The 10 best luxury hotels in Philadelphia

Nothing says luxury quite like a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia. where the rooms drip with style and service is among the best in the industry. The opulent hotel was built in 1904 as the Girard Trust Company, but it transitioned from a bank to a hotel at the turn of the century and opened as the Ritz-Carlton in 2000. There are 299 guest rooms and suites here, all boasting views of either the city skyline or historic City Hall. Rooms have been meticulously redesigned and renovated using a color and textile palette inspired by modern currency as a nod to the building’s banking history. Located on the Avenue of the Arts, the hotel also features an impressive collection of art, which is displayed throughout the premise. For the ultimate luxury experience, book an appointment at the on-site Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon, which offers a variety of massages and decadent specialty treatments like raindrop therapy infused with essential oils.

Spend your Philadelphia vacation (or staycation) in Rittenhouse Square, one of the poshest zip codes in the city. Originally a mansion owned by the Cassatt family (as in Mary Cassatt, the American painter and printmaker), this 118-room hotel offers a premium luxury stay with grandeur is unmatched. Opened in 1989, it has a decades-long tradition of pampering guests with Jaguar car service, plush bathrobes at turndown time and a host of amenities for children, including complimentary in-room movies and popcorn for pre-teens and teenager. The hotel also houses the Library Bar, an upscale cocktail den with a fireplace, and Italian eatery Scarpetta, which cranks out some of the best pizza in Philadelphia. Bringing the pooch along? The Rittenhouse Hotel is pet-friendly and even goes so far as to offer homemade treats prepared by the hotel’s pastry chef to your four-legged friend.

Planning a long-term stay in Philadelphia? Consider crashing at the sophisticated AKA Rittenhouse stands, which stands 12 stories tall and boasts 78 studio and one- and two-bedroom suites that are equipped with full kitchens. The elegance of the building’s beaux-arts facade extends indoors with sleek and modern furniture and appliances. Other perks include a gym, a business center with Macs and a private resident entrance to on-site restaurant a.kitchen and its accompanying a.bar. The location also puts you just around the corner from Rittenhouse Row, one of Philly’s top shopping destinations with high-end stores like Michael Kors, Barneys Co-Op and Vince.

Also located in Rittenhouse Square, this Art Deco-style boutique hotel offers guests a sleek and chic hotel experience. Each guestroom and specialty suite features huge windows and tons of natural light—many rooms have exceptional city views, too. Besides the stylish digs, the hotel ups the luxury factor by offering signature in-room spa services. You can choose from 50- or 80-minute massages, and head-to-toe skin treatments like a hydrating body wrap—all done in the comfort of your room. If that’s not your thing, Palomar’s King Spa Suites and One Bedroom Suites come with an oversized Fuji soaking tub, allowing guests to create their own spa-like experience. The hotels offers bath salts complimentary free of charge, or you can snag a bath bomb for a small fee. Don’t forget to stop by the hotel living room each night for a complimentary wine hour.

Taking over the former location of the Four Seasons, the Logan features 391 rooms and suites that are beautifully appointed and all either face the courtyard or the exquisite Swann Fountain at Logan Circle. Be sure to enjoy a meal at the Urban Farmer, the hotel’s on site farm-to-table steakhouse, and then grab a nightcap at Assembly, the rooftop lounge that makes you feel like you’re on an island in the middle of the city. When you have a free day, head to the Spa at the Logan, which offers a luxe menu of services that includes the knot-busting 80-minute Alpine Arnica Deep Tissue Massage and, for something more relaxing, the Nirvana Stress Relief Massage.

Located a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square, the Sofitel proves that luxury can still be affordable. The lobby of this 306-room hotel is home to a carefully curated art gallery and is accented with local flair, such as colorful Shaker quilts and stone floors. Enjoy unique cocktails and a French-inspired meal at Liberte Lounge or revel in the atmosphere of the newly renovated Chez Colette. Pamper yourself with the hotel’s indulgent lotions and soaps before a night out on the town and lose yourself in the superior featherbed and duvet sleep system when you return.

This posh Hyatt hotel sits in the heart of Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, and within walking distance of a handful of the city’s best theaters, parks and restaurants. Despite its historic roots, the hotel keeps things fresh with chic, modern rooms decked with plush beds, marble baths, flat-screen TVs and high-speed internet access. There’s also a spa and 93,000-square-foot fitness center on-site, and the lower level of the building is home to a boutique shopping mall, called the Shops at Bellevue, which features deluxe stores such as Nicole Miller, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co. and Williams-Sonoma. Enjoy happy hour or an splurge-worth dinner at XIX (Nineteen), a restaurant and bar located on the 19th floor. The eatery serves an extensive menu of contemporary American fare and sports a spectacular wine cellar. On warm nights, grab a table on one of the balconies to take in some impressive views of the city.

The Warwick Hotel epitomizes the Rittenhouse vibe, with a style that pairs contemporary flourishes with classic architecture. Each of the 301 rooms feature a pop of color and personality with a Philly-themed headboard and refrigerator. If you want continued comfort without leaving the confines of the building, schedule an in-room spa service or head over to the hotel’s hair salon. If you do decide to leave, there is ample nearby shopping and dining. Bring your pup, too. The hotel is pet-friendly.

In operation since 1932 and housed inside the nation’s first skyscraper, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the city. As such, the lobby and in-house restaurants ooze Mad Men-era chic, while the 581 guest rooms and suites are stunningly outfitted in an art-deco style that gently nods to the building’s past. Each room comes with bathrobes, slippers and stunning views of the city no matter which way you face. Located just blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Loews is an excellent option for folks in town for conventions. It also places you steps from must-see Philadelphia attractions like City Hall and Reading Terminal Market. Midtown Village is a quick jaunt down 13th Street, where you’ll find blocks upon blocks of buzzing, trendy restaurants and bars.

With a name like Le Méridien, you know this place has to be fancy. A sharply dressed doorman welcomes you into the lobby of the stately brick building that sits catty corner with City Hall and around the corner from the Reading Terminal Market. Besides the excellent location, vacationers here stay in rooms decorated with contemporary earthy, stone-grey-and-white decor that gets a pop of color from vibrant accent pieces like throw pillows, chairs and rugs. Snuggle into your luxurious bed, which is outfitted with 350-thread-count sheets and a plush pillow-topped mattress. Rooms also come with a bathrobe, an iPod docking station so you can throw on some tunes and, if you request it, complimentary turn-down service at night. On-site restaurant Amuse serves up classic French fare in amid a sophisticated, urban-brasserie style atmosphere.