annarb

We are planning a trip to Philadelphia the week of April 5th. We have tickets for the Barnes Foundation and would like to see the main historic sites downtown and perhaps the Mutter museum. Two adults and a teen are driving (from Mi) and will have to pay to park our car downtown. Can you recommend at nice (but it doesn't have to be the 4seasons!), centrally located, easy access hotel?

oberost

You could get a hotel on the outskirts of Philadelphia and take public transportation, or maybe even hotel transportation into town thus avoiding parking and driving in center city?
Possible locations? Near airport or west of city in "City Line" area?

yk

There really isn't a "best location" as it depends on what your goal is.

The "Old City" area is closest to the historic sites (ie, Independence hall, Liberty Bell etc) so you can walk there.

The "Rittenhouse" area is about 15 short city blocks West of the Historic area, but it's nicer and plenty of shops and restaurants around. From Rittenhouse, you can walk to the Mutter Museum. Walking to the Historic area will take about 20 minutes.

I like the Four Seasons location the least because it's less convenient.

No matter which part you stay, driving is about the same; ie you'll be stuck in traffic.

aggiealum2

I agree with yk. I've lived in downtown (Center City) Philly almost a decade ago so what I remember was from way back when. The nicer hotels in the center are either around the Convention Center or around Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse is nicer, but might be much pricier. If budget is a concern, you may consider something in the Convention area. The Convention area is closest to Chinatown and City Hall, but everything is walkable. I walked all over Center City when I was there and rarely used my car. If you're planning to have a car, just be aware that there are commercial lots but you may have to walk half a mile to get to your car.

But the Barnes is outside the central area as is the Mutter so you may want to stay more toward the Museum area, where parking might be easier. While you're there, you might want to check out the Art Museum--the main one as well as the Rodin Museum--both have very nice Impressionistic and Rodin works. Enjoy your trip!

twelveoaks

My wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown and found the location to be outstanding for walking to the historic district and numerous restaurants. We never needed to take our car from parking. Go to TripAdvisor and read the numerous reviews.

yk

Just to add:

Unless budget is a huge issue, you'd enjoy more if you stay in the city, as you can pretty much walk to most attractions and restaurants and shops. Once you're in the city, you don't need to use your car except for the trip out to Barnes. You certainly don't want to drive from Old City to Mutter Museum for example... by the time you get your car from the garage, get through traffic, find a place to park your car again; you'd be there by walking already!

And even for Barnes Foundation, it is reachable by public transportation if you don't want to drive. It's pretty easy on SEPTA followed by a nice walk through very nice residential neighborhood.

If you haven't found this yet, go to gophila.com and see what kind of hotel deals they have.

Also, on travelzoo are a few deals:
this one is hard to believe: $1 at Alexander Inn
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/555194

$89 at Radisson Warwick (right at Rittenhouse Sq)
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/553085

$119 at Independent Hotel (boutique hotel)
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/533324