The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Philadelphia, USA

A former City Hall Annex, the iconic 1926 building that houses this luxury hotel in Philadelphia is on the city’s Register of Historic Places. Government business has been replaced by civil service of a different kind, with the Notary Hotel offering posh accommodation in the center of town. Mixing the historic with the contemporary, you’ll find original marble floors and brass moldings mingling with slick latter-day décor for a sense of classic grandeur with a modern touch.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia manages to pull off a rare feat – combining the spirit of the vibrant Center City neighborhood with the laid-back allure of an urban retreat. As you settle into this art deco-inspired boutique hotel, you’ll discover an ambiance that’s sophisticated, but with a big dollop of Philly sense of humor – best summed up by the three brightly-colored busts of Benjamin Franklin in the living room.

Proudly Philly, embracing both the city’s rich history and its quirks, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia has 268 comfortable guest rooms, a stunning ballroom and a celebrated neighborhood restaurant. What really sums up the sense of fun here, though, is the rooftop lounge Stratus with its lush green walls and leather couches you could sink into for days. Whether you are starting the evening with chef-crafted small plates or finishing a night out with curated cocktails, it’s a seriously cool place to hang out.

Philadelphia’s tallest building, the Norman Foster-designed Comcast Center, huddles together like a deck of cards mid-shuffle. At its very top, bagging the killer views is the Four Seasons, flooded with light and looking down on the tops of other skyscrapers. On the 57th floor is a curvaceously-designed spa, with its smooth-edged design echoed in rooms with standalone, egg-shaped baths and mid-century modern furniture in mushroom and taupe.

Set on (and named for) one of the leafy, historic squares for which Philadelphia is famous, this is a luxury hotel that emanates character. This is courtesy of its book-stacked lounge with a fireplace, an enchanting, greenery-filled courtyard and one of the best spas in the city. Bedrooms are given a glam sheen by glossy golden walls and upholstered bed frames, but it’s an old-school brand of luxury, rather than cutting-edge, design.

This member’s club-with-rooms has a smart, masculine hipster look, with framed black-and-white photography on the walls and bold geometric sheets on the beds. Alongside a relaxed location by the city’s Schuylkill River, its facilities are first-class: a fully kitted-out health club with a 75ft (23m) pool, a speakeasy-vibes bar and restaurant, and an alluring patio bar lit by smoldering fire pits. With just 14 rooms, the overnight crowd feels intimate and exclusive.

This approachable, modern stay has smart doubles and suites with crisp, white beds, color-pop cushions and Rorschach-style inky art. At the top end, some of the more luxurious suites have pool tables, grand pianos, or playrooms with bunk beds for kids. Location-wise, you’re a short walk from sightseeing spots such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art (with the Rocky Steps), the Rodin Museum and the 19th-century Reading Terminal Market.

This branch of the Sofitel chain is more about leisure than work – with simply-designed rooms brightened up by locally inspired art (paintings of Rodin’s sculptures, abstract maps) and a stylish, curvaceous lobby decked out with fresh flowers and candle-lit storm lanterns. Close to Philly’s designer boutiques and fine-dining establishments, this is the kind of smart, international hotel where everything runs like clockwork.

An elaborate Renaissance Revival building dating back to 1904, this wedding-magnet hotel has a Grand Ballroom, a Tiffany jewelry boutique and a 19th-floor restaurant presided over by a chandelier like a giant pearl necklace. Rooms aren’t super-high-concept but they are spacious and comfy, with plump upholstered headboards and snuggly throws. Book XIX restaurant’s decadent brunch for crab cake eggs benedict and champagne cocktails on tap.