Street Address: 4101A Island Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153

Rates: Average room rate is $129 as of January 2005.

Location Rating: Close to airport. Also near a sewage treatment plant. During my visits to hotels in this area, I smelled no stink. The gas station across the street is one of the region's most expensive. I can buy regular gas in my area for 46 cents per gallon less! A highway is close. I noticed no highway or plane noise inside the hotel.

Lobby Appearance: Subdued lighting. Sort of a modern design theme. One internet terminal is there. It's free for guests. There is a 7 stool bar with a number of chairs and tables, plus the "Rusto Lounge," which opens after 2pm.

Room Appearance: Brand new beds. They call them "Four Points Of Comfort" beds. I hated the lighting in the bathrooms. Depressing. The rooms I saw were 5 years old and soon to be updated. The rooms were okay - not bad - not great. They are a little plain. In one room I was in, it just seemed like something was missing. I think an extra piece of furniture would have filled the room up better.

Useful Nearby Businesses: The Sheraton Suites next door has a nice atrium cafe, and a relaxing bar area with the sounds of water.

Hotel Restaurants: "Rusto Lounge." I think they have limited hours?

Other Amenities: Parking is $5 per day. The lot is watched over by a security guard. Pets up to 80 pounds are allowed. High speed internet access is available on the 4th and 5th floor. They have an outdoor pool. During the cold months, guests can walk over to their sister property - the Sheraton Suites - and use their indoor pool. The Four Points' fitness center has 4 pieces of equipment and one universal weight lifting apparatus. There is one washer and dryer for guest use on the second floor. I was told that guests fight over them. A volley ball court with sand is outside.

Would I Stay Here? Yes.

Comments: There are 177 rooms here. Nine are reserved for smokers. Previously this was a Days Inn. I visited this hotel 3 times to get a facility tour. The first two visits I encountered a front desk woman who clearly had a rough abrasive edge to her customer service approach, and I didn't like it. During the third visit I encountered a different woman at the front desk and her ability to deal with people was more normal.

*I recommend not pulling up to the ticket machine when you enter the lot, but parking away from it, getting out and retrieving the ticket before proceeding through the gate. I say this because the panel to that machine fell on to my car door when I pushed the button to get a ticket. And it caused some scratches. Now they've got it secured with duct tape. In time, if they keep reusing that same tape, it's going to become weak.