Best Western Plus Philadelphia Convention Center Hotel

While the building's exterior is pretty nondescript, the lobby is streamlined and modern. There's are chic chandeliers, sleek wood laminate flooring, and colorful photos of Philadelphia scenes that add a pop of color. The lobby bar's bright yellow stools are a focal point, as is the electric-blue lighting that runs along the ceiling, and there are several comfortable and inviting places to relax or work. Given the short walk to the convention center, this hotel hosts many convention delegates and other business travelers. But it's close enough to the downtown core to draw leisure travelers as well. Expect to see guests coming and going throughout the day, as the breakfast area gets busy during the morning and the lobby bar stays open well into the evening. 

The Best Western is located downtown, off Interstate 676 (Vine Street Expressway). It's just a seven-minute walk to the historic Reading Terminal Market, and to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Transportation options are nearby, with the Race Vine Street Station a four-minute walk from the hotel. It isn't in the center of the city’s dining and nightlife scene, but some restaurants are as close as one minute on foot, and others are just a bit farther. Chinatown is nine minutes on foot, and City Hall is a 10-minute walk. It's also about a 16-minute walk from the hotel to the Barnes Foundation, and Independence Hall and the Shops at Liberty Place are about 16 minute via public transit. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is about 23 minutes by public transit. Travel times to Philadelphia International Airport are approximately 15 minutes by car, and 35 minutes by public transit. 

Guest rooms feature a mix of soft earth tones and have cheerful ambiance, but they're a bit uninspired, with no visually stimulating details to add energy. Decor is a melange of neutrals, bedding is white with copper throws and bolster pillows, and there are cornflower blue accent walls, with a similar hue in carpeting. But units are pleasant and not unattractive, and all have desks with ergonomic chairs and furniture with deep drawers. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are similarly plain, but have roomy walk-in showers, wide vanities, hairdryers, and toiletries. 

The biggest drawback is that noise from the hallways and other rooms can be heard rather easily. Also, while some rooms feature city skyline views, many others face interior walls. Units are average in size, with Kings and Doubles available. 

This modern hotel has a notable lineup of amenities, including a free hot breakfast served in a bright space that’s part of the airy lobby, and free coffee and tea are available all day. There's also a full-service bar that opens in the afternoon. 

The 24-hour gym has up-to-date equipment, including free weights, a weight-training machine, a treadmill, an exercise bicycle, and an elliptical machine, and there's a striking mural of the city skyline that spans an entire wall. There's also a business center that has two computers and printers. Other features include a 24-hour minimart in the lobby, an ATM, concierge services, and free Wi-Fi throughout. There's no on-site parking, but a public lot one block away offers reasonable rates.