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Alexander Inn
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels & Travel Bed & Breakfast Hotels, Bed & Breakfast [Edit]
301 S 12th StPhiladelphia, PA 19107
Neighborhood: Washington Square West
(215) 923-3535
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 5:30 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
46 reviews for Alexander Inn
Review Highlights
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"Easy walking distance from downtown and only 20 blocks to..." In 2 reviews -
"The hotel staff was very friendly and went out of their way..." In 4 reviews -
"They even have a fresh complimentary continental breakfast." In 3 reviews
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Dale M.
Kew Gardens, NY
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
This little hotel has 48 rooms. They aren't large, but each room I've stayed in (and I've stayed here at least 5 times) has been very comfortable and nicely furnished.
Service, from check in to check out and everything in between, is friendly, personal, and efficient.
I like the downstairs room with faster Internet, workout equipment, and 24-hour snacks.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Jerry C.
Somers, NY
The Alexander Inn wants to be 5 stars really bad but it falls short for a few minor issues. I would seriously let someone punch me in the face for free daily parking in this part of Philly. :-X
As always i like to start with the good, the staff was very friendly and patient with my questions prior to arrival. The location was very close to the Philly Convention Center and the room was affordable (after taxes it was about $160 per night).
Cleanliness is the name of the game and despite actively searching for something to dislike the room was clean as could be. Nice job!!
A quaint feeling inside, it felt European almost.
Just a few things are holding back a 5* rating. NOTE: before reading these please realize this place was dam good. Very much 4/5 stars so don't get side tracked by the list of 'eh' items.
1) The rooms were extremely small. I'm not a person who needs a ton of space and still i had issues with the size.
2) They work with a parking garage about 4 blocks away. You get a special rate but MAKE SURE to talk to the person at the hotel desk.
3) Continental breakfast was cold food only. (It was 'free' though!)
4) The internet stayed connected for only 30 minute sessions at a time.
5) The exercise room had one treadmill from the 80's Not much to work with.
6) The Heat/AC unit was difficult to operate.
For the price i would definitely satay here again, the friendly staff and the cleanliness really made it worth while! -
Review from N. M.
Sacramento, CA
10/18/2011
So business trips are never fun, especially when you have to fly across the country and back in less than 48 hours. I refused to stay at the airport hotels due to the lack of sleep and steep prices (I'm cheap, I think that's why my boss loves me). I relied on my yelpers and found this place. It's amazing. The location alone is worth it. It's in the middle of the trendy area and also gay area of Philly - translate: amazing restaurants and cool bars :)
The rooms are smallish but again, what do you need a big room for. The breakfast was OK - that's why I took 1 star off, I was really expecting a huge deal after all the great reviews. Overall I liked the service, the concierge was super friendly and funny and I will definitely stay here again when I have to fly to Philly. -
Review from david h.
Longview, TX
7/5/2011
Fellow Yelpers, lend me you ear. I'm sorry to report that you have shaken my faith to its very core. How in the blue hell this place merits four stars is a mystery akin to the Bermuda Triangle or Donald Trump's hair.
Before I arrived my wife asked, "How did you hear about this place?" I said "Yelp." She said "Well, what do the pictures make it look like?" I said "I didn't see any pictures." This should have been my first clue. As it turns out, there is a reason there are no pictures.
Long story short, this place is a dump. It reminded me of my college dorm minus the fun. It is old and dingy. I think when they chose to call it a boutique hotel, they meant to say antique. The rooms are small, dark and loud (window units...that's right...window units). It was hot as hell in the hallway and the bathroom (no window unit in the bathroom). Come to think of it, my college dorm bathroom was bigger.
When I checked in, the first words from the guy at the reception desk were "I hope you weren't planning to eat." Not "Welcome to the Alexander Inn" or "How was your trip in?" He looked exactly like the guy with the combover in Scary Movie. Kind of acted like him, too. In a word, creepy.
My first and prevailing thought as I was getting settled in at the Alexander Inn was "Please dear God let there be rooms available tomorrow morning at the Four Seasons."
And that's what I did. I lied and said we had a family emergency and hightailed it to the 4 Seasons the next day.
Don't know what I was thinking but I will now look at Yelp 4 star hotels a lot closer.
Frowny face -
Review from MacRae O.
4/2/2011 3 photos
This is my favorite place to stay in Philadelphia:
-Super convenient location a few blocks above South Street and within walking distance of great shopping and dining;
-Professional, warm service;
-Well-appointed rooms with Art Deco décor and comfy beds;
-Complimentary Continental breakfast in their lovely breakfast room, which has tea, coffee, and light snacks the rest of the day;
-Discounted parking at a garage on Walnut, an easy walk from the hotel;
-Major steal of a deal at $119 a night.
The Alexander is a popular, small, boutique hotel that books up a few months out. As soon as you know your dates of travel, get on the website or call the front desk to make your reservations. The staff who work here are excellent and make every effort to accommodate any special requests you have...like asking for a room on the top floor because nothing grates your nerves more than listening to a constant parade of elephant-stomping overhead. (Although, the insulation/soundproofing at Alexander is great.)
The rooms really vary here, so it helps to think of this place as "European." The first time I stayed here they put me in a large room with a sitting area overlooking 12th Street (so I assumed this is what all the rooms looked like). But on the next visit I ended up in a room barely bigger than the queen bed, for the same rate as the larger. All the rooms are nice, but some are much bigger than others -- something else you can request at time of booking.
A few negatives:
-Free wifi is extremely fickle. I imagine if you're a business traveler this could cause problems;
-Elevator is tiny and slowwww. Not a problem if you're on a lower floor (take the stairs), but frustrating when you're on the 7th.
All things considered, the Alexander is a real Philadelphia gem. Highly recommended. -
Review from A. S.
Fairfax, VA
6/1/2011
Sorry, but I'm going to be the dissenter here. This place sucks. And it's 2am and I can't sleep, so I won't be holding back.
The AC unit in our room is very loud. We've tried adjusting it all sorts of ways but it keeps making a very loud clicking sound, and neither of us can sleep. I called the desk to see if they have earplugs, and they don't. I then mentioned the AC, and they said if I don't like the AC I can turn it off. Since it's 90 degrees out, I found that quite dismissive and rude.
In addition to the AC issue, these have got to be the worst pillows I've ever encountered, They're small, flat, and hard. My neck is already sore and I've only been trying to sleep a couple hours.
Sure, this place is pretty cheap and has a gym and breakfast and blah blah blah. But I really couldn't care less about any of that when I can't sleep in my room.
Update with the full pro and con list:
Pro:
Affordable.
Daytime front desk staff is friendly.
Lots of power outlets in the room.
Decent wireless Internet coverage.
Decent continental breakfast.
Bananas in the one room all day long.
Cons:
It's just bananas, seriously. It's not a full snack bar or something.
Pillows are like stones.
A/C is very loud and not in a constant, soothing, way.
Nighttime front desk staff is rude.
No microwave.
No mini-fridge (this is a bigger inconvenience than you might think).
Ice bucket has no lid so it all melts right away.
Ice machine turns out nearly melted ice to begin with.
The shower has no real division between it and the rest of the bathroom, so every time you shower it floods the bathroom floor.
Single-ply toilet paper.
The main light in the bathroom was one of those heater-lights intended for use in the winter, and I was there in the summer.
One elevator for 7 floors which is basically tied up full-time all afternoon with the cleaning staff using it.
Parking is several long blocks away - like 1/4 mile. -
Review from Mike B.
San Jose, CA
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you ever stay in Philly and are looking for a decent priced hotel, this is the place to go. It's definitely not a 5 star hotel or anything. Although it is a 5 star yelp review for its great customer service, location, and cleanliness. It's the in between of a hostel and a hotel. The rooms are somewhat small, but it feels very homey and clean. Parking is two blocks away and at a discounted rate. Walking distance to the Liberty Bell and many other places. Right around the corner is a grocery spot that makes fresh sandwiches, wraps, and hoagies, that are very good. They even have a fresh complimentary continental breakfast. Oh and did I mention a mini gym with two computers? And... free wifi.
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Review from Zack Z.
Braintree, MA
12/10/2011
This was our first stay in this hotel so we relied pretty much on the reviews we saw online and since this hotel ranked among the top 10 hotels in Philly, we were expecting to have a good experience in here..we got a room with one double bed, our room was of average size and at once the room seemed to be clean and pleasingly furnished BUT....my expectations dropped off when I found that the sheets and the comforter were dirty and had stains on them. Though we got them replaced, they should have been clean before the room was given to us...
The wireless internet was "terrible" since it worked just fine in the morning but in the evenings and night it kept disconnecting and was consistently working slow,when we called up the front desk to inquire about this issue the guy said that this problem has been going on for 2yrs now and there's nothing he can help to fix it. If your planning for a business trip, this hotel is definitely NOT an option(keeping the internet connectivity issue in mind).
Since there is no parking at the hotel, we were provided with a "discounted parking garage" address that charged us 15$ everytime we got our car out of the garage...We couldn't get a good night sleep too as there was a lot of commotion during the night since this hotel is in the downtown and also because the other rooms in this hotel are too close by, you can actually hear the noise from the other room and just in case you want to take a nap in the afternoon the noise of the room service staff cleaning other rooms and talking to each other wont let you do that!
The breakfast at the hotel was nice, on the whole this hotel is just like any other average hotels...it definitely shouldn't be in the top 10 hotels of Philly, it still has to work a lot to get in the top 10 hotels! -
Review from Cindy H.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2011
I stayed here once on a business trip and had such a good experience that I would happily come back on my own dime. At $119 the quality-to-price ratio is tremendous. I would use this place as a litmus to judge other small boutique hotels, and few would match up.
The Alexander is small, tasteful, richly appointed, neighborly, clean and in a very walkable, safe neighborhood. I walked in during a blizzard and found the owner holding the door open with a fire crackling inside. The guys who run the place are even civic minded as they made sure I wasn't getting overcharged by my cab driver. I would take this over a big chain any day. -
Review from miss H.
Nashua, NH
11/23/2011
We stayed here for two nights and would return in a heartbeat.
This place is NOT for people who actually like boring chain hotels. The Alexander Inn is fabulous and quirky and feels European. Every room is different and it feels like home. The rates are excellent and fair. And free wifi! Many chains nickel and dime you for that sort of thing.
The staff was super friendly and happy to take our bags until it was time to check in, so we could walk around the city without lugging our backpacks around. Friendly, down to earth staff, and you gotta love the free breakfast and coffee!
Alexander Inn is in a great location, where it is easy to walk to everything or get around via public transportation. I love the slow as molasses elevator and the rooms and bathrooms were clean.
So snobby folks, you can pay double for your five star hotel. This is the kind of place for us regular folk who would rather support a small business than any chain! -
Review from Miriam W.
6/30/2008
Fabulous service and extremely reasonable rates, especially considering the Alexander Inn's lovely location.
Were it not for the bbq potato chip that sprang from in between the coverlet and the blanket as I prepared to slip into bed, I'd have given this small hotel five stars.Listed in: Philadelphia Hotels
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Review from Jacob H.
6/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place is great. I'm writing this review as I'm lying in bed. Pretty close to a lot of things and rates are wnderful. The wifi at first was a bit slow but it got better over time. I think this place is better than some rooms that I've stayed at in SF and NY. I parked on 11th for $17 for 24 hr.
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Review from Caroline L.
Philadelphia, PA
5/19/2010
In August 2004, I decided to leave my husband and impulsively packed a bag & decided to check into a hotel. Somehow, I randomly ended up at the Alexander in. I think I liked the sign. I don't know why I ended up there.
After a wonderful 3 day stay at the Alexander Inn, I realized I can't afford to stay in a hotel forever so I went back to my husband. (I did finally leave the guy for good in December, 2004).
To this day, I credit the Alexander for saving my life by planting the seed that I could leave my low-life ex. I've been back there several times since.
I could write about the rooms or the lovely Continental breakfast (which is quite generous by hotel standards), but I'll let the other reviewers do that.
I wanted to share a more personal story. -
Review from Sonia S.
San Francisco, CA
5/22/2008
I was back in Philly for Penn reunion and some friends reserved a bunch of rooms at the Alexander Inn- I had no expectations as I was just happy to be staying at the same place as my friends for convenience in making plans while there.
I normally don't like old style boutique hotels- but Alexander Inn was perfect. The rooms were small but clean and had everything you need (and the windows open- which I LOVE, because you can get real fresh air, not the over air-conditioned kind I'm used to at large hotels...then again, it was cool and fresh outside, so it was nice- not sure how I'd feel in the middle of a muggy summer stay). Staff was very friendly- they checked us in early and let us stay a bit late as we were a bit behind in checking out. They were also helpful when my earring fell in a nook in the floor (offering duct tape and other suggestions to get it out).
They have complimentary breakfast until noon (fruit, cereal, bagels, muffins) and they keep some stuff out all day and night (or we were just lucky to find a big corn muffin and bagel upon stumbling into our hotel at 3am looking for a quick bite to eat). That itself earns this hotel a star.
Oh, and did I mention this hotel is extremely reasonable? And the location of the hotel is awesome. Trendy restaurant/bar, Tria is literally across the street, and the neighborhood is tree-lined and cute. Easy walking distance from downtown and only 20 blocks to Penn campus. Highly recommend this place if you like older, boutique style hotels (and spend more time walking around enjoying the city rather than camping out in your hotel all day). -
Review from cherie c.
9/4/2008
Great location. Cute boutique hotel with surprisingly low rates for Center City.
Our room was small but fit our needs perfectly. It had a pretty bay window and nice blinds overlooking the street. We had an iron/board and hair dryer, in-room safe. The room was an accessible room with large doors and a desktop that folds against the wall. (Though I don't think a wheelchair-bound person would be able to access the closet with the bed in the way.)
The breakfast downstairs was generous, and we had comfy seats and tables, not just a table with donuts on-the-go. They even left fruit and some pastries in the lobby for round-the-clock snacks.
Staff were friendly and helpful. They held our bags until 8pm on the day we checked out so that we didn't have to lug them around the city. Very nice.
Overall, we loved the Alexander Inn. It will be our first choice next time we visit Philly. -
Review from Ida G.
1/24/2010
I suppose I could wait until checking out to write this review, but I am exploding to talk about how floored I am by this hotel.
This is our second stay on this trip, and having stayed in two different rooms here in the course of two weeks, I am in a better position than usual to say that Alexander Inn is consistently good.
First, this is no substitute for a luxury hotel. There's no doorman, widescreen plasma television, in-house restaurant, or customizable pillows. There are only 9 floors, so you can't look forward to breathtaking views. And don't expect a turn-down service or bellhop. Still, Alexander Inn is far from basic, and left me most impressed. I don't usually do pro/con lists, but if I don't, I'll go on forever, so here it is.
+ Simply but tastefully furnished and decorated everywhere. It kind of reminded me of Starbucks, if Starbucks was a boutique hotel. There is plenty of fabulous artwork (but honestly, I don't really get the one on top of the breakfast buffet).
+ Clean and quiet with jazz music in the lobby and near the elevators. (On my second stay, my room was close enough that I could hear very soft music while in the bathroom.)
+ Free WiFi in every room, and free use of the two computers on the lower floor. They will even print your itineraries and tickets for free. (The WiFi stopped working for me at one point, so they reset the router and it started up again right away.)
+ Complimentary continental breakfast in the lobby every morning. There are many different kinds of breads and bagels, waffles, cereals, various condiments and spreads, a huge and varying assortment of pastries, yogurt, coffee and many different types of tea, orange and apple juices, grapefruit halves, and whole pieces of fruit (apples and bananas). The fruit and pastries are there 24 hours a day.
+ A simple fitness center with all the basic equipment most people use at the gym. It's separated from the computers by a low wall, so if you have some way of combining the two amenities, you're in luck.
+ Genuinely friendly staff who have good knowledge of the area and clearly enjoy their jobs.
+ Wonderful location in a safe neighborhood close to Philadelphia's main attractions and public transportation. Many dining options and bars in close proximity. There are also a few synagogues within walking distance, which is why we picked this location.
+ In-room safe that's free to use and fits a laptop.
+ Consistent pricing and unbeatable value for money. Right now in winter, rooms are between $99 and $129 per night, depending on the bed configuration.
- The beds. They're comfortable if you like a firm mattress, and have ample underbed storage, but my 6'4" boyfriend complained that his feet were hanging off the edge. We were sharing a double bed, so perhaps the queens are longer. If you're quite tall and aren't into sleeping in the fetal position, or if you need a soft bed, this could be a big con.
- There's only one elevator, and it's small and kind of slow. A couple of times it opened to the maid (edit: with her cart), and I don't think we all could have squeezed in, so we waited for it to come by again. With the nice decor and music and a bench to sit on, the wait wasn't frustrating, but could have been if we were in a rush. Psychologically, I think waits are only really frustrating when there are multiple elevators and none of them come through for you.
- Smallish bathrooms, dark inside the combined shower and bath. But they're clean and designed efficiently, and the adjustable shower head provides very decent water pressure.
- Too few power outlets, and inconveniently located.
- No mini-fridge.
Neither here nor there: While the hotel is definitely in the heart of the Gayborhood, there was no distinctly "gay presence" (at least not one that I noticed), so don't let your heterosexuality deter you from checking in. If you're homophobic, don't come here. Don't even come to Philly. Just stay at home.
In all, I'm being persnickety with the cons, because all round you really can't do better than Alexander Inn. Since it looks like I'm moving to Philadelphia, I won't hesitate recommending it to visitors. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this hotel. -
Review from L Y P.
Cambridge, MA
11/14/2007
This hotel wins against all other bargain accommodations in Philadelphia.
Location: fantastic.
Hotel staff: friendly.
Antique inspired decor: charming.
Room condition: clean and odorless.
Price: A STEAL.
Win, win, win, win, and win.
The room was tiny and a stark contrast to where we were the night before (at the Sofitel), but it was almost just as comfortable for A FRACTION of the price.
And for a 2-star Inn, it was better than some of the 3-star places I've been and paid 3-4x more for. -
Review from Andy S.
Blue Bell, PA
12/31/2008
As a good friend was in town from overseas for the weekend, I decided it would appropriate to hang downtown rather than do the drive back and forth several times and/or couchsurf. It was a great decision, as not only did that allow for much, much more fun to occur, I also got to find my new favorite hotel in Philly, the Alexander Inn.
It would be easy enough to drive right past and not notice, as it isn't a towering skyscraper with its name emblazoned in giant letters on the side. Just a simple awning. I like that! The interior is cozy and warm...feels lived-in but is also very clean. Many modern hotel lobbies almost feel like a train station, but not here. Check-in was painless and then it was up to the room...small, but tidy and comfortable. Almost felt more like a home as opposed to a sterile hotel. On the fifth floor there was a great view...Billy Penn, Liberty towers, etc. Nice!
They serve continental breakfast every morning, which is always a nice touch. For those expecting a mini-fridge, coffee maker, etc. you may be let down, but since the Inn is in such a great location you have no reason to be eating in your room...just walk outside!
Every staff member encountered was extremely friendly and helpful, and there was not one hitch...well, one, and that is why a star is deducted. The website makes it a point to mention that the rooms are "soundproofed", but I awoke early one morning to a very loud conversation that sounded like it was happening right in our room. At first I thought the TV turned itself on (and loud)...but nope. Not sure where it was coming from, either (above? below?), but it went on FOREVER and kinda speedbumped a necessary rest. Perhaps this isn't an issue in all rooms, but it is worth mentioning.
Still, I would stay here again in a heartbeat, and have already recommended the Alexander to friends. It is my favorite place to stay in Philly, no contest! -
Review from Jacqueline G.
PA
2/6/2007
If you are having guests in town, certainly have them stay here. Not only is the price only about 100 per night (considering the location that is phenomenal), the staff is incredibly caring and the continental breakfast is decent.
My fathers only complaint: "boutique" means individual rooms do not have control of the temperature of the room. I told him to call the front desk and request another blanket. -
Review from Paul H.
Nashville, TN
9/6/2010
Comfortable, clean, and conveniently located. And at $119 a night, it's also an exceptional value.
We stayed in a small room overlooking 12th street and were able to quickly walk to just about anything in downtown Philly, from historic to the hip. Their breakfast is perfectly adequate, with everything you could reasonably require to get you going for the day...and there's a small coffee shop just down the block to cure any unrequited caffeine needs.
The only negatives were the super hard pillows, non luxe bedding, and less than stellar housekeeping in the rooms. But again, for $119 a night you can't complain too much.
But, On the whole I really enjoyed my stay and will definitely make the Alexander home base on my next visit. -
Review from Beau G.
New York, NY
5/21/2008
I've been staying in Philadelphia for a month on business and because of some last minute scheduling, we found the city hotels booked during the week of graduation. One of my team found the Alexander Inn on the 'net and they had some limited availability for us.
Just like the other reviews, the Alexander Inn is fantastic. It's a charming building in the middle of Center City, surrounded by great streets with restaurants, coffee-houses, and some local bars. The hotel itself was as charming inside as out and the staff was tremendously friendly and helpful. I was in a larger room with two queen size beds and beautiful bow windows looking out over the city. Everything was fresh and clean and quiet and I've slept great during my stay. This Inn is highly recommended if you're staying over in Philadelphia and would be a great part of any trip. -
Review from Matthew M.
Seattle, WA
7/18/2009
I am a road weary traveler the staff at the Alexander inn were not corporate fake nice at all
I felt like they were my friends I haven't seen in a while. Just awesome service. The establishment
has lots of charm and when you think there cant be anymore you turn the corner and you are attacked
by more charm. I just checked in and I am already having a wonderful stay. If you are staying
in philly and you miss home stay here they will make you feel at home. I was even referred to a
bar where its a bunch of artsy types that can throw peanuts on the floor. Viva la Redwood.
Think I might make a Seattle in Philly list. Turns out there are some cool Seattle type spots here. -
Review from Jessica C.
Piedmont, CA
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was driving through Philly and needed a place to stay ASAP, called and got a great rate on a short notice. Alexander Inn is a small hotel but with so much character! The service was excellent and the price was just right. I loved the neighborhood it was located in, it pretty much is close to everything. I would recommend staying here to anyone.
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Review from Kelly A.
Miami Beach, FL
5/30/2010
This is a fantastic find for a visit to Philadelphia! When I travel on my own dime, I hate blowing tons of money on a hotel. Normally I sacrifice a little on the hotel so I can spend on food and shopping.
Well, for $119/night, The Alexander Inn was no sacrifice. It's located in a lively and extremely convenient-to-everything neighborhood. We walked to University City, the Art Museum, South Philly and it's even closer to the Liberty Bell. The guys at the front desk were friendly and amazingly helpful. The free breakfast buffet was good - they even had fresh bagels!
I'm not staying anywhere else in Philly, even on someone else's dime! -
Review from Thom K.
Philadelphia, PA
10/22/2010
When I moved to Florida for a few years, I would always stay at Alexander Inn on my return visits. I'd always bring friends along and we were never disappointed.
The rooms are clean, cozy and the walls are deaf ;)
I always found the staff friendly and accommodating. I guess that's why when I returned to Philly, and I discovered they manage rental properties too, I became a tenant. They are top notch in all of their services and I would recommend Mel and any of his businesses. He treats everyone like they were family! -
Review from Brent S.
Seattle, WA
12/13/2008
I spent a couple of nights here when my girlfriend was visiting over the summer, and had a fantastic time. The hotel staff was very friendly and went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable.
The location can't be beat if you're looking to explore center city, and if you take the trolleys you can get anywhere. This was one of the best vacations I've ever had.
If I ever return to Philly, this is where I'll stay. -
Review from Robert C. Y.
New York, NY
5/17/2009
No complaints whatsoever. This was the best place we ever stayed in Philadelphia. We go there for a couple of days several times a year and will now not consider staying anywhere else. I did not have a laptop at that time, so the internet terminals downstairs came in quite handy for finding restaurants and looking at Goggle maps.
Now, this is supposedly a "gay" hotel. But the only thing gay about it was the panache, good decor and pristine cleanliness. There was as many straight people as there were gay people staying there, which, to me , is as it should be in the 21st century.
They refrigerated our "bubbly", which we like to have every evening when away and were happy to do it.
The neighborhood has a plethora of restaurants and is right around the corner from our favorite, budget priced gay hangout, the very popular Venture Inn.
At around $100 a night, it is affordable. Oh, really good continental breakfast. -
Review from Liz M.
Jersey City, NJ
2/16/2010
This is one of my favorite hotels! It's located in a great area, walking distance to everything. The staff is really nice and helpful. The decor is tasteful and the rooms are spotless. The free breakfast, fitness room and free internet seal the deal.
I spent Valentine's weekend here with my boyfriend and we had a great time! -
Review from Robert L.
New York, NY
5/29/2009
I cannot say enough great things about this place.
The rooms are adorable. They have this old-house feeling to them, but the rooms are fairly modern and totally clean.
The staff are friendly and the complimentary breakfast is just what you need before checking out the sights.
Once we arrived the man behind the desk told us about all the great places to eat, the local bars to visit and just about all the information we needed to feel right at home.
I would definitely stay here again.
Great hotel! -
Review from Lauren T.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2010
Comfy bed, super friendly staff, sweet view, nice ac during a hotttt weekend. Free breakfast -- delicious & easy. And a great location right across the street from a wine bar and around the corner from a bunch of restaurants.
Only downsides were a slightly small bathroom, whiny shower, and no conditioner. -
Review from Martha D.
New Haven, CT
1/23/2010
This is THE only place to stay in Philadelphia if you're on a budget.
I was a little wary of the 99$ rate, but I was so pleased to find that the inn is not only clean and inexpensive, but has some style and grace.
Our room was small, but the man who took our reservation had told me this was the case, as I had opted for a room with a beautiful bay window overlooking the neighborhood. Our stay was quiet, and the staff extremely plesant. And complemetary breakfast wasn't half bad.
The hotel is also just about as centrally located as you can get in downtown Philly. EVERYthing is walkable!
It's obviously not the four seasons, but a comperable room in New York would be double the price or more.
Highly reccommended! -
Review from Daniel B.
Manhattan, NY
11/20/2010
If you are looking for staff that are extremely unprofessional, this would be the place.
Having stayed at this establishment before, I decided to book a 3 night stay there for a conference. When I booked, the staff member said "Great, that means we're sold out and I get a bonus". Sounds good to me, as I want the little guy to make as much money as possible. After all, who needs another Hilton? The staff member informed me on August 8th, that my reservation for November 17th, 18th, and 19th (3 months in advance) was all set; however, on the 19th I would have to downgrade to smaller room. I was content, and he informed me to keep calling and checking to see if a larger room would become available in the next few months. I did, and until 2 days prior they confirmed that no other room was available, so I'd be switching.
On November 17th, I checked in with the night guy and confirmed that no room had opened up, and I was still going to change for the third night. He had even mentioned the note on my account for that day requesting a larger room on my reservation.
The morning of November 19th rolls around and I'm ready to switch rooms/check out of the larger room and I approach the desk where an employee and either the General Manager (or owner?) were sitting. They then informed me that I no longer had a room. That is, i had NO PLACE TO STAY. In the most unprofessional way possible, the manager told me "My job is like counting goose eggs, it's really hard to make sure they all line up". NOW, I'm not general manager or owner of a small B&B; however, I'm pretty sure it's not THAT complicated to make 1 reservation for 1 room and NOT overbook. He then became extremely defensive and said "Well where's your confirmation email?" Really? I have been a loyal customer for a year now visiting multiple times and this is how you treat a repeat client. I was visibly upset, and no one at the Alexander Inn seemed to care! On a weekend where I was at a convention of an additional 12,000 people, on top of the Philadelphia Marathon, finding a hotel seemed like a nightmare. Luckily, they were so nice as to find me a hotel that was $100.00 more a night. Something I had not planned on. Best part, there was never an apology- the GM or owner simply pretended that this establishment did NOTHING wrong.
Moral of this story- don't stay there! In a moment, they will not honor your reservation and leave you high and dry in a city with no one to blame but you (for not have a confirmation email) Shame on You, Alexander Inn. -
Review from Matthew E.
Boston, MA
11/23/2011
Another great review for the Alexander Inn. My girlfriend and I stayed here recently for the Philadelphia Marathon. It's location is hard to beat very near the Reading Terminal Market, City Hall, and waterfront. The staff is very friendly. It's not like a Westin or Four Seasons which are very corporate, it's more like a very large bed and breakfast. The rates are also very reasonable. And the continental breakfast was surprisingly good!
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Review from jonathan f.
7/7/2010
One of the highlights of my families recent trip to Philadelphia. This boutique hotel will not bust the bank and is located in a safe part of town. The staff is crazy friendly and the hotel is tastefully decorated. The show tunes playing in the lobby made me chuckle. There is a small gym and the restaurant has a simple complimentary breakfast. Many of Philadelphia's tourist attractions are within walking distance.
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Review from Mike L.
Cambridge, MA
9/24/2009
Last minute business trip to Philly a few weeks ago. Found this hotel because every other hotel was booked (turned out that the President was in town). Very welcoming and friendly staff, great part of the city, walking distance of some nice restaurants. Would definitely stay there again.
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Review from Alvin F.
Oakland, CA
5/22/2007
This place is amazing. We came here for our first time in Philly, and if I ever come back again I'll make sure to stay here.
The staff is extremely friendly and great to talk to (and I do mean the whole staff, front desk, cleaning, management, everyone) and very helpful. They'll happily help you find the best places to eat, or the sites you won't want to miss if you need it.
The rooms are very comfortable. We stayed in the suite for a couple of nights, then a single queen bedroom. The suites are very spacious and comfortable, highly recommended, especially for families and friends travelling in a group of three or four. The smaller rooms are pretty small, but serve the purpose of keeping your stuff and a place to sleep and relax after a day of sight seeing.
The breakfast is really good, with a lot of options that won't give you an easy excuse to go out for breakfast. They also usually have fruit out through the afternoon in case you want a snack.
The location is also great. Right in the middle of downtown, within easy walking distance (with plenty of shade, if you're there during the summer) to all the historical sites and many great places to check out.
The only downside is that the parking garage is a couple of block away. This isn't really a problem though - you can load and unload luggage from the curb (which travel companions can help with, or I'm sure the staff would lend a hand) and you won't need your car at all since you can walk to everything. -
Review from Bill P.
Alexandria, VA
9/6/2010
I went with this place based on the Yelp reviews. I will tell you that we only stayed one night and left early.
Why?
The rooms are basic and no frill. The mattress was really firm and my lady didn't sleep well the first night. We moved after that.
Why Four Stars? I would give it three as the rooms are fine, the price is right, and it's got a great location. However, the front staff was great. Instead of charging us for the second night of our reservation, they let us go with no charge. They understood and for that reason I'm giving them a fourth star...because they actually care! -
Review from Sarah B.
Seattle, WA
12/9/2008
my boyfriend was in philly for the summer and i went to visit him. he got us a room at the alexander for two nights and it was fantastic!
the hotel is quaint and hidden and the staff is helpful and accommodating. and the location... forget it! pretty much everything you want to get to in philly is in walking distance, but you're not in the hustle and bustle of downtown. it's the perfect spot for couples who want to "get away" to the city. it's a nice walk back to your hotel on a quiet little street. plus, they give you personalized business cards to give to people ("you can reach me at the alexander inn") how cool is that?!
this place really made our only weekend together special and i would recommend it to anyone! classy.... -
Review from Hazy H.
Richmond, VA
7/17/2011
Convenient location and a nice breakfast, but the a/c units barely function and the rooms and hallways are very hot. On the other hand, the shower had no hot water for 2 out of 3 mornings.
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Review from Rebecca R.
Oakland, CA
8/28/2009
I'd go for a steady 3 1/2 stars really...I like that they just keep a standard pricing that's sweet! And so when i finally decided very last minute to stay there, it was still no big deal. The staff are very welcoming, and as my fellow yelpers mentioned, are very full of suggestions. My stay in Philly was a spur of the moment thing, and I didn't do barely any research about this amazing city. Getting some good reviews of local restaurants in the area were pretty useful! The shower coulda been cleaner, and the TV was decided muted, but I was just happy to have some private down time that I was fine w/it. The rooms are a little cramped, but then again, I could be staying somewhere near the airport w/nothing of interest in walking distance! And when we forgot a cell phone which was doing last minute charging, they called up uber quick (lucky for us, as we were headed for the airport!).
Indeed, there was an active continental breakfast thing going on, as well as the before mentioned snacks throughout the day!
