Semi-budget Philadelphia Area Hotel

[3boymthr]

Instead of our usual cottage vacation DH and I are interested in taking the kids to Philadelphia for a few days to tour the city. I looked online on Expedia and while most of the hotels are way out of our price range. a few came up that were in our price range however; I'm not familiar with Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs and don't want to book a hotel in an area that I'm going to be afraid to get out of my car.

We are looking to book a hotel within a half hour drive of the city's major historic attractions, Liberty Bell, etc. (any further than that and my MIL will wonder why we didn't come stay with her ). We are looking for a nice hotel with a pool and if possible continental breakfast. Can anyone recommend any nice hotels or if not a specific hotel a nice area that's convenient to Philadelphia?

 

[PatMcDuck]

When staying in a large city like Philly, I would seriously consider using Priceline. I have even used it for one night in Philadelphia, but also Wash DC, NYC, Chicago, Charlotte, and Baltimore.

My feeling is that if it is a 4* or higher, it will be good enough for me! And it is usually quite posh. You just need to find the correct area so you know where to "bid". Betterbidding.com is a great site for learning the ropes, and for figuring out what to bid. It was usually just me and my daughter, and it was funny because many of the hotels were plush business type hotels, and we walk in with our jeans and zip up sweat shirts, haha.

Another option is Hotwire, slightly more info given there, and the clues you get can sometimes even help you identify the actual hotel, with tips from that better bidding site.

In our case, Priceline gave us the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. We needed to stay over because we had en early doctor appointment at CHoP, and a blizzard was coming in overnight....

 

[disneysteve]

You might want to consider staying in NJ. You could then either drive or take the PATCO train into the city. There is a train stop at 8th and Market which is close to all of the historic attractions (Liberty Bell is at 6th and Market, for example). There are hotels in Mt. Laurel and Cherry Hill that would be convenient for you. The train ride is about 20 minutes from the Cherry Hill station.

 

[LiamandMaeve]

As a South Jersey native and frequent visitor to Philly, I also recommend Cherry Hill and Mt. Laurel. Parts of Philly are very sketchy! Not the historic district per se but there's definitely some neighborhoods to avoid.

 

[3boymthr]

I forgot to add that I can't use Priceline or Hotwire or any of the "hidden" hotels because DH and I have three kids. I need to book a room/suite that accomodates 5 people or book two adjoining rooms. I have found that these services don't allow for that many people in a room as they won't guarantee the number of beds.

We've actually stayed in Mt. Laurel before when we got stuck in traffic on 95 and liked the area. I didn't realize how close it was to Philly. I'll have to add them to my search.

 

[DCbride]

We just stayed at the Omni - Independence Hall 2 nights ago and it was only $99. They run specials all the time. (some include parking other do not)
In the summer, there is also a family package at lots of hotels, the visitphilly site will have them.

Mt. Laurel is also an excellent area. There is now a Coco Key indoor waterpark there.

 

[NYEmomma]

We've stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown which is right across the street from the city hall. When we booked, they were having buy one night, get one night for free, so it made the hotel very, very affordable for us.

Slightly outside the city (we had family living in Bala Cynwyd that we were visiting), we got a room at the Crown Plaza City West on City Ave. right off of 76. We got it through Hotwire and got a great rate. I forget the name of the road, but there's a road right next to it that takes you down to the Schuykill River and you can take it all the way into Philly... it's a very nice, scenic drive that avoids the highway congestion.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I forgot to add that I can't use Priceline or Hotwire or any of the "hidden" hotels because DH and I have three kids. I need to book a room/suite that accomodates 5 people or book two adjoining rooms. I have found that these services don't allow for that many people in a room as they won't guarantee the number of beds.

We've actually stayed in Mt. Laurel before when we got stuck in traffic on 95 and liked the area. I didn't realize how close it was to Philly. I'll have to add them to my search.

With Hotwire, you can get a suite hotel, it would be listed as a suite. I booked Doubletree suites Times Square with Hotwire, once I saw it listed as suites, i knew which hotel it would be...... But you are right, Priceline would not work.

 

[Aliceacc]

I took mom to Philly last summer, as a Mother's Day Gift.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn, Historic District, http://www.visitphilly.com/hotels/philadelphia/holiday-inn-philadelphia-historic-district/ using the Philly Overnight Package: http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/philly-overnight-hotel-package/ . That meant free parking, with unlimited in-and-out access.

It was in a nice neighborhood; I was comfortable walking with 82 year old mom. The free parking was great-- it was a parking garage immediately adjacent to the hotel. The hotel was neat and clean, the rooftoop pool looked nice. It was about a 2 block walk to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Mom and I had both breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant, and enjoyed it.

Oh, and definitely take the Big Red Bus tour!!

 

[disneymayz]

SpringHill Suites Philadelphia Airport / Ridley Park
This is run by Marriott. It only a couple years old. We stayed here begining of December and I would 100% stay here again. They have an indoor pool. There have a hot cont. breakfast. This hotel is located just south of Philly Airport(PHL). Our rooom had 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa. On a Thursday we paid somewhere around 125-150. There are a lot of hotels around PHL that are old. If you plan on driving into the city then staying in NJ will cost you more for tolls.

 

[eliza61]

As a South Jersey native and frequent visitor to Philly, I also recommend Cherry Hill and Mt. Laurel. Parts of Philly are very sketchy! Not the historic district per se but there's definitely some neighborhoods to avoid.

Ditto another vote for SJ. The only thing I'm not sure of is whether the hotels have pools.

Also if you are driving (I do drive into Philly as I love having my car) Cherry hill is right over the Ben franklin bridge. Very easy to get into Philly.

 

[disneymarie]

Instead of our usual cottage vacation DH and I are interested in taking the kids to Philadelphia for a few days to tour the city. I looked online on Expedia and while most of the hotels are way out of our price range. a few came up that were in our price range however; I'm not familiar with Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs and don't want to book a hotel in an area that I'm going to be afraid to get out of my car.

We are looking to book a hotel within a half hour drive of the city's major historic attractions, Liberty Bell, etc. (any further than that and my MIL will wonder why we didn't come stay with her ). We are looking for a nice hotel with a pool and if possible continental breakfast. Can anyone recommend any nice hotels or if not a specific hotel a nice area that's convenient to Philadelphia?

We stay at the Best Western behind the Rodin museum near the Franklin institute. You can park the car free no valet and it is a Red Bus pick up in front. Or you can have them come with the shuttle. You get to ride the outlet decker and get off and on. Pre purchase the tickets, and reserve for the Independence Hall tour. They limit amount of free tickets a day.

There is meter parking but only 2 hrs at a time. We used this for the Eastern penitentiary tour, cool because it was on Ghost Hunters, TAPS. Next to Independence Hall is a garden we take a lunch and eat there before. Leaving he Liberty Bell, the Hall, Franklins gravesite and privy, to catch a lift on trolley to Old Town, Betsy House Ross

They have a ride the Ducks, but I don't feel inclined to temp fate. Not sure if they still run them.
Have fun,

 

[sayheyrenee]

I live in Philly so I can not recommend hotels

But I recommend the City Pass
http://www.citypass.com/philadelphia


Don't miss The Reading Terminal Market
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

for fun-great photos
Love Park http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/love-park/

"Your Move" instalation piece at Municipal Services Building. Huge game pieces http://www.philart.net/content.php?id=32

Carousel and mini golf http://historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/what-to-see/

of course the steps of the Art Museum where Rocky made his famous run (there is a rocky statue at the bottom)

 

[Stephanie711]

SpringHill Suites Philadelphia Airport / Ridley Park
This is run by Marriott. It only a couple years old. We stayed here begining of December and I would 100% stay here again. They have an indoor pool. There have a hot cont. breakfast. This hotel is located just south of Philly Airport(PHL). Our rooom had 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa. On a Thursday we paid somewhere around 125-150. There are a lot of hotels around PHL that are old. If you plan on driving into the city then staying in NJ will cost you more for tolls.

I live in the suburbs of Philly. This is a nice hotel but it is not convenient to the downtown attractions. You would likely have to travel I-95 which can be hit or miss depending on whether there is construction or a sports game.

I second the Marriott across from City Hall. It's a great deal and they run specials often. It's also close to the Reading Terminal Market which is a can't miss

 

[moopdog]

When we took our kids, we used hotwire.com which doesn't give you an exact hotel name until afterwards, but rather a general vicinity. You get to put in your "musts" for amenities, etc and it will give you a map of where you will be. We LUCKED OUT! We ended up getting the HYATT right near the ferry that goes across the river. We were able to walk to every single touristy thing, except for the zoo (taxi). Can't remember the price we paid, but we're cheapskates so it must have been farily inexpensive. Goodluck.

 

[moopdog]

When we took our kids, we used hotwire.com which doesn't give you an exact hotel name until afterwards, but rather a general vicinity. You get to put in your "musts" for amenities, etc and it will give you a map of where you will be. We LUCKED OUT! We ended up getting the HYATT right near the ferry that goes across the river. We were able to walk to every single touristy thing, except for the zoo (taxi). Can't remember the price we paid, but we're cheapskates so it must have been farily inexpensive. Goodluck.

Haha, I don't know why I put Hyatt in all caps. I think it's because I asked my DH, what hotel was it we stayed at in Philly? It had the name in big red letters down the side....I was imagining it and typed it that way. I'm a ditz. LOL.

 

[MaleficentRN]

OP, what is your price range and what hotels are you considering?

 

[DisneyEater]

I would try to either stay in Old City or Center City close to the City Hall area. I live in the suburbs and when we go in to Philly we always take the train because it is much easier to walk Philly than to drive it. Besides, they didn't choose Philly for the show Parking Wars for nothing.

Go to Reading Terminal Market and have a DiNic's roast port sandwich. You can thank me later.

 

[gillenkl]

I would try to either stay in Old City or Center City close to the City Hall area. I live in the suburbs and when we go in to Philly we always take the train because it is much easier to walk Philly than to drive it. Besides, they didn't choose Philly for the show Parking Wars for nothing.

Go to Reading Terminal Market and have a DiNic's roast port sandwich. You can thank me later.

Agree 100%

 

[DizneeCM]

Hi, I also agree with staying in either Old City or Center City. Much easier than driving back-and-forth to a suburban location each day. You also get more of a feel for the city if you're staying right there.

(from a person who went to college in Philadelphia and then worked there for many years