I've never had such a terrible experience. We checked into the hotel at 9 p.m. Friday night and was given a double bed room next to elevator which was so noisy and then when we tried to check out at 1:30 p.m. next day, they charged us $60 extra over an already overpriced rate of $169.
The attitude of the staff was so bad that we couldn't even hold a talk. They were rude and uncarring.

We had stayed in 7 hotels during out 10 days college visits and this was by far the worst stay.

I'll not recommend anyone this facility. Even if you had to use it make sure you get in writing the checkout arrangements.

I couldn't believe that this place exists. It wasn't easy to get reservations but now I understand why. It's located across the street from "Our nation's birthplace". The hotel was charming. I was there for a meeting but made a reservation prior to my departure for a return visit with my wife. I go to the city often and I have found my new home. The room was most comfortable, the staff knowledgable, the "Complimentary" breakfast excellent, and it's location is second to none. I don't know why anyone would stay anywhere else unless they don't know about this Great, Little Boutique Hotel. It far exceeds any Best Western Hotel in which I've ever stayed .

Thank You!

Our party of three adults and three older children (ages 12-17) stayed here for two nights after reading Trip Advisor reviews. Thank you everyone! The location for seeing the historical sites is absolutely perfect and it is surrounded by restaurants. It is on a fairly quiet street as cities go - the same street in fact as Independence Hall, just 4 or 5 blocks down! Other positives include the friendly and accommodating staff, complimentary USA Todays, a handy computer and printer in the welcoming small lobby, and the very reasonable breakfasts which included the usual continental fare plus make-your-own waffles with a Liberty Bell on them, hard-boiled eggs and plenty of fresh fruit. They have a luggage storage room off of the lobby and were happy to store our luggage for us after checkout so we could do a little more touring. The single-cup coffee makers in the room worked well and came stocked with three types of coffee. The rooms had high ceilings and were nicely furnished. The rooms did vary quite a bit, though all of ours were fairly spacious. We had a total of three and they were each different. The double queen was dark. One of the kings was a little claustrophobic because it faced a very narrow inner courtyard. Ours faced the street and had light wallpaper which I preferred. It would pay to get a room description while reserving and I personally would recommend a street view. While the rooms were clean, the general ambience is slightly shabby - not a deal breaker, just an observation. Also, as has been mentioned, there is no parking but the garage they recommend is close and we did not have any problems.

We walked extensively through the historic area and all the way to City Hall downtown (you have to see that building - breathtaking!). The only other hotel I saw that I would consider if the main goal is visiting the historical sites would be the Omni Hotel just two blocks closer to Independence Hall also on Chestnut Street. We chose the Best Western based on price and would do so again, but the Omni is also well-located, a little more upscale and has a nice lobby and bar area that we made use of.

I can recommend two area restaurants: Amada is right by the Best Western serving DELICIOUS Spanish tapas, soups and sandwiches and Palace at the Ben is 7 blocks down at 834 Chestnut serving good Indian food in a very pretty atmosphere.

Other thoughts on visiting: consider watching the movie musical "1776" before your visit. Though I found the songs a little trying and I know that artistic license was taken with conversations, etc, it really set the mood for seeing the sites revolving around the Declaration of Independence and the ensuing war. It was a fun way to relearn the names of those involved and what role they played and made it all the more exciting to see Independence Hall where it all happened. As others have mentioned, I would advise getting your timed tickets to see Independence Hall online ahead of time to reduce your stress level. We actually didn't do that, but were able to pick those up at the Visitor Center without any problem by getting there around 8:30 am, but I was worried about it before we got there.

Also, don't forget to visit the Philadelphia Mint. It is free and close by (and you don't need your Congressman to arrange a visit like one of our guide books said). Please notice the absolutely gorgeous Tiffany mosaics in the entry area - I didn't even look up and take notice until my husband pointed them out - wow! Enjoy your visit!

We stayed just 2 nights at the Best Western Independence Park Hotel in Philadelphia. This hotel is indeed in the heart of the historic district and within steps of many outstanding dining options. It was a perfect home base for our exploration of center city. The hotel itself was accurately represented on Trip Advisor, via the reviews, descriptions and photos. While we were overall quite pleased with our experience, there were a few areas in need of improvement.

On the positive side, the hotel authentically reflects the rich history of the area. The building itself is quite narrow and only 5 stories tall. The rooms have lovely, high ceilings, and the furnishings are reminiscent of what you might find in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. The beds and pillows were comfortable, which is an essential component of any overnight stay. The bathroom was spacious, and the overall size of our 2-queen room was sufficient. As I previously mentioned, the location is prime, as you are only steps away from Independence Park. This is a huge bonus when considering the amount of walking you are likely to do during the course of the day. In regard to the parking situation: although we did have to park around the corner (sharing the garage with another area hotel), the process was swift and easy. We were concerned about vandalism, as there is a large amount of graffiti in the area; but, I am happy to report that we did not experience any such intrusion.

Now for the areas in need of improvement…the breakfast offerings, although abundant, seemed to be hastily strewn throughout the counters and tables. Such disarray was neither appetizing nor visually appealing. In regard to the cleanliness of the hotel, I am guessing that it varied largely from floor to floor, and from room to room. To explain, I was travelling not only with my immediate family, but also with my parents. Initially we had separate rooms on the 4th floor. When we exited the elevator onto the 4th floor, we were immediately taken aback by the oppressive amount of mold and mildew in the air. While our rooms did not have this same odor, the particulates in the hall were certainly an issue for my mother, who suffers from a lung ailment. I immediately sought out help from the pleasant young gal at the front desk, and she was able to offer my parents a room on the 5th floor. The difference between floors was simply staggering. The hallway itself was free of any harsh smells or lung irritants. Furthermore, my parents’ first room on the 4th floor was dingy, dark and uninviting. Their 2nd room on the 5th floor, although just 1 floor above their original location, was bright, clean and inviting. The final area in need of improvement involves the breaking down of the only elevator in the hotel as we were preparing to pack up and head out on our final day. Sadly, we hadn’t packed light and neither had my parents. The front desk was quick to offer help in retrieving our items, yet help was slow in arriving. We had a dinner reservation at 12:00, and so to expedite the process, we had to carry our own bags down the very narrow, 4 flights of stairs. By then, help had arrived for my parents. Oddly, the help came in the form of the elevator repairmen. They seemed as surprised as we were by their additional job description. The problem arose when I made the unfortunate assumption that the person at the front desk had informed my mother that help would be arriving in the form of 2 big men in elevator repairmen uniforms. Sadly, they had not. Thus, my mother was taken aback by the knock on the door and naturally was hesitant in accepting their help. In a big city, and in the hospitality industry, this type of courtesy is absolutely imperative. However, it was simply overlooked by the young man at the front desk. This is unacceptable.

While the Best Western Independence Park Hotel certainly has some kinks to work out, it will definitely be our hotel of choice if we are ever to return to Philadelphia simply because of its location.

For those of you looking for some quick recommendations on what to see and do while in Center City Philly…I would strongly urge you to head to the Visitor’s Center first. Acclimate yourself to the area by picking up a free map and information booklet. Make sure you get your Independence Hall ticket early in the day (recommended at the Visitor Center’s opening, around 8:30 AM). Then participate in the 13 “Once Upon a Nation” storytelling benches located throughout the park. Whether you are young or old, if you appreciate a good story, this experience is truly brilliant. Betsy Ross’ house is also delightful, and is enhanced by participating in their audio tour. Within the shaded “courtyard” of her home are many quaint little shows that are sure to entertain and to allow time for your weary feet to rest. Also, don’t miss Franklin Fountain, a scrumptious place to eat amazing ice cream concoctions. It’s located near the river on Market Street. Also, take the time to enjoy the many costumed workers who delight in sweeping you back in time through beautiful music, fun games, and silly storytelling. They truly fulfill a critical role in the telling of important American history.

On a final note, please be prepared to see many homeless people and graffiti/vandalism while navigating through the sidewalks, streets and alleyways in Center City. This was quite disconcerting to my young daughter and me. This odd juxtaposition of the extremely poor and extremely wealthy was difficult for us to understand. It was almost as if there was a parallel world, neither one noticing the other. In the "City of Brotherly Love", and at the location that represents the genesis of our nation, it seemed contradictory to find such neglect. This is an image I shall never forget.

Best of luck to you in your travel plans.