The Rittenhouse has long been one of Philadelphia’s premier hotels, ideally located in one of the city’s most elegant neighborhoods. I knew an afternoon of indulgence awaited when I drove down I-95 from the suburbs to the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. The familiar route felt newly strange after the pandemic, with extended highway work reminding me how long it had been since I’d made this trip. Still, I welcomed the return to a little normalcy and a few hours of pure relaxation.
Placed directly on Rittenhouse Square, one of the five original public squares laid out by William Penn, the hotel overlooks a green, tree-lined oasis surrounded by upscale residences, fine dining and boutique shopping. The square, named for astronomer David Rittenhouse, features diagonal walkways that meet at a central oval and several notable sculptures, including Antoine-Louis Barye’s Lion Crushing a Serpent and Paul Manship’s Duck Girl. It’s an artistic, vibrant pocket of the city where locals and visitors alike stroll and relax.
On that July afternoon my destination wasn’t the park but the spa across from it that faces the plaza. Parking was straightforward, and I found myself inside the hotel, through the lobby and into the elevator before I knew it—heading for some well-deserved downtime.
The spa opens into a bright, inviting lobby with a retail area and seating to the right and reception and salon spaces to the left. The Rittenhouse Spa & Club offers a full menu of spa and salon services, a saltwater pool, steam rooms and an outdoor deck. Walking past the fitness center with a staff member, I noticed it was well equipped, even featuring Peloton bikes, but was quickly reminded that I was here to relax, not work out.
PHOTO: © THE RITTENHOUSE HOTEL
The spa emphasizes an “ingredient-conscious” approach and highlights the quality and origins of the products it uses. That attention to detail appealed to me, so I learned more about the brands featured. Kypris offers holistic, high-performance products made from organic, sustainably grown ingredients and green biotechnology. Zents provides hydrating, gentle formulas in a range of mindful aromas. Clove & Hallow focuses on cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics that work for many skin tones. I liked that the spa clearly explains these product choices both online and in printed materials.
Service at the spa stood out as much as the treatments. From a warm welcome at arrival to thoughtful small touches throughout my visit, the staff made the experience feel personal. An attendant showed me around, offered a cozier robe and smaller slippers, and even handed me makeup wipes after my treatment to remove smudged mascara. My therapist, Rox, thoroughly explained the treatment steps, maintained a calm and friendly conversation, and checked in regularly without interrupting the relaxation. At checkout, reception staff followed up about the weather, and spa director Justin Mills stopped by to offer a personal greeting.
I wanted to try a signature treatment and debated between the 1000 Roses Facial—which uses Bulgarian roses to refresh and balance complexions—and the Rittenhouse Luxe Ritual. I chose the latter: a 120-minute body ritual including a full-body exfoliation, body wrap, hot oil scalp treatment and a hydrating shea butter massage. Both options sounded excellent, but the Luxe Ritual promised a comprehensive, deeply restorative experience.
For two hours I surrendered to relaxation and the careful technique of my therapist. Even the exfoliation felt calming, and the scalp massage during the wrap was pure bliss as soothing ingredients absorbed into my skin. The combination of treatments left me feeling renewed and deeply relaxed.
After my visit, people I passed in the hotel and on the street remarked on how relaxed I looked, a small validation of the spa’s effectiveness. Even the drive home—through road construction, evening traffic and a summer thunderstorm—couldn’t shake the calm I felt. If you’re planning a trip to Philadelphia, put The Rittenhouse Spa & Club and a walk through Rittenhouse Square high on your list for a restorative, elegant escape.