Going to Philadelphia in Sept for a weekend and have narrowed down to either the Rittenhouse Hotel or the Westin. Any recommendations one way or another? I hear great things about both and can get a better rate at the Westin ... which has a better location for walking to sites and restaurants? Thanks.

Rittenhouse is much nicer, although Westin is also great. They are only around 3 blocks from one another. The Rittenhouse is right on Rittenhouse Square, a fabluos park with great restaurants, cafes, stores and prime people watching. I have stayed at both. The Westin is very nice, but not directly on the square.

Having stayed at neither, I will defer to Henly as a past guest at both. Having said that, I would pick the Westin. I prefer a more standard product, and I know what to expect with a Westin. Having been through both lobbies, I preferred the Westin, which is a former Ritz-Carlton. The Rittenhouse had more of an upscale apartment building feel. Also I like the location of the Westin better than the Rittenhouse. Although it is on the square, it is on the far end of the square and in a relatively quiet area as I recall. JMO.

BTW, the Rittenhouse is being offered on the Quikbook.com site.

Rittenhouse. Rooms are luxurious, service is excellent, and the view is fab. We put some relatives up there when we lived around the corner. Great neighborhood--"far end of the square"--LOL, it's not a very big square! I think you would love being pampered at the Rittenhouse as an individual, rather than just another customer passing through the Westin.

So it sounds like both the Westin and Rittenhouse are good choices ... with the Rittenhouse being nicer and better located, however the Westin's rates are significantly less.

How is the Sofitel hotel for location? Description on its web site says it's "steps from Rittenhouse Square." (I can get a rate at this hotel even lower than the Westin's.) Any recommendations/comments on this hotel?

I love the Sofitel. It is only a block from Westin, closer to Ritt. Square. It is much more trendy than the classic Westin and elegant Rittenhouse. I am not too sure about the rooms, but I have dined at the restaurant and been to the bar many times. It is avery nice place.

Sofitel is excellently located about a block from Rittenhouse Square. The hotel is about 2 years old and has a very nice lobby. It's a step down from the Westin, but definitely the deal in the Rittenhouse area. There was a recent thread on the subject I will top for you if I can find it.

Rittenhouse, hands down. Far better location and overall package.

All 3 are very good hotels. Never stayed in any, but being from the city they are all centrally located in center city. Rittenhouse hotel would be the farthest out if one has to compare, but still very close to shopping and eating.