Highlights: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

•Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia is in a great location on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, central to the city’s cultural institutions

•The Four Seasons’ much heralded reputation for refinement, service, and excellence is realized at this stylish, urban hotel

•Freshly renovated public spaces and guest rooms exceed expectations

•Well-equipped business center can be accessed 24 hours a day

•A serene indoor pool on the lower level is a hidden oasis

•Exceptional dining at the hotel’s Mobil Three-Star Fountain Restaurant

Amenities: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

• 364 rooms, 8 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, bar. Fitness room, spa. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s cultural district on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia has maintained a high standard of excellence since its opening in 1983. Convenient for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel is minutes from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the business district, shopping, restaurants, and museums. It is also a convenient base for exploring regional attractions, including the Barnes Foundation, Longwood Gardens, and Atlantic City.

A natural choice for business travelers, the hotel is also a good fit for couples in search of a romantic, sophisticated weekend retreat. It also welcomes families, with amenities such as baby toiletries, kid-sized bathrobes, turndown milk and cookies, and cribs and rollaways offered at no extra charge. During the summer months and most school holidays, a teen concierge is on duty to help plan tween and teen itineraries. A host of nearby museums -- including the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, and the Please Touch Museum designed for children 7 and younger -- offer families plenty of options.

Step into the newly refurbished lobby, with its gracious conversation areas in shades of cream and terracotta, burbling fountain and dramatic floral arrangements, and the sounds of the city seem far away. Marble, gleaming wood, the scent of Stargazer lilies, and the landscaped outside terrace combine to set a welcoming tone.

The hotel’s 364 rooms and suites vary in price depending on the view, with premium rooms offering a view of the parkway with its gorgeous Swann Fountain, as well as city and courtyard views. All of the newly renovated guest rooms have marble baths, king-size beds or two double beds, a workspace, and a reading chair. Nine two-bedroom suites, several of which are situated on the building’s corners for multi-directional views, include extra amenities such as 42-inch flat screens. There are 90 executive suites, offering almost double the size of a regular room, including a living area that can be closed off with French doors.

A well-equipped but small fitness center, which includes brand new Cybex and Life Fitness equipment, is offered to guests on a complimentary basis. There’s also an intimate spa with five treatment rooms.

Each guest room offers business travelers wired high-speed Internet access, two-line phones and a spacious workspace. The staffed business center has three computer stations, a fax, and printer. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

(+) Great location, newly refurbished rooms and public spaces, and refined style

Guest Services: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

Four Seasons properties are renowned for outstanding service, and the Philadelphia hotel is no exception. From the gracious bellman to the helpful front desk agent, guests receive a warm welcome and impeccable service throughout their stay. During my visit, all staff members used my name without exception, and the concierge was exceedingly helpful with everything from confirming dinner reservations to offering sightseeing tips. Both concierge and room service are available 24 hours a day. Other amenities include a limousine service for trips around town, overnight laundry and dry cleaning. Across the board, the staff managed to make me feel welcome and at home without hovering.

(+) Seamless service enhances the guest experience, with great attention paid to details

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia just completed a complete, down-to-the-studs renovation of each of the 364 guest rooms, which include nine two-bedroom suites and 90 executive suites. The stunning results of the first redo since the hotel opened in 1983, showcase designer Cheryl Rowley’s contemporary interpretation of the federal style for which the hotel is known. Embracing federalist simplicity while updating the usual ho-hum colonial palette, the new rooms shimmer in shades of butter yellow, cream, wheat blended with darker tones of chocolate, khaki brick.

My deluxe room was beautifully equipped, from the upgraded bedding and watercolors of Philadelphia scenes on the walls to the spotlessly clean marble bath, comfortable workspace and reading chair, and roomy work surface. The lack of noise from the hallway and adjacent rooms added to the room’s feeling of privacy and serenity. The difference between a luxury, superior and moderate room is the view, with the luxury rooms facing the fountain and parkway. Moderate rooms are on the hotel’s lower floor, near the spa and pool and with views of the inner garden courtyard.

(+) All rooms were recently renovated and are luxuriously outfitted
(-) Standard rooms only offer inner courtyard views, so expect to pay more for city or parkway scenes

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

Although the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia’s spa is “intimate” in size, it is luxuriously equipped, and the five treatment rooms are comfortably spacious. European body treatments, many of which incorporate natural herbs and aromatics, include massage, body wraps, scrubs, and revitalizing facials. The fitness area is also abbreviated, but makes up for its smaller stature with state-of-the-art cardio and workout equipment, along with niceties like Evian spritzes, fruit and juice, and chilled towels to help you cool down.

Art lovers won’t find a better location, with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, and the outdoor Calder sculptures all within walking distance. Architecture fans should take note of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, with its wonderful copper dome and Corinthian portico. Kids of all ages will want to visit the Franklin Institute Science Museum, known for its walk-through model of the human heart, The Tuttleman IMAX Theater, planetarium, and much-anticipated blockbuster Tutankhamun exhibit, scheduled for Feb 3-Sept 30, 2007. Dinosaurs abound at The Academy of Natural Sciences, and around the corner at the Please Touch Museum, kids 7 and younger enjoy interactive exhibits including the wonderful Sendak fantasy world, celebrating the author of the classic Where The Wild Things Are.

The hotel is also within easy strolling distance to theaters along the Avenue of the Arts, and a colorful array of dining and shopping options, including the luxe offerings at Shops at Liberty Place and along Walnut Street’s Rittenhouse Row.

(+) Plenty of nearby options for leisure activities, most within walking distance
(-) Both the spa and fitness area are on the small side, but adequately equipped

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

In addition to 24-hour room service, the hotel offers the Mobil Three-Star Fountain Restaurant, a venue that has long defined elegant fine dining in that city, or for that matter, any other. The restaurant’s tasteful, perfect lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the Swann Fountain and parkway add to its appeal. Genteel without ever being stuffy, well appointed without a trace of artifice, The Fountain reflects its genial chef, the gifted Martin Hamann, a down-to-earth guy whose talents in the kitchen reflect a “Simple is best” mantra. A six-course tasting menu can be paired with wine by the knowledgeable sommelier, and service is letter perfect, without a hint of attitude. A 14-seat private dining room can accommodate special events and business meetings. There’s also a children’s menu available. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The adjacent Swann Lounge features a lavish afternoon tea and live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the tastily superb brunch. The chef has earned plenty of buzz with his signature Philly cheesesteak spring roll, a delicious take on the city’s ubiquitous sandwich.

(+) The hotel includes one of the city’s top restaurants and a comfortable lounge space with live music on the weekends

Business Services: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

The small but well-equipped lobby business center, located behind the concierge desk, offers three computer stations along with fax and printing services. The flat screen computers were a nice touch, and the ergonomic chairs and desks provided a comfortable, if close, working environment. The center can be accessed 24 hours a day.

My room offered a spacious workspace, with Wi-Fi capabilities.

The hotel offers more than 10,000 square feet of space for corporate meetings, conferences, or retreats. Two ballrooms are quite elegant with tiered chandeliers, formal tables, and mood lighting for that special dinner. Six executive rooms decorated in long tables, deep colors and burnished wood give an air of prestige to any corporate meeting. The three boardrooms include long wooden tables, lushly upholstered chairs, elegant light fixtures and a stunning view of the grounds.

Staff includes a conference event planner, who will help you make any arrangements before you arrive then will keep an eye on the details as you are busy participating in your event.

(+) Ample business space and conference planners cater to corporate groups
(-) Business center is small, but well equipped to handle many tasks