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The Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons are tops in Philadelphia. As North America s oldest planned city, Philadelphia is laid out in an orderly grid of North/South, East/West one way streets with City Hall in a center square. The Ritz-Carlton is next to City Hall. All of the other hotels are within five blocks of the Ritz, with the Hyatt at The Bellevue and the Four Seasons located at opposite extremes. Please check out this web page for an excellent interactive map.

The Ritz-Carlton 10 S. Broad Street (Avenue of the Arts) Center City - (215).523.8000 - The "Convention Hotel" is centrally located, like the hub of a wheel. The other hotels are several blocks in varying direction. This structure was originally built as the headquarters for the Girard Bank. It was totally renovated and reopened in June of 2000 as an elegant hotel. The rooms are very well appointed, and the service is excellent. The lobby has a very unique ambience; a place to see and be seen. Make sure that you consider the "Paris Bar and Grille" for at least one meal. Woodward & Dickerson, a once famous fertilizer trading house was headquartered on several upper floors of this building, so the hotel's pedigree is authentic.

The Marriott Philadelphia - 1201 Market Street - Center City - (215).625.2900 - This is the largest of the convention hotels with more than 1400 rooms in the main building. It is in every respect a Marriott. Consider booking a room in the Headhouse which is a renovated building attached to the hotel with higher ceilings. This hotel is adjacent to America s oldest farmer s market, the Reading Terminal Market, which is a mandatory visit if in Philadelphia. The hotel also links to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It is also one block from Chinatown. There is both a "Starbucks" and a reasonably sophisticated 24-hour Kinko's Business Center amongst the shops on the first floor.

The Four Seasons Hotel - One Logan Square - Center City - (215).963.1500 - This property is located on beautiful Logan Circle on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, an American Champs d'Elysee if you will; a diagonal boulevard which leads from City Hall to the Art Museum and Fairmount Park beyond. Although at the edge of the business district, it is still convenient, and represents one of the Four Season chain s finest properties anywhere. If your budget doesn t include dinner at The Fountain , at least have a drink in the Swan Lounge.

The Hyatt at The Bellevue - Broad and Walnut Streets - Center City - (215).893.1234 - This is an elegant hotel property that has seen many famous events, including the birth of the Dixiecrat Party of recent notoriety. The public spaces in this hotel reflect its grand historical tradition, as a much bigger property. It was remodeled a decade ago with a number of the floors converted to office space and upscale boutique shops such as Tiffany & Co., and Polo/Ralph Lauren. "The Palm" is on the first floor adjacent to a "Starbucks". There is an extensive health club in the hotel to which guests have access. This property is convenient to all of the best restaurants and it is in the heart of the theatre district. It is next to the Academy of Music and a block from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Hotel Sofitel - 120 South 17th Street Center City - (215).569.8300 - This is one of the smaller convention hotels and the most economical choice offered. It will nonetheless be quite comfortable. It is conveniently located to both Rittenhouse Square and to the top restaurants on Walnut Street.

Alternate Hotels

Residence Inn Downtown - Corner of Market and Juniper Streets Center City Centrally located between the Marriott and Ritz, you might save a few dollars staying at this pub, getting a little extra space in the room, but conceding fancy food service on the property.

Doubletree Hotel - Broad Street at Locust Street - across from the Park Hyatt Site of Americas Interhash in 1987 - Since then fully renovated by new owners. This is also a good location, offering the possibility of shaving a few dollars on lodging cost.

The Westin Philadelphia - 99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place - If you like this chain, (our preference when traveling) this is a relatively new property located in a complex with the city s two biggest buildings Liberty One and Liberty Two; Starbucks on the first floor.

The Rittenhouse Hotel - 210 West Rittenhouse Square Center City This property competes with the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton and may well be the headquarters for some of our more prosperous cohorts who can not get suitable accommodations at the top tier convention hotels. Lacroix on the second floor is one of our favorites.

The Omni Hotel 401 Chestnut street- Old City - 215 -925-0000 - This property is a well kept secret. About 10 blocks from the Ritz and the Hyatt, this gem is a little bit out of the way, but if you want quiet European style elegance this is a spot to consider. The John Madden bus is parked here when he does the Eagles games. It is right in the heart of Independence National Park so most rooms have a good view. Azalea on the second floor serves all three meals with elegance.