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.
Want more travel news and advice? Sign up for the TPG newsletter.
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.
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.