Hi, we'll be coming to town 11/25 to see The Who perform, checking out on 11/26. First instinct was to stay as close to the stadium as possible, but none of those hotels, the Holiday Inn Stadium being one of them, gets very good reviews.
I've read about Hotwire from other posters here and would maybe like to try them. After all, if I can get a nicer hotel with a better room and more comfortable bed (hopefully) for the same money, why not? I hope someone with Philly knowledge can help. Where do I want to be located for easy access to Wachovia Center, either by car (we're driving in from MD) or by metro? Right now, there's a 3.5 star Center City East hotel for $88, and a 4-star for $128. Is this the right area for stadium metro access? Thanks!

Dear Johanna,

I grew within walking distance of the Wachovia. No matter where you stay, you are going to have to drive to the Wachovia Center. That includes the Holiday Inn, because it is a good 20 minute walk from the hotel to the Wachovia Center.

Also, most Philadelphians do not take the subway. Some do take the subway for concerts, but most drive.

If you want to take public transportation, I would suggest staying close to Broad Street or Market Street to take the subway system. There is a free exchange for Broad Street line and the Market Street line. Also, chances are that the Who will pro

Center City East has a lot a nightlife, and is on the Market Street line. There are some good clubs and places to eat after the show. There are also quite a few bus lines near Front and Market Streets.

I still think that you are better off driving to the Wachovia Center. I usually like to grab a cheesesteak after a concert, and most cheesesteak places are accessible only by car. Pat's and Geno's steaks are open until very late, as late as 2:30 a.m.

I do not know how late Tony Luke's cheesesteak stand is open till. That is my favorite cheesesteak place.

Thank you! But, please, finish your thought: "Also chances are The Who will pro..." !!!

If you are driving leave yourself plenty of time. The oncert will most likely be sold out. Traffic backs up horribly when there are concerts. Getting out of the parking lot after the concert can ba a nightmare also.

I am sorry. The Who will probably stay at one of Philly's ritzier hotels, like the Four Seasons, the Rittenhouse, Westin or Park Hyatt (Bellevue Stratford). Most celebrities stay at these places because they have private entry.

Flying Maltese, why do you say that no matter where you stay you will end up driving to the Wachovia Center? We are staying in Center City next to the convention center on 11/24 and are going to a basketball game at Wachovia Center. If we catch the subway, where does it let us off for Wachovia center (how far from the center) and why is it so inconvenient?

BTW, Johanna, yesterday I booked the got the newly renovated Hampton Inn Convention Center for $116 a night (AAA rate) each for one double rm and one king rm. w/hot breakfast included next day (valet parking $16, self park available). Consistently very good reviews on tripadvisor. Room pics are very nice after the renovation. And Hilton HOnors membership gets you a free drink reception in evening.

Also looked at Courtyard (nice, I've stayed there) and Residence Inn in same area but parking was twice as much and rates were much higher. Also looked at Westin, Sheraton Center City and Sheraton Society Hill where I could have used my Starwood points, but the reviews are not so good for them. Hyatt @ Penns Landing has a good special now on Orbitz for that time period for $189, but we wanted to be close to Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown, and that area of Center City.

THe Wachovia Center site says from Center City take the Broad St subway line (orange) southbound to Pattison Ave. How far is Pattison Ave stop to Wachovia Center?

After looking at this further online, I can see no problem taking Septa Broad St line from Center City to Pattison stop. From the comments on the Wachovia site and other sites, it appears the Pattison stop was built to service the Center, and when you exit the station the Center is there.

I think the Race-Vine/Convention Center stop on the Broad line is very close to our hotel. It is a straight shot to Pattison stop.

see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imageroadstreetmap.PNG

emd, I think that you are right about the Pattison stop being very close to Wachovia Center. The subway runs under Broad Street and the Wachovia Center is at the end of Broad Street in South Philly. Another hotel in center city that is usually reasonably priced and is on Broad Street is the Doubletree.

Johanna, look at betterbidding.com to see what hotels usually come up in Philadelphia.

I live in the Philly suburbs and regularly drive to Center City and park my car on/near Broad Street and take the subway so as to avoid the traffic nightmare of the stadium complex. Westin/Latham/Sofitel are all within four blocks of the subway and have discounted rooms though maybe not for the Thanksgiving weekend. The Center City east hotel could be the holiday inn express midtown which is not so nice. In sum, only reason to drive is if you are looking to tailgate before the show which could be fun for a Saturday concert but keep an eye on the weather.

The subway stop is really close to the Wachovia Center. It is much closer than the Holiday Inn Stadium.

When I say bad things about the Philly subway system, I speak like many other Philadelphians. Most people who live in Philly, lamentably, do not regularly use public transportation. Philly is not like Boston, NYC or Washington D.C., where most people take public transportation.

Honestly, I have not taken the subway in about ten years. And, when I did take the subway, I tried to take it during daylight hours when it is supposedly safer. The one time I did take the subway at the late hour of 7:30, I was nearly attacked by a gang. I was surprised because there was a concert that night, and that usually means more Septa cops patrolling the subway cars. But, this was in 1984. Maybe, it has gotten safer to ride the subway at night.

emd, you should have no problem taking the subway to the Wachovia Center from the Convention Center. I just recommend driving because that is the safer option.

I beg to differ. I know MANY Philadelphians who DO use the subway for concerts and sporting events. The parking for these events is a real pain in the---and traffic is horrendous. Do yourself a favor and take the subway. There will be plenty of other concert goers joining you.

The subway--and SEPTA as a whole--has improved tremendously, I feel, in the last 10 years or so; I am joined by many, many other Philadelphians when I take the subway...and by security forces, as well.

Thanks so much for all of the responses! With all of the traffic comments, it looks like I need to talk hubby into doing the subway, so we'll be looking at accessible hotels. He had total hip replacement surgeries (yes, both hips!) last year and we are still trying to minimize his walking as much as possible, so hotel/subway proximity is an issue.

Does betterbidding.com actually show the hotel names? Wow -- it sure would be nice if we could manage the same hotel where The Who are staying!

Johanna, I had a Who moment at Logan airport in 12/85. I was leaving Logan with my boyfriend (now husband) and we missed our shuttle to D.C. and were sitting at the end of the terminal waiting for the next one. I saw this good looking man walking towards me and said to my BF, "That man looks a lot like Roger Daltry." Well, as he got closer, it was him. They had played in Boston the night before.

Johanna, betterbidding shows what hotels usually come up when you use Hotwire. Sometimes, you can figure out with some confidence which hotel it will be by comparing the description (fitness center, etc.) with the description on betterbidding.

Thanks so much for all the help!

Sometimes I long for the old days, when I was YOUNG and could just crash on a couch somewhere and be comfy! Now, as a boring middle-aged person, comfort is essential!

Can anyone help identify these hotels from Hotwire? They now have a 4 Star hotel in Center City East for $134/night. Amenities listed are Fitness Center, Business Center, Restaurant and High speed internet. There's also a 3.5 star in Center City East, amenities listed are Fitness Center, Laundry, Restaurant and High Speed internet. I went to betterbidding, but am not entirely sure I have been able to match up descriptions with the hotels...

My main priorities are proximity to subway, comfortable bed (clean room!) and food available nearby after hours. Any hotel recommendations with the above in mind would be MUCH appreciated!

Pattison stop comes up under the SPectrum, which shares aprking lots with the Wachovia Center. So, it's an easy walk from the stop. Stay somewhere else (Rittenhouse Square, Old City) and enjoy the city...not much is near the stadiums!

Not positive, of course, but it seems like ther is a good chance that the 4* is the Westin (supposed to be very nice) and the 3.5* is the Club Quarters. Both are a few blocks from Broad Street in a nice area of the city.

Johanna1,

Why are you dealing with bidding sites when you could probably get a nice hotel room that night for about $165 on Expedia if you want to splurge (that is the rate for the Sofitel that night). Sofitel is located at 17th Street near Market Street.

If you really want to splurge, the Park Hyatt Philadelphia will set you back $180. But, it is located next to the Walnut Street subway stop, and it has a really nice four story gym with indoor pool. Their restaurant is really good, too. Park Hyatt is a grand old Philly hotel that in its heyday was called the Bellevue Stratford. These are high end choices.

The Doubletree Hotel is across the street from the Park Hyatt and is $152/nt. And, this hotel is right at the Walnut Street subway stop.

An even cheaper option is the Latham Hotel for $118/nt. This is located at 17 & Walnut which is 3 city blocks from the subway. The Latham is located near Rittenhouse Square which has good shopping and restaurants.

Anyway, I would choose a hotel on the Broad Street line. If you take the Market Street line, there are some steps to climb and descend on the interchange. As a good rule of thumb, think of Broad Street (or Avenue of the Arts) as 14th Street.