Fodor's Expert Review Lokal Hotel

Lokal is a boutique hotel group with a focus on invisible service in and around Philadelphia. That means there is no concierge, and no in-person staff, just a seamless airbnb like experience but with the luxury touches of a hotel.

YOU SHOULD KNOW No staff, all tech, it's for some and not for others. If you like Airbnb but prefer hotels, you will love Lokal.

room

The one bedrooms have comfy Casper mattress beds, Egyptian cotton percale sheets, four parachute brand down alternative pillows for anyone allergic. There are two Kassatext waffle robes and a flat-screen TV with Apple TV, Netflix, and HBO and Cable TV that is connected to a Sonos Playbar for easy online music as well as better sound from the TV. There is a full kitchen for an apartment experience and in-room iPads for even more tech.

bathroom

No marble here but bathrooms are clean and minimalist with Grohe Tempesta shower heads, full showers, parachute towels, locally made all natural Duross & Langel shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and shower gel.

lobby

The lobby faces 3rd street (also called Nerd Street for its abundance of techie companies and residents, it North Third Street is written as n3rd.) The interior of the lobby is designed by Jersey Ice Cream Company and has a crisp bright cozy spare design. There are community goods: bike helmets, magazine racks and a cupboard of housewares like sugar, toilet paper, filters, etc. for the bath and kitchen.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Just another reminder, there is no one to greet you at this invisible service hotel and that's ok, just use your keypad code for easy entry and exit!

spa

Lokal recommends Terme di Aroma as a nearby spa.

gym

Lokal recommends Sweat gym, which is nearby and $14 a day.

dining

Nothing in-house but Lokal has partnered with Philadelphia classic, the sleek and sophisticated New American cuisine Fork which is a five-minute walk away. High Street Cafe is Fork's more casual sister restaurant is also a five-minute walk away.

drinking

Both Fork and High Street Cafe has beer on tap, bottled beers and wines and artisanal cocktails but they close at 11:30 p.m. rather than the Philadelphia closing time of 2 a.m.

YOU SHOULD KNOW No swanky bars or restaurants in-house yet, instead use the neighborhood to explore that.