Best Boutique Hotels in Center City, Philadelphia

The 230-room Palomar near Rittenhouse Square Park is one of the city's chicest boutiques, with bold, sleek style, excellent service, and contemporary rooms with plush, comfortable beds. The Palomar delivers the Kimpton chain's typical thoughtful extras -- an open-arms pet policy, a hopping nightly wine hour, free morning coffee and tea -- and the location on South 17th street is near some of the city's best restaurants, bars, and shopping. In Philadelphia, only Le Meridien offers a comparable boutique experience.

The charming Alexander Inn is a mid-range, European-style boutique property in popular Center City Philadelphia. Furnished in an Art Deco style, this hotel boasts a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, colorful public spaces, and fine art in hallways and the lobby. It's a wonderful value given the central location, and the hotel provides free breakfast, free daily snacks, and free Wi-Fi, as well as a 24-hour fitness center and a 24-hour business center. The 48 rooms are clean and cozy, with large windows, but they do run small. While there is a fee for parking, it’s considerably less expensive than nearby options.

The Independent is a small and stylish mid-range boutique hotel with a great location and warm, homey decor. There are 24 spacious, traditional guest rooms and a cozy on-site Italian restaurant. This hotel is within walking distance of many popular destinations, including historical sites and the Convention Center, and the surrounding neighborhood is charming. The hotel hosts a free weekday wine reception and continental breakfast is delivered to guest rooms free of charge. Due to the central location, some rooms can be noisy, and while the property is smaller and does not feature as many features as some of the larger hotels nearby, guests have access to a nearby pool and fitness center.

Le Meridien is one of the most stylish hotels in Center City, with a striking combination of historical and modern design. Only the Hotel Palomar offers the same level of luxury boutique experience. But it's not quite perfect: Some rooms face an interior atrium and lack privacy.

The 138-room Latham is a chic boutique hotel with a prime location near Rittenhouse Square Park, near some of the city's best restaurants, bars, and shopping. The lobby has bold retro-chic style, and rooms have chic blue and gold decor and modern technology features, though some are on the small side. Features are comparable to those offered by other upscale boutiques: There is a modern fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street, and a casual Italian restaurant serving all three meals. All in all, it's on par with the Hotel Palomar or Le Meridien, but rates here are sometimes lower.