My Unexpected Stay at Embassy Suites at Philadelphia Airport
 

I'm a software developer and trainer who travels frequently. I live in Oak Park, IL, just west of Chicago. I usually get rained in or snowed in once or twice a year somewhere in the United States. I was working in Wilmington, DE, on Friday, July 14, 2017 when American Airlines called me to say that my 8:25 pm flight had been cancelled. The airlines cancelled hundreds of flights on Friday, July 14, 2017 due to heavy rain on the East coast. My travel agent re-booked me on a 9:15 am flight back to Chicago on Saturday, July 15. She also reserved a room for me at the Embassy Suites at Philadelphia Airport which I had never stayed at. When I arrived at the hotel at 7:15 pm, I was just in time for their happy hour which ended at 7:30. So I had two beers and watched all of people and families having lots of fun. There was a boy and girl scout jamboree going on as well as all kinds of families enjoying themselves. It was great being around all of these people. As I was eating my dinner in the hotel restaurant, I could see all of the kids, parents, grand parents and their friends strolling over to the swimming pool. What a marvelous parade of people.

I was preparing to check out of my hotel room at 6:30 am on July 15, when I decided to check my flight status. I found out that my 9:15 am flight had also been cancelled. When I called American Airlines, the automated voice said that AA would call me back in 1 to 1.5 hours. So I went to Embassy Suite's free breakfast. For once, I was not rushing through breakfast. I could just enjoy eating and watching all the people. An hour later, AA reservations called me back and re-booked me on a 12:55 pm flight directly back to Chicago.

I am currently, sipping my coffee and waiting to check out at 11 am.

If you are looking for a wonderful stay at a hotel around Philadelphia Airport, I would recommend staying at the Embassy Suites at the Philadelphia Airport. I had wonderful and unexpected happy experience.

How nice to read a post about a hotel that doesn't begin "beware". Though I'm unlikely to stay at this one, since I'll be going through Philadelphia for the first time ever returning from Europe in the fall, one never knows. I'll remember this, just in case. Thanks for this very jolly review.

"When I called American Airlines, the automated voice said that AA would call me back in 1 to 1.5 hours"

Well, I guess that's better than waiting on hold for 1.5 hours. Customer service is improving!

When I wrote my review this morning, I forgot to mention that when I checked into the Embassy Suites at Philadelphia Airport, the check-in lady at the front desk was very nice and magnetized two door key cards for me. When I went to my room the keys didn't work as happens in many of the hotels that I stay at. The front desk lady re-magnetized them for me. One of the hotel's maintenance men was standing at the front desk and offered to accompany me back to my room to make sure that the newly magnetized keys actually worked. Here's the amazing thing--I didn't even have to ask, he just volunteered. This hardly ever happens. What a wonderful man.

Also, my room was excellent. The bed was made perfectly. The bathroom was very clean. The wifi in the living room of my suite worked very well. There were enough coffee and tea bags in my room to make as many cups of coffee and tea as I wanted. Finally, there were enough plastic glasses by each of the sinks in the suite. I rarely see this any more!!!

So, if you have to spend any time around Philadelphia Airport, check in to the Embassy Suites.

Also, my 12:55 pm American Airlines flight on July 15, 2017 actually took off on time and we landed 30 minutes early at O'Hare. We only had to wait 10 minutes to get to our gate. I was back home by 3:45 pm. What a trip!!!

It almost makes me hope my flight, also AA, out of PHL will be cancelled. In fact, I do hope so as it might save me from a 3 flight day and a very late arrival home. Next day would be much better.

The Embassy Suites at Logan Airport in Boston has parking lot views but otherwise the same virtues, and you can take a car service or the subway into Boston if you want to explore. Great breakfast, nice rooms, nice staff.

The Richmond, VA Embassy Suites off Broad at I-64 is a nice hotel with good food and staff, but the coffee is just awful.

When I was doing business travel, people hated to fly with me because I got stuck overnight so often, summer and winter. Weather, equipment failure, no crew, you name it. Like the OP, I learned to roll with it. Like Mme Perdu, I tried to make it an adventure. I had a netbook for amusement, but it sure would have been nice if they had invented the iPad a few years earlier!

Dear Ackislander,

When disruptions happen to people who do not travel too often they end up getting upset and stressed out. This is a waste of energy.

Travel disruptions happen all the time. In fact, it's happening more and more with all of our bad weather.

So when people experience travel disruptions they should try to make the best of it even though there are legitimate problems that have to be dealt with.

As has been said countless times: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Make an adventure out of your trip. Also remember that whatever happens on your trip makes for exciting stories after your trip. Our grandchildren need to hear our stories.

And thanks for the descriptions of the Embassy Suites at Boston's Logan airport and in Richmond. I'll add them to my list since I go to both cities all the time.

Dan

I can tell you the Embassy Suites in downtown Pittsburgh is also excellent. Very new well-decorated, comfortable and quiet rooms. The digital key system works great - use your phone and stop dealing with those keys that get de-magnetized so easily. The hotel is located near lots of great restaurants and within walking distance of many attractions.