The Best Room At... The Rittenhouse
The Rittenhouse has been overlooking its namesake square in Philadelphia since 1989, but one could be forgiven for thinking the 118-room property had been around much longer. That could be because of its location, overlooking the historic park in one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods—and just blocks from museums, historical attractions, excellent restaurants, and more, many of which you can catch a ride to in the sleek house car—or perhaps because of the well-heeled guests, including presidents and movie stars, who’ve walked through the doors.
It isn’t just guests who gravitate toward the hotel, however. Locals and visitors alike pack the craft-cocktail destination Library Bar, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Lacroix restaurant, and the sprawling spa. It would be easy to spend an entire visit inside the hotel, except for the fact that so many of the city’s most alluring attractions are within walking distance.
“What sets us apart from our competition is that when someone comes to our hotel, they feel like they're staying in a true Philadelphia property,” says James Markowitz, the hotel’s director of rooms. “It’s easy to feel that way with the beautiful rooms and wonderful amenities, but really what does it is our associates. There are so many people who’ve been here since 1989, and guests come back and know Joe, the doorman, and have a relationship with him. When people come to the Rittenhouse, it’s like they’re coming home.”
Here, Markowicz shares the details his own favorite room as weighs in on Philly’s best cheesesteak.
What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?
We have several opulent suites here, but my favorite is our Park View Executive Suite. It's a great space for one, if you're here on business, because it gives you a little bit more space to stretch out. You have a separate bedroom, a seating area, one and a half baths, a lounge area where you can relax or even entertain. And say you’re visiting for a special reason and wanted to splurge a little bit, it's a great space too because it has that privacy and also views of Rittenhouse Square.
How much does it cost per night?
Between $900 and $1,200 per night.
How would you describe the guests and the vibe at the hotel?
Our guests certainly enjoy the finer things, which is what's attracted them to us. But they also want that authentic Philadelphia experience, and I think that’s what separates us from some other properties. When you come to our hotel, it's not going to be stuffy, off-putting luxury; it's very approachable and you're going to get a warm, genuine welcome every time you come through the door. As an independent property, we can spend more time on an individual guest to understand their needs and tailor a stay around them. Here, our guests aren’t just a number, they’re the only guest that we're concerned with. That's what keeps people coming back.
What feeling about Philadelphia do you hope to give to guests?
Philly has a reputation for being tough—and we are, but we're also the City of Brotherly Love. That genuine sense of warmth and appreciation is something that we're able to project when guests come to stay with us. Once people experience the city through our hotel, they get that Philly is warm and welcoming, and that we will do whatever we can to make them feel at home here.
What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?
Everyone has an opinion on that because there's so much to do here; there are museums, historical sites, food, sports, and so much more. But if it’s your last day here and you haven’t been to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you absolutely must go. It’s a world-class facility, and we’ve partnered with them this summer around their Mary Cassatt exhibition. Guests often ask where the Rocky steps are, and I tell them that they’re at the museum, so you can go experience the culture and then run up and down the stairs once you’re done. And then, of course, you’ve got to get a cheesesteak afterwards. I’m a Jim’s guy; you’re going to wait on a long line, but it’s worth it.
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