Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia Center City

Rooms and decor

Picture a hotel in the middle of Center City where opening your room door reveals more than a bed and a TV — a suite split clearly into a sitting zone and a sleeping zone, with its own full kitchen ready to use — that's the appeal of Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia Center City. Every room here is an all-suite, which means whichever room type you book, you always get a full kitchen: full-size fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher and a complete set of pots, plates and utensils. Next to that sits a sitting area set apart from the sleeping area, with a sofa bed tucked inside that folds out for extra sleeping space. The advantage of splitting the zones like this is that once the kids are down, parents can still sit in the other corner, watch TV or talk quietly without turning out all the lights at once. The decor is warm and modern, easy on the eye, with practical furniture, a dining table, a work nook and more storage than a normal hotel room. Plenty of reviews agree the rooms are clean and roomy for the price.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is that this is a hotel built for several nights. It starts with free hot breakfast served daily Residence Inn style — hot savory items, eggs, pastries, waffles, fruit, yogurt and coffee — so you can eat well before taking the kids out, no extra charge or time hunting for a spot. Where the brand really looks after longer-stay guests is the in-room grocery shopping service: leave a list and someone shops and stocks your fridge, ideal for families who want milk, water and snacks ready from day one. Some nights there's a small social where guests sit with a drink and get acquainted. With a full kitchen, stove and dishwasher in the room, you can cook proper meals, warm bottles and kids' food, and keep snacks in the fridge, saving both money and the hassle of every meal out. For exercise or laundry mid-trip there's a fitness center and washer-dryer, so you don't have to pack clothes for the whole trip. Reviews repeatedly praise the friendly, helpful staff.

Location and getting there

Location is another trump card. The hotel sits dead-center in Center City right by Penn Square, the hub of the city anchored by the grand City Hall landmark, which means you're somewhere you can walk almost anywhere from. Just about 2 blocks gets you to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia's legendary old indoor market that gathers food stalls, bakeries, fresh produce and snacks from across the city in one place — a treat for parents and kids alike, easily an hour of grazing. From there a little farther walking reaches the historic district with the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where you can show the kids American history first-hand. For going farther, Jefferson Station on SEPTA Regional Rail and the subway stations on 11th/13th St are close by — a few stops out to the university area, the riverfront, or onward to the airport.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, the surrounding block: being right by Penn Square in the middle of the city means the area is fairly busy with traffic noise through the day, and rooms facing the main streets may pick up some of it. If you sleep lightly, ask for a higher floor or a room facing inward, and note that some rooms look onto the building across the street rather than an open view. Second, Residence Inn is a long-stay-style hotel focused on space and kitchens rather than resort facilities, so there's no pool and no full-service restaurant in the building. If your family plans to make pool time a main activity, this may not be the fit. Third, parking is a paid service charged separately per night and fairly steep by downtown standards, so budget for it if you drive, or consider leaving the car and using nearby public transit. On top of that, when the Convention Center has a big event, rates climb and rooms sell out fast — check the event calendar and book ahead for a good price.

Our take

After reading through plenty of real reviews, Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia Center City pulls off "an all-suite with a full kitchen in every room, a separate sitting area and sofa bed for families, free breakfast, and a Penn Square address you can walk everywhere from" in a way that's both well-judged and good value. If your trip looks like walking the kids over to graze at Reading Terminal Market in the morning, then the Liberty Bell and the historic district all afternoon, then back to a room with a full kitchen for an easy dinner, a separate sitting area to relax in once they're asleep, and everyone sleeping under one booking, this is an easy and affordable choice. But if you expect a hotel with a pool, a fancy restaurant and full in-house entertainment, its plain, practical approach may not be the answer. Overall we give it 8.5/10, best for families and business travelers who value space, an in-room kitchen and a dead-center Center City location more than luxury.