Typical corporate hotel experience: bland, clean rooms and professional service. Hotel security was also reasonably prompt in breaking up a group of drunken revelers noisily celebrating in the hallways at four am. If your room is high enough (and faces the right direction), the views of the city are great.

But what sets the hotel apart is its location, which has both pluses and minuses. In nice weather being on the river--and close to riverside attractions--could be very pleasant. However, it only adds to the chill factor in the winter. The hotel is also relatively close to the old part of the city and the historical sites, although it is cut off from them by the chasm of the highway. It is not especially convenient to center city or the museums, so consider carefully why you're coming to Philly.

I actually had planned to meet with a friend in from IN and wasn't sure if I too would be staying at hotel - but given that it was shaping up to be a late night - I walked in day of and had no problems booking a room.

I called ahead and found out from conceirge that new room renovations had taken place on the 19th and 20th floors so I asked for our rooms to be up on those floors.

Both my friend and I were happy with what we got - great river/bridge views, new bedding, bath fixtures, carpet, basically a whole top to bottom renovation - sleeker than the typical Hyatt.

Beds are a little firm for my liking but the place was clean as it was maybe a week since they did the renovations...

Staff was friendly, room was quiet, I didn't use many of the facilities - good appetizers are available at the Keating River Grill.

You can walk to Old City and Independence Hall from the hotel or hail a quick cab to anywhere in the city.

I would stay there if I came back and had social plans in that part of town.

I just attended a company conference at this hotel. Pulling up to the entrance was greeted quickly and courteously. In no time I was at the registration desk, also quick and courteous, and set up with key, etc. My room was waterview on the 20th floor. In order to get there you must be prepared to insert your room key into the elevator panel before pushing your floor number. Can be a pain if your travelling alone with your arms full. More on this safety feature later. Room was clean and spacious, view toward river, awesome...try and get it! Furniture nothing I haven't seen before in Marriot, bathroom was spotless and shiny. One pet peeve--- being 6'2" tall, the shower head shot at my neck (I don't like that). Also, after taking my 1st shower after arriving, I, and no one I spoke to had hot water for the rest of our 3 day visit. Not cool...um, so to speak. Bed was comfortable, lots of great pillows. Frig, but no microwave. Come to think of it, I don't remember one of those rip-off bar frig's being there. Heat worked well, quiet, although very dry. Nothing you can really do about that. We didn't have much time to tour, we checked out Independence Park and Liberty Bell which was close by. Hotel food was OK. Bar was good, friendly people, prices not outrageous. If you plan to have a convention here, make sure to ask for waitstaff to offer finger food and/or tables and chairs for guests. Our cocktail reception had some chafing dishes and carving stations and no tables and chairs. Only a sparse amount of tiny pub-like round tables to set drinks on. Kinda hard to eat with a fork and knofe and hold a drink at the same time.
Finally, some of us had a problem with the elevator card swipe security system at check-out. The electronic key stopped working after 12noon for some on the elevator and/or their rooms. You had to go to the front desk to re-activate. Checkout and valet, again, very smooth and courteous.

Stayed at the Hyatt hotel was impressed at how nice and accomodating the staff was. Called for extra towels and they appeared at our door seconds later. The room was nice and had a great view. Last but not least was really surprised at how comfortable the mattress and the pillows were. Paid $130 for the room great price for such a nice hotel.