Arrival/Check-In: I arrived in Philadelphia late on a rainy evening, and the warmly lit lobby of Hotel Monaco was a welcoming sight. The hotel occupies the historic Lafayette Building, constructed in 1907, and the Kimpton property blends modern touches with the original architecture. The reception sits beside the bank of elevators and the seating area features comfortable, jewel-toned couches and chairs arranged around a fire. Because it was late, the lobby was quiet and the staff handled check-in promptly. When I reached my room on the eighth floor, my key card did not work and I needed to return to the desk for a replacement.
Guest Quarters: The signature Kimpton style continued inside the guestroom, with a bright blue diamond-patterned wallpaper on one wall and a dramatic black-and-white portrait-style design on another. The windows offered no notable views, so the bold interior design helped give the room character. To the immediate right of the entry was the bathroom, decorated with black-and-white paisley wallpaper and featuring a single white marble sink. Warm lighting flanked the large vanity and there were additional outlets for hair tools. The shower delivered excellent water pressure, which was especially welcome after a long flight. The hotel’s leopard-print bathrobes were a soft, sweater-like cotton that I appreciated.
The room included a large marble desk that was ideal for a working traveler to spread out, though convenient power outlets for a laptop were not immediately accessible and required moving a piece of furniture to reach one. Behind the desk were two double beds with substantial headboards and a shared bedside table between them. Bright red cabinets housed a 40-inch flat-screen television and the minibar. A key is required to access the minibar; one was not provided initially, so I called the front desk to request it along with an in-room dining menu. Overall the spacious room felt warm and comfortable and provided a good night’s sleep.
Services/Amenities: One of the best features of Hotel Monaco is its fitness facilities. The 24-hour fitness center is roomy and equipped with cardio machines and free weights, making it easy to get a solid workout at any hour. The hotel also supplies complimentary yoga mats in-room, which is handy for travelers on tight schedules. For exploring the city, guests can use PUBLIC bikes free on a first-come, first-served basis.
After a long day of meetings, the Stratus rooftop bar and lounge is a pleasant spot to relax with a drink and enjoy views of the Philadelphia skyline.
The Experience: Staff were consistently friendly and helpful, despite an issue with my key card that recurred several times during my two-night stay. Complimentary coffee and muffins in the lobby make for a convenient start to the morning. The hotel’s central location places it within easy walking distance of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and nearby shopping.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet — yes
Less than 10 minutes for check-in — yes
Separate tub and shower — no
Large vanity — yes
High-quality towels — not noted
Powerful, unattached hair dryer — yes
High-quality bed linens — yes
Large, flat-screen television — yes
Large desk with convenient outlets — no (outlets not immediately accessible)
Large, complimentary laptop safe — yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi — not noted
Complimentary bottled water — not noted
Stocked minibar — yes (key required)
Ample lighting — yes
In-room coffeemaker — not noted
Iron and ironing board — yes
On-site restaurant — yes
24-hour room service — yes
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center — yes
Turn-down service — yes
Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
433 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
tel 215 925 2111
monaco-philadelphia.com