the western flyer over the streets of philadelphia

[backpack]

Maverick, I really appreciated that you took the time to post your packing list right before leaving.

I checked it out and told you my right there, how nice a gesture it was, but I realized that my name would be the last in the post.

Not answering then, meant that people could see that it was your post thus gather very informative data on business packing.

[MaggieScratch]

Coincidentally, the office holiday party is tonight (I'm not going for various reasons, mainly that I hate taking the train home late) and one of my co-workers, for that very reason, got a room at the Sofitel. She just stopped by my desk, raving about how nice the room is. So there you go. It might be a little bigger, not being in NY!

[maverick]

hi maggiescratch,

hehe - i don't know how big a fan club there would be...

i will check out the sofitel. i stayed at a sofitel in new york and liked it. the rooms were small, but very nicely decorated and the bathrooms were very nice.

i've stayed at the westin at 99 south 17th street, and it was very nice. i shot a wedding there about four years ago - it was a fun venue!

i've been through the marriott you mentioned, and it was huge.

i went to the reading terminal market when i was in philadelphia in june. it was a bit overwhelming, but i saw a lot of cool stuff there. i remember i had a vegetarian philly cheese steak - my first and only time. it was interesting, good, a bit messy.

thank you for the recommendations! i'll report back when i'm in philadelphia next june!

Do you really want me to say? I don't want the Maverick Fan Club stationed outside the door, slipping tips to the bellmen to find out which room you're in. We all know how stalky those crazy fangirls and fanboys get. ;)

I don't know how much better any of the big chain hotels would be. The Four Seasons is right there on Logan Circle, but of course is more expensive! I've been in one of their small suites and it's quite plush.

The Westin on 17th Street below Market seems pretty nice, though I've never stayed there. I sometimes park in their parking lot and the bellmen who open the door are always really nice. There often are visiting sports teams staying there--you see people hanging around outside waiting for autographs.

The Sofitel on 17th, a couple of blocks south of Market Street, is a smaller hotel, and might feel more intimate, but might be more expensive. The French restaurant there is lovely.

The Marriott Downtown at 12th and Market is humongous, but is nicer than I remember the other hotel being. The lobby is huge and marble-y and impressive, and there are stores and things all around the lobby, Starbucks and that sort of thing. Also it's very close to the Reading Terminal Market, which I think you would love.

If you don't mind a bit of a commute, the Sheraton Society Hill at 2nd and Dock Streets is where we ended up having our event. The staff was fantastic and the lobby has a four-story atrium and was one of the reasons we chose that hotel. There are little seating groups of comfy chairs throughout the lobby. People really used it all weekend, sitting in the chairs chatting away. And it's right in the historic area, so there's lots to see and do. But it's on the far east side of Center City. You can easily catch the Market Street subway line to 15th and Market, however. Just walk a couple of blocks up 2nd Street to Market and the subway line is right there. It's $2 each way, or a little less if you buy tokens. You would be on the subway for about a minute.

[MaggieScratch]

Do you really want me to say? I don't want the Maverick Fan Club stationed outside the door, slipping tips to the bellmen to find out which room you're in. We all know how stalky those crazy fangirls and fanboys get. ;)

I don't know how much better any of the big chain hotels would be. The Four Seasons is right there on Logan Circle, but of course is more expensive! I've been in one of their small suites and it's quite plush.

The Westin on 17th Street below Market seems pretty nice, though I've never stayed there. I sometimes park in their parking lot and the bellmen who open the door are always really nice. There often are visiting sports teams staying there--you see people hanging around outside waiting for autographs.

The Sofitel on 17th, a couple of blocks south of Market Street, is a smaller hotel, and might feel more intimate, but might be more expensive. The French restaurant there is lovely.

The Marriott Downtown at 12th and Market is humongous, but is nicer than I remember the other hotel being. The lobby is huge and marble-y and impressive, and there are stores and things all around the lobby, Starbucks and that sort of thing. Also it's very close to the Reading Terminal Market, which I think you would love.

If you don't mind a bit of a commute, the Sheraton Society Hill at 2nd and Dock Streets is where we ended up having our event. The staff was fantastic and the lobby has a four-story atrium and was one of the reasons we chose that hotel. There are little seating groups of comfy chairs throughout the lobby. People really used it all weekend, sitting in the chairs chatting away. And it's right in the historic area, so there's lots to see and do. But it's on the far east side of Center City. You can easily catch the Market Street subway line to 15th and Market, however. Just walk a couple of blocks up 2nd Street to Market and the subway line is right there. It's $2 each way, or a little less if you buy tokens. You would be on the subway for about a minute.

[maverick]

hi maggiescratch & jenne,

so which hotel is it? :)

i've stayed there each time i've gone up to philadelphia because i have frequent stay points with this hotel chain already.

my stay has always been comfortable. they have oatmeal and fruit in the breakfast buffet in the club lounge, which is convenient. but it's a very dull, very huge hotel. there is no real personality there. you don't get an intimate, warm feeling walking into the hotel or into the rooms.

maggiescratch,

are there other hotels in that area for my next visit to philadelphia?

thanks!

[Jenne]

I know that hotel! I've stayed at a yuckier one nearby!

Also, I love hotel window view pictures. I almost always take some when I stay in a hotel.

[MaggieScratch]

Very nice!

(and not to be creepy, but I think I can guess your hotel! Only because I toured it for an event I helped organize earlier this year.)

[maverick]

hi folks,

i didn't get a chance to go get pictures around philadelphia on this trip, but i did want to share a couple of pictures i took from my hotel room...