Hotel Review: the Four Seasons Philadelphia

2016 Update: The Four Seasons Philadelphia in this location has closed. They’re building a fabulous new property at the top of the new Comcast building, which will be opening in 2018. I hope to review that one for you as well! 

They might as well rename it “The Four Seasons Philadelphia: the friendliest hotel. Ever. In the history of hotels.”

I’ve come to learn that the cornerstone of the Four Seasons brand is their customer service. It’s absolutely top notch. Most of the time, it’s flawless. It’s what sets them apart from, well, every other hotel brand I’ve stayed with. The Four Seasons Philadelphia is no different.

We checked in exhausted & hungry at 10pm on Friday night. Souha, at the front desk, welcomed us with a smile as if we were old friends & not first time guests. Upon hearing we hadn’t had dinner yet, she insisted that we try one of her favorite places, the Continental, located just a few short blocks from the hotel. The restaurant was fantastic & just so us – how did she know where to send us to eat after knowing us for two minutes? It’s the Four Seasons way.

Huey, the bellman who brought our bags up to our room that first night, ran into us in the hallway the next afternoon – while he was helping another guest – & called us by name. He had met us once, for five minutes, & yet he remembers us. How? It’s the Four Seasons way.

The Four Seasons Philadelphia is ideally located on Logan Square. Situated among some of Philly’s finest museums, including the brand new Barnes Foundation Museum, it’s only a short 20 minute walk to all the historic sites. The lobby of the hotel is spacious, with numerous sitting areas & a very nice outdoor patio.

(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved

The hotel continues Philadelphia’s general theme of history & colonial comfort style in their guest rooms. Totally different from the modern Four Seasons New York, our executive suite boasted crown molding, period furniture, & a dynamite view of the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Square.

(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved

The seating area was a comfortable green & yellow motif, with a tasseled sofa & lemon yellow chairs with nail head details. The end table featured a beautiful inlay pattern & you could just tell that this was not run-of-the-mill, cheap hotel furniture.

(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
The bedroom was simple, with creamy linens & clean lines leading up to a cherry wood headboard right out of George Washington’s time.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved

The only slight disappointment with the room was the bathroom. There wasn’t really anything wrong with it but after the palatial bathroom we were spoiled with at the Four Seasons New York, this one felt a bit, well, average. The shower head was strong though & the towels were huge & plentiful.

Back downstairs in the hotel lobby, there are two dining options for guests: the Swann Lounge (which offers a $75 breakfast buffet on Sunday’s) & the Fountain Restaurant. We had a palatial breakfast at the Fountain Restaurant on Sunday morning. Hot & strong coffee, creamy goat cheese frittatas, tender steak & poached eggs, Nutella stuffed french toast.

(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved

The whole experience was relaxing, comfortable & (I know this sounds corny) homey. We always felt a warm welcome when we returned to the hotel from our daily excursions & received a smile from everyone we passed. I would expect anything less. It’s the Four Seasons way.

Our room & breakfast were graciously provided by the Four Seasons.


Comments

4 responses to “Hotel Review: the Four Seasons Philadelphia”

  1. […] & creates a traffic circle with the Barnes Foundation Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Four Seasons Philadelphia & a magnificent cathedral calling the square […]

  2. […] arrived at the front desk of the Four Seasons Philadelphia exhausted & hungry: it was almost 10pm & we hadn’t eaten dinner yet. The woman behind […]

  3. […] the age of the property, but we also heard how nice the staff was & what a lovely stay others (including this blog!) had experienced at the property. It’s an older property to be sure, but for true fans of the […]

  4. […] the age of the property, but we also heard how nice the staff was & what a lovely stay others (including this blog!) had experienced at the property. It’s an older property to be sure, but for true fans of the […]

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