The Independent Hotel

The Independent is a lovely boutique hotel in Midtown Village. My room on the second (lobby) floor was enormous, with a king-sized bed, very high ceiling, large windows, and a large bathroom. The staff was very helpful with ideas for places to go and things to do. The lobby is small but nice, with a fireplace, drinks, sofas, and more. The location is […] fantastic, within a short walk of just about all downtown Philly sights and near great restaurants and shops. It's in a busy urban neighborhood, so on weekend nights there is street noise from people and cars, but that's to be expected. The free breakfast delivered to your room is a good idea, but the offerings didn't really appeal to me. Access to a very large gym two blocks away is included. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

On a one-nighter to Kimmel Center, you couldn't do better for convenience --walking, nearby restaurants, cabs, and quick attention.

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great little hotel in a great central location location. Clean and very nicely decorated. They bring breakfast to your room in the morning as part of their normal service. Walking distance to many local attractions. Only knock on my stay was that on each night of my 3 day visit, there was alot of noise from outside the hotel at all hours of the night. […] Hotel room had single pane windows and people who would hangout outside at 3 am. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff was helpful about restaurant choices, they were friendly and available. We enjoyed the wine and cheese happy hour the hotel offered in the evening. The location was very convenient to the convention center, Independence Hall and other historical locations. We'd highly recommend this hotel.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great location, clean room, friendly service. The bed, however, was very uncomfortable. It's a sleep number bed so we were looking forward to trying it out. We were so disappointed. No matter how many adjustments we made, we both had 2 horrible nights sleep.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Location great and staff charming. I had at least expected the room to be clean and comfortable. Shades did not work, bathroom had bugs, blankets were dirty. Very disappointed.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Loved the room; had a microwave, coffee pot, excellent free wine and cheese at cocktail time, and a breakfast delivered to the room that was all included in the price... what a great hotel. Only thing to note is the hotel looks like an apartment building, so need to pay attention to the address. The lobby requires an elevator ride to the second floor, […] and after 10pm need to get buzzed in (which is no big deal, just need to know about it). Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very happy I chose "The Independent." It's a cute, artsy feeling hotel in downtown Philly. Staff were very friendly. Room was clean and quiet. Got an excellent price for a one-night stay during the middle of the week. Was able to park in a lot right acroos the street (although had to pay $25 for 24 hour permit). Area seemed safe, even though I arrived […] at the hotel at 11pm. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We stayed here because we prefer supporting independent businesses over chains, and we were attending a concert at the Kimmel Center. It was a very quick walk to the Kimmel! Loved the old building, and the room was very comfortable, large and nice, tall ceilings. Sometimes the lighting was a bit dim, and there was noise from a generator or something […] behind the walls of the bathroom. The electric fireplace was a little tacky (gas would be much better). Wonderful that breakfast was delivered to our room, and the wine & cheese reception in the evening a nice touch. Very friendly, helpful staff! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Really nice small hotel. On my arrival they had a wine and cheese reception that evening. Continental breakfast is cool. Really nice rooms with good decor. Only downfall is, if on the street side on second floor you will hear the traffic and people walk by occasionally I usually don't write reviews but had to right one for this hotel because I enjoyed […] my stay. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel was charming and spacious, well appointed with high ceilings and updated amenities. It had a romantic lighting scheme that bordered on dim, especially in the bathroom. The breakfast service was a bonus as was the quiet of the whole hotel. It should be noted that parking is only half a block away and not too inconvenient. Our only issue was […] that the entire building lost hot water in the morning. No one's fault but the place still has a couple wrinkles to iron out. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I did not know there was no on-site parking. When I called, upon my arrival, I was told to use a parking lot and they would stamp my card for free parking. When I left the following day and walked down the block to my parking lot, I was told that it would cost me $15 dollars because I was not given some kind of additional paper. My room was absolutely […] lovely and the bed was so comfortable, I wished I could have taken it home with me. I truly felt as if I was sleeping on a cloud. I would have liked a light in the shower, since the lighting was dim in the bathroom. Their personnel was extremely nice. When I had a problem with the internet working, a gentleman came to my room to help me with it. We discovered that the username and password, although printed in Upper case on the card they had given me, needed to be entered in lower case...problem solved. The following morning, a light breakfast was brought to my room and left outside my door at the time I had specified. (juice, apple, yogurt and a croissant, but no butter or jelly to have with it.) The lady at the desk asked me if everything had been okay. I told her that I would have liked it better if there had been a security bolt on my door. She proceeded to take me to a room and show me how theirs worked. (Though no one had mentioned it to me the night before.) All I had to do to throw the dead bolt was push the door handle up. A simple solution that would have put me more at ease if I had known. I had dinner at the restaurant downstairs, which was more than good..it was spectacular. (If you like Cod..I suggest that..it was just delicious!) As far as being close to things, I didn't have time to search as I had to leave early in the morning. All in all, I thought the hotel was reasonable and top of the line in every other respect. I wouldn't hesitate in going back there again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

It's a really great hotel, with a great location. Staff was very nice and even let us into our room extremely early. Only downside, I wish parking was easier and cheaper, but don't we all?

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great hotel with friendly staff and comfortable rooms. The location is excellent. I will definitely stay here again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I was very grateful for my tasteful, comfortable room after a long day of traveling. The hotel is very well located in downtown Philadelphia and the staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was tasty and delivered to my door at the hour I requested. I would highly recommend this hotel.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I stayed here during a conference in Philly last weekend (1/5). While the hotel is conveniently located and visually nice inside, the rooms are just not very comfortable. Firstly, the layout of my room, which was a king deluxe, was very strange. All of the amenities were situated around the perimeter of the space, with the bed perpendular in angle to […] the TV, and with no movable chairs you're forced to turn your head 90 degrees to the right just to see the screen properly, or lay stomach side down across the middle, which is unbearable after about five minutes. Secondly, the building is very old, and while that is part of its charm, it clearly poses certain maintenance considerations. The most important of which is the fact that it's not insulated properly and has gigantic single-pane windows, making it impossible to heat properly during the winter months. The one positive comment I can leave is that shower was excellent–two heads, high pressure, instant heat. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Lovely, lovely hotel. However, the party scene outside (I had a front-facing room) left me with no sleep whatsoever. A real shame, because the hotel decor is just wonderful...

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was spectacular. Very comfortable bed, huge bathroom, convenient location. The staff was very courteous and friendly. We really loved the continental breakfast delivered to the room in the morning along with the evening wine tasting. The parking garage is in walking distance and the neighborhood is safe and fairly quiet. We plan to make this […] our hotel destination on future trips to the city. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel is adorable. I would definitely stay there again. I was a little nervous because a few other people wrote that the area wasn't great. However, that was not my experience at all. There are tons of great restaurants. I walked by myself at night after dinner and I did not feel afraid. I would absolutely stay at the hotel again. The staff was […] great. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Great room good people and great area.

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I was a little nervous after reading a few negative reviews about the hotel and neighborhood and a most changed hotels. I am very glad that stayed with the independent. The hotel was very clean, everything worked properly and was in a great location. The neighborhood was totally safe and convenient. Yes it is on the outskirts of the "gayborhood" but […] I challenge you to find a more polite, clean and courteous group of people.... My wife and I enjoyed the hotel and location and felt totally safe walking home after dinner at Vetri which is right around the corner after 11pm. We also then walked to several other bars for drinks well after midnight with absolutely no cause for concern.. Great spot! Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

this hotel was a surprise. i had looked at pictures online but it was actually better than the pictures. the location could be a little better, it was a little smelly in some directions, but it is close to a lot of great stuff. the front desk person in the evenings could be a little more helpful, but was mostly nice.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Would have been a great place to stay if it had been taken care of. Bathroom has gross, furniture broken, exposed wires, loud annoying plumbing, and a view onto condemned buildings, oh yea it was sexy.

Genuine Expedia guest review

The Independent is a boutique hotel and if you're looking for a lot of frills, a bar and valet parking, you'd better look elsewhere. We were in for a convention, but I didn't want to stay at the convention hotel. The Independent is within easy walking distance of the Philadelphia Convention Center, the Reading Market and many other attractions. The […] staff was helpful and had suggestions of where to eat, park our car and how to get to places of interest. The rooms are about the size of a large master bedroom with a loveseat, desk, microwave and a refrigeration (thankfully, NOT stocked with $5 bottles of water and candy bars). The bathroom is large though the shower stall is small. The room temperature can get chilly, but is easily adjusted to a more comfortable temperature. There's not much of a view on the one-way street and surrounding neighborhood, but who stays in a hotel to look out the window anyway? The hotel is clean, comfortable and centrally located. Oh, and the free wi-fi is a definite plus compared to the $12 a day the host hotel was charging. On our next visit to Phladelphia, we would definitely stay at The Independent again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel is awesome, good location and very comfortable. The night manager was awesome, very flexible and personable. A real find. The hotel should allow for early check in arrangements.

Genuine Expedia guest review

This was a great place to go for the conference. It is a little far if you are walking everyday but I felt like it was great exercise. The one thing I feel should be mentioned is that some of the streets are poorly lit. Stay on 13th all the way down and you should be safe. It was tempting to go down 12th or 11th but I was solicited once on 11th and […] 12th was full of garbage. ~Entertaining but unwelcome~ The hotel itself was nice. A large room, shower - no bath which would have been nice. Not sure about the other rooms but the curtains did not fully cover the windows at as there was a bright light outside this might bother people who need complete darkness. As it was I slept well - I am used to a computer's glow as I usually fall asleep while working. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel is quite quaint but the neighborhood is loud until 4 AM when the bar groupies tire from their antics. If you go, consider asking for a room off of the street side of the hotel.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

After 2 flights, my day beginning at 4:00 am, and taking the Lady Liberty van from the airport to this hotel, new to me- I was so pleasantly surprised. The room was beautiful and looked out over Locust street- one of my favorite's in Philadel- phia. They have coffee on all the time- it was delicioius and revived me. There was also a cheese and […] wine event in the evening. The people were very helpful and the bed was wonderful.They also offer a complimentary newspaper. I highly recommend this hotel!!. Diane from Denver Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great hotel right in the middle of the Gayborhood with excellent bars and restaurants. Couldn't ask for anything better.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff and comfortable room provided an oasis at the end of a long day.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I don't have much experience with "boutique" hotels, but this unique hotel fits the description, being small and different. The room felt more like a bedroom in a house than a hotel room, perhaps due to the hardwood floors and window in the large bathroom. Very friendly and helpful front desk staff. I always like free Internet and breakfast. There is […] no dining room so you order the free continental breakfast room service style. The bed was comfortable and the shades plus heavy drapes blocked out the light that I slept better and longer than I usually do in hotels. The A/C is based in the bathroom (although vents to the bedroom), so was not too loud. The neighborhood is not great, but I still walked back alone at 10:30 pm from the convention center (although I don't know if others would feel comfortable doing that). Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The lobby is on the second floor, and lovely, but in order to get there you have to enter the elevator in a odd little windowless vestibule, which was slightly disconcerting at midnight when we arrived. However, by the light of day everything was pretty nice. Our room was spacious and relatively clean. The staff was very friendly and helpful; parking […] was cheap and close-by; and the continental breakfast was convenient. The location was great for Center City activities. We walked everywhere...didn't move our car from the lot the entire time we were in town. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was fantastic as it is one of the very few rooms I have stayed in that had artistic character and genuine comfort. The staff was great with answering all manner of questions. The one drawback concerned some street noise. I would certainly return,

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel is quite nice and within easy walking distance of many sites, but some of the surrounding neighborhood is in need of renovation. The view from our window was a derelict building that was quite literally falling apart, but about a block away is another nicely restored building with a huge mural painted on it (one of several in the neighborhood). […] The lobby is open from the second to the fifth floor, which, on the positive side is visually attractive, but on the negative side, this design allows the noise to travel more freely. On a Friday night, I happened to wake up around 2:00 a.m. and could easily hear the comings and goings and conversations of other guests returning from their evening festivities. It was not so loud to have awakened me in the first place, but loud enough to make getting back to sleep more difficult. In short, we enjoyed our stay at the hotel. Our room was nice, the building is attractive, and the staff was responsive and helpful. . . and the evening wine and cheese reception is a nice touch. It's centrally located with easy access to attractions such as museums, Independence Hall, the US mint, and many, many bars and restaurants. The trade off of that central location - typical in most large cities - is an older neighborhood which, in some areas, has not been well maintained, and the occasional noise that accompanies revelers at those nearby bars and restaurants. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The Independent is a great hotel with fine rooms and friendly service, but the problem is the noise coming from street level. We were on the second floor during a Saturday night stay. The street below was alive until 3 or 4 with music and people having a good time. I'm happy for them, but what good is a comfortable bed if you can't get a good night's […] sleep in it. Next time we plan on reserving a room on the 4th or 5th floor and see how that helps. If that doesn't work we will unfortunately have to find another downtown hotel. I hope it works. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Small hotel, but very comfortable room. My room was quiet, though it was Weds. night. Lots of fun places for shopping and food within easy walk. Only downside was that it took a while for hot water to start flowing in shower and sink. Not a big deal. Not a lot of frills within the hotel, but the room was great.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is a small welcoming hotel just off Philly's Ave of the Arts, perfect for staying overnight in town after a show or visiting your student at University of the Arts. Interior decoration is warm and comfortable in a modern yet historic manner.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Good service, good price, nice room. The complimentary in room breakfast was a nice extra. I would definitely stay there again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is a great hotel. Friendly and organized staff, very nice furnishings, very clean and professional. Breakfast delivered to the room. Just two blocks from the subway.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review