I’m going to a convention in May 2020. I’m trying to decide where H and I will stay there. So far, I have booked 3 hotels (all can be canceled). Day’s Inn by Wyndham Philadelphia Convention Center, Alexander Inn, and Cambria Philadelphia Downtown Center City. I’ve been reading the reviews to try to figure out which of them to stay at but it’s tough to decide.
I’ve read bad things about the area where the Days Inn is (right by the Convention Center and a homeless shelter). Folks seem to rave about both Cambria and Alexander Inn. I’d appreciate any insights from folks who know these hotels and the area.
Thanks very much. At the convention, we will spend most of our time in meetings at the convention center, and all the hotels are varying short walks from it and/or on the convention free shuttle route.
There are many nice dining options near Cambria and Alexander. The latter also includes a light breakfast. Have not read good things about on premises dining at either. The Days Inn is not supposed to be near good dining options.
Well, we have had some positive experiences with past stats in Days Inns. In any case there are still two other boutique hotels to choose between. I’m not a fan of being in any hotel next to a homeless shelter, personally. The reviews mention this of that Days Inn, so we are ruling out the hotel on that basis. They said problems spill over to the hotel.
I haven’t been to Philly (to sleep over) in many years also. Last year we stayed at a Cambria in Asheville and the new brand of boutique hotel was wonderful. Rooms were cool, they greeted us with champagne at check-in, gave us local honey at check-out, and every employee was the nicest hotel employee I have ever dealt with (including the valets). So, I would suggest you try it out.
I attended a conference in PHL last month and stayed at the Marriott. While the hotel was basic, the location was the best. The hotel connects to the convention center by a bridge which was convenient, especially when it rained. Being close to the convention center also provided the option to go back to my room and rest between sessions.
The Reading Terminal Market is located directly across the street and has some fantastic places to eat. https://readingterminalmarket.org
There is also a Starbucks in the hotel where I got my morning coffee before early meetings.
I live in Philadelphia and people really like the Cambria and I hear good things about the Alexander. Center City is small and walkable. Do not worry about dining in the Hotel, though the Cambria has a Del Friscos that just opened. There is so much food available near each place.
Once you make a decision, please come back on. I’d be happy to recommend places to eat.
I was at a convention in Philly two years ago. There are tons…and I mean tons of places to eat across from the convention center. You won’t starve to death. I was at meetings until 9 at night, and waited outside for an Uber with lots of others doing the same. Unless you plan to walk around at night…just pick a hotel. There will be lots of convention folks doing what you are doing. I usually choose a hotel on the convention shuttle route.
I was at the convention center last month. I would opt for the Cambria or the Alexander. You’ll enjoy the city more in either of those two locations and you won’t be inconvenienced by the short walk from either to the convention center.
I have never heard of either the Cambria or the Alexander. The Cambria is fairly new. I’ve walked past both lots of times without noticing them.
It’s true that both of them are in much nicer locations than the Days Inn. But I wouldn’t actually worry about the Days Inn. Yes, that block has a seedier look, but I don’t think it’s actually dangerous, especially when something is going on at the Convention Center. My current favorite dim sum restaurant is across the street from there, and I have been there several times at night without ever feeling uncomfortable.
The other two hotels are in an area with lots of restaurants and cafes and the like, and lots of people on the street into the wee hours of the morning.
Wow—thanks for all the feedback! It’s very helpful. We are still on the fence but have a long time more before we have to cancel without penalty. We stayed at a nice Cambria in Dallas. It was on the shuttle route, so we could catch it when we didn’t feel like walking.
I’m fonder of small hotels than huge ones, generally. Sadly the Marriott has no rooms released for check-in at all during the window of the convention. Suspect they have been reserved as a huge block.
I hope you don’t wait too long to cancel the unneeded rooms. It’s pretty inconsiderate to tie up rooms that someone else might need. Philadelphia hotel rooms book up fast and you are blocking others from securing a reservation.
Very often, the folks associated with the convention book the Marriott in Philly for the presenters, planning committees, and officers of the association…and sometimes certain committee members.
I’ve stayed at the Ritz Carlton, the Downtown Marriott, and the Aloft in the last few years. The Marriott was disappointing but the location is great. And the Aloft was a pleasant surprise and right next to the convention center. The RC was the nicest but also the most expensive and not quite as close as the others.
As people have said, there are so many dining option in that area that you won’t go hungry.
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn 2 years ago. Very short walk to the convention center. Many places to eat, plus the hotel has room service and a dining room for breakfast. We liked it very much and would stay there again.
I stayed with my D at the Courtyard Downtown last year while we were visiting schools and it was fabulous. A short walk to GREAT places to eat on 13th, 2 blocks to the convention center or Reading Terminal. We had originally been booked at Aloft but they screwed us over and left us with no room - that was a nightmare - and the Courtyard came through. It’s an historic building (as so many building in Philly are!) and right next to city hall. LOVED it.
