I didn't have extremely high expectations as I got a favorable rate through Priceline, and while I am a Gold SPG member, I didn't think that would matter. I was wrong on both accounts. First, the lobby is light and extremely appealing, with touches you wouldn't expect. I was placed on a Starwood Preferred Floor, and the rooms were decent sized, with extremely large and renovated bathrooms that, to be honest, were much nicer than most higher end hotels. The bed was a bit hard, but I prefer that to too soft. The fitness center was also a pleasant surprise, with ample machines and weights. I ate at the Cherry Lounge, which was also extremely pleasant with good food. The icing on the cake was that the front desk was kind enough to give me a late checkout the next day due to my SPG status, although they probably didn't need to. Was it the Ritz? No. But was it an unexpected gem in this price range? Yes.

The property itself is fine. The rooms are nicely decorated, though small even for an older property in in Philly. The bar/restaurant is cute and the food was fine -- nothing spectacular. However, over Army-Navy weekend the hotel was having issues with both the key card system and the hot water. I had to repeatedly return to the lobby to get a functioning key card. This is especially irritating since you need it both for the room and the door. Then I returned from a run a cold Saturday morning to a cold shower. Apparently this was a building-wide problem. It didn't improve much as the next day I was treated to a barely luke warm shower only after letting the water run for 15 minutes. Maybe this was just a bad weekend for the hotel? I'll never know as I won't be staying again.

Also, there is no on-site parking. There was valet, but they ask that you give 45 minutes notice to get your car back. Your only other option is a surface lot across the street. That was fine, but as with any city, you don't want to leave anything visible in an open lot. The Sheraton down the street on 17th and Race is a much better option and has parking other the hotel.

We were there at a busy time (Army Navy game) and the staff was friendly, helpful and hardworking. The rooms were very small but clean as a whistle. Free coffee in the morning and walking distance to many interesting things. Do not tarry to take a shower in the morning- there was only slightly warm water.

One night stay while in town for business on a cold November evening. Convenient location if attending an event at the Convention Centre, 5-10 minute walk to restaurants and shopping. Incredibly friendly service, particularly at check-in. Room was a bit small - first time I ever wished a hotel room had less furniture - but bed was comfortable and TV was good quality. Bathroom was nice size and love walk-in shower, but bath towel had two holes in it the size of hockey pucks. I would echo the previous reviews in that the room can get very cold and the heating system does not work optimally. Rates as a good value if staying on your own dollar