transit, traffic permitting. 

Rooms at the Doubletree are spacious, but have bland, somewhat dated decor with lots of light browns and beiges and modular light-wood furniture. Metallic silver-hued padded headboards are the most distinctive feature. While rooms are generally clean, some furnishings show signs of wear and tear, and several past guests have reported minor housekeeping and maintenance issues. Bathrooms aren't that big compared to the rooms, but include spacious black-granite vanities, magnifying mirrors, and handsome tiling around the shower/tub combos. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, safes, and coffeemakers.

Executive Room guests get access to the Executive Lounge, with perks such as a free continental breakfast and afternoon appetizers, plus a cash bar. Several suite options are available, and some have kitchenettes with full-size fridges, microwaves, convection ovens, and cookware. There have been complaints of street noise in some rooms, but it’s not as audible in higher-floor units, many of which have sweeping views of the city. 

Much of the hotel's appeal, especially for business travelers, is its extensive, 27,000 square feet of event space, including a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 660 people. There's also a dedicated business center with multiple computers and printers, and Wi-Fi is free but requires signing up for the Hilton HHonors rewards program.

Another star feature is the hotel's a small, glass-enclosed, rooftop pool and an adjacent deck with panoramic views (though it was closed for renovations during our visit). The fitness center is also rather well equipped and includes cardio and weight-training machines and free weights, and there's a separate sauna room with lockers and shower facilities for a post-sweat soak. For dining, the Balcony restaurant serves a breakfast buffet and a la carte items daily, while Standing O Bar & Bistro serves contemporary American cuisine for lunch and dinner. 

Other perks include laundry and dry cleaning services, available through housekeeping. Both valet and self-parking is available in the attached garage, but the valet option is a bit expensive.