The Rittenhouse Hotel sits on the northwest corner of Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia’s most photogenic patch of green, from where you can watch the city’s dog‑walking elite parade past like they’re in some informal canine fashion show. Indeed, while we visited, a ritzy fashion event popped up overnight, treating us to some good people watching from our corner room’s gigantic window. It’s a view worth paying for — and this elegant urban address knows it.
On arrival, and before we could even work out whether to go for the revolving door or the side entrance, someone was there to relieve us of our luggage and most of our travel‑induced irritability in the wonderfully polite way native to the American hospitality industry. The lobby is plush but not gaudy — more ‘established gentleman who reads The New Yorker’ than ‘Vegas high‑roller’.
We had a Park View room — spacious enough to comfortably do a cartwheel (if you were so inclined) and with windows framing the square like a moving painting. We spent a happy decompressing half-hour one afternoon, tucked into the corner windowsill reading a book and watching the world go by.
The decor leans traditional: rich wood, patterned carpets, and the sort of drapes that feel like they’ve been quietly absorbing the city’s history for decades. Minimalists might twitch, but we liked the unfussy, classic style. Our bathroom had a large tub and walk‑in shower, thick towels, and lighting that doesn’t make you look like you’ve spent the night trying and failing to sleep on a plane. All in all, our room felt more like a nice apartment than a hotel room, albeit one where someone else makes your bed every day.
Service, on that note, is reassuringly professional at The Rittenhouse Hotel. You get the sense that the staff enjoy their jobs – or that they are very convincing actors. Either way, it works. There’s no sense of hovering or scripted ‘luxury’ interactions, which we often find cloying. Instead, it’s attentive in that quietly competent way where you suddenly realise your bag has been whisked away without you asking.
The in‑house fine‑dining restaurant, Lacroix, is worth dressing up for, serving refined global flavours. Meanwhile, a quieter indulgence is on offer at the Mary Cassatt Tea Room, where afternoon tea is served in a lounge setting with a courtyard view, perfect for pretending you’re the sort of person who spends their afternoons having tea in courtyards. If you want something more local and low‑key, step outside. Rittenhouse Square is ringed with restaurants, cafés, and the kind of bars where the bartender will probably tell you which IPA you should like.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | PHL | GMT -4 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Treat yourself to an epic sandwich experience that feels both hip and traditionally American at Middle Child. It’s a small diner inspired by the Italian hoagie shops, Jewish delis, and Greek diners of old-school Philadelphia. The giant-sized portions, de rigueur across the US, will set you up for a day of pounding pavement. |
The spa and fitness area of the hotel is decently sized with a well‑equipped gym, a sauna, and an indoor heated pool with a sun terrace. It’s more urban sanctuary than lavish spa, but exactly what you need to get a quick sweat on in the middle of a city break.
Location is one of the biggest trump cards of The Rittenhouse Hotel. The nearby square is an easy strolling base for exploring the city: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Reading food market and major museums are all within striking distance, while the square itself is great for a morning coffee walk or a late‑night decompression lap.
This is also one of the most pleasant neighbourhoods to wander back into after a day of sightseeing — we never had to brace ourselves for any late‑night urban weirdness, and the architecture in the area is unique and eye-catching.
That said, luxury doesn’t mean flawless. Breakfast isn’t included, which feels a bit tight given the room rate. Parking is valet only and priced accordingly. Some rooms still lack coffee makers, though they’re apparently being rolled out. And yes, if you’re allergic to patterned carpet, bring antihistamines.
The Rittenhouse Hotel doesn’t try to reinvent the luxury hotel wheel. It doesn’t need to. What it offers is classic hospitality, comfortable rooms, and a location that makes you feel plugged straight into the best of the city. It’s not edgy, it’s not minimalist, and it’s not cheap. But it is warm, professional, and reassuringly old‑school in a way that feels increasingly rare. If you want a central Philadelphia base with style, substance, and staff who’ll remember your name, it’s an easy recommendation. You won’t be disappointed.
Finally, as a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel is in glittering company. The LHW organisation dates back to 1928 and helps independent hotels maintain their unique flavour. In a world where the same handful of corporations increasingly own everything, it’s an endeavour to be applauded (plus, joining the LHW Leaders Club gives you access to upgrades, special rates and on-site benefits such as late checkouts).
www.rittenhousehotel.com | www.lhw.com
Photography courtesy of The Rittenhouse Hotel
