I've stayed at the FS and had drinks at the Rittenhouse and had meetings across the street from the new RC.

The RC is a new RC - say from 2 yrs ago - the old RC is now a St. Regis. I stayed here when it was the RC - in a club level room - and it was fine - a typical city RC hotel. Very similar to RC Phx or RC Buckhead. My then girlfriend forgot her earrings in the room - they were nice and called us and mailed them immediately.

FS was a fine city hotel. Via Amex FH&R, I was upgraded to a standard suite - which was the typical FS suite. It was fine, but nothing over the top. I stayed there in 2002. I recall a couple of minor kinks in the service, but they were definitely minor. Its location was not ideal - except perhaps to visit the Rodin museum. Their restaurant is rated #2 in Philadelphia Zagats. I do remember quite a few people who appeared to be budget tourists visiting the hotel for tea one afternoon (clearly not residents) - seemed a bit odd.

The Rittenhouse is right in the center of the high-end residential area. It's walking distance to Le Bec Fin and Striped Bass (two top restaurants in Philadelphia) and many shops etc. They win on location. The bar was fun, but for a mature (>35 years old) crowd. Chocolate Martinis are excellent - not too sweet. I've not been in any of the rooms there.

The new RC looks intriguing. I've not been inside, but it's in an old bank building. The property was featured in Architectural Digest - and looked very nice. Everything is new - which is nice. It's been open long enough where I don't think you have to worry about service kinks (because of newness, at least).

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If I were going today, I'd stay at the RC just to check it out. Sometimes, those refurbished buildings turn out quite nice.

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Let us know where you stay and how it goes.