I have to go to Bala Cynwyd for business a few times a year and this Hilton is the only one in that neighborhood. Most of the time, my experience there is neutral to good. I've grown quite fond of the breakfast buffet...

However, it is a very old hotel and many features show their age. Their TVs are old and make a very loud buzzing sound everytime and in one of the rooms, it was so loud I had to switch rooms to watch TV.

My favorite (and I mean that sarcastically) experience was the night I had to switch rooms 3 times for various reasons. One of the rooms I was in didn't have a deadbolt and when I called front desk the manager came up to check it out for himself and pretty much accused me of stealing it.

The service is fairly reliable and I especially think highly of their bellhop staff. But if I didn't have to, I wouldn't stay there.

We just had our one year anniversary and decided to go back to the hotel where we had our wedding last year. As it was last year, the food and service were outstanding. We had dinner at Delmonico's Steakhouse and the steaks were cooked just right. We stayed overnight and the room was very clean and the front desk staff even sent us a bottle of champagne because they found out it was our anniversary. Great Hotel and I would recommend it to anyone.

Was there for a two-day meeting and did not enjoy my stay for several reasons.
First is the location. Forget about it being in Philadelphia. It is as remote from downtown as geographically possible. City Line Avenue itself is the boundary where Greater Philadelphia stops. The other side of the street from the hotel is not Phili anymore!
Their statement on their website that it "is minutes from the sites and attractions of historic downtown Philadelphia, PA and just a short drive from 30th Street Amtrak Station and the Philadelphia Int'l Airport " is false advertising… Well, unless you consider that few minutes away means at least 30 mns from downtown. Short drive to the Phili airport? Maybe, unless you happen to take a commercial hotel shuttle there. Folks in my conference who did, had to endure a 2h tour of the downtown city hotels before getting to their destination! Best take a cab and pay the extra $15!

The website also states that it "is recognized as one of the most luxurious and exquisite hotels offering unmatched elegance and impeccable service in Philadelphia, PA". I wonder who recognized that? A few folks from a deaf, dumb and blind convention? This place is just one step above an average run of the mill motel. Rooms are standard fare for any hotel and well below the usual standard for a Hilton. Don’t even get me started about their so called gym! Check-in was disorganized and lengthy. The staff was busier convincing folks to use the self check-in machines than helping people actually check in!

If you don't have a car or willing to fork out for cabs, forget it. Nothing within walking distance except for a Subway. If you are willing to walk downhill for 20mns, you can reach a Wendy and some other mediocre chain restaurants. Don't forget you have to walk back uphill! I tried their Polo Lounge on one rainy day and was extremely disappointed. Yes, it quickly got packed but my party was there first and placed their order promptly. I waited for 30mns for my Phili cheesesteak only to find out they forgot my order! When I finally got it 10 mns later- taken away from another poor soul, I am sure- the sandwich was overcooked and the fries soggy! Other members in my party did not suffer as much but no one was satisfied. We unanimously decided to leave no tip whatsoever!

I would avoid this hotel unless you are forced to attend a meeting there. Then keep the above in mind!

I've stayed at this hotel quite a few times on business. From a physical perspective, it's an older facility that has been maintained reasonably well. The furnishings in some of the rooms are pretty tired and the carpet in many of the rooms is in dire need of a thorough cleaning.

In terms of the staff, some are very pleasant but myself and other members of my team have had several notable bad experiences ranging from the front desk to the host at the steak house, which has pretty good food but terribly slow service, by the way.

I would probably rate this place a 3...just your typical middle of the road Hilton...well suited for business travelers. Unfortunately, I feel I must rate it a 1. The problem is that we've been staying at this hotel going on 9 months now and at least one of the members of my party has spotted a mouse on each of our visits, so it's obviously not an isolated problem...nor is it one that any member of the staff has seemed surprised...or even remotely concerned about when brought to their attention. Typically, they've been spotted in the bar area when dining late at night after a long day in the office. However, on our last trip, we spotted one in the morning in the kitchen of the steak house, which they use to prepare eggs for the complimentary breakfast, that now is only sometimes complimentary.

I've since been avoiding this place whenever possible...but at my firm we don't always get a choice where we stay when traveling to see clients...so at some point I'm sure I will be back. I can assure you that I won't be eating there, however.

Interestingly enough, years back I was a big fan of the Hilton chain...but several bad experiences sent me over to the Marriott and I haven't looked back. This is the first Hilton I've stayed at in probably 5 years and it certainly doesn't make me want to give any others a try. In the area, I've also stayed at both the Marriott and the Courtyard Marriott downtown, as well as the Residence Inn in Conshohocken. All 3 facilities were much cleaner and had more consistently pleasant staff.