Cool Hotels

Lowes Philadelphia

Okay, the general rule on this site is no chains...blah...blah...blah. Rules were meant to be broken, especially when it involves the Lowes Philadelphia , which kindly hosted and sponsored the Good Dog Gala for the PSPCA last night. Not only is Lowes Philadelphia right across from the Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market, located in a historic modern skyscraper and steps away from Old City - it is one of the most pet friendly hotels anywhere. Not only do they happily allow dogs and kitties to stay in their rooms, they hosted a formal gala in their ballroom to which the attendees dogs were invited. Burmese mountain dogs, newfoundlands, italian greyhouds and PSCPA specials (or mutts as they are sometimes called) mixed and mingled with their glamorous humans. The guest of honor was Etara, a boxer-pit mix who was cruelly set on fire last year. She's doing great now and lives happily with her new family.

If you check into Lowes with your pet, expect to be given the proper treatment, including bowls and biscuits.

Penn's View Hotel

Penn’s View Hotel sits right on the edge of Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, right near the waterfront walk that is Penn’s Landing. Penn’s Landing has a lot of old restored ships, booze cruise boats and in order to class up the neighborhood they are thinking of building a Planet Hollywood Casino there. I hope they don’t do that last part, even so Penn’s landing is a bustling and fun place to place to walk and enjoy a river view.

Meanwhile, Old City has some of the best restaurants (including some of the famous BYOBs) and the big historic sites like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center and the Constitution Center.

So, the Penn’s View Hotel sits right where you want to be if you are visiting Philadelphia for the first time. The restored warehouse (which feels more like a townhouse) not only has a few river view rooms, but the proprietors have decorated the place with a colonial/federalist flavor that sets the mood nicely for exploring American history. The hotel’s bar and restaurant also has a truly great wine list and, for oenophiles, offers wine tasting weekends.

The building is on the national register of historic places and has even won awards for its clever use of space and top-notch renovations.

The Chestnut Hill Hotel

Chestnut Hill, an upscale village on Philadelphia’s western edge, feels far away from the city’s urban decay, yet a decidedly non-suburban sophistication seems to imbue all the little shops, galleries, restaurants and antique stores along Germantown Avenue. Just beyond the main drag, you’ll find stone mansions, a beautiful old college and a fine arboretum, complete with model trains, a rose garden and a temple to Mercury. All in all, Chestnut Hill makes a great place for a sophisticated weekend of shopping and exploring.

Best of all, most chains are forbidden. The one hotel, the aptly named Chestnut Hill Hotel, is a lovely little indie hotel with a restaurant that is actually enjoyed by locals as much as guests. It’s also adjacent to an indoor farmer’s market (open Thursday, Friday and Saturday) that contains food stands that peddle delicacies straight from the Pennsylvania countryside.

The rooms are lovely, with antique and vintage furniture that fits the whole cobblestone-y vibe of the little hamlet. And despite the whole we're-rich-as-Croesus vibe of Chestnut Hill, the hotel itself appeals to the frugal millionaire that lives in all of us.

Barley Sheaf Farm Estate and Spa

The Barley Sheaf Farm Estate, first established as a private home in 1740 and now a ritzy guest house, offers its guests a chance to live like an aristocrat while enjoying the bucolic countryside of Bucks County and nearby access to the adorable village of New Hope. The brick manor house, a stone barn and even a guest cottage have all been meticulously restored and updated with lush amenities – including lots and lots of fluffy throw pillows. Don’t look for ball claw tubs and old fixtures; this place aims for comfort so you’ll find shiny whirlpool tubs and new furniture designed to mesh with period detail.

There are sixteen guest suites, conference facilities and an on-premises spa, which is nice, but unnecessary. I find the quiet countryside and views of the woods and meadows are all the relaxation I need. I’d rather go hiking or horseback riding or something more befitting of the gorgeous 100-acre setting. (Why so many hotels have grabbed on to the spa trend is beyond me, but it is a rather lovely spa and clearly my habits and opinions don’t reflect the tastes of the masses.)

They have also named each suite with a touch of whimsy. The coolest suite is ironically named “Beggar on Horseback Suite”, likely due to its barn location. But don’t let that fool you. It’s got a stone fireplace, exposed beams and a loft bedroom. But its aesthetic is more rustic than the manor house’s more formal suites, which appeals to me. Perhaps you’d rather enjoy the “Dancing in the Dark Suite” with its many windows and garden view or “Once in a Lifetime Suite” with its flowery murals.

Morris House Hotel

When tourists come to Philadelphia, it's almost always for the history. Okay, sometimes it's for the Rocky Run, but mostly they want a window in the early history of this nation. And what better way to enhance a trip into the past than to stay in a hotel that was built during the height of Philadelphia’s Golden Age?

The Morris House Hotel was built in 1787 as a residence for the prominent Morris Family. Over the years, their neighbors included Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, and some of Philadelphia’s great landmarks like Independence Hall and Betsy Ross’s house are a short distance away. Today, the house is one of the last great examples of the city’s red brick colonial architecture.

Each of the fifteen rooms has been decorated individually, with period-appropriate antiques. There’s also a private garden and a lovely restaurant. And the staff serves tea every afternoon in one of the two living rooms. If it’s cold outside, they light fires in the original fireplaces.