A Guide to Hotels in the Historic District, Old City & Society Hill

Located right on the Delaware River, the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing is true to its name, rising high above the Penn’s Landing Basin with incredible views over the river and easy access to the historic and activity-filled riverfront.

The hotel’s 350 guest rooms feature plush beds and available expanded living areas, and the site offers an indoor pool overlooking the river, a fitness center, and the locally inspired American cuisine and seafood at Keating’s Rope & Anchor Bar + Kitchen (with harborside patio). Bonus: Bring a lock to add to the Philadelphia Hope Fence, which runs along the hotel’s exterior.

One of two hotels right on the Delaware River waterfront in Old City, Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn’s Landing is nestled in the northern end of Penn’s Landing, right across the street from Cherry Street Pier marketplace and Race Street Pier park.

The 184-room property features spacious rooms, many with incredible views of the Center City skyline, the river or the magnificent Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Wake up to the complimentary Express Start Breakfast buffet bar and maybe grab a run (or stroll) along the Delaware River Trail.

The 170-year-old Independence Park Hotel is a locally owned and operated boutique hotel (while also a member of Best Western’s Premier Collection) recognized on the prestigious National Registry of Historic Places. The former doll manufacturing plant offers both historic charm and modern comforts from its 41 distinctive guest rooms to the fireside lobby.

A complimentary hot breakfast — served daily in the Skylight Atrium — features the famous make-your-own Belgian waffles with a 3-D image of the Liberty Bell embossed right in the middle. Also available: complimentary passes to the nearby Level One Fitness.

Talk about Revolutionary. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia rises 11 stories above the adjacent Independence National Historical Park and is the closest accommodations to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The luxurious boutique hotel’s 265 rooms are decorated with early-period accents like carved column desks and massive mirrored end tables.

The property is also home to two of Old City’s most popular gathering spots. Cozy Red Owl Tavern offers classic comfort food with a twist served streetside, while the Stratus Rooftop Lounge features stylish ambiance and stunning open-air skyline views over America’s most historic square mile.

The six intimate and distinctive apartment-style suites at The Lokal Hotel offer full kitchens, living rooms, washer/dryers, self-service check-in and in-room iPads (where purchases like food delivery can be charged directly to the room) in a property with a warm mid-century modern-meets-industrial style that feels like home.

In its Insider’s Guide to Philadelphia, Vogue describes the “design-driven spot” as “highly curated to the Philadelphian experience … staying here feels like stealing away for a few nights at a chic friend of a friend’s on holiday.”

The Georgian architectural-style Morris House Hotel occupies the historic Reynolds-Morris House that dates back to 1787. Today, the boutique Historic Hotels of America site contains 17 luxury rooms and suites (including a wedding suite), offering individual charm and remarkable attention to detail.

Enjoy the comforts of a cozy B&B but with modern amenities like eco-friendly Pharmacopia bath products, plus grab-and-go breakfasts and afternoon tea and cookies, a landscaped garden patio with brick inlay, and next-door access to gorgeous Washington Square park.

Occupying a two-century-old building across the Market Street Bridge from Penn’s Landing, the Penn’s View Hotel has operated as one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in Philadelphia since 1989. The elegant European-style spot offers 51 exceptionally furnished guest rooms — some with private balconies, whirlpool tubs and working fireplaces — with complimentary continental breakfast and fitness room.

Grab dinner or drinks at the in-house Panorama Restaurant and its legendary wine-by-the-glass program, the largest in the country (stocking over 800 wines) and custom cruvinet dispensing 120 wine options, the largest wine preservation machine as recognized by the Guinness World Records.

You’ll know you’re in the heart of Old City as soon as you pull up to the Philadelphia Marriott Old City on cobblestoned Dock Street, a former bustling natural harbor home to a Revolutionary-era marketplace. The four-floor site feels right at home in the colonial neighborhood, and features 364 rooms with pillowtop beds, ample work space and 55-inch televisions.

After a day of exploring, relax in the amenity-filled 24/7 M Club lounge or grab dinner and a drink at the vibrant Society Commons restaurant and bar, which serves elevated American fare.

They may call it “downtown,” but the Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel is in the heart of the action in Old City, located across Chestnut Street from the historic Second Bank of the United States and Carpenters’ Hall. It’s elegant luxury at this property, with 152 stylish deluxe rooms and custom suites and amenities like an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center.

Dining is covered as well, with New England-style seafood and alfresco seating at the brand-new First Daughter Oyster Co. and its late-night cocktail lounge Only Son, featuring a DJ and dancing.

The circa-1832 brick building housing Society Hill Hotel has lived many lives: an oyster cellar, a Civil War recruiting station, a railroad and steamship ticket office, a cigar store, a rubber stamp office, a printing press, a bank and even a flophouse for sailors and nomads.

But in May 2024, the corner spot at Independence Park — with its restored antique gold-colored neon sign and black and white awning — reopened as a 15-room boutique Old World style hotel with original ceiling beams, refurbished wood floors and restored long oak bar, plus a ground floor restaurant and whiskey-forward bar.

In 1769, Dr. Thomas Bond, who with his friend Benjamin Franklin founded Pennsylvania Hospital (the first public hospital in America), built his family a home four blocks from the Delaware riverfront. Over 200 years later, the Georgian-style home was renovated and reopened as the Thomas Bond House bed-and-breakfast inn.

Its dozen rooms — each named for a key Revolutionary figure — have been restored and decorated with exquisite Federalist period furniture (some with fireplaces), plus modern amenities like televisions. A complimentary glass of wine or champagne is available in the lobby every evening.

Toward the north end of Independence National Historical Park — next door to Christ Church Burial Ground and across the street from the U.S. Mint — the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District Hotel lies a bit away from other Old City accommodations. The property offers over 360 beautifully appointed rooms and four spacious suites, all with plush bedding, upscale amenities and luxury bath experiences.

In addition to a seasonal rooftop pool, fitness center and 24/7 snack shop, the eight-story hotel offers breakfast, dinner and drinks at the lobby Coins restaurant and bar serving American cuisine.

What began as a home and lifestyle store has blossomed into the boutique Yowie hotel, shop and café in Queen Village, a Black-owned business from lifestyle expert Shannon Maldonado that has been named one of the 100 best new hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.

The buzzy apartment-style suite hotel — on always-hip South Street at the border of Society Hill — offers 15 suites with undeniably cool decor, plus memorable touches including hand-written notes from the staff highlighting their nearby Philly faves. Yowie’s attached storefront and café Wim are stocked with small collections, home goods, jewelry, books and apparel.