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Philadelphia Hotels: Review of Hotel Monaco in the Old City

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Philadelphia is home to many amazing hotels, but if you are concentrating your visit to Philadelphia in the Old City and around sites like Independence Hall and the Museum of the American Revolution, you can’t get a better location than the Hotel Monaco.

Hotel Monaco is part of Kimpton Hotels and is located at the corner of Chestnut and 5th Streets, less than 100 yards from Independence Hall. In fact, rooms on the hotel’s western side have remarkable views of Independence Hall.

However, it’s not just the location or the view that make this hotel special (though they certainly don’t hurt). If you are looking for a luxury hotel experience, the Hotel Monaco also makes for a great place to stay.

View of Independence Hall from Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia
Some of the rooms at the Hotel Monaco have an amazing view of Independence Hall.

I’ve twice been put up at the Hotel Monaco while working with Visit Philly. Both times, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my stay. There are a lot of small touches that you don’t necessarily expect to get from a larger company that make the hotel feel more likely a small, boutique hotel than a chain.

The hotel is located in the Lafayette Building. Built in 1907, the building served as an office building for many years. After sitting abandoned for a few years, the building was transformed into the Hotel Monaco which opened in 2013.

The hotel features rooms with incredibly comfortable beds and marble bathrooms. While there are several suites in this 268-room hotel, to be honest, the standard rooms have the finishing touches that you’d expect in a higher-end hotel suite.

Review of the Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia, PA
The luxurious rooms at the Hotel Monaco feature very comfortable beds.

The Hotel Monaco features a restaurant on the first floor and a bar on the rooftop, with a great view of Independence Park. Every evening, there is a complimentary wine hour in the hotel’s lobby to finish off your day in Philadelphia on a high note. During the day, guests can also borrow bikes from the hotel to explore the city.

Another positive (or negative, depending on how you look at it) is that the Hotel Monaco is very dog friendly. As best as I can tell, there are no restrictions on size and no additional charges for your furry friend. With a lot of grassy areas around the hotel, the Hotel Monaco might be the most dog-friendly hotel in Philadelphia. For those traveling with less furry children, cribs are available at no additional charge.

Staying at the Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia, PA
The Hotel Monaco is in a great location in Philadelphia’s Old City.

The only negative that I have to say about the hotel is that they only offer valet parking, which is a rather costly $46. However, the charge is good for 24 hours and offers full in-and-out privileges throughout the day. If you’d rather park your car yourself, you’ll have to park at a nearby lot in the city.

I’ve stayed at a lot of great hotels in Pennsylvania, but few offer the combination of luxurious rooms, great amenities, and extraordinary views that you’ll find at the Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia.

Check up-to-date rates at the Hotel Monaco or read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Note: My stays at the Hotel Monaco were hosted by Visit Philadelphia. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

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