Fodor's Expert Review Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the historic City Hall Annex, and the original brass, copper, and bronze details on the elevators and staircases have been lovingly refinished. It's across the street from its sister property, the Philadelphia Marriott; both provide easy access to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The comfortable guest rooms have complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, supportive beds and expansive workstations. Some rooms have excellent views of City Hall's elaborate Victorian architecture. The new fitness center gets plenty of natural light and features machines equipped with flat-screen televisions.

room

The standard rooms have a revamped blue and cream theme that is slightly more boutiquey and stylized with some modern Philadelphiaphia themed art. There are red and yellow touches to the blue and cream geometric carpeting. It has all the perks of a Marriot: coffee maker/tea service, individual climate control, spiffy new black and white headboards, luxury bedding-crisp linens, thick mattresses, custom comforters, fluffy pillows, mini fridge, desk and cable TV.

Foam pillows, pull-out sofa bed, rollaway bed, crib and microwave ovens are all available upon request.

bathroom

Every bathroom has a standard ceramic sink and black granite tiled standing shower or a tub, depending on the room, 100% Egyptian cotton towels and Paul Mitchell products.

lobby

The lobby is beautifully polished marble with chandeliers, but with modern touches like contemporary art and furniture and mixes of patterns and colors. There is an atrium, with plenty of open seating, and front desk check-in. There's classic sophisticated décor and elegant 1920's style furnishings.

gym

The full-size gym is open 24/7 and has the Life Fitness cardio with individual flat screen TVs, dumbbells and weight machines.

dining

There is a Starbucks in the lobby open morning and night. The on-site hotel restaurant is called NINETEEN 26 and offers cocktails and classic American fare with Philadelphia themes like the compulsory Philly Cheesesteak, and more sophisticated dishes like Lamb chops espresso or chicken and chorizo gumbo.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Breakfast will cost you $19.95 for the buffet.

drinking

Nineteen 26 is the hotel’s restaurant. They have a standard bar menu with local wines and beer like Yuengling and Victory Hop Devil and 12 specialty cocktails including the Deep Sea Blue Martini. The ambiance is lively and casual. It seats about 12 with a long curved bar top.