Le Meridien Philadelphia [Master Thread]
 

Hi folks,

Given that this is a new property, I figured I'd give a little update.

When I arrived, I pulled up to the front entrance and was greeted by two bellman. Before they took the car away, they asked if I had any valuables in the car, to which I replied, is the car not kept in a garage? Apparently it isn't, as the hotel doesn't have a garage, so it is an open lot. When I asked whether it was safe, the bellman said, "We've been open 5 days and haven't had any breakins." How comforting.

I was upgraded to a suite, which is still rather small, but the decor is really unique, modern - I happen to really like it.

This morning, I was greeted by the business travel manager and someone from corporate, both very nice and eager to hear my thoughts on the hotel. They also picked my brain on my travel patterns.

All in all, very hip place, I have a feeling the bar will become a popular social spot. The fact that the bartender last night looked like a runway model won't hurt business either.

Hope this helps some of you.

Safe travels.

Good review. Thank you. Did you visit the gym? How was the mattress/bathroom, etc.? Thank you.

On the Hotel Offers page, the property has a rate that includes free parking. Sounds like you get what you pay for. ;)

AJG --

Thanks for the review. Although you were upgraded to a suite --- congrats --- do you know what an executive room at the hotel is/confers?

Normally I would think lounge access, but since they don't say they have a lounge, I wonder what exactly is such a room at this hotel?

There is no lounge (or any other incarnation of a lounge) here.

Parking
 

How much IS parking?

$38/day and it takes almost 20 minutes to get the car. Apparently the lot is on 16th and Vine.

That is probably the only downside to the overall stay, I'll probably be back for one night next week.

One other tidbit, the bartender informed me that they are already at 90-95% occupancy this week, first full week open.

How is the concierge service?

I am very big on that.

Gym feedback please....

I did not use the Gym during my tour, but it appears to be nice. It has windows facing an inside courtyard with natural lighting coming through the ceiling of the courtyard (courtyard has exposed brick walls). All upscale and new gym equipment.

There currently is a AAA rate of $124 at the hotel for the weekends. I am looking at as well as a Grand Opening Package that comes with parking and Triple SPG points for $169 plus taxes.

Anyone know if one can fine a less expensive parking garage for the area on the weekends that would then militate against my taking the parking package?

Thanks!

Report/Superior Room Review
 

I am at this hotel right now..checked in last evening for one night. I leave later today. I had reserved an Executive room (the lowest category apparently) but received an upgrade to a Superior room (king bed) with a view of City Hall at checkin..the friendly agent told me the suites were not available and that was fine with me. The room is nice... minimalist is the style here. The lobby itself is lovely and has a hip bar right in the middle.

This hotel was a former YMCA... one of the cool features is they've created a 6 floor interior atrium out of an area that used to be outside. You can't see this atrium in the lobby it's only on the upper floors. So when you get off the elvators on each floor you look out into this inside atrium that looks as though it's outside with all the brick (it's been cleaned and is spotless). Pretty cool...reminds me a bit of many Vegas casinos who have built "streets" inside. The bottom of the atrium appears to be the business center and a sitting area. Many rooms in this hotel are interior rooms and their windows face the atrium (probably the Executive rooms). The ceiling of the atrium is opaque so light can come in.

The floors in the guest elevators are Lobby, 3, and 5-10. No 2 or 4. I'm on 7. On the 7th floor (I can't speak for the other floors) in the hallways there is a strange odor. I don't know what it is...I'm thinking it's a new construction type odor but it's borderline offensive. I imagine this will dissipate over time. When I first got into the hall and the odor hit me I first thought perhaps someone was smoking marijuana but it definitely wasn't that.

I can see about half of City Hall out the window but another office building directly across the street blocks the rest of the view. The window does not open at all. Printed on the glass down in the corner is a little tidbit of very useful info "PHILADELPHIA IS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE TO THE INDIAN OCEAN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE". It's also printed in Spanish so even visiting Latinos will know where they will wind up if they start digging straight down.

Good technology..the 42" LG TV sits on a higher-than-normal desk making viewing from the bed easy. Several HD channels are available (don't you hate it when you're at a Starwood hotel that has nice HDTV's but no HD programming?..very annoying!). The desk has all of the A/V inputs for the TV so if you need to connect your laptop (or anything else) it's very easy...you can do it right in the desk without having to mess with the TV. It has RCA plug ports for right/left audio, video, s-video, PC video, and "digital video"..which looks to me like an HDMI port but it doesn't say HDMI on it. The desk also has four handy 110V power ports that are easily accessible and installed in alternating directions so you can connect larger adapter plugs with no issues. The internet cable is attached to the desk, and there is also wireless internet available.

My superior room has an entry area by the door with a full length mirror and a decorative marble topped silver table sitting in front of it with a silver bowl on top. It's makes the room bigger, but the space isn't really useful and you can't see the full entry area from the main part of the room so while the room is larger, it doesn't "seem" larger.

There is no built in closet..instead there is a large double door cabinet that has space for clothes, the safe, mini-bar, coffee maker, and ironing board/iron. On top of the mini-bar fridge there's a selection of tempting snack foods set on top of sensors...I assume that will auto-charge you if you take anything. I didn't see a sign anywhere with a warning about that..it's not printed on the mini bar price list but there are definitely sensors on the snack tray and inside the fridge. There is no free bottled water in the room. The Nestle Pure Life water bottle in the cabinet costs $5 (and is sensor-free).

As far as furniture.. under the desk sitting on the floor (not attached to the desk) are 2 drawers that you can use for your clothes. The desk itself has no drawers. The room also has one chair for sitting...it a very modern shape that fits with the decor.. and a small table by the chair that you can set your drink or room service tray on. As I said minimalist is the style...and therefore there is wasted space..there is plenty of room for a 2nd chair/larger table which would be welcome especially if there were 2 people in the room. There is also a desk chair..more on that in a minute. The desk chair is not a good substitute for a 2nd sitting chair.

The bathroom is great.. it's good sized, has a sliding door, Grohe faucets, and there is a walk in shower instead of a tub. A much preferred configuration for me (except for the sliding door). The shower head is nothing special..Le Meridien should do something cool with their shower heads like Westin. Only plastic cups in the bathroom..the norm now at Starwood hotels.

The bed is all white and was very soft and comfy. When I say soft I mean the sheets and blankets..the mattress was "normal". I'm not fussy when it comes to most mattresses unless they are extremely soft or hard.. so if you have high mattress sensitivity then I'm not the guy to ask.

I do have one big dislike in this room..well two really..and those are the aforementioned higher-than-normal desk and the higher desk chair to match. The desk is not as high as a bar, but it's quite a bit higher than a normal desk so a higher chair is necessary. The chair is made of wood painted white.. and it is hard as a rock and VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. My back and/or my feet are killing me sitting in it. If you sit back further on the chair you have to rest your feet on the metal bars on the lower part of the chair. When I'm in my room I never wear shoes and the bars are kind of narrow and hurt my feet after a couple minutes..I'd have to put my shoes on to solve that. If i slide forward on the chair and put my feet on the floor it hurts my back even more...I've been alternating positions to spread the pain around (I refuse to put on my shoes lol). A desk chair needs to be comfortable so people can sit and do their work for long periods. A major :td:

They should have chosen a desk that was higher on one side for the TV and lower on the other side for the work space so they could have gotten a normal chair.

Overall this is a nice property and I would definitely stay here again..provided I didn't expect I would have to spend a lot of time at this desk.

I didn't use the gym, park a car, eat at the restaurant, or use the concierge. But I did have a glass of wine at the bar :)

One tip for those who are taking a taxi to the hotel over the next few months while the hotel is new.. be sure to have the address, 1421 Arch, with you. None of the cab drivers I've used so far have heard of Le Meridien.

Thanks for the review. We need some FT pics :)

Sorry I didn't bring a camera with me... hadn't expected to do a review at all but while in the room I visited this thread thread and saw there weren't a lot of details out there yet I decided to add a few. I'm now at the Westin Philadelphia for the next two nights.

I am in Philly for 1 night and night guidance on which hotel. I will have a car and my flights are such that I arrive in the morning and leave the next morning (9ish). My meetings are near Radnor.

Based on reviews of the various hotels in Philadelphia, I am strongly leaning towards the LM (only $20 more than the Sheraton Suites at PHL on my company rate).

Real question is whether I will dread traffic heading back to PHL at 7am? Is the extra driving worth the effort?

I spent last night at the Le Meridien Philadelphia. It was more like a W than I was expecting, although the room is larger. This is the first time I have posted pictures which has sucked all the life out of me that I don't have the energy to write a review except to say the employees were very attentive and helpful, almost. Valet takes a while and although my car was waiting for me in about 10 minutes the car hiker had took another 10 minutes to show up with my keys.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...rance-area.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...r-bathroom.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...5-bathroom.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...999-shower.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...wards-door.jpg

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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...bar-closet.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...re2004-bed.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...02-hallway.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...sting-note.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...-nighttime.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...03-daytime.jpg

Thanks for the pics!!!!

Lounge?
 

Did I read correctly that there is no lounge? What are Plats offered in lieu of lounge?

Stayed here twice in the last few weeks. Fantastic hotel. A little W-ish in that its very stylish and modern, but much less hectic, loud, or sceney than a typical W. We've been upgraded to a suite both times (through a contact) and the suite rooms that face Arch Street are very nicely decorated and roomy. Super comfy beds and friendly staff.

Valet Parking is $38, but garage parking is abundant in Philly. Last time I was there, I parked in a city garage under JFK Plaza exactly caty-corner to the hotel (entrance is on Arch btwn 16 and 17) and it was $20 a night.

That is correct, there is no lounge, and no offerings are made in lieu of one either.

Staying here in December, thanks for the pics!

looks like this property is only 1 block from the convention center^

Fab property, easily my favourite spg in Philadelphia. Very good French restaurant off lobby. Great wine selection. A W for grownups, which is how I also view the SLS Beverly Hills. No suite as plat, but very gracious reception and very large king room.

Le Meridien - Thanksgiving weekend
 

This was my last night in Philly after Thanksgiving. This was the BEST hotel night of my entire weekend. Too bad it was only for 1 night. I saved the best for last. Checked in early around 1pm & was give a King room on the 10 floor which is one of the Starwood Preferred floors. it was a corner room, so there was a little extra space in a long hallway. The room has a contemporary vibe similar to a W hotel. The decor is minimalist but not cold. The lobby is a lounge with a small checkin area off to the side. I had stopped in around noon & was told that my room might be ready in an hour which it was. I left my bags with the front desk while I took in the city. Everyone that I encountered at this property was stellar & could not do enough for you. From directions to restaurant recommendations, to just being overly pleasant & helpful. I would stay here every time I am in my former home city. The room was GREAT!!!! The bed comfy, The bathroom large & well appointed. Flat panel TV & nice high desk for working. The 5th floor business center area & social area were very nice as they are in a large interior courtyard area with a large skylight overhead 6 floors up. Internet was readily available in this area for free & I never had to wait for a PC. Did not try the restaurant, but have heard good things. Loved, Loved, Loved the Le Meridien Philadelphia. This was the best bargain of my weekend as I got it for a rate of $99.00 a night. Too bad I couldn't extend my weekend...

I just spent a night here. What a wonderful property! I was upgraded at check in to a suite on the 10th floor which nice views of City Hall and the Masonic temple.

It has a very W vibe, but the staff is overtly warm and friendly (so, very non-W in that manner). The decor is really trendy but with an old-meets-new vibe. The bar was lively on a Sunday night but not fist-pumping-techno-thudding like Ws.

Great location. A couple minute walk to the subway station and to the SEPTA regional rail station. Only a 10 minute or so walk from the major downtown Philly theaters.

I'd stay here again and again.

Just checked in.
No lounge. Nothing in lieu of it.
Asked about an upgrade, and was "upgraded" to a room on the 10th floor (was originally on 9th). Wow, one floor up. I should be so grateful.

No suite upgrade for this PLT. It's ok, it's just the two of us.

Staff so far are fine (except for a kind of aloofness at front desk). Room is smallish. Stylish, maybe, but rather small. Oh well. It's cheap.

Honestly, I was reporting my own observations. Honestly, did you see me actually complaining that I wasn't treated well enough or anything? Or honestly, did you feel like being argumentative for the sake of being so?

And I did not honestly know that one is not permitted to report on observations just because some others feel they already knew. Honestly, have a good life.

Great pix! Actually, I had that same room - they upgraded us to the city view for Valentine's Day - that was really nice of them! Great staff!!!!

Yes. The "Wow, one floor up. I should be so grateful" was the first clue.

No, that was a statement that moving one floor would not really be an upgrade, and I wish they didn't call it one, that's all.

oh well indeed.

I read earlier in this thread that 'Executive Rooms' are the basic, run-of-house rooms at this property. I have the option of either an Executive or Deluxe room for an upcoming stay, and both are available at the same price. I'm guessing I should go for the Deluxe, but would appreciate any advice. I'm spg Gold, if that has any bearing. Thanks in advance.

Same question about room types
 

Booking a room here and with my corporate SET code, there are 3 types of rooms that I can book, all with the same rate: Executive, Classic, and Deluxe. Can anyone shed any light on the differences and which is the best?

Suites...?
 

Does this property even have suites? Anyone with knowledge care to shed some light... Or even some pix?

Yes, the property has suites. I've just searched using my SET rate and the following suites are shown:
Superior Suite - 2 double beds
Classic Suite - 1 king bed
Family Suite - 1 king bed and 2 double beds

When I do not use my SET rate, I'm unable to access any suites for reservations. :confused:

There is a picture of a suite on the property's website under Guest Rooms (picture #4)

I will try to post some pics from a Suite I had a while back.