Penn’s View Hotel, Philadelphia

Sometimes small can be a good thing … like in smart phones, petits fours and hotels, of course.  Nestled on a charming cobblestone street in historic Old City, Philadelphia, within seconds of Penn’s Landing on the riverfront and with a view of the baby blue Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River, it’s one of Philly’s best kept secrets.  The hotel is the perfect launch pad for exploring the intricacies of U.S. history and the indie scene in this artistic town known for its cultural side.

At first glance the hotel almost looks like a residence, its unassuming red canopy awnings spanning three landmark townhouses on the edge of Center City. That’s no surprise, as once inside the warm, cozy lobby with its marble mantel and tiny sitting area, it almost feels like a period parlor in one of the many stately townhouses dotting the surrounding area. If a warm welcome is the key to a pleasant travel experience, the Penn’s View is on it, their reception staff at the ready to assist with your bags and get you situated in one of their finely appointed queen rooms or suites, all suitably furnished with comfortable period furniture and some with gas fireplaces.

Earthy decorative touches like exposed brick and gleaming polished hardwood floors lend a subtle air of an artist’s garret to the upper floor patio rooms, with views of the river, while soothing patterned drapery and reproductions of period paintings bring a sense of elegance and refinement to the accommodations. The 51 guest rooms and suites have private baths, some with jetted spa tubs, and come with Essential Elements amenities. They also include free Wi-Fi, cable TV, morning newspaper and complimentary continental breakfast buffet. Should you want to catch a little cat nap after a long day of seeing the many sights, a nice big antique reproduction clock above the mahogany armoire will help you time it perfectly.

Owned and operated by the Sena Family, who have established a tradition of personalized care and service, the staff is only too eager to provide helpful hints about making your way around town or to assist in planning a night out.  The on-site Ristorante Panorama draws upon the culinary traditions of Luca Sena’s native Italy and features contemporary authentic Italian dishes and homemade pastas like a Pappardelle al Sugo d’Anatra, wide noodles in a slow-cooked ragout of duck.  More important to some however, might be the restaurant’s award winning wine bar, the largest in the world, with over 150 wines by the glass. Il Bar has the distinction of being a Guinness World Record Holder, recognized for having the largest winekeeper, a custom built unit with 120 useable taps each of which is connected to a different bottle of wine. Try the “Panoramic Flight”, a personal Philadelphia tasting of 1.5 ounces of 5 different wines in a select group.

Something tells me you’ll need a walk around Old City after a night out at Ristorante Panorama and why not?  The surrounding area and neighboring Society Hill is dazzling after dark and harbors a full 35 historic sites.  At daybreak you’ll be ready to hit the trail.

So if you’re a history buff and want to feel the burn of patriotism in your blood for a few days, or just want to relax in a divine historic setting, there’s no better place than the Penn’s View Hotel to plant yourself.  Just keep it a secret, ok?