The Philadelphia House

This was my first hostel experience and had me wondering why I have never stayed at a hostel before. First it’s very affordable especially for what you get for the price. The best part about this place is the staff. They are all very kind and welcoming right from the start. They make you feel like you’re part of a little family or something. They were very helpful when telling me great places to go around the city and how to get there. They have free happy hour and some sort of late night activity planned every single day. The facility is great. They have a great common area with a nice kitchen available for use. Also they have free Wi-​Fi, TV with Netflix and wii, and a charging station for phones and tablets. The rooms are pretty nice as well as the bathrooms the only concern is really in the water in the showers (water temperature is strange and also pressure is low)
I will never stay at a hotel in Philadelphia or another hostel as long as this place is open. I had such an amazing experience.

Had an amazing stay here! Staff was very nice and accommodating to all of my needs during my stay! An amazing environment of cultural exchange, this place was like no other especially when ringing in the New Year!
Side Notes:
Parking is hard or expensive to find (but there is a metro a block away
Prepare for steps
Bring extra socks (shoes off policy)

It has been years since I’ve stayed in a hostel, and while I didn’t get the total full experience (I stayed a very very short time and had a private room), I got enough to know I would love to stay again and I was tempted to stay one more night even though I needed to catch a train out of town. I was a single woman traveling alone who doesn’t know Philly at all.
It’s an adorable place, very clean and coordinated, lots of space, games, charging areas and charging stations, fabulous location — walkable to all over Center City, about 3 miles from the Art Museum, but Reading Terminal Market, Liberty Bell, Chinatown, much closer, close to Elfreth’s Alley. The rules seem well-​regarded and enforced without being mean about it. The social activities are great, and I had a lot of fun. Felt very included and safe, and it really fostered a spirit of everyone being super friendly and nice. Just a great vibe. They were super accommodating when I needed storage of my backpack beyond the standard 8 pm hour, too.
Notes: If you can, bring thick socks or slipper shoes, you have to remove your shoes in the house. Also be aware, lots and lots of steps. I was on the top floor and it was fine, but just a word to those for whom it matters.
I’ll be back to Philly and I’ll be very, very happy to stay here again.

Avis à toutes les personnes suceptibles de réserver une nuit dans cette «auberge». PASSEZ VOTRE CHEMIN D’URGENCE !
Étant venu passé une journée à Philadelphie le jeudi 10 septembre 2015, avec 3 amis à moi, nous avons réservé une nuit dans cet établissement qui au premier abord semblait remplir tout les critères de recherches fixés (confort, emplacement, service) .
Et quelle né fut pas notre surprise en arrivant de découvrir que nous avions été placé aléatoirement dans des chambres distinctes. Venir en groupe, dormir séparément voilà ce qui nous été imposé à notre arrivée avec comme seule explication une «mauvaise gestion du système». aucune contrepartie financière et aucune excuse d’un personnel dépassé par la situation et peu agréable.
Face à cette situation on né peut plus indélicate, nous avons donc décidé conjointement mes amis et moi d’annuler notre réservation au desk, et de chercher ailleurs et ce au dernier moment (résultat des courses, nous avons réservé au «Méridien» hôtel 4 étoiles de tres haut standing situé en face de l’hôtel de ville qui proposaient des tarifs pour une chambre à 4 moins cher que ceux proposés par la philadelphia house) mais la mauvaise surprise né s’arrete pas là, puisque nous avons été finalement débité sans avoir dormi sur place, non pas par
, intermédiaire par lequel nous etions passé pour la resa, mais par l’auberge elle même sans préavis ni communication aucune de leur part.
De ce fait, une procédure a été lancé auprès de la banque du débiteur afin d’obtenir gain de cause pour ce qui n’est ni plus ni moins qu’une véritable escroquerie. Tout simplement la plus mauvaise expérience de voyage de notre vie. Les opportunités de manqueront pas de trouver infiniment mieux dans cette ville au charme atypique qui voit ici sa reputation salie par les méthodes froduleuses de propriétaires véreux. une véritable honte !

I went by this place on First Friday; people were out front smoking weed and the stand they had set up to represent the Philadelphia House was run by some obnoxious, offensive man (who purported to be representing the Philadelphia House) and was selling alcohol illegally. Bad news.

Great experience! This was my first time staying in a hostel and the staff and accommodations were excellent. These people have got the hospitality thing down. Shout out to the girl who answered my questions on the phone! (Ana I think)

I booked the hostel on hostel world at the last minute. I enjoyed every thing about this place. This was probably the nicest and cleanest hostel I’ve ever stayed in along side the circus hostel in Berlin. The staff was fun and accommodating. The kitchen is communal and all of the other guests were friendly and respectful. If I am ever in Philadelphia again I will probably stay here.

A GREAT location, friendly staff, comfortable bed and accommodations, and a centralized spot to meet other travelers!

The premises are immaculate, the staff is extremely nice and considerate, and the location is pretty close to all the wonderfully touristy things in Philly. I very much enjoyed my stay, and would definitely consider returning.

We loved staying at The Philadelphia House for a lot of reasons!
The staff is great and very friendly making you feel comfortable and at home. They organize events everyday that are worth participating in.
The place is perfectly clean, is well located and is situated is a very safe area.
Thank you for making our stay in Philadelphia incredible!
Pauline and Agustina.

Very small and nice hostel. Location is great, but parking is expensive in that part of the city and street parking is not easily available. Staff is friendly and always helpful with finding places to see or eat breakfast at. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, but showering takes its time because of the low water pressure.

I have stayed at only one or two hostels that are nice, well staffed, and well located at this.
ALL of the staff are super friendly and outgoing — I never had to pull information out of them and they were always available with suggestions, tips, a fresh cup of coffee or a conversation.
Philadelphia has all the history of its famous past, all of the energy of a burgeoning foodie scene, lively music, and museums —- and with The Philadelphia House, I was able to explore and love it all.
Best. Hostel. Ever.

Amazing amazing experience here! Facilities are clean, great amenities. Free wifi, tv, wii, late night events. Even coffee and tea! Good private showers and rooms are either 4 beds, 8 beds or 12 beds bunk style. Really chill common area with couches, seats, and plugs for charging phones/​laptops. The best thing about this place are the employees. Super chill, very helpful and sweet! They know all about the city and have great recommendations for things to do. If you are staying in Philly, STAY HERE! I will never stay at a hotel in Philly while this place is still open. It felt like home even for one night.

Coming from NYC, it is reinvigorating to realize that good-​hearted people still exist in the world. I walked into a space where Valerie’s friendliness gave an immediate «you’re home» vibe, Sergio went out of his way to share his funloving spirit and the best of Philly, Austin dispensed great honesty and hilarity at 2am, and Danny’s energy/​spirit was contagious. I was only there one night and can’t wait to go back…

If I had the opportunity to give it more stars, I will. This is the best hostel that i have stayed recently and I enjoy all of the staff that work there. Danny, Bill, Valerie, Sterling, and Caroline do everything to make my visit as enjoyable as possible. I love how easy it was to meet other travelers and gave me a map to see the must see places of Philadelphia.
I like how this hostel operated with activities each night and makes this as fun as possible for everybody. It is also very convenient to get to walk around and there is public transit nearby as well. I like how walkable Philadelphia is and the team is very passion about the city instead. I truly recommend anybody to check out Philadelphia and if they do, I will definitely recommend this awesome hostel.

I’ve stayed at a lot of hostels and this has to be one of the best… I might even go as far as to say THE best! I was unfortunately only able to stay 2 nights and not extend — which was what the majority of people seemed to be doing. Danny, Valerie and the team really do live and breathe their ‘a stranger is just a friend you’ve not yet met’ policy: ultra friendly hostel, awesome vibe, constant fun, a true home away from home. Will definitely be back!