For those who follow The Dining Traveler, you know I am a big fan of the Loews Hotel brand. What draws me to the brand is the individual character of each property. This is the case with Loews Philly, a high rise hotel overlooking the shiny Philadelphia skyline. My first stay at Loews Philly was a few years ago when I ran the Rock and Roll Philly half-marathon and quickly fell in love with the hotel. This summer, I returned to the city of brotherly love for a short getaway with my friend K and made it a point to stay there again.
All about our recent stay at Loews Philly:
The location: Loews Philly is located on Market St and 12th Street, a short walk to one of my favorite places in Philly, Reading Market. The market is a foodie heaven! You can find everything from a greasy spoon to barbecue to oysters to even German food. After we indulged in leberkäse (German meatloaf) we walked off the calories as we headed to Liberty Bell park, a fifteen minute walk from the hotel.
The location is one of my favorite features of the hotel. There is a Philly Indego (shared bicycles) stand right around the corner of the property. We took a bike ride to the Philadelphia Museum of Art which steps are known as the “Rocky Steps”. We did some shopping on 13th Street with its unique boutiques and restaurants. Another must-see place located close to the hotel is “Gayborhood”. Don’t be fooled by the name! There are plenty of restaurants and bars for every taste. We dined at Jose Garces’ Trading Company and walked around the neighborhood on a beautiful summer night. Keep your eyes open as there is plenty of art to be seen as the city is abundant with murals.
The room: Our room was on the 17th floor of Loews Philly. It was bright and airy with a comfortable bed, large bathroom, and great view of the city. Although located in the middle of the city, the room was quiet, a nice break from all the sounds and sights. We also took advantage of the complimentary standard Wi-Fi in the room to get work done. Now that I’m working remotely, Wi-Fi is a must while I’m traveling.
The Hotel: Although the hotel is in the heart of Philly, once you step into the building, you’re transported to a peaceful space. The gym has a lap pool with plenty of natural light and a great selection of workout equipment . If you had one too many cheesesteaks, the Loews Philly fitness facility has you covered! The one hidden gem of the hotel is the view from the 33rd floor. If you want to see one of the most epic views of the city, head to the top floor of Loews Philly to take in the shiny high-rise buildings alongside classic architecture, and the Schuylkill River.
The verdict: If you’re headed to Philly for a city trip with access to many of the key sights by foot, Loews Philly is the hotel for you. From the simple modern design to friendly service, I’ve had two great stays at this hotel. The one regret is that I didn’t get to try the food in the hotel but with so many great dining choices surrounding the hotel, it was hard to keep up with it all!
