Coming into town for the NCAA tourney and need to know where to stay (Philadelphia: renting, good hotel)

[texags02]

My fiancee and I are coming down from New York City for the NCAA tournament (as well as to get out of this place for a weekend-we hate it), and would like to know a good area for us to stay. We're in our late 20's, and love to go out, etc. We'd also like to see a little bit of the historical aspect of Philly while there (Independence Hall, etc.) We're looking for a reasonably priced hotel...nothing absurd, but it doesn't have to be Motel 6 either. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We're moving back to Texas in August, and Philly is somewhere we've both wanted to go while we're up here. I just lucked out with the fact that my team was sent to Philly for the tourney!

[rainrock]

You need to stay downtown there is nothing happening at all at the remote Airport hotels.

I would recommend one of the hotels on the Ben Franklin Parkway, the Windsor comes to mind but I would make your reservations as soon as possible as the better rooms and hotels will most likely be gone over the course of the week.

Other suggestions would be the Rittenhouse Square hotels(pricey).

Penns Landing Hyatt which is on the Delaware River and right near the historic district.

Sheraton on the campus of University of Pennsylvania.

Nothing happening at all near the Airport hotels avoid at all cost.

Philadelphia - Official Visitor Site - Gophila.com: Things To Do, Events, Hotels, Restaurants and more is a great link to help you with accomodations and amenities/ things to do.

If you have the chance Id recommend the Philadelphia Museum of Art and if you are outdoors people perhaps renting bikes or roller blades on the Schuylkill River Trail(Kelly Drive) which runs behind the Art Museum. My favorite part of Philadelphia is just walking in the old historic neighborhoods (Soceity HIll,Old City,Rittenhouse).

Good luck to the Aggies.

[newmarlig]

Try priceline. Check the downtown hotels.

[captainrm83]

Well, if you want to stay in the center of it all look downtown. Try Expedia. How are you getting to Philly? A good suggestion is Bolt Bus. They are a transportation company that goes from selected areas (Philly to NYC, NYC to Philly is one of their destinations) and are pretty cheap. You could do a roundtrip for less than $50/person. Probably more like $30/person. Just depends on your schedule. This way you don't have to worry about parking, etc. They also have China buses that run back and forth, but based on those reviews I wouldn't consider do that...not a very peaceful trip! Only $20-$25 roundtrip.

The public transportation doesn't run 24/7 like NYC. I think most of it shuts down at midnight. So you'll have to get a cab or find a bus route that does run. I woundn't walk the streets at night, even if you are a few blocks from the hotel. With this being the case, why spend a ton of money to stay in center city? Why not look a little further out? Once you get onto Expedia, it will give the distance and price on the hotels. You should be able to find something for $100-$150/night, unless they raised prices because of this event. I'd stay by the airport, if it's that much cheaper. The airport is about a 10-15 minute ride from center city.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by captainrm83

Well, if you want to stay in the center of it all look downtown. Try Expedia. How are you getting to Philly? A good suggestion is Bolt Bus. They are a transportation company that goes from selected areas (Philly to NYC, NYC to Philly is one of their destinations) and are pretty cheap. You could do a roundtrip for less than $50/person. Probably more like $30/person. Just depends on your schedule. This way you don't have to worry about parking, etc. They also have China buses that run back and forth, but based on those reviews I wouldn't consider do that...not a very peaceful trip! Only $20-$25 roundtrip.

The public transportation doesn't run 24/7 like NYC. I think most of it shuts down at midnight. So you'll have to get a cab or find a bus route that does run. I woundn't walk the streets at night, even if you are a few blocks from the hotel. With this being the case, why spend a ton of money to stay in center city? Why not look a little further out? Once you get onto Expedia, it will give the distance and price on the hotels. You should be able to find something for $100-$150/night, unless they raised prices because of this event. I'd stay by the airport, if it's that much cheaper. The airport is about a 10-15 minute ride from center city.

Bolt Bus seems to be a popular recommendation on this forum. Other bus and train options have been discussed as well.

Center City is not Wisteria Lane but it is far from the OK Corral either. Two 20somethings used to living in NYC will like have gained the street wisdom and common sense useful in larger urban environments. There are plenty of fun and interesting things to do downtown day and night. The only reason I would suggest someone staying out by the airport or elsewhere outside of downtown is if the hotel rates were unusually exorbitant. Wherever you choose to stay, it probably would be a good idea to book right now as rates will only increase as Thursday approaches.

[Bookmen]

The Doubletree Hotel on Broad St. would be a good choice. There's a subway stop right at the door, and the subway will take you to the Wachovia Center for the games in a matter of minutes. The location is central with the historic sites within walking distance in one direction and Rittenhouse Square just a few blocks to the west. All of Center City is very walkable or, if you prefer, taxi rides will not be very long.

[orrmobl]

hotwire.com center city or old city

[CHIP72]

I just stayed at the Doubletree Hotel last week for a conference. It seemed like a good hotel.

[JHG722]

Gig em, Aggies.

[Tangled Threads]

You might want to try Alexander Inn - mid-price, non-chain in Center City.