The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is richer in modern history than perhaps any other location in the country, with moments such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence having taken place here. For a spell, indeed, it was the capital of the USA, and even today it is recognised for is huge influence on the country. Historic sites include Independence Hall, where, unsurprisingly, the signing took place, and the Liberty Bell, while areas like the Reading Terminal Market attest to more recent aspects of history and the communities who have made Philadelphia what it is today. For a city with a well-documented past, it’s not surprising that it offers many fascinating sights and interesting activities including romantic and non-touristy things to do. The hotels listed below are among the ideal spots to stay here while getting a sense for the pivotal history of this fine city.
Tip from Content Creator
Apart from enjoying a stay in a historic hotel, you can explore other historical sites in Philadelphia, such as the National Constitution Center and Philadelphia City Hall. Did you know that Philadelphia City Hall was the tallest building in the world from 1901 to 1908? After your exploration, enjoy some Philly cheese steak. We ate a delicious meal at the IHOP near our hotel on Walnut Street. And after wandering the streets surrounding City Hall, we came across the Misconduct Tavern sports bar, where we ended our evening with a beer and lemonade.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 27, 2024.
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1. The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia, Autograph Collection (from USD 276)
This upscale hotel downtown was built in 1926 and is featured on the National Register of Historic Places. Philip Johnson, who is known for designing the original Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center, also designed the hotel building following the classical revival style. The coming-together of chic 1920s architecture and modern conveniences is sure to impress guests.
You can kickstart your day with a steaming cup of coffee at the on-site cafe. Treat your taste buds to Spanish cuisine at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Sabroso+Sorbo. Burn extra calories in the well-equipped 24-hour gym. You can spend relaxing evenings in the in-house bar with your favourite drink.
The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia, Autograph Collection
Address: 21 North Juniper Street
1.1 km (0.7 mi) from The Franklin Institute
2. Aloft Philadelphia Downtown (from USD 182)
This 3-star boutique hotel is in a restored 1925 building near the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Please Touch Museum, and Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania are some popular attractions you can drive to within 30 minutes.
On site, you will find a restaurant, deli, and bar to satisfy all your gastronomical needs. Moreover, you can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee. There is a fitness centre, open round-the-clock, so you can work out anytime you want. You can stay entertained and watch movies and shows with free Wi-Fi access in all rooms.
Aloft Philadelphia Downtown
Address: 101 North Broad Street
951 meters (0.6 ft) from The Franklin Institute
3. Hyatt at the Bellevue (from USD 343)
One of the best Philadelphia historic hotels, you’ll find this property on the city’s Avenue of the Arts, and located in a skyscraper that towers over the historic city. Here you will be within easy reach of some of the city’s most notable locations, such as the Pennsylvania Convention Centre, and you’ll be within a couple of miles of the Museum of Art. Helpfully, you’ll also be close to all the important shopping locations too including shops on the site of this Hyatt hotel, which include Tiffany, Williams Sonoma, and more. An experience unlike any other you will find in the city, this hotel brings together Philadelphia’s past and present under one roof.
The Bellevue Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Address: 200 South Broad Street
1.26 km (0.8 mi) from The Franklin Institute
4. La Reserve Bed and Breakfast (from USD 152)
Generous, homemade breakfast with a variety of options, served in a beautiful dining room.
Reasonable pricing for a charming B&B in a prime location.
Excellent location near Rittenhouse Square, walking distance to attractions and restaurants.
Cozy, historic building with spacious rooms, homely living room, and assistive staff.
There is much about the splendid facilities at La Reserve that will put you in mind of the 18th-century specialty it is built to honor. The hotel houses historic artwork and fittings, a grand piano, and is decorated in a truly retro style. In fact, the one thing that will remind you you are in the 21st century is the free Wi-Fi that is made available at the location! At the B&B, you can also pass some time in the lounge watching TV from comfortable stuffed armchairs, while you’ll find the bucolic wonder of Rittenhouse Square right on your doorstep.
La Reserve Bed and Breakfast
Address: 1804 Pine Street
1.34 km (0.9 mi) from The Franklin Institute
Philadelphia Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
Philadelphia Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
Philadelphia Tour Guide
Vance Lehmkuhl
Tour operator and tour guide for American Vegan Center in historic Old City Philadelphia, administering walking tours focusing on Philadelphia's "veg history" - the vegans and vegetarians through history that started the US vegetarian and vegan movements in this city. Author of "Eating Vegan in Philly" (2016) and also "V for Veg: The Best of Philly's Vegan Food Column," a collection of my colum... Read more
Tours by Vance
5. Monaco Philadelphia, a Kimpton Hotel (from USD 347)
You can’t get much more focused on history than a hotel that is 100 yds (91.44 m) from Independence Hall, with a rooftop lounge providing a perfect view of the Liberty Bell. In an additional old-fashioned touch, guests at the Monaco can avail of a complimentary nightcap which comprises a glass of Port, brandy, or cognac along with a light dessert.
Guests have nothing but good things to say about the staff and facilities at this famous hotel in Philadelphia, indicating that even when things go wrong–as they sometimes will–the staff are immediately in action to set them right.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, an IHG Hotel
Address: 433 Chestnut Street
2.29 km (1.5 mi) from The Franklin Institute
6. Chestnut Hill Hotel (from USD 333)
Great dining options nearby, with a food market next door and a complimentary breakfast.
Reasonable pricing for a charming historic hotel.
Conveniently located in a quaint area with restaurants, cafes, and shops within walking distance.
Cozy rooms with thoughtful touches like Nespresso machines and terrycloth robes.
One of the oldest hotel in Philadelphia where all the best restaurants and shops are in is the Chestnut Hill Hotel. Just 18.5 km (11.5 mi) from the city’s most frequented hub, Chestnut Hill Hotel is a great option for those who wish to be surrounded by classic interiors with great amenities.
This historic hotel all the basic amenities you will need when vacationing in Philadelphia. From comfortable king-size beds with soft and freshly laundered sheets to a fitness center and bar access, this hotel is a superb option for travelers making their way to Philly.
Chestnut Hill Hotel
Address: 8229 Germantown Avenue
13.14 km (8.2 mi) from The Franklin Institute
7. Philadelphia Bella Vista Bed and Breakfast (from USD 265)
This hotel in the 10th Street area is rated highly by guests for its historical touches inside and out, with antique furniture in all rooms and the main city on the doorstep. You’ll find yourself just two blocks from the main entertainment facilities of Philadelphia, and even closer to the Italian Market and Magic Gardens. A little further away but still within walking distance, you will also find Independence Park and the historic heart of Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Hotel Bella Vista
Address: 758 South 10th Street
2.31 km (1.5 mi) from The Franklin Institute
8. The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square (from USD 359)
Varied dining options, though some found them too fancy and expensive.
Reasonably priced rooms with occasional upgrades for special occasions.
Ideal location in Center City, close to parks, attractions, shopping, and restaurants.
Convenient on-site restaurant and bar, lovely lobby, and spacious rooms.
The Warwick Hotel is a historic hotel more for its location–on the iconic Rittenhouse Square–than for its facilities, which include a 24-hour conference center, 32-in (81 cm) flatscreen TVs in all rooms, and a highly modern gym. Still, that location is wonderfully historic and makes the Warwick an excellent starting point for your stay in Philadelphia. All of the vital sights worth seeing are located close by, and you’ll appreciate the leisurely 15-minute walk to the nearby Franklin Institute of Science, named after famous former city resident Benjamin Franklin. This hotel is just one of the many historic and themed hotels in Philadelphia, a great choice for first-time travelers in the area.
The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia
Address: 220 South 17th Street
1.05 km (0.7 mi) from The Franklin Institute
9. Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel (from USD 248)
Generous complimentary breakfast with daily protein offering, friendly and responsive staff.
Affordable rates, free toiletries, and tea/coffee in room.
In the heart of historic area, easy walk to Independence Hall and Liberty Bell.
Convenient location, close to subway and attractions, plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.
The Best Western Independence Park is one of Philadelphia’s most cherished hotels, with a splendid location offering great views of historical Philadelphia. Independence Park in itself is a perfect place in which to base yourself to see the best of Philly’s historic locations, from Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell, as well as the nearby First Bank of the United States. You’ll also be within easy reach of the City Tavern, a location judged in history by John Adams to be the finest tavern in all the city and which today is a themed restaurant serving specialities from the late 18th century.
Independence Park Hotel, Premier Collection
Address: 235 Chestnut Street
2.59 km (1.7 mi) from The Franklin Institute
10. Morris House Hotel (from USD 276)
Delicious breakfast, nearby restaurants, and afternoon tea with diverse cookies
Reasonable pricing for a historic, centrally located hotel
Perfect location in the heart of Philadelphia, walking distance to historic sites and museums
Charming colonial atmosphere, complimentary breakfast, coffee station, and cookies, bathrobes in rooms
This handsome Philadelphia historic district hotel dates back to the late 18th century, just under a decade after the signing of the Declaration, and is a former private dwelling. Converted into a hotel in the 20th century, it has been designated a National Historic Landmark for more than half a century, so as well as a place to rest your head at the end of a day’s sightseeing, the hotel in itself is a site worth observing for its history.
Within walking distance of countless shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, the Morris House Hotel is a cut above the standard hotel; if you’re on the lookout for class and style, you’ll find both here.
Morris House Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 225 South 8th Street
2.02 km (1.3 mi) from The Franklin Institute
11. Penn's View Hotel Philadelphia (from USD 243)
This hotel bears the name of William Penn, founder of the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania. This is not for nothing, as the hotel overlooks the Delaware River, up which Penn sailed, and is located mere steps from where he disembarked in preparation to settle the land. Adding to the historic feel of the hotel, this location is just 450 yards (411 metres) from the location of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and a range of other historic sights.
Penn's View Hotel Philadelphia
Address: 14 North Front Street, Philadelphia City Center, Philadelphia (PA), United States, 19106
2.8 km (1.8 mi) from The Franklin Institute
12. Society Hill Hotel at Independence Park (from USD 75)
This hotel, located in the heart of the Old City and among some of Philadelphia’s most historic landmarks, is 250 years old itself and part of the city’s story. From this location, you can easily reach the city’s prestigious universities. Much appreciated by its past guests for the convenience and comfort that it offers, you can rent an entire apartment within the location, accommodating up to eight people and making it an ideal stopping point for traveling groups or people looking for a short-term lease as they settle in the city.
Society Hill Hotel at Independence Park
Address: 301 Chestnut Street
2.54 km (1.6 mi) from The Franklin Institute
13. The Gables Bed and Breakfast Philadelphia (from USD 265)
A perfect spot for visiting academics, the Gables is a B&B in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic University Quarter, close to the University of Philadelphia and Drexel University. The B&B itself is dripping in history, located within a classic Victorian house with countless areas both inside and out to sit and enjoy the view. This bed and breakfast includes hospitable hosts–always available to assist with anything you need, but not so fussy that they will get in your way while you get comfortable in Philly.
The Gables Bed and Breakfast Philadelphia
Address: 4520 Chester Avenue
3.56 km (2.3 mi) from The Franklin Institute
A great historic stay in Philadelphia
Take advantage of Philadelphia’s rich modern history with a stay in one of these distinguished hotels. Experience a ton of history, culture, and see the best attractions, while trying out new things to do in Philadelphia from the most iconic hotels in the area.
Frequently asked questions about historic hotels in Philadelphia
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