Vacation In PA (Philadelphia, Reading, Lancaster: car rental, apartment, rental)

[mizzy]

Hi all....

Really need some help pertaining to my upcoming holiday which I plan to be in PA. Can anyone here give me a suggestion about which hotel is recommended should I wish to book online from here. Well, actually I'm from Singapore. Plan to visit Pennsylvania this coming summer. Heard a lot through forums that people here in PA are quite friendly. Are there any places that I should avoid from - for safety reasons?

SOme say that Radnor hotel is nice....any comment? If I'm about to stay there, how can I go to Factory outlet in PA? WHich trans is recommended - bus/taxi?

Tq in advance

[ApartmentNomad]

Do you know where in Pennsylvania you wish to stay? I see that you have posted this in the Philadelphia forum, but it's not clear from your question whether you are actually planning on visiting Philadelphia.

(Incidentally, I might not be able to help either way, since I'm not that familiar with hotels in my area. But you would be more likely to get a response if you can be more specific.)

[newmarlig]

You definitely want to come to center city Philadelphia and see all of the historical sights (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, just to name a few). Also, be sure to visit the Constitution Center) and The Reading Terminal Market (readingterminalmarket.org). I would suggest staying at a hotel right in the city. This is a very walkable city. If you want to go to Washington, D.C. or NYC, the train is very convenient. Will you be renting a car? If so, I would suggest you drive to the Pocono Mountains for a day. You may want to go to the casino's in Atlantic City. (You can do this by bus). You can take a bus to The King of Prussia Mall (the second largest mall in the U.S.) Some hotels (but there are many more) I can suggest are:

The Marriott
Loews
The Omni
Crowne Plaza
The Four Seasons
The Rittenhouse
The Doubletree
The Sheraton


Please post any specific questions that you may have.

[mizzy]

Thanks a lot to both of u Apartment nomad and Newmarlig. To be more specific, actually my wife will be heading to pennsylvania to attend a program organised by his department. So, I'll take this opportunity to join her together with our kids. Heard a lot about historical places in Penn state. And newmarlig just ttold me it's easy to go to NY. If it so, of course I'll step in NY later.

Just wonder about public transport....hope it's good and convenience. WHat isn the best for us - bus or cab? Some friends here have suggested for us to stay at Radnor Hotel since it's not too far from the training place. My question is, how far from radnor hotel to Factory Outlet? Heard there got 2 oulets in Penn State. Any suggestion about the oulets and how to get there?

If I'm about to visit the rest of places there, any agency that provide the tour services and which is recommended.

[newmarlig]

The Radnor Hotel is located in a suburb of Philadelphia. You can take a train into center city Philly, but I don't think transportation is convenient to other areas. You would be best off staying in a hotel right in the city. Your wife can take the train to her training. From the city, it is easier to get to other areas. There are outlets in Reading, PA which is about an hour away. I believe there are tour buses that have day trips there.

[mizzy]

Thanks a lot for the valuable info. Maybe you can help me to get to factory outlet in Penn State. Heard got 2 outlets there. SInce I have made a confirmation with Radnor Hotel, appreciate if u can guide me.

Talking about King of Prussia Mall, it would be nice if u can give me few comparison between it and Factory Outlet.

[newmarlig]

The King of Prussia Mall has retail shopping. Here is the website:

http://www.kingofprussiamall.com/

Outlets sell items at a discount. There is an outlet in Lancaster, PA called the Rockville Square Outlet. Here is the website for that

http://www.rockvalesquareoutlets.com/

You should be able to take public transportation to King of Prussia. I don't know how you would get to the outlet. Maybe you should contact your hotel and ask if they have any suggestions.

[toobusytoday]

There are three outlets in Eastern Pennsylvania. The closest to Philadelphia is the one that newmarlig mentioned, Rockvale Square in Lancaster http://www.rockvalesquareoutlets.com/ but the original outlet area was in Reading: http://www.readingberkspa.com/shopping/index.asp (broken link) and there is also a large one in the Pocono's: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=59. Unfortunately, none of these are closer then an hour (at the least) from Philadelphia.

I'm not sure why you would stay in Radnor instead of center city Philadelphia hotel. If you stay in a downtown one you can walk and take public transportation all over the city. If you stay in Radnor you will probably be limited to cabs. The Omni is a great hotel right next to the historical section of Philadelphia.

A great travel website for vacationers is: www.tripadvisor.com There are reviews of hotels and activities there. Hope you enjoy your trip!

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I'm not sure why you would stay in Radnor instead of center city Philadelphia hotel. If you stay in a downtown one you can walk and take public transportation all over the city. If you stay in Radnor you will probably be limited to cabs. The Omni is a great hotel right next to the historical section of Philadelphia.

That's what I was trying to tell the OP as well. There are so many more options in center city. Even if his wife is in training in Radnor, she can take the R5 train.

[mizzy]

New Marlig, I know that u can the one that I can depend on. Would u pls help me getting a car to rent while I'm at PA soon. For yr info, I'll be heading to PA from new york by train, which I believe u know best the station that I'm gonna get off. Are there car rental services nearby the the station? And how far from the station to Radnor Hotel? And also I'd appreciate if u can name few rental companies which are recommended and reliable. Not to forget the price. Thanks in advance.