The Rittenhouse Hotel

I am absolutely blown away by this hotel. We stayed here Thursday to Friday for my Sister’s graduation from Temple. We wer always greeted by the valet service (except for our initial time we pulled up, but to be fair, it was busy). Our bellman was excellent. All of the employees said hello when they walked past us. They held doors, greeted us with smiles, asked us if there was anything we needed and assisted us very quickly with getting a cab, getting our car and checking in/​out. The room was stunning. Very large, beautiful bathroom, beds were very comfortable, great turn down service. We loved the pretzels & root beer!
We decided to dine at The Rittenhouse today for lunch after my Sister’s commencement ceremony and it was just delicious! The service was impeccable from the moment we walked in. Chairs were pulled out for us, water immediately on the table, bread for us to snack and food was prompt. I got the Chickpea Veggie Burger and it was fantastic! My sister got the Cobb Salad which she seemed to enjoy and my Grandma got the Fish & Chips which she absolutely enjoyed! Drinks were constantly refilled. I had a Bloody Mary as well and it was wonderful.
Our server came out with the most adorable little dessert for my sister. It was a Tiffany Blue little square cake and said Congratulations. We didn’t even ask for anything, they were that courteous to take notice that she had graduated!
I am also actively searching for wedding venues and did not really think about the Rittenhouse but after seeing their gorgeous courtyard, tea time and ballroom, I am definitely going to research more. Simply beautiful.
I would stay here again & again. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

The Hotel is nice with nice spa and restaurants but the valet service is so ridiculously rude with horrible service. We were first to pay and request the valet after our brunch. However, our car never came we asked multiple times regarding our car. They just kept saying it will be here.
After 45 min that was the last straw and I went to the cashier to again request a status and told them this is the last time I am asking please get us our car. We were the only ones still waiting on our car after 45 mins. I am 8 months pregnant and have being standing and waiting for 45 min. It was by the far the worst experience I ever encountered. And the worst not one person apologized.
I would probably never come back because of this. I would give this review no stars if I could.

Large very comfortable rooms with a great view of the square. Spa and club has a perfect fitness room with an appropriate balance of cardio and weight machines. Lacroix resatuant was solid both for breakfast and lunch. The soufflé pankcake with caramelized apple and walnut was truely special. The library bar and put together a superior cheese plate with a decent wine selection. Bottom line is they hit all the luxury notes here and the service is top shelf.

I scratch my head thinking about anyone that would rate this a 4 or 5 star hotel. We were hoping it was since it is ranked among the best in Philly. A 5? 4 Seasons, some Ritz Carlton’s, Mandarin and Langham in NY. Not the Rittenhouse in Philly. It is a Hyatt. A solid 3.
Location. 5
Service. 4 They do try hard.
Restaurant. 4. Excellent food, nice venue, good service.
Room. 2. When you enter the room, in our case a suite, your jaw drops at how poor this room is. It appears the hotel has not had a new piece of furniture since 1975. The lobby is a 1965 green motif. The furniture in the room is old, chipped, covered with smudged glass. The chairs and couches have some stains, they are bottomless when you sit on them as the cushions are basically broken. The air conditioning was old and loud. There are various chips in the wall, our bed sheets had rips in them, the vent was hanging off the wall. Worst of all the place smelled and felt like your grandmother’s house covered up with industrial strength cleaner. My wife wanted to leave when we walked in.

My partner and I recently stayed here for the first time to kick off a long weekend celebrating our anniversary. Situated on Rittenhouse Sq in Center City, the location can’t be beat. It’s in a terrific neighborhood, close to our favorite restaurants, cafes, and museums in Philly. We booked a room on an upper floor that offered park/​square views and it was great. The room, decorated in a more traditional decorum, was very large and included a full-​size couch in a separate sitting area, king-​size bed, adequately-​sized desk, powder room area, and a huge bathroom! (We live in a 700-​sq ft 1-​BR condo in downtown DC and I was joking that the shower alone is bigger than our apartment.) Major plus for us: there was an Illy coffee and espresso maker in the room. The staff was attentive, professional, and very accommodating. We didn’t get a chance to relax in the lounge or bar area just off of the lobby, but would have if we had more time.
I have no complaints about this property, but I will say I probably wouldn’t stay here again. We’re in our 30s, and while we’re certainly not kids by any stretch, the overwhelming majority of the people in the hotel seemed to be *much* older than us (by at least 30 – 40 years). Not a bad thing at all, we just prefer a more diverse and mixed age crowd. I felt like we were staying at our grandfather’s hotel – very nice, reliable, with a lot of navy blazers and khaki pants and a smell of strong aftershave.

Great location and one of the best staff I’ve encountered in traveling. We spent wedding anniversary there and the accommodations made the trip extra special. Definitely would stay there again.

This is our 6^th year visiting The Rittenhouse Hotel. We try to stay here at least twice a year. The hotel is what I would consider to be 5 Star in the most perfect location in Philadelphia. Once you get here there is no reason to get back into the car unless you have to leave the City. There are many room configurations, they are all unique and spacious. For us this has become our home in Philadelphia, they do have a condo as well so one day we may even be able to have a place here.
We love the new gym, The staff is exceptionally well trained, friendly and professional. The Management is first class. There is nothing you could every want that they wouldn’t do for you. There was a point in our travel history that we stayed at many of the other name hotels in Philadelphia and there is just no comparison to The Rittenhouse so we stopped doing that and we only stay here. You should do the same.
Rachel & Carl
Fort Lauderdale — Philadelphia

I love the location of this hotel right next to the park. It’s in the heart of an outdoor shopping district and restaurants which is nice as well.
The service here is nice, but our front desk clerk seemed a tad haughty. Probably because we didn’t fit in with most of the older, more snooty looking clientele here.
Our suite had a nice view of the city and the bed was very comfortable. Overall the room was nice but everything looked a little worn for such an expensive place. Sofa bed was very comfortable and toiletries were high end.
The lady who came to turn down our bed was such a sweetheart. She gave my kids extra chocolate and water. Also, even though the front desk came off a little cool, they gave my kids a free movie for the night and snacks.
I would definitely stay here again.

What an upscale and posh place to stay. A friend and I went for a conference, and when I tell you our jaws dropped when we walked into the room! The room was very spacious and clean. It could have used some minor paint fixes, but still great. The bathroom was also pretty amazing. Which also mimicked the quality of service from the workers there who all had great attitudes. It’s pretty pricey, including the mandatory $ 49/​night valet parking, but it’s definitely a great experience nonetheless.

My cousin was getting married in a gorgeous episcopalian church on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. To make life easier for her guests, she booked a wedding block in the hotel next door to said church. This hotel was appropriately named The Rittenhouse (Hotel) and turned out to be pure luxury.
My boyfriend and I got off the 30^th street station and took a cab to the hotel. As we got closer, the streets had more trees, more people were seen sitting outside little restaurants and cafes and the area as a whole seemed so alive. Rittenhouse Square turned out to be this lovely, charming park surrounded by little boutiques, stores, cafes and restaurants.
We pulled into the drive way where a doorman opened the door and gave us a warm welcome. The doors opened and I immediately felt that this posh, elegant hotel would exceed my expectations. The concierge checked us in immediately and offered fresh chocolate covered strawberries, sugar and peanut butter cookies as a sweet welcome. On top of this, we were each given our own complimentary drink cards for one drink in Bar 201.
As I shamelessly finished my cookie en route to our room, I noticed how the hotel seemed to pay homage to Center City and its rich history through its design and atmosphere. Our room alone matched the feeling of the rest of the hotel but had new modern features. Por ejemplo: a large flat-​screen television, private bar stocked with yummy but seriously over priced water and snacks, a large, luxurious marble bathroom with mirrors everywhere, oversized bathtub and glass enclosed shower with massage shower head and a bed that made you want to end the relationship with the bed you have at home. The room itself was like a small studio with a king sized bed, plush comforter, a desk and living area with a couch and chair. Our view was decent though it wasn’t facing the park, it gave us another unique view of Center City. (Basically the kind of view you would get if you were, say, a resident.)
During our stay, we never indulged in the free drink, room service or hotel restaurants. I know, that’s crazy no? Well, we went out to Il Pittore and walked back to the hotel in the evening to get a sense of the area. It was a lovely walk and Rittenhouse Square was bustling with activities and sprinklers that randomly come out and spritz you! The next morning, it was still bustling with activity except overnight a farmers market popped up, as did bookworms on benches and the occasional jogger and stroller. It was all charming and surprisingly not too loud. Just a gentle hum of activity.
As that morning came and went, so did my cousins wedding. We went back into the hotel and headed upstairs in what felt like a whole new venue outside the hotel. It amazed me how this beautiful wooden reception area led to one of their ballrooms. Apparently, this can fit about 300 guests and there are event specialists onsite to help orchestrate your special occasion. The ballroom had a little stage, large enough for a band to play live music, and several round tables and one long all surrounded by the dance floor. The ceiling was high and the windows were close enough to being floor to ceiling. There was even a grand piano. It was fantastic. The following day, we walked in the same area again into The Boatroom — much less magical than the reception/​balloon area. It was an enclosed, intimate area suitable for your closest family and friends to enjoy a buffet and sit with one another. Though it was awkward for those who tried to circulate and move around.
It was a pleasure to celebrate such a special occasion here. Overall, the hotel did a superb job and I wouldn’t hesitate to come here again.

Beautiful, clean, we had a great view from the 7^th floor of Rittenhouse Square. The staff was fantastic, always smiling and helpful. I would love to stay again.

I have stayed in many hotels in my travels and this place knows service and how to treat a guest ! Over the Top style !

Spacious room, hot showers, luxurious bed, & room service were all wonderful. It is a short walk (but feels longer in heels!) across the park to our favorite restaurant. So happy my husband and I were able to celebrate our wedding anniversary with a mini staycation at this hotel.

Where do I start? This is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at. In fact, I think it’s my favorite hotel of all time. I went once with my girlfriend. We were treated like royalty. We had such an amazing experience we went back again on a trip with my parents. They loved it too.
Their rooms are large and have a charming classic American style. Both times, we had a room viewing the park, which was beautiful in the morning when we were enjoying breakfast in our room (their room service is prompt and delicious).
The service in this hotel is impeccable. From arrival to departure you feel so comfortable and welcomed. Upon arrival we were given a voucher for a couple glasses of champagne at the library bar, which was such a nice gesture. Right when we got to our room, we were greeted by a staff member with complimentary nuts and fiji water. As you can see, the pampering continued.
We tried the afternoon tea, which was one of the best I have ever had. The service at the tea room and the set up was flawless.
At checkout, they had a tray full of chocolate covered strawberries and fresh baked cookies. It made it hard to leave! When we were ready to leave, the door man arranged the hotel car (a beautiful jaguar) to take us to the train station.
Thank you to everyone at the Rittenhouse for making both our stays so memorable. You are the première hotel in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. We will be back!

My husband loves staying in fancy hotels, so for his Christmas present, I planned us a weekend in Philadelphia at The Rittenhouse Hotel, deemed by TripAdvisor as the best hotel in Philly. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was kind of expecting something a little grander, with high ceilings and classic Rittenhouse charm. What we got was something a little more dated and closed-​in. Not what I dreamed it would be, but my disappointment turned around when I saw our view. Gorgeous! Definitely splurge for park views, there’s nothing like it. Since we were there in December, at night it looked like a fairy land with all the lights. It was worth every penny.
The restaurants on site are fancy, but not vegan friendly. Thankfully, you’re a hop skip and a jump away from V Street, HipCityVeg, and P. S. & Co. You’ll be well fed around Rittenhouse Square!
Service was great. When we realized our first room didn’t have a tub, they quickly switched us to a room that had one, with equally stunning views. They held our bags before and after check-​in while we explored the city. Complimentary champagne at the Library Bar was such a treat!
The Rittenhouse was a lovely experience. I don’t know if we’ll be back but we enjoyed our stay.

Recall my last review; great hotel and service but lack of any fitness facility kept it from 5 stars. Also thought the shower was a little small.
New fitness facility is now open. All top of the line Techno Gym equipment. Trainers very friendly. Dressing room first rate with steam and sauna. Great spa area, you can get a straight shave to boot.
PS The shower in my room 507, full size along with very spacious room. 5 Stars baby.

What a grand hotel! From the minute we pulled in to the minute we left, everything was spot-​on perfect.
Check-​in was incredibly smooth, and everyone from the valet to the concierge to the front desk staff was helpful, cheerful, and personable.
Our room was AMAZING. We had a fantastic view of the park because of massive windows. The king-​sized bed was so comfortable we didn’t wake up once. Our room (suite?) was so spacious, and I loved that there was a vanity area right outside the bathroom so I could get ready while the fella showered. Speaking of the shower, it was awesome; most stand-​up showers barely have enough room to turn around, but this one might’ve been bigger than my entire house. The toiletries and water pressure were great, and it came with a hair dryer (hooray) and a scale (boo hiss).
The staff gave us a complimentary fruit bowl and offered turn down service. We also had a card under our door in the morning with the weather forecast. Last but not least, free wifi!
The location couldn’t be better and more central for what we wanted to do (LOVE park, art museum, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell), and it was easy to walk places or catch a cab to/​from the hotel.

What a beautiful hotel! I was fortunate enough to stay briefly in a lovely suite overlooking Rittenhouse Square. Our suite had two separate rooms and yes, two bathrooms (well one was a half bath). The suite was appointed with lots of soild wood furniture and was tastefully decorated in a traditional upscale manner. The bed was very comfortable and the hotel provides terrycloth robes, bedroom slippers, and an unmbrella if you are unfortunate enough to need it.
The service at the hotel is excellent and we enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries and lemony sugar cookies at check-​in. Our housekeeper, Susanna (I think?) also did a great job cleaning our room and turning down our bed at night. When we needed our car at the end of our trip, it was ready and waiting for us by the time we made it to the lobby.
The location and service at the Rittenhouse is fabulous. Would I stay here again? Absolutely!

I was fortunate the event I was attending was at this amazing hotel. Over the top on customer service. Great luxurious room. Slippers, robes, great bathroom condiments, HIGH-​speed internet and more.
I stayed 2 nights and I would go back.
As others have said, you can’t beat the location. The park, the street vendors, really old buildings. Close to everything.
Great place to hold events. The banquet staff was ON IT. Our event for 250 people had a cheese steak buffet!

Stayed here for a week on a work trip very old school classic décor — gold finishes, large rooms & unbeatable location. Exceptional staff. Room service is expensive ($ 40 for breakfast) but the food was excellent, delivered exactly on time by a fantastic guy that couldn’t have been nicer. The parking fees are horrendous so if you’ve rented a car (1^st, WHY cause you can walk/​taxi/​über anywhere for less) just know it’s gonna cost you a bundle.

This is a beautiful hotel! The rooms are great. Service was perfect. One of the nicest rooms we stayed at.

Although I did not stay here as a guest (I came for tea service), every single employee I encountered was no less than pleasant. From the doorman to the tea room, they all have great customer service skills.
For example, there was a guest while I was there that came to the check in desk looking for a lost item. It turns out the employees were able to call lost and found and discover it had already made its way back to his room after being found in a common area by another guest.
Every guest was greeted by name and while I waited for tea service, no less than 3 guests called the desk to lengthen their stay. Its very easy to see why; I probably would too!

If the spa was open and the pool cleaner I would give this 5 stars. The room was nice and they have Acqua di Parma toiletires. Giant full marble bath, slippers and a Smith and Wollensky’s. The location is probably the best you’re going to get, pretty good price for a 5 star hotel.
The Library bar is also a really cool place, a little pricey but worth it.

I can’t say much about sleeping here, since I have not done that, but I have had breakfast, lunch and tea and best of all, I have had a massage and facial in the spa. These things were so good, I’d sleep at the hotel just to have tea and a massage again.
The spa area is being renovated so it did not lose points for dinginess. The spa staff was stellar. My two clients and I had massages and facials and each of us felt that they were some of the best services we have ever had. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, yet a little posh. There is a sauna and lots of goodies in the bathroom (you know, combs, brushes, razors) to make you feel like you have the conveniences of home. The prices are on the high side, reflecting probably the location (next to Rittenhouse Park) and the usual clientele.
The tea service was amazing. The view is almost suburban because of the proximity to the park.
There is valet parking and a discount with the spa services. Still it costs $ 25 to park there. Parking exists around the corner in a private lot, but there you pay almost $ 20 depending on how long you park. You might as well use the valet service and get a few extra minutes at TRH.

*ALERT ALERT*
This is going to be another completely bias review, as the Rittenhouse Hotel hosted our wedding reception in 2010.
Lori Maslowski, Director of Catering, was a instrumental in creating our whole event! She was always in touch and really kept her cool! She anticipated everythingThe hotel itself is a mix of commerical, and residental space. Tt’s localed in the heart of Rittenhouse Square and the park is literally footsteps away.
Our Bridal suite had an amazing view, overlooking the park, the adjoining living room space was magnificent and large, it was about to 7 bridesmaids, other family members, videographer and photographers well! The large marble bathroom was magnificent.
The Lobby area which housed our cocktail hour was separated by double glass doors that separated our event from guest check in! The Mary Cassett lounge was a wonderful setting for the party to really begin. There is also an outdoor garden area to unwind with in the lounge.
The formal ballroom is large enough to house 250 people. I really fell in love with the chandeliers and wall sconces, it truly set a beautiful backdrop for our reception.
I’ve also stopped in at LaCroix on several occassions and the service and food is impecciable! They have the best turkey club, I’ve ever tasted. The sommelier here is wonderful, if you ever get a chance to chat him up, he will give you some great recommendations. The food is remarkable and I favor the chef’s tasting menu!
Although, there is an air of poshiness to this hotel, I’ve always felt welcomed when I’ve visited.
The entire staff really paid attention to our every wish; banquet managers, waitstaff, front desk staff were truly remarkable and the service is top notch. I can easily see why it’s been given the 5 Diamond Award. Obviously, the Rittenhouse will forever hold a special place in my heart, but judging by other experiences, my review isn’t too one sided.