The Best Hotels to Book Near Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is a National Historic Landmark | © Wirestock, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

27 October 2021

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Al Capone was under lock and key at the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, now an eerily fascinating tourist attraction. Add the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky Steps to your sightseeing list when you stay in these stellar hotels bookable via Culture Trip.

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, for fine dining near Love Park

The luxurious Ritz-Carlton suite at the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia / Expedia

Rooms and suites in this repurposed neoclassical former bank feature picture windows with skyline views, in some cases directly over the iconic spire of City Hall, and soft leather headboards. In a high-ceilinged dining room flanked by towering, Romanesque columns, Mexican classics, such as shrimp quesadillas and queso fundido (melted cheese), are offered alongside burgers. Relax in the spa, where traditional beauty treatments share the menu with chakra-balancing reiki procedures and medical-grade skin therapies.

The Deacon, for community-minded comfort near the Italian Market

The chef’s open kitchen and hangout space at the Deacon

Courtesy of The Deacon / Expedia

Bauhaus-inspired features and minimalist design blend with vaulted stone ceilings and stained-glass windows in this former church, once home to First American Baptists. Airy, vaulted social spaces include a kitchen stocked with ingredients for lazy breakfasts and plentiful snacks, as well as an open-plan lounge. The helpful staff provides insider tips on where to shop, sightsee, eat and drink in the surrounding Graduate Hospital neighborhood.

The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton, for scenic city views near Logan Square

The Assembly Rooftop Lounge with firepits at the Logan Philadelphia

Courtesy of The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton / Expedia

The perks of a stay at this five-star hotel include a specially curated art collection in rooms and communal areas, a steakhouse with locally sourced meat and vintage decor, and a rooftop bar with firepits and City Hall views. Rooms feature abstract paintings on wood-paneled walls, and many also have privileged perspectives on Sister Cities Park through picture windows. Dip into the subterranean spa for sea-salt scrubs and hot-stone massages.

Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City, for traditional comfort near Reading Terminal Market

A guest room with one bed at the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City

Courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City / Expedia

The rooms at this business-like Hilton opposite Jefferson Station have a neutral color palette, one king or two queen beds and ergonomic chairs for sinking into as you email home. Enjoy panoramic views of the cityscape and local steak-based dishes in the 10th-floor Garden Grille and Bar, and stock up on chips, water, soft drinks and chocolate from the sundry store for sightseeing. Keep supple with laps in the indoor pool and weights in the small gym before taking in popular sights such as City Hall, the Shops at Liberty Place, and Independence Hall, a 15-minute walk away.

Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, for urban cool near Philadelphia City Hall

Chain Hotel

A guest room with two queen-size beds at the Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City

Courtesy of Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City / Expedia

A French brasserie theme prevails throughout the former Stephen Girard Building, named after the Bordeaux-born banker and philanthropist who made the city his home in the late 1700s. Featuring navy blue furnishings and shiny brass accents, the Wayward, the on-site brasserie, serves some of the best oyster platters and gin-based cocktails in Philly, alongside staple American dishes with a French touch. Rooms maintain the Gallic theme with overhanging, blue-and-brass headboards and navy blue doors.

The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection, for vintage views near the Philadelphia Convention Center

The luxurious lobby of the Notary Hotel with chandeliers and marble floors

Courtesy of The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection / Expedia

Featuring dark wooden ceiling beams that wouldn’t be out of place in an Andalusian villa, the Sabroso+Sorbo restaurant serves classic tapas, such as patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), alongside a selection of Spanish-themed cocktails and beers. Rooms and suites pay tribute to 1920s glamour with art deco-style furnishings and vintage items – book the high-floor studio for double-aspect views of the city through picture windows. The Pressed Coffee Bar offers locally brewed La Colombe coffee and home-made pastries.

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, for sky-high sleekness near the Franklin Institute

The indoor infinity pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows at the Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center

Courtesy of Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center / Expedia

It’s all about food and views at this upscale skyscraper, with a 57th-floor spa featuring an infinity pool with airplane-style perspectives. Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten oversees the culinary performance at the 60th-floor bar and restaurant, presenting artful dishes such as parmesan-crusted chicken with artichokes and a lemon-basil sauce. Down in Vernick Fish, James Beard-winner Greg Vernick provides a modern, hyper-local take on the classic American oyster house. Snooze in oatmeal-colored rooms with lots of gadgets.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, for playful and period features near the Liberty Bell

A bar with couches and tables at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

Courtesy of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia / Expedia

A stay at this city-center Kimpton includes free rental bikes and a complimentary wine reception every evening. Stay in the corner king or corner one-bedroom suite for a freestanding tub in a red-tiled bathroom and 180-degree views of the Independence National Historical Park. The indoor-outdoor Stratus Lounge is one of the finest rooftop joints downtown, offering sharing platters and original cocktails high above the Liberty Bell.

The Rittenhouse, for leafy luxury near the African American Museum in Philadelphia

The fine-dining restaurant at the Rittenhouse

Courtesy of the Rittenhouse / Expedia

Rooms and suites at the five-star Rittenhouse are well stocked with books for you to peruse in the window-side seating areas, accompanied by a treat from the generously stocked minibar. Try not to be distracted by views of the leafy Rittenhouse Square or the skyline. The sumptuous spa facilities cover every wellness whim, from an atrium pool and a fitness center to instant-result facials. The hotel has a few dining options, including a 12-course tasting experience at the Chef’s Table.

The Bellevue Hotel, for style and seafood near the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The opulent XIX Cameo Room, part of XIX Restaurant, at the Bellevue Hotel

Courtesy of The Bellevue Hotel / Expedia

On the 19th floor of the Bellevue Hotel, the aptly named XIX Restaurant has a domed, whitewashed ceiling and arched windows letting in expansive views – an appropriately opulent setting for the weekend brunch of mimosas, crab cake benedict, Scottish salmon and champagne. Spread throughout an extravagant French Renaissance building – the brainchild of pioneering Prussian-American hotelier George Boldt – rooms feature a pale, uncluttered aesthetic, soaring ceilings and black-and-white photos of Philly through the ages, and most have skyline views.

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