Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue {US-PA}
May 12, 2003, 10:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA-PlatPro, B6-Mosaic
Posts: 167
Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue {US-PA}
Hi, Everyone
I'd like to stay at the new Hilton Philadelphia city in September. The best rate I can find so far is $134. Does anyone know of any promo codes that could reduce the price? Also, any trip reports about the hotel (exec lounge, upgrades, free breakfast, etc)? Thanks very much!
Aussiemate
I'd like to stay at the new Hilton Philadelphia city in September. The best rate I can find so far is $134. Does anyone know of any promo codes that could reduce the price? Also, any trip reports about the hotel (exec lounge, upgrades, free breakfast, etc)? Thanks very much!
Aussiemate
May 12, 2003, 2:54 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: US CP, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 199
You do realize that this is not downtown, right? City Line Ave doesn't have much to offer. You need a car. When they say "minutes" they mean about 15 minutes by car to get to these places. I'm sure it'll be a nice hotel, just wanted you to be aware that it is not very close to downtown. It is however, very close to St. Joseph's University.
The new Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue is located in a suburban setting just five miles from downtown Philadelphia and minutes from the convention center, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Zoo, Kimmel and Mann Centers for the Performing Arts and the Stadium Sports Complex, home of the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers and Flyers....
The new Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue is located in a suburban setting just five miles from downtown Philadelphia and minutes from the convention center, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Zoo, Kimmel and Mann Centers for the Performing Arts and the Stadium Sports Complex, home of the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers and Flyers....
May 12, 2003, 2:56 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA-PlatPro, B6-Mosaic
Posts: 167
I don't know much about Philly, but I was hoping it meant I could get to Veteran's Stadium pretty quickly without having to drive. Am I off base, Phl Intl Terminal?
May 12, 2003, 3:45 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: US CP, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 199
You could take a cab to the vet for about 20 dollars (minimum). The Vet is only a couple of minutes from the airport, so an airport hotel would be closer, but definitely not as nice and most of those hotels are junkers. If you are looking for a nice Hilton property, I'd go for the Embassy Suites downtown. While it's still not too close to the stadiums, it is closer than city line avenue. I believe you can get rates as low as 89 dollars at the embassy. It's close to a number of attractions in the downtown area, so you'd have something to do during the day, whereas the city line location does not have much to offer.
If you leave for a game or concert at the Vet from city line ave (the Hilton Property), you have to go through the city on the Schuylkill Expy (76) which can be quite a bear if you are driving through town between 6:30 am and 9:30 am and between 3:30 and 7pm. If you stay at the Embassy, you can take a cab down broad street or take the broad street line (subway) down to the vet. The subway would get you down there pretty quickly.
Must be going to one of the last Phillies games or concerts at the Vet, eh?
As a perspective, I've lived in the philly suburbs for 25 years, with 2 additional years of downtown living...I know the city fairly well.
Hope this helps...
If you leave for a game or concert at the Vet from city line ave (the Hilton Property), you have to go through the city on the Schuylkill Expy (76) which can be quite a bear if you are driving through town between 6:30 am and 9:30 am and between 3:30 and 7pm. If you stay at the Embassy, you can take a cab down broad street or take the broad street line (subway) down to the vet. The subway would get you down there pretty quickly.
Must be going to one of the last Phillies games or concerts at the Vet, eh?
As a perspective, I've lived in the philly suburbs for 25 years, with 2 additional years of downtown living...I know the city fairly well.
Hope this helps...
May 12, 2003, 5:03 pm
#7
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Stay at a downtown Hilton family property. You have a choice of the Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn or the Doubletree.
The DT is on Broad Street right at the Walnut-Locust subway stop that will take you right to the stadium in about 10 minutes for $1.50(or is it $1.60 now?). It's also centrally located in the city for any other activities you undertake.
The room rate may be higher at the DT, but you'll be spending that difference anyway when you factor in a rental car or cab for not being in the city near public transit.
You can also get from/to the airport for $5 on the regional rail. If you don't have many bags, the walk from Suburban Station is only about 5 blocks and plenty safe.
The DT is on Broad Street right at the Walnut-Locust subway stop that will take you right to the stadium in about 10 minutes for $1.50(or is it $1.60 now?). It's also centrally located in the city for any other activities you undertake.
The room rate may be higher at the DT, but you'll be spending that difference anyway when you factor in a rental car or cab for not being in the city near public transit.
You can also get from/to the airport for $5 on the regional rail. If you don't have many bags, the walk from Suburban Station is only about 5 blocks and plenty safe.
May 12, 2003, 7:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lower Merion Township, PA, (an inner-ring suburb to the Socialist Workers City/State of Philadelphia, PA)
Posts: 596
Center City Philadelphia is a much better bet for culture and attractions. City Avenue is a business area, lots of chain restaurants and such, but low readings on the culture meter.
Take a look at Philly City Avenue or HGI City Center
Edited to get hyperlink working...
[This message has been edited by JadedTraveler (edited 05-12-2003).]
Take a look at Philly City Avenue or HGI City Center
Edited to get hyperlink working...
[This message has been edited by JadedTraveler (edited 05-12-2003).]
May 12, 2003, 9:23 pm
#9
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I stayed at this property last week. It is new, and relatively middle of the road. Rooms are okay, no high speed internet access except via the TV.
Staff was pleasant enough, but it took 15+ minutes 3x to get my rental car, and my room wasnt made up till after 3PM. And there just arent cheap rates. It is very convenient to business in the area; that's it.
Totally unrelated: I did get into Morimoto for Friday night dinner. Highlight of the trip, at least from a leisure standpoint. Go there.
Staff was pleasant enough, but it took 15+ minutes 3x to get my rental car, and my room wasnt made up till after 3PM. And there just arent cheap rates. It is very convenient to business in the area; that's it.
Totally unrelated: I did get into Morimoto for Friday night dinner. Highlight of the trip, at least from a leisure standpoint. Go there.
May 12, 2003, 11:14 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Blue Bell PA USA
Posts: 83
I agree with PHL and most of the above posts. Hilton City Ave is basically in the suburbs and is not an easy commute to the stadium complex. The Doubletree location is great for a tourist esp if you have not been to philly before. Subway basically from the DT to the stadium complex (no parking hassles). Easy walk to many tourist sites from the DT. Tons of dining choices within walking distance. You could also walk to some of trolly stops (called the Phlash) and see most of philly (jump on & off all day for small fee--I think $3)
Stayed at the DT a couple of months ago. As a diamond, was upgraded to a top floor with a great view of CC. Free hot buffet breakfast. I never stayed at the ES or HGI.
If you are visiting philly for vacation/tourism, don't stay at city ave.
[This message has been edited by gs88 (edited 05-13-2003).]
Stayed at the DT a couple of months ago. As a diamond, was upgraded to a top floor with a great view of CC. Free hot buffet breakfast. I never stayed at the ES or HGI.
If you are visiting philly for vacation/tourism, don't stay at city ave.
[This message has been edited by gs88 (edited 05-13-2003).]
May 13, 2003, 9:09 am
#11
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A minor update, base fare on Philadelphia buses, subways, etc. (the transit agency is called SEPTA) was $2 last time I was in town. Agree with everyone who has suggsted staying in Center City Philly and taking the Broad Street Subway to Veterans Stadium. Absolutely the only way to go! SEPTA even operates special express trains (blue marker lights, I believe) that proceed nonstop after Walnut/Locust station to the stadium (Pattison Ave. station, also the end of the line). Even the local trains should take less than 15 minutes though.
Other good Hilton options in Philly also include The Inn at Penn if you want to stay around the University of Pennsylvania campus (some very interesting restaurants in that neighborhood now that Penn is as much of a development/real estate company as a university!!!) A longer trip to the stadium via public transit but still very doable and just $2 (trolley from 36th/Sansom St. station to City Hall then free transfer to the Broad St Subway)
Other good Hilton options in Philly also include The Inn at Penn if you want to stay around the University of Pennsylvania campus (some very interesting restaurants in that neighborhood now that Penn is as much of a development/real estate company as a university!!!) A longer trip to the stadium via public transit but still very doable and just $2 (trolley from 36th/Sansom St. station to City Hall then free transfer to the Broad St Subway)
May 16, 2003, 6:14 pm
#12
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I was just able to reserve a room at the DoubleTree for $85/night. I've never stayed there before, but I know it's location is darn good for Center City (and for my needs of a wedding reception at the Bellevue).
May 16, 2003, 8:09 pm
#13
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
I was just able to reserve a room at the DoubleTree for $85/night. I've never stayed there before, but I know it's location is darn good for Center City (and for my needs of a wedding reception at the Bellevue).</font>
I was just able to reserve a room at the DoubleTree for $85/night. I've never stayed there before, but I know it's location is darn good for Center City (and for my needs of a wedding reception at the Bellevue).</font>
Is the wedding you're attending in the Park Hyatt @ The Bellvue grand ballroom? Oompha. That's big bucks. Once of the nicest venues to have a wedding in Center City Phila.
May 17, 2003, 11:29 am
#14
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sweden
Posts: 5,645
When and where did you find that 85$ Doubletree rate? I am going to Philly next week and I have some problem to find good Hilton prices.
I have one night booked at Marriott for 69$ but I would like some Hilton stays as well.
I have one night booked at Marriott for 69$ but I would like some Hilton stays as well.
May 17, 2003, 1:25 pm
#15
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Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: West Seattle, WA
Posts: 10,469
Kempis, a AAA rate that I booked my room for 23-25May (that rate is still available at the DT Philly (at Broad & Locust) for $85.50USD on the doubletree.com site).
From quick scanning, it appears that the hotel costs more during the week.
From quick scanning, it appears that the hotel costs more during the week.