Greg Fleming checks into the Sonesta, Philadelphia
Location: In the centre of the city on Market Street, a great location just minutes away from Rittenhouse Square with its great restaurants (highly recommend Parc and The Love) and shopping (bonus, there’s no sales tax in Philly on clothes and shoes). Within walking distance of popular sights like the Reading Terminal Market and the One Liberty observation deck as well as subway stations and bus routes.
Getting there: Easy from Philadelphia International Airport, from where cabs have a set fare to the centre of Philly — around $30. It’s about a 20-minute journey.
Check in experience: Easy, the room was ready when I arrived, just a credit card swipe for incidentals and I was in the room in a matter of minutes.
Price: Around $240 per night plus taxes.
Room: I had a club-level guest room on the 23rd floor — which had access to the executive club lounge on level eight with free continental breakfast, snacks throughout the day and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and drinks in the evening.
The room itself didn’t have much of a view but was quiet, roomy and comfortable and as I woke up very early still being on NZ time — the 6.30am breakfast option in the lounge was appreciated. Room of course had free Wi-Fi, plus a work desk, lots of wardrobe space and a large TV with around 50 channels; a comfy kingsize bed with a headboard featuring that iconic Philadelphia skyline. Coffee maker and the usual minifridge. Room service food was good, I’m told, but pricey once the service charges are added.
Bathroom: Fine — bath and shower, with a good shaving mirror.
Toiletries: Poggesi. Contact: sonesta.com
Facilities: The hotel has a gym and (unheated) outdoor pool on the 8th floor — Philly gets hot in the summer, with temperatures reaching 36C when I was there. The Art Bar downstairs offers meals and coffee and the hotel is also connected to one of the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — which serves whopping great steaks. Try the T-bone.
Verdict: A comfortable, superbly located hotel that’s reasonably priced. Philadelphia is a great town and I would definitely stay again.