PHOTO: Loews Philadelphia Hotel

Fodor's Expert Review Loews Philadelphia Hotel

1200 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA See on Map

Alyssa Pinsker

Topped by the red neon letters PSFS (for the former tenant, Pennsylvania Savings Fund Society), this 1930s building was the country's first skyscraper in the ultramodern international style. With an attitude that is decidedly contemporary, the hotel has guest rooms equipped with comfortable chaise lounges and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary toys and games are available for children. There are three levels of concierge rooms with a private library and lounge. For drinking and dining, guests can hang in the lobby lounge or in Bank & Bourbon, a ground-floor bar and restaurant with a serious whiskey focus. A 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center includes a sauna, steam room, and indoor lap pool. Be sure to check out the 33rd floor for some of the best views of the city and beyond.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The 31st floor is a Concierge Club Level. Guests on this floor have exclusive access to our Concierge Club Lounge and its comfortable seating, stunning views—and complimentary continental breakfast but it is only open on weekdays.

room

Standard rooms have a king size bed, spacious work desk with ergonomic chair, keurig coffeemaker, charging station and black out curtains. The robe is the Ultimate Doeskin by Chadsworth & Haig, On Demand movies for a fee. There's an in-room safe, chaise lounge, flat-screen TV, MP3-compatible alarm clock/radio, two telephones with dual voice lines and voicemail. Wake-up calls are a nice perk.

YOU SHOULD KNOW As per a disturbing trend, complimentary water is not available in the room, nor does the lobby have a water jug for guests, the GM recommended a Target run, the pod market or the in-room mini fridge and there's always tap.

Comfortable and spacious double room
Photo: Comfortable and spacious double room / Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Stay on a high floor in a king room
Photo: Stay on a high floor in a king room / Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Spacious corner Grand King guestroom
Photo: Spacious corner Grand King guestroom / Loews Philadelphia Hotel

bathroom

Black marble sinks, pressure heaed shower/tub combos in most rooms (just walk-in shower if not.) Comfort Zone skin and body-care products and Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa shampoo and conditioner are supplied. There's a makeup mirror and hair dryer supplied.

lobby

Loews Philadelphia Hotel is a landmark structure and was America’s first skyscraper, rising a commanding 33 stories into the air. Using curved glass and bold geometric shapes, it was constructed in the Art Deco period and was home to our country’s first savings bank. Rare woods along with marble and granite from over 30 countries were utilized to dramatic effect, and clocks by Cartier made sure everyone was on time.

Welcome to the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Home of the PSFS building
Photo: Welcome to the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Home of the PSFS building / Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Comfortable seating in the Loews Philadelphia Lobby
Photo: Comfortable seating in the Loews Philadelphia Lobby / Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Boasting over 47,000 square feet of meeting space, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is the perfect venue for meetings and events of all sizes and shapes
Photo: Boasting over 47,000 square feet of meeting space, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is the perfect venue for meetings and events of all sizes and shapes / Loews Philadelphia Hotel
20-meter Indoor Lap Pool
Photo: 20-meter Indoor Lap Pool / Loews Philadelphia Hotel

pool

The hotel features a 20-meter, two lane heated lap pool open until 10 PM .

20-meter Indoor Lap Pool
Photo: 20-meter Indoor Lap Pool / Loews Philadelphia Hotel

gym

The state-of-the-art fitness center and gym is equipped with a full range of Cybex cardio and strength equipment.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The spa is under repair and not currently open.

Private Dining options at Bank & Bourbon
Photo: Private Dining options at Bank & Bourbon / Bank & Bourbon

dining

Bank & Bourbon's upscale American menu offers creative, seasonal interpretations of classic dishes -like grilled octopus, classic steaks and oysters by the shell and poke. Desserts are standouts as they're made with in-house ice cream using La Columbe coffee, for example. The pod also sells Philadelphia favorite La Columbe coffee and local Metropolitan Bakery handmade pastries, snacks and chocolate croissants at the POD Market.

Private Dining options at Bank & Bourbon
Photo: Private Dining options at Bank & Bourbon / Bank & Bourbon
Enjoy inherently American cuisine at Bank & Bourbon
Photo: Enjoy inherently American cuisine at Bank & Bourbon / Bank & Bourbon

drinking

Bank & Bourbon features an innovative barrel-aging program for house aged liquors and creative cocktails under the guidance of experienced Bourbon Masters. Try the secret knock, in house made whisky clarified milk and earl grey infusion. The Lobby Lounge offers comfortable conversation areas with chic sofas and chairs.It's a popular place for the after work crowd and can be crowded on weekends with Penn students. But on weekdays the Lobby Lounge's library tables equipped with outlets for your laptop or smartphone make a chill drinking/working spot.

Enjoy inherently American cuisine at Bank & Bourbon
Photo: Enjoy inherently American cuisine at Bank & Bourbon / Bank & Bourbon

LOCATION

Getting Around

The Flash bus stops directly in front of the hotel and can take you around the city sights (20 stops.) The concierge recommends taxi stands and SEPTA is right at the 13th Street station, the Market Frankford line takes you from Fishtown to South Philly.

Restaurants

New sexy Spanish bar and restaurant by Chef Townsend Wentz, Oloroso (6-minute walk) has sherry, cocktails and creative tapas. Harp and Crown (10 -minute walk) is Michael Schulson's artsy-chic bi-level American eatery which has a downstairs bowling area!

Bars

Serious Chinatown speakeasy Hop Sing Laundromat requires a keycode entry and is worth it (9-minute walk). The Franklin (13-minute walk) now has a tiki bar upstairs and sophisticated cocktails in a sexy-dark former bank.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Bank & Bourbon is a destination in itself and the history and height of the old PSFS building begs a view to see vintage Cartier clocks and sweeping views of the city.

QUICK FACTS

Family
581 rooms, 12 suites
Breakfast yes
Lunch yes
Dinner yes
Bar yes
Cafe yes
Room Service yes
$$
Gym, Pool
yes
Valet Parking
Yes

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 800-235–6397;215-627–1200

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