The Renaissance Downtown Hotel: Smack Dab In The Middle Of Philly

Close to the Liberty Bell

If you are arriving by car, the hotel is conveniently located close to I-95. Valet parking is available for 49 USD per night. If you arrive in Philadelphia by Megabus or train, just hop a taxi or rideshare like Uber/LYFT and be at the hotel in minutes.

All spotlessly clean 149 rooms and 3 suites were renovated 1.5 years ago and still look new. For a room with a view, ask for number 901 or similar end-unit. From these rooms, you can see the Delaware River, Penn’s Landing, and part of the historic district. Dogs are allowed for a fee of 50 USD. With a park across the street, it’s easy to take Fido for a walk.

In your room, enjoy amenities like high-speed WiFi, rollaway beds if needed, high-quality toiletries, in-room dining, and more. The Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel has a program that rewards guests with a 5 USD credit per night if you skip daily housekeeping. This is part of their commitment to helping the environment. They also have stopped giving out slippers that usually end up in the trash and they don’t use plastic bags in the room’s garbage cans.

Great amenities

Other onsite amenities include an indoor pool, exercise room, guest computer station, a restaurant, a lounge, and meeting space. The Franklin Social American Bar & Lounge serves a breakfast buffet each morning, or you can order off the regular menu. At night, the Franklin Social Lounge is an intimate space to indulge in before or after dinner drinks. Guests can also grab lunch or have dinner at the onsite restaurant. The dinner menu has an excellent selection of salads; small plates, meat and cheese plates, or large plates like pan-seared salmon, roasted chicken breast, and linguine pesto.

Banks, beer, and ping-pong

I thought the best feature of the hotel was its location. The historic district is literally right out the front door. Philadelphia was a prominent banking center in the nineteenth century and remnants of this proud era stand tall on Chestnut Street. Be sure to visit the Second Bank just across the street and see the portrait gallery in this 1820s built bank. Philadelphia is a great city to walk and has wide sidewalks and lots of shops and cafes to peruse.

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Philadelphia visitor’s center are an easy walk from the hotel. Beer lovers will enjoy the Independence Beer Garden, a lively establishment with beer, ping-pong tables, corn-hole, and tasty appetizers.

A fabulous garden

For one of the best brunch or dinner restaurants in Philadelphia be sure and stop by Talula’s Garden at nearby Washington Square. Talula’s serves dinner seven days per week and brunch on Sundays. At dinner try the strawberry goat cheese salad for a starter; then dig into entrees like steak and eggs, Mediterranean sea bass, seared New England scallops, and more. On warm summer nights enjoy dining in the outdoor garden with a crisp glass of rosé or local craft beer. For dessert don’t miss their baked goods by pastry chef Vita, some of the best in Philly.

Just around the corner from the Renaissance Hotel is the Philadelphia Bourse with several small restaurants in a food hall-type setting. Enjoy over 30 food and drink options plus a few shops at the Bourse.

If you’re not sure what’s nearby, the staff at the Renaissance is highly rated for their knowledge of the area and excellent service. They can guide you to local favorites like Franklin Fountain ice cream, High Street on Market bakery and café, and other hot spots.