DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in/near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA {US-PA}
Aug 4, 2002, 10:18 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SC, AA MM, HH Silver
Posts: 741
Stayed at the HGI in Feb on a Friday night. Paid about $80 with tax. Got upgraded to a very nice room and got breakfast for both of us. Dining room was empty on Saturday. Wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
Pat
Pat
Aug 29, 2002, 10:47 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: No status anywhere :(
Posts: 867
I just stayed at the HGI last night. Nice hotel in a very convenient location--although I'm a bit surprised that a property downtown in a major city and adjacent to the convention center wouldn't be a full-service Hilton.
I was upgraded to an "accessible" room on the tenth floor. It had a few oddities (most notably a walk-in shower instead of a tub) but was very large and spacious. I got a coupon for the cold buffet breakfast (which I upgraded to the hot buffet for $3.20). When I checked in, there was a bag with two water bottles waiting for me at the front desk.
Parking wasn't intuitive. I had a rental car I was going to drop off once I checked in. I ended up parking at a meter around the corner because I couldn't tell which lot was affiliated with the hotel. I also didn't realize there was a loading zone in "front" on 11th. But you don't need a car there--the hotel is right on the Market subway line and the Broad Street line is just a couple blocks west.
I enjoyed my stay, loved the location, and wouldn't hesitate to stay there if I find myself in Philadelphia again.
------------------
Jon Wright
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>
I was upgraded to an "accessible" room on the tenth floor. It had a few oddities (most notably a walk-in shower instead of a tub) but was very large and spacious. I got a coupon for the cold buffet breakfast (which I upgraded to the hot buffet for $3.20). When I checked in, there was a bag with two water bottles waiting for me at the front desk.
Parking wasn't intuitive. I had a rental car I was going to drop off once I checked in. I ended up parking at a meter around the corner because I couldn't tell which lot was affiliated with the hotel. I also didn't realize there was a loading zone in "front" on 11th. But you don't need a car there--the hotel is right on the Market subway line and the Broad Street line is just a couple blocks west.
I enjoyed my stay, loved the location, and wouldn't hesitate to stay there if I find myself in Philadelphia again.
------------------
Jon Wright
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>
Aug 30, 2002, 2:27 pm
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,554
Hopefully these Hiltons are nicer than the Embassy downtown. I stayed there once in 2001 and it was Skeezy with a capital S.
Aug 31, 2002, 7:17 am
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jwright:
I just stayed at the HGI last night. Nice hotel in a very convenient location--although I'm a bit surprised that a property downtown in a major city and adjacent to the convention center wouldn't be a full-service Hilton.
I was upgraded to an "accessible" room on the tenth floor. It had a few oddities (most notably a walk-in shower instead of a tub) but was very large and spacious. I got a coupon for the cold buffet breakfast (which I upgraded to the hot buffet for $3.20). When I checked in, there was a bag with two water bottles waiting for me at the front desk.
Parking wasn't intuitive. I had a rental car I was going to drop off once I checked in. I ended up parking at a meter around the corner because I couldn't tell which lot was affiliated with the hotel. I also didn't realize there was a loading zone in "front" on 11th. But you don't need a car there--the hotel is right on the Market subway line and the Broad Street line is just a couple blocks west.
I enjoyed my stay, loved the location, and wouldn't hesitate to stay there if I find myself in Philadelphia again.
</font>
I just stayed at the HGI last night. Nice hotel in a very convenient location--although I'm a bit surprised that a property downtown in a major city and adjacent to the convention center wouldn't be a full-service Hilton.
I was upgraded to an "accessible" room on the tenth floor. It had a few oddities (most notably a walk-in shower instead of a tub) but was very large and spacious. I got a coupon for the cold buffet breakfast (which I upgraded to the hot buffet for $3.20). When I checked in, there was a bag with two water bottles waiting for me at the front desk.
Parking wasn't intuitive. I had a rental car I was going to drop off once I checked in. I ended up parking at a meter around the corner because I couldn't tell which lot was affiliated with the hotel. I also didn't realize there was a loading zone in "front" on 11th. But you don't need a car there--the hotel is right on the Market subway line and the Broad Street line is just a couple blocks west.
I enjoyed my stay, loved the location, and wouldn't hesitate to stay there if I find myself in Philadelphia again.
</font>
Aug 31, 2002, 1:16 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
Hopefully these Hiltons are nicer than the Embassy downtown. I stayed there once in 2001 and it was Skeezy with a capital S.</font>
Hopefully these Hiltons are nicer than the Embassy downtown. I stayed there once in 2001 and it was Skeezy with a capital S.</font>
I've stayed there NUMEROUS times over the past five years. You must have had some unusually bad experience.
Of course, my familiarity with this hotel may have blinded me to its faults!
Kathy
Feb 18, 2003, 10:57 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CH, D, USA
Posts: 1,727
Philly City Avenue or HGI City Center
After doing a search I still can't make up my mind. For two weekday nights on a sightseeing trip I have a choice between:
- HGI city center 145$ / night
- Hilton city avenue 107$ / night
As a gold the exec floor and managers reception sound nice, but the HGI location is tempting.
How long would a taxi take to the city avenue? What about rush hour? Would the price of the taxi outweigh the savings?
I really appreciate your advice ....
- HGI city center 145$ / night
- Hilton city avenue 107$ / night
As a gold the exec floor and managers reception sound nice, but the HGI location is tempting.
How long would a taxi take to the city avenue? What about rush hour? Would the price of the taxi outweigh the savings?
I really appreciate your advice ....
Feb 18, 2003, 1:23 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 54
Definitely stay at the HGI Center City for the location and the convenience. Its also a relatively new hotel, unlike the one on City Line Ave.
City Line Ave. is located north west of the city and you have to take the worst traffic road in Philly - Route 76 the Schukill Expressway - to get to Center City and I can imagine the cabs can get expensive. It might also take you 20-45 minutes to get through the traffic depending on what time you hit the roads.
Save yourself the headache, stay at the HGI in Center City, walk to all the historic sites and enjoy the cuisine of Old City, Reading Terminal Market or Chinatown rather than stay way outside the city for the lounge.
City Line Ave. is located north west of the city and you have to take the worst traffic road in Philly - Route 76 the Schukill Expressway - to get to Center City and I can imagine the cabs can get expensive. It might also take you 20-45 minutes to get through the traffic depending on what time you hit the roads.
Save yourself the headache, stay at the HGI in Center City, walk to all the historic sites and enjoy the cuisine of Old City, Reading Terminal Market or Chinatown rather than stay way outside the city for the lounge.
Feb 18, 2003, 6:53 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lower Merion Township, PA, (an inner-ring suburb to the Socialist Workers City/State of Philadelphia, PA)
Posts: 596
Stay in the city center, one visit to Reading Terminal Market at lunchtime and it'll be obvious why.
There's not much sightseeing to do on City Avenue. The one excpetion is the the Barnes Foundation, www.barnesfoundation.org, and if they are on your sightseeing radar, make advance reservations to get in, because they are notoriously quirky about admittance.
The city has all the historical buildings and areas, and it's very walkable surrounding those areas. In you prefer not to walk, check out the Phlash bus line.
By the way, a happy hour in any bar in Old City will hands-down beat any managers reception the Hilton on City Avenue has to offer.
[This message has been edited by JadedTraveler (edited 02-18-2003).]
There's not much sightseeing to do on City Avenue. The one excpetion is the the Barnes Foundation, www.barnesfoundation.org, and if they are on your sightseeing radar, make advance reservations to get in, because they are notoriously quirky about admittance.
The city has all the historical buildings and areas, and it's very walkable surrounding those areas. In you prefer not to walk, check out the Phlash bus line.
By the way, a happy hour in any bar in Old City will hands-down beat any managers reception the Hilton on City Avenue has to offer.
[This message has been edited by JadedTraveler (edited 02-18-2003).]
Feb 18, 2003, 6:55 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,599
The HGI is in a great location. It is also the only HGI I have ever been in that wasn't built from the same "mold". Other than the fire alarms going off all night and a severely understaffed dining room one day/night (could have happened anywhere), I was pleased.
Feb 18, 2003, 8:38 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Programs: QF Platinum One (LTG), UA Plat IHG Plat
Posts: 5,836
I stayed at the HGI City Center last November and it was great. The high speed internet only went down at the end of my stay and was excellent, the rooms were clean and large and nice and the staff were good. I wound up on a HHonors floor (9th IIRC) and it was very nice. Definately good value with a great location near the market, hard rock cafe, shops, etc.
------------------
RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.
------------------
RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.
Feb 18, 2003, 10:30 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Blue Bell PA USA
Posts: 83
If you are sightseeing, you definately want to be in center city (HGI or Doubletree are best choices). The Hilton City Ave is basically in the suburbs. If your not in a hurry, a good way to see the sights is to use the PLASH (trolley)www.phillyphlash.com
The Phlash you can hop on/off at sites. stops basically at HGI or Doubletree (see phlash map)
The Phlash you can hop on/off at sites. stops basically at HGI or Doubletree (see phlash map)
Feb 19, 2003, 12:06 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CH, D, USA
Posts: 1,727
I'm convinced! Thank's a lot for all of your inputs! I plan to give back some of my experiences in a detailed trip report.
I'm really looking forward to the voyage.
ZRH-LAX Swiss F, then LAX-HNL AA F with stay at HVV (waitlisted on ALON for HWV which I would prefer), HNL-LAX-SFO-JFK with F and transcon P on AA and then JFK-ZRH in Swiss First. Also, east coast trip involving NYC, Philly and DC ... I'm staying at the HGI in Philly and in DC for the location. NYC I'm going with EWR Hilton, saving 200$ / night.
It's not till late September, unfortunately. Everything's planned now ... (I guess cause I'm really looking forward to that trip.)
I'm really looking forward to the voyage.
ZRH-LAX Swiss F, then LAX-HNL AA F with stay at HVV (waitlisted on ALON for HWV which I would prefer), HNL-LAX-SFO-JFK with F and transcon P on AA and then JFK-ZRH in Swiss First. Also, east coast trip involving NYC, Philly and DC ... I'm staying at the HGI in Philly and in DC for the location. NYC I'm going with EWR Hilton, saving 200$ / night.
It's not till late September, unfortunately. Everything's planned now ... (I guess cause I'm really looking forward to that trip.)
Feb 19, 2003, 7:15 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 69
Let's stir the pot!
Don't forget the ES (good location) and Doubletree (GREAT location). If you're staying TO earn points, check and compare.
Don't stay anywhere outside the Center City area if you're traveling by taxi. You WILL be ripped off enough in Center City, so don't add to the problem. Who knows what will happen when you cross county lines?
Don't forget the ES (good location) and Doubletree (GREAT location). If you're staying TO earn points, check and compare.
Don't stay anywhere outside the Center City area if you're traveling by taxi. You WILL be ripped off enough in Center City, so don't add to the problem. Who knows what will happen when you cross county lines?
Feb 20, 2003, 3:29 pm
#45
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,388
I stayed for many weeks at the HGI - Center City. I would highly recommend it. It is convenient (i.e. walking distance) to all the standard site seeing places.
Take the train from the airport. Don't worry about bringing luggage on board. You won't be alone. It is only $5 compared to the standard $20+tip taxi fare and is oftentimes faster. The train stop is less than half a block from the hotel.
I second the Reading Terminal Market but make sure you check their hours of operation because I recall they were somewhat irregular. Near the center is a big bronze pig. Right across from it is a place that makes the best hand-carved roasted turkey sandwiches. My mouth is watering right now just writing about it! Also remember to check out China town. Walk about one block past the Wa-Wa and turn left. Another half block down the road is the best Malaysian restaurant I have ever eaten at. It is called Panang's. Try the Mango Chicken. It is fantastic.
Another lesser known tip: there is an underground walkway lined with shops that will take you from the train terminal all the way to the US Federal Court House building that is across the street from the Liberty Bell. If the weather is not cooperating, you can take the walk underground and save some fare that way. I hope you enjoy yourself.
