Philadelphia Hotels - I need help, please

[escape]

Hello fellow DISers!

I'm planning a trip to Philadelphia at the end of June and I'm trying to find a decent hotel close to the touristy locations. I thought staying in the center city might be nice but apparently so does everyone else going to Philadelphia. All rooms in that area, that I can find, are booked.

Does anyone have any recommendations of where I might consider next? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LindaR]

I know what you mean! We will be in Philly from 2 July til 5 July (a three city trip to check out colleges) and I was kinda shocked at the price of motels! (we don't stay at motels, but when I started looking I didn't want to spend $300+ a night for a room that we wouldn't be in very much). I lucked out. Purely lucked out. I was quoted a price for the Park Hyatt at the Bellvue which was wrong. Very wrong. And the manager is honoring that price! We are staying in a suite for $150 a night. All I can say is to call the hotels directly (what I was doing) because that is much easier than trying expedia, travelocity, or any of those sites. Good luck!

 

[YachtClubWoman]

You may want to look at the Old City area. There is a Holiday Inn at 4th and Arch which is walkable to the Independence Hall, Constituion Center and Liberty Bell areas. There is a Hyatt at Penn's Landing but you would need to take a cab into the Historic Area.

The business area of Center City (15-18th Sts) is very quiet after the businesses close but walkable to historic area (approx 12 blocks). There is the Doubletree on Broad St which is right in the middle of the museum areas and the historic areas.

Is there specific areas you are looking at? Let me know if I can help.

 

[dcgrumpy]

We stayed at the Hyatt Penn's landing a couple of years ago. We paid $60 through Priceline and they never charged us for parking even though it was supposed to be $15 a day. It was nice, it's on the waterfront so you have to walk a few blocks to get to the Liberty bell etc.... we drove to the Franklin Institute. The only thing i didn't like is there was no store in the hotel or nearby to buy milk and such for the kids.

 

[NewJersey]

the hilton garden inn is a great hotel too. I stayed there for about 135 a night and you get free internet access. it's close to all the touristy places too.

 

[escape]

Thanks for the info, everyone!

Unfortunately, all the hotels you've mentioned are booked .... according to their websites. I have not tried calling directly, however. I take that back. I have not checked out the Holiday Inn at 4th and Arch. I'll do that right now.

LindaR - good for you!!!! What a steal!

YachtClubWoman - no specific area in mind. I'm not familiar with Philadelphia so I'm open to anything.

The dates I'm looking at are June 20-23. This is during the week vs. the weekend so maybe there are some conventions going on or something else big during this time. What I find interesting is that a lot of the hotels are available after the 20th.

 

[escape]

Still no luck!

However, I am finding a few hotels available around the university area. Is this an okay area? Also, the airport has hotels available as well. What to do, what to do. Any more suggestions?

 

[Cindy B]

Will you have a car?

If so, the other option is Southern NJ. From my house in Southern NJ, it is a less than 10 minute drive down the highway to Center City Philadelphia.

In southern NJ, you can find hotels in Cherry Hill (10 minutes), Mt. Laurel (approx. 20 minutes to Philly), and you might find some in the Deptford area (30 minutes approximately)

The closest areas you can find will be Cherry Hill. Pennsauken NJ and Camden NJ has motels which are close to Philly, but they charge by the hour and have in room adult entertainment--you don't want that!

You will have to pay a two way bridge toll of $3, to get into Philly, but the return trip back to NJ will be no charge.

Its an alternative to Philly if you have the car to do so.

 

[Jennifer S]

I'm staying at the Sheraton in University City near Univ. of Pennsylvania on June 21st. My mom works there so I got a free room. They wouldn't do that if they were booked. Try them.