The Best Hotels to Book Near Washington Square Park, Philadelphia

The Morris House has a genteel pedigree that seems to burnish even the four-poster beds – and teacups, china cabinets and antimacassars improve posture immediately here. If you’re looking for a colonial experience in the City of Brotherly Love, the Morris House offers a selection of rooms close to the National Constitution Center as well as extended stay rooms for those working away from home. Since the building is listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, know that gatherings of more than two people in any of the guest rooms require prior management approval.

A brick’s throw from Elfreth’s Alley, the hand-plastered crème walls silently whoop luxury while maintaining a dignified calm. Lokal is an understated extended-stay hotel that houses six apartments for those looking to experience the historic pull of Old City Philadelphia’s cobblestone streets without the usual hotel footprint. Well-made wooden furniture is complemented by cobalt-blue cabinetry – without feeling too patriotic. Rooms are a mix of one and two-bedroom flats, as well as a family flat.

A toney social house for colonial enthusiasts, wide mullions allow light to float through the building and erase any hint of colonial dustiness. Spartan and elegant, the Penn’s View Hotel is just across the road from the Delaware River and within close walking distance for those interested in Old City and landmarks such as Old Christ Church. With a refined atmosphere, the hotel includes the Panorama restaurant and a curated cheese and wine selection to enjoy.

The Alexander Inn has an understated elegance that is quietly attendant and comfortable yet subtle. Guests are led in under a maroon-and-brass awning and met by a 24-hour in-person receptionist. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, the Alexander is surprisingly close to South Street – one of Philadelphia’s main hubs for nightlife and cheesesteaks – as well as being within easy walking distance of Washington Square Park.

Rooftop infinity pool, anyone? The Windsor highlights the city by letting it fall unobstructed at your feet. From the rooftop lounge and garden, you’re equidistant from both Logan Square and Philly’s iconic Love Park. The neighborhood is more business and embassy-related than residential and the area’s a modern hub for visiting Rocky fans and art lovers. Those coming in by train will be thrilled that the classy and brassy, art deco Suburban Station is so close by. Daytime activities like museum visits, a walk down Embassy Row and access to Schuylkill River Park are highlights – and for those venturing downtown in the evening rideshares and cabs abound.

Club Quarters is housed in Philadelphia’s August Provident Trust building and while the name may evoke the smoke-and-leather atmosphere of yesteryear’s clubs, CQ offers a fresh, minimalist interior that feels light and friendly. The hotel’s lobby sits above the bustle of the Rittenhouse shopping district and offers easy access to the iconic Liberty One building and plenty of lunch spots for midday shoppers. With well-lit spots for reading, watching television, drinking coffee and studying, it’s also a convenient home-base for those curious about Philly mainstays: such as Di Bruno Brothers, Gran Caffé L’Aquila and the charming John F Collins Park.

Playing off its location among some of Philadelphia’s best colleges, the Study offers a thoughtful teahouse atmosphere and curated culture to guests. With custom-design museum cabinets, writing desks and an outdoor seating area dotted with low, smooth boulders, The Study evokes nearby intellectual and academic offerings such as the Penn Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). Amenities include an adjoining lounge and restaurant (CO-OP), a slick fitness center and valet parking for those uninterested in braving the perils of Chestnut Street parking.

A nonchalant residential façade and interior exposed brick give a sense of belonging and place to the Maj, located right off the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the end of the residential Fairmount district. Besides easy access to nearby attractions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Maj also features its own smart hotel app to control lighting, temperature and room access. It’s a chic counterpoint to Philadelphia’s colonial history – where amenities include a gym and self-check-in and out service, ideal for tech-savvy visitors on a timetable.

Less a hotel than an urban huntsman’s retreat, Wm Mulherin’s Sons is a combination restaurant with a boutiquey upstairs overnight stay. Four rooms each carry their own hipster-vintage charms that perfectly capture the character of the local Fishtown neighborhood. The residence is laid out for a quiet getaway outside the city’s downtown and each guest room features a lux gem-toned couch begging to be reclined on with a worn paperback. An easy walk to low-key local music venues as well as the Fillmore, it’s a prime location for evening bar-hopping and alt music enthusiasts searching for local millennial flavor.