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Le Meridien Philadelphia
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels
1421 Arch StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19102
Neighborhoods: Penn Center, Art Museum District, Logan Square, Avenue of the Arts North
(215) 422-8200
40% off Your 2nd Night!
For every night you pay regular rates, you get the next @ 40% off. Arrive Thur-Sat. Rates are pre-paid & non-refundable.http://bit.ly/uYbWt4
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
56 reviews for Le Meridien Philadelphia
Review Highlights
"...TV in the room, right across from the super comfortable bed."
(in 4 reviews)
"Nice room, clean, very cool designey vibe."
(in 5 reviews)
"...more spacious than I expected; well appointed and modern."
(in 4 reviews)
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Patty T.
New York, NY
1/8/2012
So many haters... I am so surprised. I mean when you walk in you are welcomed by a bar. HELLO AWESOME!!
The interior of the place is pretty cool. It's a modern/traditional spin. When you head up the elevator, take a peek from the ledge. It is a pretty cool outdoor feel inside (not sure how the rooms that are overlooking this area are though)
Oh and the room.. soo amazing. We got upgraded to an executive suite. PERFECT!! Love the open feel of the room great for entertaining a few pre-dinner drinks with friends. The room also was great because we were overlooking the mummer's parade. My only compliant was the weird door for the bathroom...it was a barn door thing. It took a few times before people got how it locked and the door didn't completely close. -
Review from Mei-ye J.
Rockville, MD
12/30/2011
Please read what Astrid V., Brian S., and Jonathan G. have reviewed. I agree with a lot of things they have said.
What I really think is that this place deserves 1 star * "Eek! Methinks not" is absolutely right.
Well, why am I giving Le Meridien Philadelphia 2 stars then? After my unhappy experience I filled out the input slip that was in the room and dropped it off with our keys at check-out. The hotel tried to make up for the 2 kinds of hair on the bed and soap wrapper left under the sink by offering us lunch on the house. The overpriced small portions tasted alright and I guess the extra star was for the effort on the hotels part to redeem our experience.
In addition to the hair on the bed and trash left under the sink here are the basics that I think any 4 star-rated hotel that charges on average over $600 a night should be ashamed of...
-the bed dips in the middle
-the blankets were not standard double sized blankets (they were the size of twin blankets)
-the pillows were down filled and flattens once laid on
-there was even a small hair in the tray holding the complimentary tea bags and coffee
-no free in room wifi
-no complimentary breakfast
-no microwave in room
-no functional mini fridge in room
-overpriced services and amenities
-not enough natural lighting
-only one robe for two guest
-CHEAP soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner
-stains on the upholstery of both beds
-extremely DRY air (my friend and I woke up several times in the night to get drinks of water because it was so dry)
-overall design (there were plenty of kids who stayed here and I think a 4 star hotel sends the wrong message when the first thing you see when you walk in is a bar) this is not tasteful and not family friendly...we got in kind of late and the first things we saw were people in club wear drinking it up
-the tv as Astrid V. stated was situated on one side of the room making it uncomfortable for anyone on the other side of the room to enjoy the tv as well.
-there was a cheap bottle of nestle water in the room and the hotel wanted to charge $3 for it
-does not have a gym or pool in house (you have to go across the street and pay $10 a piece if you want either!)
-not all rooms have a tub, but include only a walk in shower
-called down to the front desk after getting to our rooms and received no answer on two occasions
I'm sorry but shouldn't a 4 Star-rated hotel on trip-advisor have the decency to include complimentary wifi, breakfast, and bottled water? I checked just today and Le Meridien Philadelphia is charging $645 a night for two adults. Totally not worth it! If I hadn't gotten an awesome deal off of priceline by naming my own price and if it were not for the location I would have NEVER stayed here knowing what the hotel REALLY offered...which is nothing special for $645 a night.
I've been to Best Westerns, Days Inns, Holiday Inns, AND slightly higher end hotels that have always offered complimentary breakfast and almost always offered free wifi. How is it that 2 and 3 star hotels that charge an average of $100 a night are doing a better job at hospitality than a 4 star rated hotel that charges an average of over $600 a night? Country Inn and Suites even welcomes guest at check-in with fresh baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies for LESS than $100 a night!
By the way the price I named was $86 before taxes and fees. It came out to $106 after taxes and fees. Who would have thought that a 4 star rated hotel on trip advisor would have accepted an offer for $86 a night when it normally charges over $600. They must have been desperate. I wished I had gone to a 3 star rated hotel like Four Points at Sheradon that was offering stays for the same price off of Bing travel. At least we would have gotten free parking, complimentary wifi and breakfast, and a higher probability of a clean room. -
Review from Sank G.
Arlington, VA
12/15/2011
Located a stone's throw away from City Hall and a couple of blocks from Reading Terminal Market, this hip (read minimalistic decor) hotel is actually really nice. Disregard the homeless people around and the courthouse next door because once you enter this place it is cool.
I loved the bed but the position of the tv was a bit off since you cannot lie in bed and watch tv comfortably. Absolutely loved the citrus themed body lotion, shampoo and conditioner.
The lobby bar is pretty neat and the bartenders are very friendly. Drinks menu has a bunch of classic cocktails with a twist to them (blood orange puree in an old-fashioned) but man they pack a punch.
Took a peek into the gym and it was small but well equipped. Other reviewers stated that room service is excellent but I never tried the food.
At $200+tax per night, it was a little pricier than I would have liked but all in all a solid hotel. They even let us check out at 4pm since we had a party to attend and wanted to get ready here. -
Review from Sherri S.
12/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This may be one of my favorite hotels of all time.
Thank you company that I work for, for putting me up in this fantastically decadent treat of a hotel even if for only one night.
If I had to spend my very own, hard earned money in Philly, it would be here.
It's modern and trendy and oh so fabulous. Yet fireplaces in all the main rooms warm it up and welcome you in.
The couches are fantastic - the lobby/bar itself is probably my favorite lobby in the world now.
The bartenders are beautiful men of all shades heights and what do you like, they have it.
The rooms. Simply marvelous. Wonderful wallpaper and paint schemes. GRRRREAT beds. Best bathrooms ever.
Oh and location, location, LOCATION. Ya' hear me?
I just love it here. This was the first hotel I have ever been sad to leave. Truly sad.Listed in: Hotels and other fun places to…
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Review from David B.
12/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
One after another...it is amazing to see how many buildings in Center City have been adaptively reused as hotels, including Le Meridian. I did not remember that the building was formerly the YMCA. Although the lobby is kind of dark, it is a wonderful building.
We were able to get an excellent rate, for the Thanksgiving holiday, through Priceline. The room was very comfortable, clean, and nicely appointed. We were even upgraded! The staff was friendly and efficient and the valet parking had a quick turn around time for fetching our car. We did not eat at the restaurant but I liked the space. I would return to Le Meridian in a heartbeat! -
Review from Andrea t.
11/21/2011
For awhile this summer this place was practically my home. I was having a little mice situation back at the ranch. The front desk staff got to know me personally.
I'm not in love with the locale, but one of the perks of the locale is, if you are on the backside of the hotel it is very very very quiet which is great for sleep. I sleep so well here, better than in my own apartment sometimes. Just check your room thoroughly before you start unwinding/unpacking. For awhile I kept finding hairs in the sink, no washcloths, trash from the previous guests. They were always really good about it either moving me or giving me two vouchers for breakfast.
I love the big tv and ordering the chicken paillard sandwich....the fries are soooo good, even cold....the chicken is seasoned sooooooo well....the bacon is soooo good
However, hit 7 eleven or the the little market around the corner because those skittles in the minibar will start talking to you!
I'm also a big fan of the sheets, pillows and robe.
So treat yourself to a little vacation and visit Philadelphias second best hotel ( palomar is the first imho) -
Review from Cliff J.
Pottstown, PA
11/3/2011
Le Meridien is located in the heart of center city Philadelphia. You are one block North of City Hall.
This is a very modern, upscale property. From the outside it is unassuming, but walk through the twin set of double doors, you feel a very hip vibe.
I've stayed here a few times over the past year. Each visit is punctuated with great service, a very clean well appointed room, and finally, fun, energetic patrons.
About our room: Modern, clean, newer technology. Oversized bathroom and nice shower. The bed was very comfortable and had clean linens all around.
We scheduled room service for 9:30am (breakfast). It was served on time and the food was well prepared and delicious. Although I may be biased, as I was hungover and really needed to eat.
You are a five or ten minute walk to the South side of Broad Street. Many restaurants and bars to choose from. And of course, you are right across the street from Philly's famous LOVE Park. Also, I recommend going to Chris's Jazz Club.
One, very minor note. There is a bar/restaurant adjacent to the property. It does not attract the best of crowds. This should not stop you from staying here, just a caution.
Le Meridien is one of Philly's best hotels. The service is excellent and the food and bar serve up very good fare.
If your use Priceline, you may even get a room at a deep discount depending on the night. I have not paid more than $90 per night, but that can be hit or miss.
Le Meridien is worth a stay.
IF YOU ENJOYED MY REVIEW, PLEASE RATE IT AND SEND ME A COMMENT! -
Review from Jonathan G.
Santa Monica, CA
11/26/2011
I stayed here for two nights. Here are my thoughts:
Pros:
-Location is near Reading Terminal Market, City Hall, and within 10-15-minute walk of Rittenhouse Square.
-Interesting, modern decor
-Friendly, attentive, and helpful receptionist
-Clean room
-Room was generally quiet (but see below)
-Comfortable bed
Cons:
-The restaurant. The food is overpriced ($20 for a small bowl of ratatouille) and the service is incredibly slow. The hotel can only accommodate a small number of guests for breakfast, and the hotel closed the restaurant early for dinner when I was there. The food (that is, what we were allowed to eat of it), was fine, though
-Valet parking is expensive ($38/night) and there are no self-parking options associated with the hotel. See if you can get a reservation with a discount for pre-paid valet parking.
-The plumbing bangs. So when people take showers in the morning (in other rooms or on other floors), it sounds like someone is hammering against the walls.
-The area right around the hotel is not that nice
-The hotel tries to hard to be hip. When you walk in, the first thing that you see is a bar. It took me almost a minute to find the reception desk, which was tucked away in another room. Maybe the hotel has achieved what it wanted--the bar and lobby were always filled with people laughing and shouting when I was there. But that's not really what I want to hear when I first walk into a hotel or each time I'm coming or going.
--You have to pay $10/day for wifi. -
Review from Jeff H.
10/11/2011
I had late afternoon meetings up north and an early morning flight out of Philly, so it only made sense that I drive down and stay closer to the airport. But airport hotels are a drag - nowhere to walk to, have to take a car/taxi anywhere fun. On the other hand, they do have lower rates than the downtown hotels which makes my company happy. So my search began for a nice hotel at a reasonable rate within walking distance of some nightlife (and preferably a Starwood property).
That is when I spied upon the Le Meridien and a great AAA special rate that was actually cheaper than the airport hotels. So I booked the room, turned in my rental on the way, and taxied on over. True, between the ride from the airport to the hotel (and back the next morning) I didn't save much $$ over the parking and rental for another day, but I didn't have to hassle with returning it before my 7 am flight.
The room was quite comfortable, though a touch small and the AC was acting a little weird. The bed was very comfortable, the view was nice, and the room was quiet.
Check In/Out was very efficient, the doorman quite helpful, and the suggestions for dinner and drinks by the lovely young woman at the front desk were spot on. Service overall was very good. And when I requested a taxi to be there in the morning for my early morning flight, they arranged a towncar for me. It was waiting as promised, was very comfortable (much nicer than a taxi), and cost only about $5 more than a taxi.
The interior is a cool mixture of modern design and the classic nature of the building. Exiting the elevator on the floor you are basically on a curved balcony facing a old brick wall. it was one of the unexpected and cool aspects to this hotel.
I was able to easily walk to where I wanted to go form there - the hotel is close to City Hall and an easy walk to Academy of Fine Arts, JFK Park, the nightlife of Chestnut and Sansom streets, and Rittenhouse Square. The area right by the hotel isn't the best, so be wary - though I never saw anything to be concerned about.
I only stayed here 1 night and wish I had stayed longer. -
Review from Megan F.
New York, NY
11/20/2011
We stayed here for one night during busy season. It was expensive. The place is well done and decorated. However, the room was not clean. There are stain on the sofa. The breakfast was good. The worst part is the valet service is poor. Since there is no drive way in front the hotel, it takes a long time to check in and out during busy time, which is around noon.
The hotel is within walking distant towards shopping area. The wall paper is nice. Music at life was fresh. No pool, and no bathtub. They did good job converting old library to a hotel.
Considering the price we paid, I expect a bit more from the hotel.
Overall, three stars from us. -
Review from Brian W.
Fenton, MI
10/27/2011
In town for a one day meeting and had to spend the night due to limited flight options. Nice rooms, decent gym and a great lounge on the 5th. Awesome bar on the main floor as well. (no actual bar on the 5th).
Well worth the stay! -
Review from Jean B.
Updated - 10/3/2011
What I thought had been a lower hotel room rate turned out to be a double charge (completely separate from what I had already paid in advance via Travelocity) on a different credit card. I didn't request room service or anything that would incur extra fees. I'm not sure how hard it is to confirm whether or not a guest has already paid in full but knowing many people use Travelocity to do hotel bookings, this should not have been an issue. Since noticing this second charge, I've tried to contact their billing department three times, only to be directed to voicemails without anyone returning my calls. After resorting to email, I got a prompt response from the hotel about crediting me back the extra charge. (This credit appeared on my card after 10 days.)
Beware if you do not book from their specific website or neglect to call their reservations desk directly!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2011
The hotel is located right across from the City Hall, and less than 10 blocks from a downtown… Read more »
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Review from Lisa A.
7/23/2011
Absolutely fantastic.
10th floor, almost corner room, so close to William Penn I could see his ear hairs!
Got a great deal on their website, $179.99 for an executive king room with breakfast and valet included. Valet is $38, breakfast anywhere from $9 to $12ish per person.
Room:
Greys, white and reds. King sized bed, flat screen TV, contemporary lightning and decor. Bathroom had a big glass enclosed shower and lots of room.
Every single employee we encountered was so nice. "Hi, how are you", "Good evening madam", "Let me get you a bottled water sir"...so nice!
We went to the bar downstairs for a cocktail before having dinner the Charthouse. I had the citrus martini and it was excellent. The man had a diet coke which was...diet coke-y.
We had room service breakfast and it was great! The bacon was yummy yummy yummy! :)
Will definitely stay here again, probably in the fall, and will definitely recommend this hotel to family and friends. -
Review from Hung L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/12/2012
This hotel is in the heart of downtown. Once you enter through the door, you're faced with a bar. And you think am I in the right place? This is how all the cool, hip hotels do it nowadays. It pretends to be a club. The concierge is on the right. The decor is modern chic -- black and white with red accents. I stayed in one of the "inner" rooms facing in towards the atrium. This would have been a bigger problem if I stayed longer than a night. There was only a sliver of natural sunlight coming from the skylight. The mini-fridge was stocked with goodies but I wished they left some empty space in there so I could put my own stuff in there. I couldn't move things around to make space because all the items are on a sensor and once moved you pay for it. The bathroom has no real lock on it. The door is a sliding door with some flimsy metal push thingy that keeps it closed. They went a little too modern with that. I would stay again but not at full price.
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Review from Colleen C.
Hoboken, NJ
7/5/2011
My boyfriend and I stayed at Le Meridien over 4th of July weekend.
The Pros: The valet guy, Effe (or Jeffe?), was great. He was always caught smiling, asking us how our day was, and gave us the run down on local whereabouts. We enjoyed just seeing him and waving to him as we went in and out of the hotel. The gym was decent (but kinda small at that), but they had built in TVs so you can still enjoy the Food Network even while working out.
The Cons: The rooms were pretty damn small. The shower is just a shower....nothing special, no tub and could have probably been scrubbed. The bed, very hard, even for my boyfriend who actually enjoys hard beds. Wifi cost $10 a day.
Overall, I'd say Le Meridien is nice. But it's kinda like that dude you're dating who you tell everyone is "nice," but that's all you can say to your girlfriends because really...you're just not that into him. And, he tries SOO hard to please, but you can just tell he's trying a little too hard? Yeah....that's Le Meridien.
Nice hotel, but you're probably better off with your money elsewhere (splurge a little, or cut back on the decor and spend less). -
Review from Bradford G.
Malvern, PA
Hotwire gave us this hotel as an option and we picked it, getting a room on the top floor for about $130 a night. I wasn't sure what to expect. But we were in town for the U2 concert and I had no plans to drive home that night, so it really didn't matter much.
I have to say this is a very cool hotel, great service, and good location. I loved the bar right as we walked in the door. Fabulous contemporary interior design. Small but perfect rooms, and a nice bed.
Only cons: there's no drive up spot so it can be a hassle to load/unload and parking is expensive at $38 a night.
Highly recommended! -
Review from Lynda K.
Westville, NJ
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
We stayed here last week. First time at this hotel. I was really impressed with the lobby area of the hotel which blended high end traditional old school wood with contemporary seating and flooring. It was very hip and sheik looking. The front desk staff was very helpful and polite. The hallways were spotlessly clean as was the room itself. My only 2 complaints would be how thin the walls appear to be since we heard our neighbor having sex pretty much all night and a few times in the morning. Couldn't tell if he was going at it alone or with a partner because we only heard him. On the flip side, good for him, quite the stamina you have there buddy. You go boy. Wish I didn't have to hear you groaning like a caveman though. My other complaint would be the cost of the parking. It was $38 for an overnight stay. Luckily (or not), the valet failed to bring our car around until 53 minutes after we called for it. They apologized numerous times and gave us a refund of $38 for their blunder. I wasn't happy about having to wait so long, but I dealt with it. Overall, if I had to stay in Philly overnight again, I'd stay here again.
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Review from Brian S.
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stayed here for 1 night while I was in Philly on business. The hotel is trying to be a trendy, hip joint like the W, and the employees are all pleasant. The rooms are rather small, but are hiply decorated. The gym is very small, with only a few treadmills and elliptical machines, as well as a set of free weights.
The location of the hotel is rather seedy. You're in the middle of nowhere, about 0.5 miles from Chinatown. There's a sketchy bar next door to the hotel, which appears to be frequented by homeless people, although I'm not sure how they afford the drinks.
Valet parking is also expensive ($38), but what do you expect when you valet park your car in a big city? -
Review from Jenn C.
Marlborough, MA
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This room is small but really nice and modern. The bed is all white and super fluffy and clean looking and so comfortable.The room was listed as a city view I wouldn't call it that, but the only really disappointing thing was that there was no spa anything. No soap, no shampoo, no lotion, for the price...
Spent a little time at the bar, Fantastic bartender. Also ordered room service, never done that before, food was, well, check the review for Amuse!
If I'm ever in Philly again and can afford to stay here, I wont think twice about it. -
Review from Amanda B.
Seattle, WA
11/23/2011
Lil' pricey, but great location, walkable to everything. Nice room, clean, very cool designey vibe. Really excellent breakfast. Kudos.
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Review from Lorena D.
Kew Gardens, NY
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I loved staying in this hotel, it was trendy but cozy. The front door opens right to the small bar and it is very inviting. I believe the building use to be the old public library and it's preserved some of the architecture. It's walking distance from a lot of nice areas but some of the neighborhood is a little sketchy...not the hotels fault. I will stay again!
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Review from Astrid V.
Brooklyn, NY
11/23/2010
You don't get much for the price. Valet service is ludicrously expensive, especially when there's a parking lot one block away that only costs $7. (The valet attendant was the one who gave us this information, by the way. He was AWESOME.)
The service was good, in general, but our room made no sense. First of all, the TV is situated in such a way that both people can't see it from the bed. The person on the left side of the bed can lay on their side to watch a movie, but the other person is shit out of luck. Truly terrible design choice there.
The sliding door between the bathroom and the foyer was broken and off the rails.
There was only one robe, even though they knew two people were staying in the room. Perhaps we were supposed to share it.
The building itself was gorgeous with lots of interesting amenities. But the rooms come first for me.Listed in: Suite Life, Philly Dally
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Review from Lily P.
The area isn't that safe it seems like but anyways we stayed here last weekend. The room was beautiful as le meridiends and w hotels are always modern, clean, and simple. I would decorate my future room like this. The entrance was a bit mehh for me with the bar right there and two sets of doors too hard to get into. The staff was very nice and friendly though and the location was pretty good so all in all i liked the stay.
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Review from C J.
Brooklyn, NY
3/10/2011
I like this Meridien better than the other ones I've unfortunately had to stay at. The location isn't as great as the Westin nearby, but it's not that far.
They are definitely trying to be very W-like with the same furniture and rooms, which is nice but trying too hard. -
Review from Kristen F.
Glens Falls, NY
8/7/2011
while we didn't spend a whole lot of time in our room because we were so busy checking out all the city has to offer, when we had absolutely no energy left, we headed to le méridien philadelphia, 1421 arch street:: originally a ymca, the hotel is housed in a 10-story georgian revival structure. the front side of the hotel has a view of jfk plaza (love park), while the back side looks out onto a brick enclosed atrium. if you've got a room on the back side (which we did), the sunlight spills into the atrium and your room.
like others have said, the tv was a bit oddly placed in the room and couldn't be watched comfortably if you were trying to lounge in bed.
there was also kind of an odd smell about the place, at least on our floor (a little bit like sewer exhaust) -- not sure what that was, but it kind of turned us off.
all in all, it was okay. great location, but as far as the hotel itself, it was nothing fancy or really special.
parking tip - there's a public parking lot a few blocks from the hotel that charges only $5/day on weekends, which is much less than the hotel's valet service (and they're just going to park your car there anyway). when you come out the door of the hotel, take a right on arch, then make a right on 16th, then another right on spring. the garage will be on your left. -
Review from Shradha A.
Chicago, IL
This place is a true example of "As good as it gets"!!! After traveling for work all the time, it takes a a little more to impress and make the stay this wonderfully comfortable!
From the cab pulling in, to check-in, to room service - every staff member was super nice and friendly and absolutely unpretentious!
The lobby + bar were very cool and a unique combination of classic yet sexy (St Regis meets W). I also personally was enamored by the framed key card collection from various Le Meridien hotels (I collect key cards).
The room was absolutely comfortable and from the living room to the bed room to the bathroom, each and every thing part of the room was super enjoyable! I checked in around midnight and was checking out at 7am, but stayed up just taking in and enjoying the comforts, creativity and character of the hotel and the room!
Highly highly recommended to stay at when visiting Philly. One thing I personally didn't get to benefit from, but worth noting is the great location!Listed in: Favorite Places to Stay!
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Review from Dave S.
Phoenixville, PA
2/16/2011
Le Meridien is one gem of a hotel, right in the heart of Philly. Being down the road from Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown, and Rittenhouse Square, it's unbeatable for the location.
The decor is new and stylish with great amenities but my only complaint was no free WiFi...you can't get it all. The staff will bend over backwards to make sure you're happy and comfortable but don't move a thing in the mini-fridge or you'll be charged. If you have wine or beer to chill, just request a fridge be brought up to the room. -
Review from Eric K.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/28/2011
Fantastic stay! The service was excellent (front desk, waiters at the restaurant, manager), the rooms were incredibly clean, and the bed was extremely comfortable. What more can you ask for? For the quality of the stay, it's quite affordable. I've stayed at several locations in Philly and this is now my go to hotel. The breakfast package room rates were worth it because you can get any item at the restaurant downstairs (the food is excellent). I cannot say enough good things about this place. Perhaps the only downer, is that internet will be an extra charge, however, it's no big deal. There is a business center on the 5th floor where you can check your email. Thank you Le Meridien!
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Review from Kimberly B.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2010
This place is such a mixed bag. Everything about the bed was amazing. It was huge, amazingly comfortable, and didn't have that chlorine smell that cheaper hotel beds have.
The bathroom was great in most ways, but it only has a standing shower and no bath tub! This wouldn't have been so tragic, except that I was in town for the Philadelphia Marathon and was looking forward to taking an ice bath post race. Also, I don't have a bathtub in my San Francisco apartment, so I always look forward to baths when I travel. However, the bathroom was spacious, pretty, and had a giant full size mirror.
The hotel is perfectly situated for Philadelphia site-seeing, and was close to the marathon start/finish, so I found it very convenient. Also, if you choose to have breakfast in their restaurant, you get a lovely view of City Hall. And the food is great, too! Make sure to take a look at the 5th floor atrium, which is an indoor space with an old outdoor rooftop feeling. It's awesome, I can't describe it without showing it.
I didn't find the staff to be very helpful, and my brother-in-law was really ticked off that they charge for internet. Even worse, if you have two people in your room and you both want to get on the wi-fi with your respective computers, you have to pay DOUBLE for the internet. Unless of course, you are my determined brother-in-law and you figure out how to get it for free. I was more accepting of the internet pricing, as I've experienced this many times with higher end hotels, especially abroad.
Having said all that, I would absolutely choose this hotel again when I return to Philadelphia.
Tip: If you are flying into Philadelphia and don't want to rent a car, know that it's only 30 dollars to cab it from the airport. Also, most places you could possibly want to go in Phila are totally walkable from this hotel. -
Review from Jason L.
Long Beach, CA
12/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
Loved it. Location, service, amenities, and not to mention the bed! We came the day of the Philadelphia marathon and apparently alot of the runners stayed here as well, so an early check in wasn't really going to happen but they made it as easy as they could on us. The staff was nice, very helpful and hella attractive.
Late night room service was the best.
Whenever i'm in Philly, i'll be at Le Meridien. -
Review from dan f.
10/8/2010
Absolutely awesome hotel. The interior decorating is amazing. When you walk into the lobby you'll know you made a good decision booking this hotel. It's definitely got a very hip/boutique hotel vibe to it.
They have soft lounge music playing in the lobbies, and the elevator has some neat sound effects that change depending on the time of day. The downstairs bar is a great place to grab coffee in the morning.
The bathroom is nice and large with a very comfortable shower, I liked the bath products a lot as well. I wish the bathroom had a fan however.
The room has a large full length mirror which is always a plus, and a nice flat screen with tons of channels. The beds are SUPER comfortable and you have a range of pillow choices.
The area immediately outside the hotel is a little shady at night, especially in front of City Hall. Not nearly as bad as North Philly however, and during the day its totally fine. We walked to the Museum of Art from the hotel since it is about a mile away and Philadelphia is a fun city to walk.
Valet Parking is outrageously expensive, $38 a night. My advice is park at the public garage between 15th and 16th streets just 2 blocks north of the hotel. It only cost us $5 a night on weekends. On weeknights its $18 a night. Can't beat that!
*EDIT* here is the address of the cheaper parking garage: 1540 Spring Street -
Review from Alex G.
New York, NY
2/4/2011
I really wanted to get away for Memorial Day weekend (2010), and had never been to Philadelphia, despite being a New Yorker my entire life. So a four-day weekend coupled with a $90/night deal at Le Meridien meant I was on my way.
Now, I assume the price was so low because the hotel had only been open for about three weeks and needed to lure in new guests, so I know it was a great deal, but I would have paid at least twice that much for this place. Simply put, Le Meridien is outstanding.
Centrally located right across from Love Park and City Hall, it's a short walk or cab ride to anything of touristy merit in Philadelphia. The décor is modern and chic without being uninviting or uncomfortable, and the color scheme of the rooms (white, gray, dark red) is exactly my taste. Being a new hotel, everything is still pristine and lush which makes the experience even better.
My room did not have a view of Center City, which I would normally be bummed about, but when I opened the curtains to discover an indoor atrium of sorts, I was even more impressed. The fifth floor has a small seating area that covers the entire interior of the floor and looks up to a massive glass covering. Lights change colors at night inside and it gives the entire inside a very calming, ethereal feel.
The room itself was spacious, though I did encounter two small problems: 1) the shower door was not the proper length, which meant that my bathroom was under about .5" of water after I got out, and 2) the temperature fluctuated wildly and I was either freezing or a little warm (but that could have been the bizarre changes of late May weather). I will note that I chose to stay here again the second time I came to Philly over Labor Day weekend, and both of these problems were nonexistent (they even had a warning in the bathroom about the shower doors in the rooms).
Are there cheaper hotels in Philly? Of course. Are there ones with better locations? Probably, though you'd be hard pressed to find one. Le Meridien's rustic exterior and artistic, accommodating interior make it my #1 choice for Philly hotels and as long as they keep it up, I can't imagine staying anywhere else. -
Review from Jaime Patricio M.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2010
Rarely do I ever enjoy a hotel and find their online pictures match the experience. Le Meridien Philadelphia meets and exceeds expectation. As a constant traveler, I am more often than not disappointed in my hotel experiences. But it is truly nice to arrive to a place that is both fun, casual and feels a bit like a home (my home).
The hotel is perfectly situated near the beautiful Philadelphia City Hall and is in a walkable distance of Philly most famous sites. Upon entering the hotel was a sweet like candy scent--clean and reassuring. Every staff member I talked with were incredibly gracious and welcoming. The concierge was incredibly helpful and splendidly nice.
The bar staff were welcoming and friendly; I chatted with each of them. This bar is a nice place after a long days journey from traveling--not too crowded but balanced; right amount of people and no need to jockey for service.
The room was more spacious than I expected; well appointed and modern. The room didn't just have an obligatory panel television but a gorgeous and focused picture. I love the sheets and bedding.
I stayed on the fifth floor which is where the gym is located and a very cool courtyard that is flooded with music.
I look forward to a return visit to my Philadelphia quarters. -
Review from Thomas E M.
Gardnerville, NV
5/22/2010
This is a great building with a lot of history, and my wife and I stayed two nights (the second and third night it had been open according to the folks that work there), and we enjoyed most of the aspects of our stay.
How do you like your rooms? This property has used modern decor in the rooms, and this may not be your cup of tea. Our room seemed very small and we had a view of the rear of the building, nothing special there. The bed was comfy and they had shoehorned two chairs into the room.
The staff was amazing. From the moment we arrived, to the moment we left, we felt that they would bend over backwards to help us. They fetched cabs, gave us a tour (saw the old District Attorney's office, the banquet and presentation space, and enjoyed a description of what the designer was after with the texture on the walls everywhere, as well as sounds that permeate the common areas of the hotel, "he is attempting to appeal to all senses". He even explained that each room has a unique inscription on the windows and so went and found the saying in our room.). Again, the help was great while we were there.
This is a great location. You are right in the middle of the city, and it is a short walk to everything you'll want to do downtown.
I'm sure the newness of the facility contributed to some of our minor issues. An example of this was obvious when we arrived on West Coast time and wanted to order some food. We ordered from the menu only to get a call back a few minutes later to let us know that the kitchen had closed and that our choice was no longer available. We were sad and hungry at that point. There were late night options, but none appealed to us.
Would I stay there again? Yes, but it would depend on the price. The room was small, and we've stayed at some great hotels, and had some great rooms. We got this hotel via Hotwire, and so our price on this trip was outstanding, but when viewing Expedia, the room was a lot more. -
Review from Bryan J.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2010
One of the better starwood properties, I have seen. Wow. Stayed here last night. Really cool hotel and brand new. Great service, cool decor, quiet, comfortable stylish. I would stay here again and hope do so.
Great staff, very focused on service. One of the best starwood properties around. A former YMCA building, interesting design and building.
Rooms: Large, Clean Quiet.
Lobby: Very cool, Stylish,
Food and Service: great.
I suggest this hotel for anyone heading to Philadelphia. -
Review from Kristin C.
New York, NY
7/24/2010
I stayed at the Le Meridien in Philadelphia one night on June 17 while on a quick business trip from NYC. I'd not been there previously (nor did I even know of its existence). On previous business trips to Philly, I have stayed in the not cool at all, basic, but still nice Club Quarters. This time, I decided to try my luck via Priceline for a four star hotel in Center City and ended up with Le Meridien at a GREAT rate (Please note that I haven't checked to see what the normal rates are).
When I arrived, there was only one person at the (very small) check in desk (in a very well-appointed, but over air conditioned lobby that also contains the bar) and she was on a LONG phone call. I waited and waited. A migraine had recently come on and I was rather impatient (and admittedly, not exactly cheerful). When she finally began to help me, check in was relatively quick. Having read about the hotel and some great views of nearby architecture, I asked for a room with a nice view.
When I got up to the room assigned, I noticed that it was really lovely, but the view was of a grey, inner courtyard type area. I called down and asked if it might be possible to move to something with a view, like I had requested. She said that those rooms typically aren't available to people that book through discount sites (like Priceline) as I had. I remarked that I understood, but she still said that she would be happy to change it for me. She didn't even let me come down and switch the keys myself, but sent someone up who appeared very fast.
The rooms are modern with a slightly European, minimalist feel. The bed was FANTASTIC. My room only had a shower (which I don't mind), though I think some have tubs as well. Their provided toiletries are very nice and have have bathrobes in the bathroom (a big plus with me!). There's ample desk space and it was a large room. There's a well-stocked minibar, which was nice (I don't normally use them, but the next morning, my stomach was upset and it was nice to be able to get some ginger ale without leaving). And there's wifi available, but for a fee (which always makes me a bit grumpy). And my view was wonderful. It's nice to wake up to sun and such stunning architecture.
The hotel is in Center City with lots of shopping and restaurants nearby...as well as the venues for the opera, ballet, symphony, etc. Philly is a tricky city at night to walk alone. Know that in advance.
I had a drink at the bar as well. The bartender was quick and friendly and provided me with a little amuse. And she helped with with some directional questions (as did some of the helpful bell staff outside).
Check out was fast and painless. And I was pleased to see that I got Starwood points even though I'd booked on Priceline (Many hotel chains don't grant them if you book off a discount site).
If I am back in Philly soon, I'd definitely be up to stay at Le Meridien again! -
Review from Jeremy Q.
Washington D.C., DC
11/17/2010
This is the greatest hotel I've ever been to. I don't think any hotel can top my experience here. When we arrived, Ryan Leslie was playing in the hotel lobby, which includes a full bar that was POPPIN! Upon check in, we were upgraded not once, but TWICE to a SPG suite on the atrium floors.
They delivered room service to us at 2PM, with some awesome Mac and cheese. It was pricey, but great.
The staff is very attentive and pleasing on the eyes.
All in all, I really didn't want to leave.
People to see here: Nathalie and the bar, Sakinah at the front desk.
Also, the hotel offers valet parking for $39.00 nightly, but if you're there over the weekend, there's a public parking garage across the street that's $8.50 for 24 hours. -
Review from Sam Y.
New York, NY
7/20/2011
I traveled to Philadelphia for work every week for about 6 months and I must say that Le Meridien is definitely one of the best hotels in the area. Not only is it modern and stylish, the staff were super nice and they had a comfy robe included in each bathroom. The rooms ranged from smallish to baller and I thought the sliding red bathroom doors were a nice touch.
As for the the cons, it wasn't the best location-wise but it wasn't out of the way either. The gym was small but had nice treadmills.
If you are a Starwoods customer, I would recommend staying at either the Le Meridien or the Westin. Le Meridien is the more hip, modern, stylish choice while the Westin is a classier, roomier option. -
Review from David B.
New York, NY
9/29/2010
New and Chic. Le Meridien is always a great selection. I spent a few nights while traveling on business and loved the hotel. Food was outstanding and the service was just as expected.
The neighborhood is up and coming, near the train terminal and will hopefully come around with the expansion of the convention center.
I will enjoy Le Meridien in the future and will recommend. -
Review from Todd O.
Kapaa, HI
10/12/2010
This hotel is one of the finest I've ever experienced. The hip-metro decor blends seamlessly with the historic architecture. The views of City Hall and the Masonic temple are gorgeous, particularly at night. The parking is a little salty at $38.00 a night, but you can call for your car as many times as you like. The in-room storage is a little skimpy, but they did what they could with what they had.
The staff was the star of the show however. From the moment we arrived, we were treated with some of the best service we had ever seen. My wife and I have 20 years of upscale hotel work experience between the two of us, and we were both blown away. Joseph in concierge - you are the man. Thanks for your restaurant research, reservations and callbacks. And James, the night manager. Pure style. We had requested that our care be ready for a 3am departure. It was a little late in arriving, so James offered coffee to my wife and I while we waited and comped the day's parking. Thanks for a great stay!
