Located in a convenient midtown setting, six blocks east of the river, about the same distance to the train station, this modern hotel is a straightforward commercial offering from this chain, with the exception of its outstanding pub. Better than the Marriott, it fails to meet the high standards of the sophisticated Hyatt.
With a big footprint on Market Street, its entrance is strewn with international flags and perennially crowded with people and cars. At inspection construction on the garage was causing delays, with valets battling long lines of cars. The English-style phone booth sitting on the sidewalk doesn't make much sense until guests venture inside
and see the big, boisterous Elephant and Castle. At this half-timbered pub and restaurant, guests feast on shepherd's pie and drain pints of Harp and Guinness. This is the hotel's sole restaurant, serving all meals, including locally popular lunch specials, and cocktail hour lures workers from neighboring high-rise buildings. The separate breakfast area serves as overflow space the rest of the day.
Recreational facilities are limited. The large pool over the eight-story garage is closed late fall through early spring, and the small eighth-floor exercise room is open year-round. The ballroom accommodates 500 people and can be divided into three smaller 
rooms. A small business center with computer workstations, a printer, fax machine and copier supports the meeting space. Expensive valet parking is $31 in the adjacent garage. Pets are not permitted.
It has been a few years since the past major renovation, but serial updating keeps the accommodations in good shape. However, the small baths could use a little more polish. All of the guest rooms offer traditional dark-wood furniture, including oversized club chairs with ottomans or sofas and large desks. New beds and bedding are in all units, offering triple-sheeted pillow-top mattresses and duvets. Phones have voice mail and data ports, high-speed Internet access is offered in all rooms, 25-inch TVs rest inside armoires, ironing boards are in mirrored closets, and coffeemakers and hair dryers are in the baths. Complimentary newspapers and a guest laundry are attractive perks for road warriors. Corner rooms are smaller but brighter versions of the rest. Keyed-off premium rooms on floors 20 through 24 offer robes, Continental breakfast in a lounge and bottles of Scope mouthwash. Room service stops at 11 pm.
The staff here is Philly at its finest: gruff and personable at once.
