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Phone: 215-546-9000

Street Address: 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103

* Superb Massage Facilities * Great Mural Of Boat House Row * Dine With A View Of The Park*

Location Rating: Excellent. Ask for a park view.

Lobby Appearance: Elegant. Relaxing. Two doormen opened the front doors for me.

Room Appearance: Guest rooms were renovated in 2004. The bedrooms are okay... did not excite me. "Traditional muted tones." The bedrooms were spacious, yet seemed ordinary to me. I liked the bathrooms very much. I did not have an opportunity to see their luxury suites with "fully equipped gourmet kitchens."

Useful Nearby Businesses: Commerce Bank. Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Lots of fancy shops and restaurants along nearby Walnut Street.

Hotel Restaurants:

1. Highly regarded French restaurant "Lacroix At The Rittenhouse."

2. Also the very manly-looking "Boathouse Row Bar." It features a very large, extraordinary mural of Philadelphia's famous landmark: Boat House Row. They say this bar is a great place to watch the Eagles games (Philadelphia's professional football team). Opens at 5pm.

3. Smith & Wollensky - reminds me of Bennigans. Has two dining floors.

Both restaurants have good views of Rittenhouse Square Park. The bar has no windows. Lacroix appears subdued. Smith & Wollensky is more lively and noisy.

Other Amenities: Adolf Biecker Salon & Spa - "considered the premiere spa in the city." They have a half lap pool. The fitness center is very well equipped. One of the better hotel fitness centers in the city. They have a brand new massage area. Wow... You open a door to a dark corridor with subtle wall lighting which faces down at knee level. The most soothing musical sounds are in the air. There is a pleasant scent. And the private massage rooms are off to the side, including one room for a water massage. I liked this environment so much. It felt so comfortable and relaxing. I imagine it would be heaven to get a massage here.

They do have room safes, but unfortunately they are not large enough to store a laptop.

Tea is served in the afternoons in the comfortable lobby area. Nice places to sit. Very comfortable. They have a patio for warm weather enjoyment.

Near the lobby is a flower shop with unusual gifts available for purchase.

High speed internet access is included.

Would I Stay Here? Yes, in a room with a park view, and I'd get a massage : )

Comments: The Rittenhouse Hotel is considered a 5 star hotel and is a member of "The Leading Small Hotels Of The World." All hotels with this distinction are top notch. This hotel opened in 1989 and currently has 98 rooms. I found the hotel to have a mixture of excitement, fun and calmness. And I enjoyed seeing their unique Philadelphia paintings.

Outside is the Rittenhouse Square Park. It encompasses one city block and is well cared for, although it is not on the same level as New York City's Bryant Park. The real estate here is expensive. This is a desirable address.

Their ballroom looks like it would be good for a wedding celebration.

The bedrooms did not give me feelings of coziness and comfort. To me, that was just a room. The bathrooms are attractive and comfortable with good lighting. I like the fitness center, the new massage facilities and the restaurants, bar and all of the lobby areas.

The concierge showed me around. I like how they have a service attitude here. At some hotels, they are suspicious about why I am there and others drill me with a lot of questions. Here, I made a request and it was immediately handled. That is how the very best hotels do it.