Pros

  • Central location across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center
  • Top-floor restaurant and bar with city views
  • Ergonomic work chairs, mini-fridges, and microwaves in all rooms
  • Indoor heated pool and hot tub
  • 24-hour business center
  • Fitness room
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Immediate area gets dark and unappealing at night
  • Breakfast not included
  • Steep fee for self-parking
  • Rooms have a dated chain decor
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Bottom Line

The mid-range Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City is directly across the street from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, making it an affordable place to stay for business travelers and convention-goers. For tourists, it's walking distance from destinations like City Hall, Reading Terminal Market, and Chinatown, though not in the most appealing area for evening strolls. The rooms look notably dated, but they're all packed with convenient amenities such as ergonomic work chairs, iPod docks, microwaves, and mini-fridges. There's also an indoor pool here, along with a top-floor restaurant and bar overlooking the city. It's also worth checking out the comparably priced and massive Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City

Scene

Affordable business-friendly chain

Surrounded by mass transit stations and an attached parking garage, the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City is a no-nonsense option with lots of practical amenities. While its room decor is significantly dated, the hotel's common spaces were renovated in 2012, filling the lobby with a variety of contemporary pendant lamps and sleek potted plants. True to its marketing and the facilities present, even the lobby's lounge space caters to both business and leisure guests with a comfortable little lounge area with oversized chairs beside a gas fireplace, opposite a conference table.

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Location

Central downtown, across from the conference center

The hotel has a central location next to the Reading Terminal Market, across the street from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It's walking distance to shopping, dining (including numerous fast food chains) and nightlife, though the area right around the hotel feels dead at night. Popular sights like City Hall, the Shops at Liberty Place, and Independence Hall are also within a 15-minute walk. Rittenhouse Square, surrounded by some of the city's best restaurants and bars, is a bit of a walk on foot -- over 20 minutes. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, famous for the Rocky Steps, is a 10-minute drive, depending on traffic. There are also several public transportation options nearby with the Jefferson Station less than a block away, and a bus stop right outside the hotel.

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Rooms

Dated decor, microwaves, ergonomic work chairs, and iPod docks

The hotel's 279 rooms have a dated look with old, generic chain furnishings in earth-tone colors. Murky carpets look worn, and neither the brown window valances nor the lime-green accent walls do the atmosphere any favors. However, even the standard rooms are packed with amenities, including desks and ergonomic work chairs, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Mini-fridges, microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers are also provided. All rooms have armchairs with ottomans and Suites add sofa beds along with additional 32-inch flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms have average shower/tub combos.

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Features

Restaurant and bar, indoor pool, 24-hour business center, and an attached parking garage

At the top floor of the hotel, the The Tenth Floor Grill serves American standards for all meals, starting with a breakfast buffet (not included). The bright, high-ceiling dining room has great views of the city and the small adjacent bar has a daily happy hour. There's also a heated indoor pool room that has a hot tub, along with a fitness room that has a few cardio machines and free weights. Business amenities include several meeting rooms (totaling 3,400 square feet) and a 24-hour business center that has several workstations with ergonomic roller chairs, a printer, and copier. There is an attached garage with steep self-parking fees, used both by guests of the Hilton and attendees of the nearby convention center. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City

Scene

Affordable business-friendly chain

Surrounded by mass transit stations and an attached parking garage, the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City is a no-nonsense option with lots of practical amenities. While its room decor is significantly dated, the hotel's common spaces were renovated in 2012, filling the lobby with a variety of contemporary pendant lamps and sleek potted plants. True to its marketing and the facilities present, even the lobby's lounge space caters to both business and leisure guests with a comfortable little lounge area with oversized chairs beside a gas fireplace, opposite a conference table.

See More Scene

Location

Central downtown, across from the conference center

The hotel has a central location next to the Reading Terminal Market, across the street from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It's walking distance to shopping, dining (including numerous fast food chains) and nightlife, though the area right around the hotel feels dead at night. Popular sights like City Hall, the Shops at Liberty Place, and Independence Hall are also within a 15-minute walk. Rittenhouse Square, surrounded by some of the city's best restaurants and bars, is a bit of a walk on foot -- over 20 minutes. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, famous for the Rocky Steps, is a 10-minute drive, depending on traffic. There are also several public transportation options nearby with the Jefferson Station less than a block away, and a bus stop right outside the hotel.

See More Location

Rooms

Dated decor, microwaves, ergonomic work chairs, and iPod docks

The hotel's 279 rooms have a dated look with old, generic chain furnishings in earth-tone colors. Murky carpets look worn, and neither the brown window valances nor the lime-green accent walls do the atmosphere any favors. However, even the standard rooms are packed with amenities, including desks and ergonomic work chairs, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Mini-fridges, microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers are also provided. All rooms have armchairs with ottomans and Suites add sofa beds along with additional 32-inch flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms have average shower/tub combos.

See More Rooms

Features

Restaurant and bar, indoor pool, 24-hour business center, and an attached parking garage

At the top floor of the hotel, the The Tenth Floor Grill serves American standards for all meals, starting with a breakfast buffet (not included). The bright, high-ceiling dining room has great views of the city and the small adjacent bar has a daily happy hour. There's also a heated indoor pool room that has a hot tub, along with a fitness room that has a few cardio machines and free weights. Business amenities include several meeting rooms (totaling 3,400 square feet) and a 24-hour business center that has several workstations with ergonomic roller chairs, a printer, and copier. There is an attached garage with steep self-parking fees, used both by guests of the Hilton and attendees of the nearby convention center. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.