1100 Arch St, On the corner of 11th Street and Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | (888) 710-7049
Central location across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center
Top-floor restaurant and bar with city views
Ergonomic work chairs, mini-fridges, and microwaves in all rooms
Indoor heated pool and hot tub
24-hour business center
Fitness room
Free Wi-Fi
Immediate area gets dark and unappealing at night
Breakfast not included
Steep fee for self-parking
Rooms have a dated chain decor
The mid-range Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City is directly across the street from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, making it an affordable place to stay for business travelers and convention-goers. For tourists, it's walking distance from destinations like City Hall, Reading Terminal Market, and Chinatown, though not in the most appealing area for evening strolls. The rooms look notably dated, but they're all packed with convenient amenities such as ergonomic work chairs, iPod docks, microwaves, and mini-fridges. There's also an indoor pool here, along with a top-floor restaurant and bar overlooking the city. It's also worth checking out the comparably priced and massive Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
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Scene
Affordable business-friendly chain
Surrounded by mass transit stations and an attached parking garage, the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City is a no-nonsense option with lots of practical amenities. While its room decor is significantly dated, the hotel's common spaces were renovated in 2012, filling the lobby with a variety of contemporary pendant lamps and sleek potted plants. True to its marketing and the facilities present, even the lobby's lounge space caters to both business and leisure guests with a comfortable little lounge area with oversized chairs beside a gas fireplace, opposite a conference table.
Location
Central downtown, across from the conference center
The hotel has a central location next to the Reading Terminal Market, across the street from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It's walking distance to shopping, dining (including numerous fast food chains) and nightlife, though the area right around the hotel feels dead at night. Popular sights like City Hall, the Shops at Liberty Place, and Independence Hall are also within a 15-minute walk. Rittenhouse Square, surrounded by some of the city's best restaurants and bars, is a bit of a walk on foot -- over 20 minutes. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, famous for the Rocky Steps, is a 10-minute drive, depending on traffic. There are also several public transportation options nearby with the Jefferson Station less than a block away, and a bus stop right outside the hotel.
Rooms
Dated decor, microwaves, ergonomic work chairs, and iPod docks
The hotel's 279 rooms have a dated look with old, generic chain furnishings in earth-tone colors. Murky carpets look worn, and neither the brown window valances nor the lime-green accent walls do the atmosphere any favors. However, even the standard rooms are packed with amenities, including desks and ergonomic work chairs, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Mini-fridges, microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers are also provided. All rooms have armchairs with ottomans and Suites add sofa beds along with additional 32-inch flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms have average shower/tub combos.
Features
Restaurant and bar, indoor pool, 24-hour business center, and an attached parking garage
At the top floor of the hotel, the The Tenth Floor Grill serves American standards for all meals, starting with a breakfast buffet (not included). The bright, high-ceiling dining room has great views of the city and the small adjacent bar has a daily happy hour. There's also a heated indoor pool room that has a hot tub, along with a fitness room that has a few cardio machines and free weights. Business amenities include several meeting rooms (totaling 3,400 square feet) and a 24-hour business center that has several workstations with ergonomic roller chairs, a printer, and copier. There is an attached garage with steep self-parking fees, used both by guests of the Hilton and attendees of the nearby convention center.
