Highly anticipated W Philadelphia set to open today — here's what to expect

The City of Brotherly Love will be home to a new luxury downtown hotel on Aug. 20 when the W Philadelphia opens its doors in the heart of downtown Philadelphia.

The first new W property to open in North America since the W Aspen in 2019, the W Philadelphia is a Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy property. Award night stays will cost you between 40,000 and 60,000 points per night, depending on dates and availability.

The 51-story skyscraper located right by Philadelphia City Hall has 295 guest rooms (including 39 suites) and is conveniently located — only a 10-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square and 20 minutes from the Liberty Bell.

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Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the property send lots of daylight and expansive downtown views streaming in at every view.

Guest rooms look to be a stylish mix of vintage and modern, with nods to Pennsylvania craftsmanship throughout, including the Shaker-style chairs at each workspace and the custom "Philly Toile" bedspreads printed with historical and modern city icons.

Art is everywhere at the new hotel, showing up in bold ways that are the brand's signature.

In the guest rooms, look for words from the Declaration of Independence etched in graffiti font on custom light fixtures as well as throw pillows decorated with the city's iconic LOVE statue by Robert Indiana.

The hotel's six suite categories have features such as oversized soaking tubs and Chesterfield-style furnishings. And while most inner-city hotels these days are built without balconies, the W Philadelphia bucks that trend with several rooms offering private guest balconies. In fact, it's reportedly the only luxury hotel in the city with private guest balconies, so if access to outside air in your room is a priority, take note.

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You can count on many over-the-top touches in the W and Extreme WOW Suites — from custom foosball and billiard tables to in-room DJ booths.

Public spaces in the W Philadelphia spotlight the hotel's extensive art collection — much of which was commissioned by local artists — ranging from murals of iconic city sights to oil and digital renderings of the city's famous musicians from today and yesteryear.

"This hotel is an homage to the city and the people who define it," said Edward Baten, general manager of the W Philadelphia, in an official statement. "By embracing its history through art and design to celebrating its present through local talent and brands that can't be found anywhere else, W Philadelphia delivers an inspired local experience for the global guest."

References to the city's famous landmarks can be seen throughout the W Philadelphia's various dining offerings.

In the Living Room, inspired by the city's historic sunken gardens at Fairmount Park (located three miles from the hotel), local artisan roaster Rival Bros. serves espresso drinks in custom ceramics. The Living Room's wall of hand-painted custom ceramic skulls was inspired by a collection at the nearby Mütter Museum and references the city's hip-hop and fashion icons.

Just behind the skulls and a two-way mirror, guests can sip small-batch and limited-run spirits at Steven's Prophecy, a salon celebrating Philly's native daughter, Grace Kelly.

Dolce, the hotel's main restaurant (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), serves regional Italian fare in what a press release calls "the timeless spirit of Fellini's 1960s Rome."

The W Philadelphia is also bringing the city a new year-round rooftop heated swimming pool on its seventh-floor WET Deck. The staff will sport custom uniforms from local Black-owned sustainable fashion brand, Grant BLVD.

There's even a green space on the rooftop where guests can relax and enjoy city views. The Secret Garden features illuminated busts of Benjamin Franklin and Maria Antoinette tucked amid greenery that will play backdrop to live music and pop-up events.

Of course, it wouldn't be the W without wellness amenities. Enter the seventh-floor AWAY Spa, where socializing meets spa time with five treatment rooms, a lounge and beauty bar and a DJ set-up that can be rented for private events. The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center for guests and a lineup of regular classes with local fitness pros.

Add to all that 45,000 square feet of event space and 37 meeting rooms, and it's easy to see why this is likely to be one of Philadelphia's most talked-about hotel openings of this year.

Initial rates start from around $340 per night, which is pretty on par for a luxury stay in the city.