Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel

The location was perfect for walking to the historical sites and exhibits. The room and halls were spotless! The restaurant server was efficient and friendly.

The upholstery in the booth type seating was full of stains—a lot! It couldn’t be helped that the elevator was being repaired, and I imagine that they also couldn’t do much about the condition of the building we had to go through in order to use the service elevator. Regardless, you could see that housekeeping did all they could to keep supplies organized and clean.

Location to historic sites

Needed more storage room in bathroom-counter space, hooks to hang toilette bag… Thermostat would only adjust 1 degree down so it was warm. This is why I’m glad I travel with a fan. Also the toilet handle always stuck and had to be reset back to normal position.

Was ok but worn a little.

Elevators broken…..weird hangers….installed for short people…

I arrived at this hotel and all of the guest elevators are out of service. You have to use the service elevator. When I asked for water, they told me they’ve run out of water to provide their elite guests. I get to the room. My desk chair is broken and lopsided and the air conditioner sounds like a motor boat. Very disappointed in this hotel. It is not up to normal Renaissance Bonvoy standards pick a different place when you come to Philadelphia.

Not one for reviews. Not one for scenes. More below, let's at least cover the positives as there was many, just one major issue at least for my girlfriend and I. Stayed August 9th-10 for quick one night stay on a drive down from CT to Miami. Location is perfect. Right in between Old City and the City Center so plenty of attractions/food/drink around. Lobby was perfect for a Downtown location. Nothing impressive, but I don't need much. Just a smooth easy check in process, status was acknowledged, upgrade was approved, everything perfect. Room was very spacious, bathroom was perfect, everything clean. AC worked perfect for us during a hot summer day, being from Miami I can always appreciate AC after walking around for 2 minutes. Late checkout also granted. So, everything basically perfect. Until breakfast the day of check out. Shortly after our food arrived, my girlfriend and I saw not only once, but twice, a nice little rat scurrying around the dining area. Needless to say we lost our appetite after seeing that. Previously stated that I'm not one for reviews - many people would have stood up, gasped, yelled, left, whatever after seeing Master Splinter joining us for breakfast. I quietly called the nice server over and let her know what we saw. I told her I didn't want to create a scene or anything of the sort, just simply would appreciate if we could just get up and leave quietly without having to pay for our meal. (She realized we each had one bite of each of our omelettes and nothing more). She was super nice from the beginning and asked us to hang on while she gets in contact with her manager. Manager wasn't around, she texted him and they made the logical decision to comp our meal. I'm fine with that on the restaurants end. Side note - server did not seem surprised when this happened, nor did her coworker when she told her what happened, both reacted as if it had happened before or as if it was only a matter of time before someone saw it -. Upon passing by the front desk area and checking out is when I felt the awkwardness of it all. It may have just been me looking into it too much. It felt as if all staff downstairs (restaurant and hotel) had found out about the situation in less than 3 minutes. Awkward eye contact, the kind in which everyone's heads are down only to look up briefly for half a second and then look away. That was leaving the restaurant. Upon leaving the hotel/checkout, some of the fastest I've ever seen 😅😅. It seemed as if it was expected or they were eagerly waiting for us to check out so they can get us out without issues. I did not feel kicked out, just felt more like a "hush hush" checkout process. As soon as we got off the elevator; "checking out?" - yes please "Perfect, email fine?" - yeah that's fine (just wanting to leave the rat behind and continue the drive down) "All set, thank you very much" And we were on our way. Overall, a good stay that was left with a very poor taste in our mouths. Literally and figuratively speaking. Chatted with the front desk after making it to our next stop. Was promised 10,000 Mariott Bonvoy points. Here we are more than 10 days later. Called the hotel today, was quickly transferred to the restaurant after he heard the word "rat". Manager was not there. Information was taken for a call back in 5-6 minutes. 3 hours later no call has been made and I wrote this very rare review for me. Sorry for the 5 thousand word essay.

Overall really bad. I checked in. First the main elevator was not working so i had to use the staff elevator. That’s fine.. no big deal. But i get up to the room, and there is no bathroom door and the bathtub/shower does not drain, the room smells really bad and the air conditioner is really loud. I asked for a new room, and they give me one. When I get into the new room, the bed was not made and it looked like someone had slept in it and it was not cleaned. So I ask for a new room. Finally get into the 3rd room, and it’s not so bad, still smells, but whatever I can deal with that.. go to take a shower and the water does not get hot.. stays at most slightly warm.. after a long day traveling. That’s just the worst feeling. At this point I am too tired to ask for a new room. overall just a really bad hotel. Not clean, smells and just not a nice environment. Bad experience.. I never do reviews… but I really had to make this review to indicate how bad this hotel.

Nothing this was a horrible decision.

Two elevators, one was operational then it broke down and had to use the service elevator which was filthy. Doors being slammed after 1am throughout the night.