DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City
by the TopOfHotel team
A high-rise in the Avenue of the Arts district with an in-building link to the subway that puts you a single ride from NRG Station at the stadiums — no transfers, plus a rooftop indoor pool and city-view rooms.
A high-rise in the Avenue of the Arts district with an in-building link to the subway that puts you a single ride from NRG Station at the stadiums — no transfers, plus a rooftop indoor pool and city-view rooms.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Picture a hotel where you step out the door and you're on the Avenue of the Arts — Philadelphia's arts strip, lined with theaters and concert halls — and you've got the first thing going for the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, a Hilton high-rise standing right on South Broad Street in the middle of Center City. Walk into the lobby and you get the warm, easygoing DoubleTree feel, including the brand's signature warm chocolate-chip cookie at check-in — a small touch that makes you feel welcomed from the first step. The building runs to 481 rooms, so the public spaces feel open and the lifts carry you up to high floors with wide city views. Rooms are done in a contemporary, warm-toned style with the soft DoubleTree beds, a work desk and the usual amenities. If you like a well-run chain hotel that's professional without shouting about luxury, this one will land.
Food and amenities
The real pleasure here is sleeping up in a high-rise in the middle of the city, because many rooms face out onto the Philadelphia skyline and the spire of City Hall not far off. Open the curtains in the morning and the city fills the window; at night you get the lights. The highlight people talk about with a grin is the rooftop indoor pool — and because it's indoors you can swim year-round, no matter how far below freezing it is outside, which is worth a lot in a four-season city like Philadelphia. Next to the pool there's a gym to work off a day of walking, and the building has an in-house restaurant and bar for a proper meal or a drink after you come back from the game, so you never have to head out. Being a Hilton means easy booking and Hilton Honors points, plus the predictable service of an international chain — a complete enough set of amenities for anyone who wants to actually settle in downtown.
Location and getting there
Location is this place's strongest card, no question. It sits on South Broad Street in the middle of Center City, in the Avenue of the Arts district, where stepping out the door puts the city's theaters, concert halls and music venues right in front of you, with an easy walk to City Hall and the shops. The best part for football fans is the in-building link straight down to the SEPTA Broad Street Line: on game day you just head downstairs, ride a single line south, and run straight to NRG Station in front of the South Philly sports complex — no transfers, no driving, no parking gamble on a big event day when traffic is heavy and lots fill fast. When the game ends you take the same line back into the city and you're at your bed in no time. If the heart of your trip is staying downtown and soaking up Philadelphia on foot, then riding the train to the stadium on game days, this location is a perfect ten.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. First, this is a large 481-room high-rise, so at peak times, when tour groups are in, or when there's a big event in town, the lobby and lifts can get crowded and you may wait a bit — it won't feel as private and intimate as a small boutique, so adjust expectations if you're after quiet. Second, parking: the hotel is downtown where parking is expensive and scarce, so if you drive yourself, budget for the daily rate — the good news is the location links directly to SEPTA, so the train is the cheaper, easier way to get around. Third, the building has been open a while, so some corners and rooms can look older than a freshly renovated hotel; ask about room type when you book if newness matters, and note that rooms facing Broad Street pick up some city buzz — light sleepers should request a higher floor or an interior room. Finally, on big game days and major event nights, rates climb well above normal and sell out fast, so book well ahead to lock in price and a room.
Our take
From reading through plenty of real guest reviews, the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City nails one pitch: a Center City location on the Avenue of the Arts, an in-building SEPTA link that's one ride from the stadiums, and the full set of Hilton amenities. It's best for football fans who want to base themselves downtown and take the train to the game with no car and no parking gamble; for couples and culture-minded travelers who want to walk the old city, catch a show in the arts district, and wake up to a city view from a high floor; and for business travelers who want a big-chain hotel in the middle of Center City. If your mental picture is staying downtown, wandering Philadelphia all day, then just heading down to the train under the building straight to the stadium and coming back to swim in the rooftop indoor pool, this fits well. But if you want a small, private, quiet hotel, or a place within walking distance of the stadium itself, a big downtown tower like this may not be the way. Overall we give it 8.6/10 — best for football fans and travelers who value a walkable downtown location with a one-line train to the stadium over boutique-style privacy.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- There's an in-building link straight down to the SEPTA Broad Street Line, so you ride a single subway line south to NRG Station in front of the stadiums with no transfers and no parking gamble — about as easy as a game day gets.
- The location is dead-center in Center City on the Avenue of the Arts, ringed by theaters and concert halls, with City Hall and the city's shops and restaurants an easy walk away.
- As a high-rise, many rooms open onto a wide view of the Philadelphia skyline and City Hall — you wake up to the whole city filling the window.
- The rooftop indoor pool lets you swim year-round even in winter, and it's backed by a gym, an in-house restaurant and a bar, so everything you need is under one roof.
- It's a Hilton property, so booking and earning Hilton Honors points are straightforward, you get the signature warm DoubleTree cookie at check-in, and the review scores stay consistent: Agoda 8.6, Booking 8.6 and Trip.com 4.3.
- This is a large 481-room high-rise, so at peak times or when tour groups and big events are in town the lobby and lifts can get crowded and slow. It won't feel as private or intimate as a small boutique — set expectations accordingly if you want quiet.
- It sits in the middle of the city where parking is expensive and hard to find, so if you drive yourself, budget for the daily rate. The better move is the SEPTA line it connects to directly — cheaper and far more convenient.
- The building has been open a while, so some corners and rooms can look older than a freshly renovated hotel, and rooms facing Broad Street pick up some city noise. Light sleepers should ask for a higher floor or an interior-facing room.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- On a game day, take the in-building link down to the SEPTA Broad Street Line and ride a single line south to NRG Station right at the stadiums — it saves both time and parking money. Leave extra time on the way back, since everyone piles onto the train at once after the game.
- Ask for a higher floor facing the city so you wake up to the Philadelphia skyline and City Hall — it's also quieter than the rooms looking down onto Broad Street.
- Leave an evening free to walk the Avenue of the Arts around the hotel — there are theaters and concert halls to drop into. If you like a show, check the night's program in advance.