The Best Hotels to Book in Philadelphia

Formerly a bank, this beautiful Neoclassical building modeled on the Pantheon in Rome dates back to the early 1900s. The Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia looks like a stately government hall. Its interior is just as impressive as its columned exterior, with meeting rooms in the former vaults, grand ballrooms hosting many a wedding and a club lounge up on the 30th floor with a city panorama. The hotel’s Richel D’Ambra Spa is inspired by Balinese treatments, and the plush rooms are everything you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton. Chef Richard Sandoval’s Latin-inspired menu at Aqimero focuses on a wood-burning grill and is served in an opulent dining room.

If the infinity pool floating above the city on the 57th floor doesn’t grab your attention, then perhaps the Michelin-star cuisine at Jean-Georges restaurant will pull you in. Smoked squab with a yuzu broth and seared beef tenderloin with an umami-rich miso glaze are served with a side-helping of city panorama. If seafood is more your thing, Vernick Fish has you covered with fresh oysters and tangy ceviche. Rooms are everything you expect from the five-star establishment, with floor-to-ceiling windows for city views, plush beds and sprawling suites on the top floors.

This Philadelphia hotel was once a church and has been reimagined as a sleek, modern space. Design is predominantly minimalist – gallery-white walls and pristine linen – but Bauhuas-influenced touches bring the place to life. The original stained-glass windows and golden arches remain in some of the eight rooms. The streets around the hotel are filled with cafés, bars and restaurants, but there’s a social shared kitchen if you want to cook for yourself, and a lounge with a pull-down project for a quiet night in.

With Wow suites boasting skyline views and the most basic rooms labeled Wonderful, the W in Philadelphia is a slice of luxury within a towering skyscraper. The decor in sultry red, slate-grey and ink-black lend a sophisticated feel to every room, and floor-to-ceiling windows flood each one with natural light, giving way to sprawling city views. The spa is just as sleek, offering everything from body wraps to manicures. Come dinner time, Italian fare is served with pizzazz at Dolce; enjoy a nightcap on the roof terrace’s WET Deck Bar.