I will be at the Four Seasons Philadelphia in 2 weeks and would like to know if you have any comments about the hotel, any renovations going on?

Can you recommend restaurants?

Thanks

Comments anyone?

Their restaurant, the Fountain, is considered my many to be THE best restaurant in Phila. It is very nice and the food is fabulous.

Hi ahdzp

Lucky you, it's a great hotel. Tell us what you're doing in our city and we can help you have a better time.

We are going for the weekend and just plan to visit historic places, relax, and eat!!!

Now we have another choice for hotel: Rittenhouse, we may stay here.

If you plan on visiting Independence Hall, you will need to get tickets. They are free and give you a specific time to return. You can order them in advance or get them at the Visitors Center. Make sure you visit the Constitution Center. Everything is right in the same area. For great info., go to www.gophila.xom

Thanks for your comments, I will check the website.

Any restaurant advice?

It has been a few years since I was in Phil. I love the Four Seasons -- for restaurants post or visit www.egullet.com go to forums and click on Pennsylvania - they have never failed me in my travels!

Sorry for the typo. That was supposed to be www.gophila.com----NOT "xom"
Phila. has so many good restaurants. What type of food interests you?

You mention in your later post that the Rittenhouse is also a possibility. I'd go there. I think it's got an edge over the Four Seasons. A big plus is that the chef who made the Fountain Restaurant's reputation is now at the Rittenhouse . . . and the Rittenhouse is really more in the center of things, too, the better location of the two for browsing Center City on foot.

We did the FS Philly for New Years Eve for 2 nts last year and found it to be fair at best. Our room was middling and the best was awful! It sagged in the middle and we had to switch rooms and get 2 twin beds. We were pretty disappointed. The food at the Fountain Restaurant was not as good as we thought it would be as well. It was VERY expensive and not worth it at all. We MUCH preferred our meal at Buddakan the night before for 1/2 the price. We didn't even have wine and it was $175 at the FS and one appetizer for $21 wasn't even that good!

We will definitely stay elsewhere next time. STRONGLY recommend the Mutter Museum. Check it out on line VERY interesting stuff in there and hugely different than any other museum you'll ever see! Also recommend the Reading Terminal Mkt for food and sites during the day.

Steve
Silver Spring MD

We have reservations for Rittenhouse hotel, so I'm happy for that, normally we love Four Seasons but I found mixed comments about FS in Philadelphia and, however I will go there and just check the lobby or the restaurant for Brunch

Well, I see I'm too late. We were at the Four Seasons last night. This was our 2nd stay there. We have also stayed at the Rittenhouse and I would have to say that we preferred the Four Seasons. Our bed was fantastic and the staff is exceptional. The lobby of the Rittenhouse can't hold a candle to Four Season's. After dinner at Tangerine, we went to the bar at the FS and finally had to tear ourselves away to check on our teens upstairs. There was a jazz combo playing that we really enjoyed. You'll have a nice time in either hotel but take a look at the FS while you are in the city you may want to stay there another time.

OMG, now I want to cancel the Rittenhouse hotel and take the FS!!!

One reason I reserved RH was because is "very centrally located" is it true? how far is the FS? can I walk??

I can change hotels, PLEASE, give me your comments...thanks

The Rittenhouse (RH) and the FS are about 8 blocks from each other. The FS is closer to the museums and the RH is right on Rittenhouse Square which is a nice little park in the middle of downtown. I doubt the folks that went to Tangerine walked from the FS, that would be about 18 blocks. If this is your first trip to stay in Philly I would probably stay at the RH, it's a nicer area to walk around in and you're closer to the restaurant scene. However, you really can't go wrong with either.

We cabbed it to Tangerine. I say that if you are going to a specific restaurant in Olde City, University City, or South Philly that you will be taking a cab to anyway you may want to stay at the FS. Rittenhouse Square is a quick walk from the FS for daytime strolling and shopping while the museum area is a quick walk in the other direction. If you want to wander at night from your hotel by walking then perhaps the Rittenhouse would be better for you. Its not worth the worry. Check out the hotel you didn't choose just to see it.