AKA University City
2929 Walnut Street Cira Centre South, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5054
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Avg. $391 /night, 3/20 - 3/21
$418
per night
$332
per night
$245
per night
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About
#9 of 96 hotels in Philadelphia
Location
4.8
Rooms
4.7
Value
4.5
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.7
Sleep Quality
4.6
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
AKA University City's ultra-luxury hotel residences, featuring Philadelphia's highest and most spectacular residential views, are available by the day, week, month, or year. Sophisticated amenities include an entire 28th floor, Level28, dedicated to resident wellness, relaxation, and enjoyment; Cira Green, a visionary, one-acre landscaped oasis 90 feet above street level; and Walnut Street Cafe, seasonally-inspired restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Property amenities
Parking garage
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Bar / lounge
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Wifi
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Pool with view
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
24-hour security
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Doorperson
24-hour front desk
Clothes dryer
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Washing machine
Room features
Air conditioning
Additional bathroom
Safe
Iron
Kitchenette
Dishwasher
Microwave
Flatscreen TV
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Trendy
Location
2929 Walnut Street Cira Centre South, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5054
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 80 out of 100
80
Philadelphia Intl Airport
6.4 mi•
See all flights
Mercer County Airport
29.9 mi•
See all flights
30th St
5 min•SEPTA
Rental Cars
28 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 306
- 24
- 9
- 2
- 11
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favorite
This is the second time I’ve stayed at AKA now while in Philly on business. This place is amazing and really feels like a home away from home. The apartment style living spaces, fitness center, pool, lounge, golf simulator, and business center are second to none and just a few of the things you’ll get to enjoy while there. The proximity to many great restaurants, the train station, and market street is also great as well.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Apr 25, 2024
Dear Ryan C, Thank you for sharing your experience at AKA Property Name. We are very pleased to see that you also enjoyed your accommodation in addition to our very talented service team. We appreciate you providing feedback and look forward to an opportunity to welcome you back your home away from in the future. Sincerely, Von Howard-Battiste Assistant Front Office Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My family spent 13 days at AKA University. We chose the location because it is within walking distance of Penn. It was a great choice for us. The staff, Charles, Tyra, Abu (please forgive me if I misspelled your name), and Lou, the Tesla driver, provided exceptional service. A gentleman from maintenance, was so nice and friendly and helped me with a issue I had with a chair in the library, and there were two other gentleman who worked in the lobby, who were also very friendly, always smiling, and accommodating.
We stayed in a one bedroom with the library, which was emaculate when we arrived. The kitchen has tons of storage, the walk-in closet is a plus, and having two full bathrooms when you have a teenager with you speaks volumes. All of the linens were well maintained, and the housekeeping staff provided toiletries and laundry detergent when requested. I also enjoyed the floor to ceiling windows in the main living area and the bedroom. Another plus for me was the high speed internet. I worked all day for 10 days and did not have any internet issues while attending MSTeams meetings or managing very large excel files.
When staying away from home, being in an environment that is CLEAN, modern, safe, with great Wi-Fi service, and managed by an exceptional team was worth the money.
Well done AKA University Team!!!!
We stayed in a one bedroom with the library, which was emaculate when we arrived. The kitchen has tons of storage, the walk-in closet is a plus, and having two full bathrooms when you have a teenager with you speaks volumes. All of the linens were well maintained, and the housekeeping staff provided toiletries and laundry detergent when requested. I also enjoyed the floor to ceiling windows in the main living area and the bedroom. Another plus for me was the high speed internet. I worked all day for 10 days and did not have any internet issues while attending MSTeams meetings or managing very large excel files.
When staying away from home, being in an environment that is CLEAN, modern, safe, with great Wi-Fi service, and managed by an exceptional team was worth the money.
Well done AKA University Team!!!!
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Date of stay: August 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Choose a room with a library if you want a queen size sleep sofa in addition to the bedroom.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Aug 13, 2022
Dear SMRobinson, Thank you for the incredible review! We really appreciate the kind words and awesome compliments about our team! We receive great feedback about our internet and know how important it is to have a strong connection and also our cleanliness! We look forward to having you stay with us again soon! Sincerely, Ryan Gallagher Director of Resident Services
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My friend and I are new coming graduate students and we just came to Philadelphia. We chose AKA as our first stop. The accommodating receptionist Mr. Wister helped us book a room in 35 floor. The room was roomy and delicately furnished, including washing machines, an electronic iron and even a dishwasher, which is suitable for a long-term living. What’s more, you can have a beautiful bird’s eye view of Philadelphia simply throughout the window. And enjoy the sunset at the beautiful garden at 28 floor with a cup of coffee. I would definitely recommend it to my families and friends!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Issues with my latest stay here:
1) Room was 80 degrees upon entering with A/C blowing hot air
2) Smoke alarm beeping presumably from low battery
3) Bathroom light fixtures burnt out. Maintenance fixed and now light will not turn off. Have to sleep with bathroom door closed to block the light. Should constant calls to maintenance really be necessary to ensure a pleasant stay?
4) Basic items typically provided like paper towel missing from kitchen.
5) Consistent and well known issue with room keys not always working on elevator fobs. Never seems to get fixed even after multiple times staying here over the years.
6) Gym under renovation. Received pass for gym at building 3 blocks away. Walked to building only for pass not to work for gym access and building security unwilling to let me up to gym.
7) Staff bothers you by 11:10am to remind you check out is 11am. As if after such a terrible experience we would care about their rules. Tall male manager in the lobby was loudly complaining about late check outs by guests as well. Unprofessional and embarrassing conduct by all levels of employee.
Have stayed at Motel 6 for much less with far fewer issues each stay. This hotel is not at all worth the price and I am done giving them second chances.
1) Room was 80 degrees upon entering with A/C blowing hot air
2) Smoke alarm beeping presumably from low battery
3) Bathroom light fixtures burnt out. Maintenance fixed and now light will not turn off. Have to sleep with bathroom door closed to block the light. Should constant calls to maintenance really be necessary to ensure a pleasant stay?
4) Basic items typically provided like paper towel missing from kitchen.
5) Consistent and well known issue with room keys not always working on elevator fobs. Never seems to get fixed even after multiple times staying here over the years.
6) Gym under renovation. Received pass for gym at building 3 blocks away. Walked to building only for pass not to work for gym access and building security unwilling to let me up to gym.
7) Staff bothers you by 11:10am to remind you check out is 11am. As if after such a terrible experience we would care about their rules. Tall male manager in the lobby was loudly complaining about late check outs by guests as well. Unprofessional and embarrassing conduct by all levels of employee.
Have stayed at Motel 6 for much less with far fewer issues each stay. This hotel is not at all worth the price and I am done giving them second chances.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Don’t stay here. After 4 times staying here, every experience gets worse and worse.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Jun 3, 2024
Dear Thomas W, We take all resident comments very seriously so thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. It is very dissapointing to hear about the wide range of inconveniences you were faced with while staying with us! We're sorry to hear your overall visit did not meet your expectations. I'd like to discuss your situation in further detail. Please contact me directly at (215) 372-9000. We are committed to providing our residents with an exceptional experience and sincerely hope to have the opportunity to host you again in the future. Sincerely, Von C. Howard-Battiste Assistant Front Office Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is intended for extended stays — housekeeping is offered once a week and there are none of the typical bathroom amenities expected at a business/tourist hotel (e.g. body lotion, toothbrushes, etc). Please note also that the hotel levies a “Destination Charge” of USD28.88 per night, which is explained at the front desk as a charge for the use of the facilities on the 28th floor (swimming pool, gym, lounge, mini cinema, etc) whether or not it’s used. If that is going to be a separate charge, then guests should have the ability to opt-out, otherwise, it is misleading when room rates are advertised. Even upon check-out, the Destination Charge is not an itemized charge so it’s quite misleading and even the two front desk attendants had to confer with one another before being able to explain how the charge appears on the guest bill at checkout.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Â Hotel is located a bit farther away from the Penn campus. The 10-15 minute walk to the centre of...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Apr 17, 2024
Dear Resident, Thank you for sharing your experience at AKA Property Name. I'd like to offer my most sincere apologies for the unexpected charges. We are adamantly working to make sure the destinatioon fee is properly communicated in addition to making it feasible for both parties. We are very pleased to see that you also enjoyed your accommodation in addition to our very talented service team. We appreciate you providing feedback and look forward to an opportunity to welcome you back your home away from in the future. Sincerely, Von Howard-Battiste Assistant Front Office Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have been living at AKA for over a year now as an international student at Penn. Shopping for housing remotely is never a fun experience, but fortunately Carla made this process very easy for me. She answered all my questions promptly, offered FaceTime tours of the property and walked me through the application process and paperwork. It was a very pleasant experience and made me feel confident I was going to live in a great place before even being able to see it
While AKA is certainly one of the pricier options for student housing, I very much recommend it. The property is very well kept and has outstanding service. There are many complaints from friends that live in other properties in the area about issues with the staff, but at AKA this is never a problem. Everyone works their hardest to make sure your stay is comfortable. Staff retention is very high which implies that employees are treated well. People seem to enjoy their work and that certainly shows.
The rooms are fantastic and only overshadowed by the views. It is hard to put into words how nice it is to just look at the city lights and relax. Most room appliances are high-end, including Bosch washing machines and dryers. The only thing I found a bit odd was the stove as it is not induction based and hence boiling water takes unnecessarily long. The shower also does not allow you to lock to a specific temperature between uses but instead uses an older handle where you have to manually adjust it every time you use it. However, from conversations with friends here that seems to be mostly related to generally lower housing standards in the US as compared to Germany and hardly unique to AKA.
One thing I would like to highlight is that the residents are also without exception very friendly and respectful people. As someone who values a clean and quiet environment this is certainly one of the best things about AKA.
There are many more good things to say about AKA, such as the pool, the cinema, the bar etc. but I think I have said enough and very much recommend living here (or just spending a few days).
While AKA is certainly one of the pricier options for student housing, I very much recommend it. The property is very well kept and has outstanding service. There are many complaints from friends that live in other properties in the area about issues with the staff, but at AKA this is never a problem. Everyone works their hardest to make sure your stay is comfortable. Staff retention is very high which implies that employees are treated well. People seem to enjoy their work and that certainly shows.
The rooms are fantastic and only overshadowed by the views. It is hard to put into words how nice it is to just look at the city lights and relax. Most room appliances are high-end, including Bosch washing machines and dryers. The only thing I found a bit odd was the stove as it is not induction based and hence boiling water takes unnecessarily long. The shower also does not allow you to lock to a specific temperature between uses but instead uses an older handle where you have to manually adjust it every time you use it. However, from conversations with friends here that seems to be mostly related to generally lower housing standards in the US as compared to Germany and hardly unique to AKA.
One thing I would like to highlight is that the residents are also without exception very friendly and respectful people. As someone who values a clean and quiet environment this is certainly one of the best things about AKA.
There are many more good things to say about AKA, such as the pool, the cinema, the bar etc. but I think I have said enough and very much recommend living here (or just spending a few days).
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Date of stay: October 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Sep 16, 2022
Dear lennart_ger, Thank you for the great review and for the nice compliments about Carla and our property. We appreciate the positive feedback and are glad to have you in residence with us! Sincerely, Ryan Gallagher Director of Resident Services
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We recently spent seventeen days at AKA University City (June 19 to July 5). What drew us there was the location (very close to University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University Campus and Cira Green). The space was fully furnished and we found that having a fridge, microwave, stove/oven, dishwasher and washer/dryer combo allowed us to focus more on visiting monuments, museums, art galleries and the zoo. All the staff provided professional and courteous service. During our stay, we found that we were always able to make a call to housekeeping or maintenance before going out in the day and return to the hotel to find it taken care of. One item that we enjoyed was the complimentary coffee (in the rooms or at the machine next to the pool). Another thing we enjoyed was swimming in the pool at the end of the day. There was still alot of amenities that we never used: outdoor lounge and fire pit, bar, cafe, fitness room, private theater, and business center; however the staff was always ready to book those for us. All these spaces were always clean and well-maintained. Overall, our experiences were excellent based on the quality of the amenities, location and outstanding customer service of Lou the Bellman and the rest of the AKA University City Staff. We highly recommend AKA University City for your vacation to Philadelphia.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Aug 2, 2022
Dear tsanthro, Thank you the great review and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay with us! We appreciate the positive feedback about our team and property and look forward to you staying with us again in the future! Sincerely, Ryan Gallagher Director of Resident Services
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our 5th year in a row to come to AKA university city to celebrate our grandson’s birthday. It was better than ever!! Diamond wrote us before we came and made certain everything was perfect for our visit. Every single one of us of the AKA team treated us like we were special guests and we felt so welcomed.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is my favorite place to stay in Philly. The property is beautiful and well maintained. Because this is a condo/apartment, the rooms are large and offer full “at home” amenities. The staff is very responsive and helpful. The location is perfect for access to 30th Street Station (Amtrak) and getting off the highway if you drive. Reasonable priced parking is next door. Easy access to Penn and Center City. Great pool and decent gym.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â The garage next door has EV charger. The property has a decent fitness center; quality cardio...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Although listed as a hotel, this is more a long term stay facility and should not be listing itself as a hotel. We were in town for two nights to visit colleges, and despite inputting information that there would be 3 adults, we were given a 1 bedroom with 1 king bed and a “study” with a couch that my 5’11” son could never fit on to sleep. No extra linens or pillows. John at front desk did hesitatingly accommodate by offering a rollaway for an additional $50, despite the $500/ night we were already spending. After pointing this out, we were given it for free. Turned out to be a self-inflate zip pop up bed from Frontgate, not a real bed, that we had to assemble ourselves. Son could not close door to room when bed inflated.
Also, for a “hotel,” the only parking near is not affiliated with the hotel and costs $35/day. Only restaurant on site opens from noon til 8 pm and was fully booked. No breakfast options, no other restaurant options nearby except a small limited convenience store. And although not as important, no tissues in the bathroom or apartment other than using the roll of toilet paper. Overall I feel like we were sold a bill of goods that did not deliver. I’m sure it would be a good option if you needed a place to stay for a few weeks, but not as a hotel in the traditional sense.
Also, for a “hotel,” the only parking near is not affiliated with the hotel and costs $35/day. Only restaurant on site opens from noon til 8 pm and was fully booked. No breakfast options, no other restaurant options nearby except a small limited convenience store. And although not as important, no tissues in the bathroom or apartment other than using the roll of toilet paper. Overall I feel like we were sold a bill of goods that did not deliver. I’m sure it would be a good option if you needed a place to stay for a few weeks, but not as a hotel in the traditional sense.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from aka universitycity, Guest Services / Front Office at AKA University City
Responded Mar 20, 2022
Dear Piki588, Thank you for taking the time to provide our team with feedback. We take all resident comments seriously and I apologize for your experience. Please contact me to discuss further. Sincerely, Ryan Gallagher Director of Resident Services
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Good morning, our gym is open again for all hotel guests! The hours of the gym are from 6am to 10pm. We do ask while you are in the gym that you do wear a mask. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Yes it's a 3 night minimum ( beautiful hotel and wonderful amenities
Yes! It is open and usually we were the only ones there.
It's $24 per day without in and out privileges.
I have now stayed for several times, each for a week; it's is very nice and convenient.
"The garage next door has EV charger. The property has a decent fitness center; quality cardio machines, dumbbells and some machines."Read full review
"Spa is hard to get a hold of… even when you buy a package it is very difficult to get in contact with the spa and the hotel. "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$305 - $408 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesPennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUniversity City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
268
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about AKA University City
Which popular attractions are close to AKA University City?
Nearby attractions include University of Pennsylvania (0.1 miles), Schuylkill River Trail (0.2 miles), and World Cafe Live (0.09 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at AKA University City?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, free wifi, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at AKA University City?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at AKA University City?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at AKA University City?
Yes, a parking garage is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to AKA University City?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ambrosia, Shake Shack, and Bistro St. Tropez.
Are there opportunities to exercise at AKA University City?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool, a fitness center, and locker rooms available in the fitness center during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at AKA University City?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does AKA University City offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to AKA University City?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Battleship New Jersey (2.8 miles), Independence National Historical Park (1.8 miles), and Congress Hall (1.6 miles).
Is AKA University City accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.