Homewood Suites by Hilton University City Philadelphia: A Comprehensive Review

Homewood Suites by Hilton University City Philadelphia is a hotel that caters to various travelers, whether they are visiting a local university, on a business trip, or enjoying a holiday in the "City of Brotherly Love." Located at 4109 Walnut Street in West Philadelphia, it provides convenient access to the University of Pennsylvania and other local attractions. Based on 1125 guest reviews, the hotel has an overall score of 4.0 out of 5.

Location and Accessibility

The hotel is ideally situated for those visiting the University of Pennsylvania, as it is just a two-minute walk away. Other nearby attractions include the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hospitals of University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a short 10-minute drive away, while West Fairmount is two miles from the property and Rittenhouse Square is a 10-minute drive.

For travelers arriving by air, Philadelphia International Airport is just 9 miles away. The hotel also offers complimentary transportation within the University City District, including to 30th Street, by making arrangements with the front desk.

Accommodation and Room Types

Homewood Suites offers spacious studio and one-bedroom suites, all of which feature fully equipped kitchens. This makes it an ideal choice for extended stays. Each suite includes a comfortable bed, a sofa bed in the living room, and a dining table. The kitchens are equipped with a stovetop, dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, utensils, and dishes.

A variety of room types are available, including:

1 Bedroom 1 King Bed Suite (Non-Smoking)
1 Bedroom 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed Suite (Non-Smoking)
1 Bedroom 2 Double Beds Suite (Non-Smoking)
1 Bedroom 2 Double Beds with Sofa Bed Suite (Non-Smoking)
Suites with various combinations of King, Double, and Sofa Beds, including accessible options

All rooms have interior hallways and are non-smoking. The hotel has 136 rooms, including 8 handicap-accessible rooms.

Amenities and Services

Homewood Suites by Hilton University City Philadelphia offers a range of amenities and services to ensure a comfortable stay:

Complimentary Daily Hot Breakfast: Guests can enjoy a free "Suite Start" hot breakfast each morning, including hot and cold cereal, eggs, breakfast meat, breakfast potatoes, whole fruit, yogurt, breakfast breads and pastries, coffee, tea, and juice.
Complimentary In-Suite High-Speed Internet Access: Both WiFi in Lobby and Guestrooms are complimentary. Premium WiFi is available at an additional cost.
24-Hour Fitness Center: Guests can maintain their workout routine in the on-site fitness center.
Indoor Swimming Pool with Hot Tub: The indoor pool is open from 9 AM to 10 PM.
Guest Laundry and Valet Service: On-site laundry facilities and valet service are available for guests' convenience.
Meeting Rooms: The hotel has 2 meeting rooms with 1000 sq. feet of meeting space.
Pet-Friendly Policy: Only service animals complying with ADA Title lll regulations are allowed. Sorry, pets are not allowed.
Valet Parking: Valet parking is available for $45 per night.
Homewood Suites By Hilton Highlights: Ideal for extended stays with full equipped kitchens, including utensils and dishes. Free hot breakfast buffet. Evening Dinner and Drinks provided Mon-Thurs. Free Wi-Fi service. Comfortable sleeper sofas in all guest rooms. 24 hour pantry offering snacks and drinks. Coin operated laundry services. Roomy one- and two-bedroom suites. Complimentary grocery shopping service. Workout room, sports court, swimming pool, and grilling areas.

Dining Options

In addition to the complimentary breakfast, Homewood Suites offers an evening reception with free drinks and small plates. For other dining options, several restaurants are located nearby, including Sabrina's Cafe (0.3 miles away), Honest Tom’s Taco Shop, Distrito, City Tap House, and Bobby’s Burger Palace. Reading Terminal Market, a historic indoor market with a wide selection of food vendors is located 1.2 miles from the hotel.

Guest Reviews and Feedback

Based on verified guest reviews, Homewood Suites generally receives positive feedback. Guests appreciate the efficient and friendly staff, with the valet service being particularly helpful. The suites are often described as meeting expectations, with many guests returning for multiple stays.

However, some reviews highlight issues with cleanliness, noting unclean rooms and bathrooms, and a lack of proper housekeeping service. Some guests have also reported delays and unresponsiveness from staff regarding their requests. One guest mentioned that the beds were uncomfortable and the room had an unpleasant smell.

Sustainability

Homewood Suites by Hilton University City is Silver LEED Certified Green Sustainability Yes.

Pricing and Deals

The cheapest month to stay is typically August, with an average 23% drop in price. The most expensive month is April, with an average 69% rise in price. Prices can also vary depending on the day of the week, with Monday and Sunday offering the best deals, while Saturday is usually the most expensive.

In the last 2 weeks, rooms have been booked on KAYAK from $202 to $464.

Detailed Room Features and Accessibility Options

The Homewood Suites offers a wide array of room configurations to suit different needs, with a strong emphasis on accessibility. Many rooms feature kitchens, separate living areas, and sofa beds, making them suitable for families or extended stays.

Specific Room Types and Features:

Suites with 1 King Bed: These suites often include a separate bedroom, living room with a sofa bed, a full kitchen, and free WiFi. Some offer premium amenities like in-suite drinks and snacks.
Suites with 2 Double Beds: Ideal for families, these suites also feature separate living areas, sofa beds, and full kitchens.
Studio Suites: These combine the bedroom and living area into one space, often including a sofa bed and a full kitchen. Some studio suites offer city views.
Accessible Suites: Homewood Suites provides a variety of accessible suites, including those with roll-in showers, hearing and mobility access, and visual fire alarms. Some accessible suites also include kitchen facilities and sofa beds.

Accessibility Features:

Roll-in Showers: Many suites are equipped with roll-in showers to accommodate guests with mobility issues.
Hearing and Mobility Access: These suites include features like visual fire alarms, door phones with alerts, and kitchen facilities designed for accessibility.
Visual Fire Alarms: Some suites include visual fire alarms and door phone alerts for guests with hearing impairments.

Packages and Special Offers:

2x Points Packages: These packages offer Hilton Honors members double the points for their stay and often include premium amenities.
Bed and Breakfast Packages: These packages include breakfast for guests.

Additional Amenities:

Fully Equipped Kitchens: All suites include full kitchens with stovetops, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, and kitchenware.
Free WiFi: Complimentary WiFi is available in all suites and public areas.
Daily Hot Breakfast: A complimentary hot breakfast is included in the rate daily.

Local Attractions and Activities

The Homewood Suites' location in University City provides easy access to numerous attractions and activities:

University of Pennsylvania: A short walk from the hotel, the university campus offers scenic strolls and cultural experiences.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Convenient for those visiting the hospital.
Philadelphia Zoo: Located 1.3 miles from the hotel.
Philadelphia Museum of Art: A 10-minute drive from the hotel.
Please Touch Museum: A great option for families with young children.
Eastern State Penitentiary: Explore the historic prison.

Transportation

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): Approximately 9 miles from the hotel.
Local Shuttle: Complimentary shuttle service within University City to 30th Street (arrange with front desk).
Valet Parking: Available at the hotel for a nightly fee.

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