W Philadelphia Review: Comfort, Convenience and Craft Cocktails

While you certainly could bring your family (or your fur family—my dog loves a W), this property seems perfect for a fun couples trip or a getaway with friends. The modern lobby and decor immediately set the tone for a relaxed, un-stuffy stay. The hotel is a bustling one, with its high-energy vibes calling for you to visit one of the iconic bars/restaurants (more on those in a minute).

Because the location is so prime, this is a great place to hang your hat after spending a night on the town, taking in some local theater or exploring the many historical elements of Philly. I love to walk, and this is an extremely walkable city, with W Philadelphia smack dab in the middle of it (it's right by City Hall, near Rittenhouse Square and blocks from the famed gayborhood).

I stayed with my partner and two friends for our weekend visit, and we loved coming home to such a buzzy hotel—with comfort and quiet just an elevator ride away.

Absolutely. The rooms are seriously nice—and if you can stay on a high floor, definitely do so (the views are out of this world). After squeezing so much into my Philly trip, I very much looked forward to crashing in my plush bed at the end of the day. Sipping a red wine night cap while watching a little Law & Order: SVU was the perfect way to unwind.

The rooms are also quite large, a necessity when I'm traveling with my partner or, in this case, friends. We were able to spread out and didn't feel cramped at all (I think the giant windows helped with this as well).

Similarly, the bathrooms are modern and big, with plenty of counter space so you aren't always knocking over your husband's skincare products (just me?).

One of the best things about staying at the W Philadelphia? You don't have to leave the premises to enjoy incredible dining and nightlife. Living Room in the lobby is a great place to socialize with friends, or make new ones. The music is bumping and there's even a velvet rope line to get in on busier weekend nights. WET Bar is also a super fun option, a few floors up, offering a weekend DJ and a similarly lively crowd (with an optional outdoor view).

But my personal favorite for dining and drinking is Dolce, an Italian spot just off the lobby. The vibe is much chiller (a nice respite after all that socializing) and you can enjoy tasty Italian bites as you sip a glass of wine or a craft cocktail (the bartenders know how to make a mean Manhattan). The service is super friendly, and there was always a spot at the bar or a nearby high-top whenever I popped in.

The Away Spa is a must-visit if you're looking for a little self-care during the stay, as is the Fit Gym to burn off that Italian food from last night. But a stand-out is the WET Deck, where an outdoor heated pool is flanked by neon green loungers and comfy cabanas.

I also highly recommend a visit to the sauna and the cold plunge. I'm not normally a "cold plunge" kinda guy, but the quick shock to the system was more energizing and invigorating than expected.

The energy. It's rare that a hotel feels quite so alive, and I just loved that about W Philadelphia. While other accommodations in the area feel old or stuffy, this stay was a fun one, offering a great balance between wanting to leave my room to enjoy the hotel and wanting to curl up in my bed for that previously described SVU binge.

10/10 would recommend a stay at W Philadelphia.