The Westin Philadelphia

The Westin Philadelphia is a centrally located hotel with an elegant lobby featuring crown moldings, marble floors, a baby grand piano, and a cocktail bar. The welcoming lobby also provides ample lounging space, with classic-with-a-twist furnishings (custom wingback chairs featuring large portraits of Benjamin Franklin). Beyond the lobby bar and one on-site restaurant, there isn't much of a scene at this hotel, though the business travelers who make up the bulk of the clientele are attracted to its Center City location and abundant meeting space. Guests are within easy walking distance of the best Philadelphia dining, nightlife, and shopping (the hotel is adjacent to the Shops at Liberty Place). 

The Westin Philadelphia has a central downtown location attached to the Shops at Liberty Place, and is just a few minutes walk to City Hall and Rittenhouse Square. The area boasts a wide range of dining, shopping, and nightlife options.Center City is Philadelphia's commercial and cultural center, and the vast majority of the city's hotels are clustered in this neighborhood. Popular historical sites, including Independence Hall, are located here, as is the Philadelphia Museum of Art (fronted by the stone steps made famous in the Rocky films). The picturesque Rittenhouse Square Park, located in the southwest area of the neighborhood, is surrounded by some of the city's best restaurants and bars. The ornate City Hall, built in 1901, is the second tallest masonry building in the world; its tower is a prominent fixture of the Philadelphia skyline.- 19-minute drive or 26-minutes by train to Philadelphia International Airport

• Connected to the Shops at Liberty Place
• 3-minute drive or 8-minute walk to Rittenhouse Square Park
• 4-minute drive or 10-minute walk to City Hall
• 6-minute drive or 13-minute walk to the Pennsylvania Convention Center
• 6-minute drive, 8-minutes by bus, or 21-minute walk to 30th St. Station
• 7-minute drive or 23-minute walk to Independence National Historic Park (home to Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, and the Liberty Bell)
• 7-minute drive or 24-minute walk to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• 10-minute drive or 21-minutes by bus to Penn's Landing, a waterfront neighborhood that's home to several historic ships visitors can tour, Adventure Aquarium, and the Independence Seaport Museum
• 11-minute drive or 27 minutes by bus to the Philadelphia Zoo

The 294 rooms and 19 suites offer standard Westin style with signature Heavenly Beds and solid city views. A $10 million renovation throughout 2014 and 2015 introduced a few surprisingly high-design touches, like mod white-leather desk chairs, curvy chrome end tables, and armless chairs printed with Founding Fathers' signatures. Marble bathrooms include fluffy bathrobes, Westin-brand bath products, and the hotel's trademark Heavenly showerheads and tubs (which some guests find a touch on the small side). Room perks include flat-screen TVs, free local weekday newspapers, and coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee. Wi-Fi is available, but for a daily fee.

The Westin Philadelphia is appealing for its central downtown location and elegant lobby, but it lacks the amenities of similar downtown hotels. While the hotel does have a small and cramped fitness center, it does not offer a pool or spa. There is a business center, seven meeting rooms, two ballrooms, and a wedding specialist on-site. There are valet and self-parking options, though both come with hefty fees. Free newspapers can be found in the lobby.

The lobby lounge serves drinks and light fare in the evenings, though opening times vary. The one full-service restaurant in the hotel is Winthorpe & Valentine, located off the lobby area, where there is a marble bar for cocktails and the main dining room serves high-end American cuisine. There are also many nearby dining options beyond the hotel in Rittenhouse Square.- Lobby lounge for evening cocktails and light fare

• Winthorpe & Valentine cocktail lounge and dining room
• Central location near many of Philadelphia's best dining choices