The Best Family-Friendly Hotels to Book in Philadelphia

Best family hotel in Philadelphia? It could well be this one. The Rittenhouse Hotel knows its place: overlooking the city’s 17th-century Rittenhouse Square from its angled windows. Ballrooms, crystal chandeliers and daily high tea uphold a sense of refined elegance; so do glass-cased fashions from Boyds for that little number you might’ve forgotten. The location is unbeatable for strolls in the park. If you’d like to stretch your legs in the direction of a bite, Tortorice’s (speciality sandwiches) and Metropolitan Bakery are a block or two away.

The Ritz-Carlton is the sine qua non of Broad Street glamour and has occupied its spot at number 10 since 1907. Some oohs and aahs at the building’s impressive architectural references to the Pantheon and Beaux-Arts period are merited, but this Ritz-Carlton also gets pop-culture cred for having hosted the first-ever NFL draft. It parties on as a spot for local celebrity sightings, and its bar, Aqimero, magnetizes the city’s major-league schmoozers and sipsters alike. If you’re bringing the kids along and therefore can’t commit to the bar scene, no worries: the hotel also has a champagne vending machine and room service.

Regardless of the season, if you’re looking for a sleek city view, check in at the Four Seasons – this is one kid-friendly hotel in Philadelphia that certainly won’t disappoint. Canted mirrors coat the ceiling of the 60th-floor reception desk, welcoming well-heeled guests to unimpeded views of Philly landmarks, including sweeping visions of the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row. Profusions of ostrich feathers and live orchids stud the gleaming surfaces, and the hotel’s restaurant and bar open out between crystalline floor-to-ceiling windows. Spacious elevators are kid-friendly and stroller-friendly, while the restaurant, Jean-Georges Philadelphia, does a delicious children’s menu – order them the chicken nuggets.

And what a Liberty-belle view it is. This hotel, originally built in 1904 and expanded to its current grandeur in 1912, rolls out a mighty 19 floors of gilded-era pizzazz. See the intricate ground-floor tiling that gives the foyer a statehouse vibe; and gawp as you wander the hallways, breathing in the sheer ballroom fantasy of it all. (NB: they were specifically designed for the 6ft (1.8m) width of Victorian hoopskirts, but also great for strollers.). It’s a posh yet family-friendly hotel with bend-over-backwards staff, a nursing room on the second floor and an indoor piazza (fountain included) on the 13th.

Right beside the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Logan is a classic example of upscale Hilton design tempered by the company’s Curio-label quirkiness: bronze-cast statuettes nod to Philly’s collection of Rodin sculptures, while silver gel photos float like memories on high chandeliers. A rooftop bar replete with fire pits presents a comfortable year-round space for adult enjoyment, and during the day kids can check out attractions such as the Parkway Central Library, LOVE Park and the City of Brotherly Love’s own Giant Heart.

Philadelphia kid-friendly hotels don’t come more head-turning than this favorite, on the western side of 17th Street. Sofitel has a whimsical aesthetic – imagine walking into a 3D collage of shape, color and texture. The hotel displays local art and relies on softened lighting – all in all, a welcome reprieve from the heat of the street and the clamor of horns. The Sofitel has a less refined air that larger groups may find welcome – as a result, it’s particularly family-friendly, and well positioned for visits to the Barnes Foundation and the shopping district. Content to stay in? Large glass windows afford fine views of downtown.

It’s not on the Avenue of the Arts for nothing – you’ll find the hotel right on Broad Street in downtown Philly. The Doubletree by Hilton is the place to go if you’re looking for easy access to live theater, orchestra, opera or galleries. Whether you fancy a production of Hamilton at the Merriam Theater or a show for all ages at the Kimmel Center, you won’t have far to go – the film and theater epicenter of the city is at your feet. Also at your feet? Philadelphia’s Walk of Fame. If you look up as you crouch, you might see one of the stars walking by on the way to a show.

Among the kid-friendly hotels in Philadelphia, the Sonesta stands out for its energetic vibe, fueled by contemporary art decor referencing local up-and-coming Philly artists. With Louboutin-red seating and the buzz from the adjoining ArtBar, the Sonesta has an electric energy that’s great for families on the move. The hotel has rollaway and crib services, and a rooftop pool with enough room for the whole crew. Nearby attractions include City Hall and Dilworth Park, and it’s a one-minute walk to a La Colombe cafe for a pick-me-up, before boarding a Philadelphia Sightseeing Tour (bus stop adjacent).