Philadelphia

[susanliber]

This is directed mainly at Ned but others can chime in. I am doing a road trip to the Pittsburgh area - with a side overnight to Fairmont WV to visit my sister. On the way home, I had planned to visit a friend in Philadelphia for a day or two. Now she is not going to be there but I am thinking of going any way by myself. I would really like to see the Mutter Museum....and the Franklin Institute. Those would occupy my two days easily. Is there a moderately priced hotel walkable distance from either or both?

I know there are many other things to do and see but I only have 2 nights to stay this trip.

Thanks.

[Ned]

Both the Franklin Institute and Mutter Museum, like many museums in Philadelphia, are on the west side of Center-City. We more or less have a dichotomy of sites to visit in Center-City Philadelphia. There are the Revolutionary War historic sites near or in Independence National Historic Park on the Eastern side of Center-City between about 8th Street and the Delaware River. Then there are the western spots going from about Delancey Street at the south edge and 17th Street on the east to and including the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the north to about 27th Street on the west. (The numbered streets go from East (Front (1st) to West (27th)). There are some things in the middle, but little compared to the east and west.

There are very few moderately price hotels, but there are some.

There is the Oakwood Philadelphia, at 1601 Sansom Street which generally runs from $95 - $228 per night. It's apartment like. I know a couple of people who stayed there and said it was pleasant and clean.

The Windsor Suites is located at 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. In runs from $122 - $333 per night. I have no idea how many rooms are available at the low end or what they are precisely like. Some people who have stayed there said it was clean and fine, while others have complained the walls are too thin.

The Club Quarters hotel at 1628 Chestnut St is in the moderate price range, and some say it's good, but I've heard mostly mediocre words about it, including about heat.

There are other possible locations, but they are on the other side of Center-City. If you want, I can go through them too, but they are further away for walking to the sites you've mentioned. I have no idea if the moderately priced rooms are available. Philadelphia's room rates are generally lower than comparable hotels in Washington, New York, and Boston, their main tourist competition in the Northeast, but the occupancy rates in Philadelphia, are generally high, seemingly always over 70%, with some hotels here consistently well over that.

[susanliber]

thanks Ned - I will start my searching in earnest tonight. If I cannot get one near by I will stay somewhere else and drive into the museum. I know that Parking is usually a problem - especially on a Saturday! Unless I hold off and travel on Sunday and am there on Monday.....I don't have set times. Hotel rates are usually less on Sunday and Monday nights than Friday and Saturday - originally I was going to stay with my friend who isn't there now.

[Ned]

No driving. Take a cab to the area, if you're not in it, or public transportation, or the Phila Phlash bus from May through October only, unfortunately.

You want to leave your car in a lot.

Let me know what you find and I can tell you about it.

Originally Posted by susanliber

thanks Ned - I will start my searching in earnest tonight. If I cannot get one near by I will stay somewhere else and drive into the museum. I know that Parking is usually a problem - especially on a Saturday! Unless I hold off and travel on Sunday and am there on Monday.....I don't have set times. Hotel rates are usually less on Sunday and Monday nights than Friday and Saturday - originally I was going to stay with my friend who isn't there now.

[Loonbeam]

There is also a decent Embassy suites in the area.

For 1-2 night the Club Quarters would be fine, as Ned said nothing fancy, but clean (small rooms with odd features).

Realistically, you could stay in the Historic District/Old City as well if you can find a good rate (I just got the Omni for someone for $89 on Priceline). A cab ride to the museums in question won't be much...

[Ned]

The Embassy Suites is ok, and for that reason, has few rooms for a while, and from the inventory I saw, it's the more expensive rooms there, but I guess it's worth a try.

Originally Posted by Loonbeam

There is also a decent Embassy suites in the area.

For 1-2 night the Club Quarters would be fine, as Ned said nothing fancy, but clean (small rooms with odd features).

Realistically, you could stay in the Historic District/Old City as well if you can find a good rate (I just got the Omni for someone for $89 on Priceline). A cab ride to the museums in question won't be much...

[susanliber]

I looked at the Club Quarters. The reviews seemed OK to me. It is only going to be me - when I am in the room I will be on the computer or knitting...don't need much room for that....just have to recheck about the parking.

[susanliber]

Loonbeam - what do you mean by odd features? I can see that is is an old building.

[Ned]

Originally Posted by susanliber

Loonbeam - what do you mean by odd features? I can see that is is an old building.

Club Quarters is typically only available on weekends for non-members. Also in the Philadelphia Club Quarters, there is the G Lounge which is in the lower level space which housed the Provident Bank vaults (The building was a bank.) and the private “Mogul Room” is a VIP area down there inside the three-foot thick walls of the vault. That's odd to me.