Loews Philadelphia Hotel

A National Historic Landmark, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is situated inside the former bank building of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society. Built in 1932, this 33-story International-style building was considered America’s first modern skyscraper and holds a significant place in 20th century architectural history. The building is still topped in the neon PSFS sign that's an iconic part of the Philadelphia skyline. Now the tallest hotel in the city, interiors offer a modern take on Art Deco style with sleek restored and original features, including elegant marble floors, rare wood details, and a bank vault door showcased in the lobby. The famed 33rd floor includes resorted meeting and boardrooms, plus astounding city views that, on clear days, are said to extend 20 miles. While the hotel’s refined air and plentiful conference facilities attract business travelers during the week, the historic building and its central location lure in weekend tourists.

Situated on the corner of 12th and historic Market Street, Loews Philadelphia has a prime location for business travelers and tourists in the heart of downtown Philly’s Center City. In five minutes or less, guests can walk to the city’s ornate and historic City Hall, the convention center, or famed Reading Hall Market. Restaurants, shops, and historic and cultural attractions line the streets. For sights farther out, an MFL SEPTA station is a minute’s walk away. For guests traveling by car, valet parking is the only option -- and it costs the sort of hefty extra fee typical of hotels in the heart of the city.- Two-minute walk to Reading Terminal Market

• Three-minute walk to Jefferson Station (regional train service)
• Four-minute walk to City Hall
• Four-minute walk to Pennsylvania Convention Center
• 12-minute walk to Liberty Bell
• 14-minute walk to Independence Hall
• 20-minute walk to Rittenhouse Square Park
• 15-minute drive to Philadelphia Museum of Art (20-minute bus ride)
• 17 minutes to Penn's Landing via MFL SEPTA
• 30 minutes to Philadelphia International Airport via public transit

Guest rooms are contemporary and spacious, with over 300 square feet of space even in entry-level rooms. Decor is sleek -- if a tad predictable -- with a slight Art Deco vibe. The color scheme is mostly grayscale with bright pops of color in wall art and chairs upholstered in rich red. Bathrooms are pleasant, modern, and roomy with white tiled floors, black-granite counter tops, and combination showers and tubs. Rooms are packed with amenities. They're air-conditioned and feature work desks with white ergonomic chairs, 46-inch LED TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, minibars, digital music players, and free Wi-Fi (upgraded Wi-Fi is available for an extra fee). Rooms also have irons and ironing boards, bathrobes, slippers, and safes. Note that minibars feature sensors, meaning they aren’t useful for storing personal items, though guests can rent mini-fridges for an extra fee. Bathrooms are decked out with magnifying mirrors and Julien Farel-brand hairdryers and individual toiletries. Upgraded rooms add more space and offer concierge club access. They also tend to be higher up -- some have astounding city views (this is, after all, the city’s tallest hotel). The property’s 12 suites add extras like sitting or lounge areas and separate showers and marble baths.

Loews Philadelphia Hotel has all of the amenities guests expect from an upscale property, including a lobby bar, stylish restaurant, business amenities, and exceptional staff service. A highlight is the 47,000 square feet of conference and event space, renovated as late as 2015, including three ballrooms and restored rooms with epic views from the famed 33rd story. The lobby also has a FedEx center.Bank & Bourbon Restaurant is another highlight. Refurbished in 2013, the restaurant has charming rustic decor and seasonal, classic American dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A long marble bar extends into the lobby, with buttery leather bar chairs finished with sophisticated nailhead trim. Room service is offered 24 hours. Note that most bookings do not include breakfast.While there’s no spa, the wellness facilities don’t disappoint, with a bright fifth-story gym that’s a stylish step above most hotel gyms. The sunlit room features a spacious weight-lifting area with machines, free weights, medicine balls, kettle bells, and more, plus rows of modern cardio machines with big individual screens. The hotel also has a 65-foot, heated, indoor lap pool with two lanes, surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs. Both the gym and pool are opened early and close in the evening.Kids are treated extremely well here, too, with a free activity book given to guests under 10, plus lots of kid-friendly items available to borrow: toys, car seats, strollers, night-lights, child-proofing kits, and more. Teens can borrow individual DVD players, boardgames, Gameboys, and other diversions. Babysitting can be arranged and the restaurant offers children’s menus. Pets are accepted for a fairly reasonable per-stay fee, and accoutrements abound: water bowls, doggie pick-up bags, bedding, leashes, litter boxes, etc. Pet-walking and sitting services can be arranged, and there’s even a room service menu for pets.The hotel concierge can assist with everything from currency exchange to reservations. The Loews also offers free nightly shoe shines and same-day and express dry cleaning for an extra fee. Valet parking, the hotel’s only option, is pricey, though not out of the norm for a central city hotel. Basic Wi-Fi throughout the hotel is free, or guests can upgrade for an extra fee.