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Phone: 215-521-6551

Street Address: 201 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106

* Fascinating, up-close city skyline views *

Location Rating: Uniquely located along the Delaware riverfront area known as "Penn's Landing." Easily accessible from Interstate 95. On the edge of Center City hustle and bustle, yet without the traffic congestion. Old City and Society Hill parts of the city are within an easy, short walk.

Lobby Appearance: New, modern, refined. Attractive marble floors. Medium-dark woods. I like the elevator lobby. The lobby was active and noisy with guests during my visit. The hotel staff strikes me as very professional. The workers here have an aura of class in the way their appearances and uniforms look, in their demeanors, and in how they interact with guests. It is the same kind of impression I got at the city's other top hotels.

Room Appearance: The standout feature of the hotel is the view from the upper floors. I first was shown the "Skyline Suite" on the 22nd floor. For a while I could not take my eye off of the city view. It wowed me. The Skyline Suite had plenty of windows to enjoy the views. And all the guest rooms have a lot of windows. Some views are of the much calmer river, Ben Franklin Bridge, and Camden, New Jersey area across the river. My favorite view is of Center City, on the other side of the building. It is a much more complex, much more interesting view.

In the Skyline Suite, it's spacious. It has a model home type of feel to it. It doesn't seem like a hotel room. The VIP parlor section of the suite is big. There is a little kitchen area with a full-size refrigerator. It is a little fuzzy to me now as I write this, because the view was such an interesting distraction. In the bedroom there was a fairly large desk and a laptop safe with the ability to charge the laptop while it is in the safe. The suite had 2 line phones. Wireless internet is about to be installed in the building (as of January 2005). It's going to cost $9.95 per day. Furniture in this suite and the regular rooms is considered "contemporary." I would call it modern. I have felt cozier at other hotels. But the view is terrific up there. This suite goes for $500 to $750 per day.

Room 606 is a standard double. An unusual feature is French doors to the bathroom.

I also saw a junior suite. If you are willing to spend the extra money for a suite, it definitely is more comfortable with the extra living space.

Useful Nearby Businesses: The prominent landmark restaurant "Moshulu." It's a large, old sailboat. The "Chart House" restaurant is just a few steps further away. And the "Spirit Of Philadelphia" is one of the lships you can enjoy a meal and river cruise with (another is the Liberty Belle paddle wheel riverboat). Sky tours can be arranged by Sterling Helicopter (I think). Across the river is the Camden Aquarium. And concerts are held in that same area at the Tweeter Center. Also in that vicinity is the Battleship New Jersey, which you can board and tour. During the warm months you can hop on a ferry to go to the other side (interesting river views from the ferry). A couple of movie theaters are also nearby. Plus other restaurants. Oh, the Independence Seaport Museum is next door too.

Hotel Restaurants: There is Perks Cafe which is connected to the lobby. It is open 6:30am till noon. You can get Starbucks coffee there, pastries, muffins, bagels and other things. The hotel's restaurant is the Keating's River Grill. And it was just re-done in August 2004. It is a spacious 200 seat restaurant with a modern look. On nice days you can eat out on the terrace and enjoy the river views. They also have "Keatings Bar" where you can watch two 51 inch plasma televisions, or the view of the river.

Other Amenities: They deliver the Philadelphia Inquirer (newspaper) to your door. If you want a different newspaper, just let them know. The fitness center is above average in size and quantity of equipment. Three televisions can be viewed as you use their running machines. The fitness center has locker rooms with showers, and a sauna, plus a fairly large indoor pool. Maximum depth is 4 feet. The pool has 4th floor views. Room service is available from 6:30am till 11:00pm. The hotel has its own parking garage (not free).

Would I Stay Here? Yes. It's a good place to stay.

Comments: This 22 floor hotel has 350 guest rooms. Two floors are set aside for smokers. Pets are not allowed. The hotel opened in December 2000. If you decide to stay here, be sure to check out the terrace beside the restaurant. They commissioned an artist to make the hand-wrought iron railing. It must have cost them a fortune because it is incredibly ornate with hand blown glass light fixtures. Somebody told me that they were so into the details when they built this hotel that they even made certain they got toilets with toilet seats that did not slam shut.

The hotel is popular for weddings. It has a central location, yet is easily accessible from Interstate Highway 95. So people who don't like coming to big cities find it not so bad to just pull off the highway, drive a short distance and park. There usually are no traffic jams here. There are not lots of people walking around on the sidewalks. The hotel's location is unique here. The Comfort Inn is nearby, but the location is not as good. This is a good area for a jog since you can run along the river here without the danger of cars.

It's a quality hotel atmosphere. Well kept. Very clean. Great high-up views of Center City.