Situated in the heart of Philadelphia on Market Street between 12th and 13th Streets, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is in the epicenter of history, culture, shopping and the only business travel hotel connected to the Philadelphia Convention center. Its historic setting, modern amenities and central location are impressive.

Experience the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown:

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The entire hotel was renovated in 2011, and business travelers will appreciate the modern features of the guest rooms and the public areas.

The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is essentially comprised of two buildings, making this Marriott fairly unique. The majority of the rooms and meeting spaces are located in the primary Marriott building where you’ll also find the hotel’s restaurants and bars. The second section of this business hotel is steeped in Philadelphia and railroad history. It is the historic offices of the old Reading Railing, a corporation that was one of the first to construct a railroad in the 19th century. You’ll find an additional 200 guest rooms, and it’s accessed through a convenient overpass.

Here is what you need to know if you’re staying for business or planning a meeting.

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Guest Rooms

The 1,332 deluxe guest rooms (eight different room categories) offer amenities that business travelers have come to expect from the Marriott brand, vibrant decorations and large windows. The historical section (Reading side) of the hotel tends to be quieter and the rooms are a bit more spacious, and business travelers may prefer to request this side when booking a room.

I stayed in main building in guest room 2360, a standard double that has breathtaking views of Philadelphia City Hall, an iconic landmark. The room was a classic Marriott design and contained black and white colors which were complemented by skyline photos of the city. I really found the large jetpack charging stations useful which is a great amenity for business travelers.

Guests can also choose to stay in one of four VIP suites at the hotel, including two Vice Presidential and two Presidential suites. The suites each have a dining area in the main room, bar room and attached bedrooms with much natural light.

Meetings and Events at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

Even though it is attached to the Philadelphia Convention Center, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is also a convention hotel. It has a total of 92,000 square feet of total meeting space, including 72 meeting rooms (across the two buildings). The majority of meeting space is located in the main hotel building on the third, fourth and fifth floors. Some highlights include:

  • The fifth floor Grand Ballroom (4,500 capacity) can also divide into break-out rooms.
  • The fourth floor includes Franklin Hall (which has a capacity for up to 2,800 banquet style) and 15 breakout rooms.
  • The third floor includes three conference suites that serve as board rooms, and these are perfect for smaller groups up to 10.

The Old JWs Steakhouse was a popular restaurant in the hotel which has been converted to an indoor reception area that leads from a separate stairwell behind the main lobby. The spacious area can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Event planners have additional meeting space options when crossing the 12th tunnel into the Reading Terminal. This area tends to have more historic event space due to the location inside the corporate office space of the railroad. A favorite is the Liberty Ballroom which has ornately decorated walls, beautiful chandeliers and large windows. The room gives a turn of the century feel and can seat up to 400.

The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown offers PSAV as the onsite AV Provider and the hotel even has a QuickGroup Booking tool that gives event planners the flexibility to book from 10 to 25 rooms. (Find more details about meeting capacities here).

Dining at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

Guests never have to leave the hotel to enjoy 13, a contemporary American eatery with that offers delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner and even in-room meals. The restaurant has a sleek, modern design in a colorful setting. It also takes a contemporary approach to classic dishes,.

If you want to enjoy breakfast outside of the concierge lounge, then 13 is the place for you. Its breakfast menu is divided into three parts: modern classics, complete breakfasts and 3-egg omelets. I began my day with the All American complete breakfast: scrambled eggs, delectable slices of bacon, mouth watering and slightly crisp sausage, and wheat toast.

13 is also a great place to cap off the night after a busy day of meetings and events. The bar offers a variety of drinks, including local craft beers. Flat screen TVs surround the bar area, and if there is a big game on, you will surely become a part of it (the Stanley Cup playoffs were happening during my stay, and it was alive with fans). You will also be impressed with the outdoor patio — overlooking the busy 13th street in the heart of Philadelphia.

For meetings and events, 13 can accommodate a special event of up to 50 participants seated or 70 for a reception inside and 100 including the outdoor patio.

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel Amenities

The Marriott’s grand lobby is a gathering spot for guests and locals — business people hang out here and in the lobby bar after a day of meetings (even late night). I was at the lobby bar on two separate occasions — one time there was a wedding after-party and another time there were business people who were gathering after-hours from a convention.

For Gold and Platinum Marriott Rewards Members, the Concierge Lounge is great to grab breakfast or refreshments during the week. I was impressed at the size of the lounge as it can seat up to 100 guests.

There’s a large modern fitness center with Life Fitness circuit machines, treadmills, ellipticals and free weights. The hotel also has a spacious indoor swimming pool where you can relax after a day of work.

You’ll also appreciate that the hotel lobby has a cell-phone charging station – making it easy for business travelers to quickly recharge their batteries (as you hang out in the lobby bar for a drink during the process).

There is a 24 hour Fedex on hand, gift shop for souvenirs and a Starbucks for a quick breakfast on the go. As in other full service Marriott hotels, Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, but there is a fee to access the Internet from your guest room.

If you’re driving, the hotel has a full service valet, and this is a nice service anytime you’re staying in a major city. Travel Tip: make sure to call at least 10 to 15 minutes before you need your vehicle because the valet can get busy with parking and retrieving vehicles during a convention.

The Verdict?

Event planners and business travelers want to have a memorable experience when on the road, and the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown will give you that experience. Its rooms offer modern amenities and have a homey feel with excellent views. The hotel’s facilities offer a great way to kick back and relax after a day on the job or in meetings. The meetings and events space is up to date and historic. Most importantly, the hotel is right in the heart of downtown Philadelphia and a few blocks away from most of the major attractions. If you are a business traveler or event planner in Philadelphia, then you’ll definitely want to consider the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown for your stay.

Have you stayed at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown? If so, share your story with us!