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I like the full service marriott the best out of the 3 - there is a public lot in the building across the street. Manggiano's and chili's are right across the street for good food. Also the reading terminal market is diagonally across the corner from the hotel for great take out food and goodies.

Scott

b1513

I have stayed at all of the Marriotts in downtown Philly numerous times (and recently). The Courtyard Downtown is really a nice hotel. In fact, there are things about it I like better than the Philadelphia Marriott across the street. It's in an old bank building and has beautiful marble floors and lots of brass and a nice bar. The full service Marriott, across the street, is also nice. You will be fine with either one of them. There is parking across the street from the Phila Marriott if you don't want to valet park. I can't give you a comparison of price though since we valet park.

I don't care for the Residence Inn at all. It's next door to the Courtyard. It's odd that all three of the hotels are within a block of each other.

The concierge floor at the Phila Marriott is VERY large and decent.

Bobette

bankingconsultant

I've literally spent months at the Residence Inn, primarily during the week but also on some weekends, and it was more than adequate. Some rooms can be somewhat dark if you're just sitting on the couch, due to the layout of the kitchen and the area that the small table lamp is trying to light, but it's not unbearable. It is indeed within a block of the other two and is probably 100 yards further away from the Reading Terminal Market.

I've never stayed at the other two so can't really comment about them. If you're booking solely on rate, then the RI might be your best bet when you consider the more than ample breakfast and selection of hors d'oeuvres-type snacks at the evening reception. If you're looking for ambience, even without seeing the others I can say it should be at the bottom of your list.

dagwood

Parking across the street is available for $24 or $26 a day....If it is full there is a ton of parking at the convention center as well.....

puddy

I stayed there in 2005. IIFC, valet was $36 a night.

Cargojon

If for some reason you don't end up downtown, the Renaissance by the airport is quite nice too.......

Northern Traveler

I have stay ant both the Marriott and Courtyard, I enjoyed both. I would the Courtyard even give you 500 points for being plat.

psychephylax

Let me know when you're there, I'll buy you a brew either at Nodding Head or Independence Pub...

I've stayed at the full service Marriott and I'm a semi-permanent resident for now at the Courtyard due to the client's negotiated rate.

All 3 Marriotts are literally next to each other. I wasn't super impressed with the FS Marriott and actually prefer the CY now for several reasons.

The CY has a very nice breakfast buffet for 16$ featuring eggs to order, omelettes and waffles along with pastries, cereals, fruits..etc. Not too shabby but gets old fast.

There's a very nice workout room at the CY (5 treadmills, 3 ellipticals, 2 cycles, some dumbells, and a couple of multi-functional dealies). There's a pool too..

There's no self parking...You're pretty much screwed on that. There is a public lot across the FS Marriott, but I don't know their rates (I'll let you know tomorrow or Wed since I'll be there tomorrow night) and I doubt you get in and out privileges. There's an abundance of fee based parking lots and garages in the area and they're usually cheaper than the hotel valet, but i don't know who gives in/out privileges. What I do every week is park around the corner from the CY for 22$ with no in/out privileges and leave the car there for 5 days. It used to be 15$ (Half of what CY charges) and they just recently raised their prices.

The CY is also going through some minor renovations floor by floor with new carpeting, new fixtures and some changes in the bathroom. Make sure you ask for a renovated room. Also, rooms in the front & back of the hotel are bigger than the rooms on the sides.

One thing I don't like about the CY is that they forget to give you the 500 plat arrival points once out of about 3 check-ins.

Cargojon

Well, I spent the last 2 nights at the CY downtown, and so far I'm not impressed. Last night we asked if they had a microwave available (in a lounge or something) so we could heat up our cheesesteaks. They said they'd send one up. An extra phone call and 45 minutes later, it finally showed up.

They didn't leave a new bottle of conditioner last night for my wife. I went down to the front desk to ask for some. They don't have any there. Again, they'll send some up. That was 45 minutes ago.

Nice hotel but the service is erratic and slow. Yesterday it took 30 minutes for them to get my car out of valet.

Marriott's getting an e-mail on this one.

conisue

FYI

Marriott related thread at http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=698979

IrieDame

Going to Philly this week for a business meeting...thoughts on the two ariport locations, the FS Marriott and the Renaissance...I am already aware of the plus for the Marriott being right at the airport but in terms of rooms size and condition, how do they rate.

keeton

I've stayed at both properties this year and my observations are:
The PHL Marriott:
- More "hustle and bustle" than the Ren.
- Slightly nicer room appointments.
- Paid parking, but you can do convenient day trips with rental cars as the rental companies are located across the street from the hotel. There is also train service from PHL into the center city.
- Directly on the airport property if you are doing an early/late flight.

The PHL Renaissance:
- Larger rooms (Maybe I was upgraded?)
- Atrium lobby
- Free parking, but you will want/need a car as it is off the airport property and nothing is really nearby.

Bottom line for me:
- Shop for price.
- If you need to be at PHL, go for the Marriott, if you need a car, go for the Renaissance.

You can also search and find a couple of threads that are a couple of years old, but not too out of date, with other opinions.

IrieDame

Thanks...do not need a car as client is coming to meet me...so Marriott it is.

Cargojon

FWIW I believe the lounge at the Ren is sub-par vs. the PHL Marriott...

FlyerLou

Since it's Philly you don't have to stay in the hotel to get some food.

I suggest the Reading Terminal Market for Breakfast (the creperie is excellent and there are a few diners in there as well). Marathon Grill is nearby but can be quite a large meal.

At those locations you're in the heart of the restaurant area. Any of the Starr restaurants can be entertaining (think upscale themed restaurants that aren't too over the top, Jones is an excellent choice that won't cost an arm and a leg).

You're right above both the Green line (trolly) and Blue line (el) which run east/west along Market. You're two blocks from the Orange line (subway) which runs along Broad (north/south). You're a 15 minute taxi ride from the airport.

For bars, there are plenty in Old City (head east on Market to 4th then wander the few blocks north and east for the majority of them). The Nodding Head is a good choice for a bar's bar (good micro-brew) but the Independence Pub is right around the corner (next to Reading Terminal Market).

Enjoy. CY gets my vote btw. It is slightly less busy and fewer families stay there so it can be much quieter.