Renaissance Philadelphia Hotel Airport

Overall I enjoyed the ambiance. The room was clean, well appointed with upscale fabrics. I did not get to try the restaurant since it was a short stay. I was hoping to get a hotel closer to the city, but despite that it was an enjoyable stay. The problem came as a result of the desk clerk swiping my card for "incidentals" although the room was prepaid. So although I did not charge anything to my room I was billed by the renaissance for an additional night's stay! They tried to make it seem like it was my fault. That experience was the only down side to my stay in Philly.

The service posture here is superlative; everyone I had any sort of encounter with was wonderful. The rooms were very nicely appointed, and free parking was greatly appreciated. HOWEVER...since parking is free it's hard to get a spot (I suspect air travellers are parking their cars here then hoping on the shuttle to the airport). There is nothing close to this hotel except a WAWA convenience store and a Mc Donald's. But, the restaurant food is good at the hotel. The air filtration system needs to be improved as you can smell the restaurant's offerings through the vents. The concierge staff is great and very gracious. I stayed here because all hotels in Wilmington, DE were full, and I really liked this Renaissance. It is also convenient to Center City. I would stay here again.

Be aware that you can't get there from here.

The hotel, while in view of the 95 freeway, requires a rather circuitous route in order to actually get there, so make sure you consult a good map (the rental car map won't due)

Once you get there, parking in not great. The nights I was there, people were parking in the fire lanes because the whole lot was full. And if you're at the back of the lot, prepare for a hike.

Other than that, the internet connection worked fine and was fast, the breakfast buffet is fine, which is a good thing, because since the hotel is a bit isolated, it is your only option.

Not a bad option if you don't want/need or can't be downtown.

As a business traveler, I always find it odd to have to pay hotels more to get less. This certainly isn't the case on airlines: if you pay for first class, the perks you receive are tangible and desirable to many people.

The Marriott chain is a prime example. I stay in 60 to 70 hotels a year, and Fairfield Inn is my favorite chain of all, with Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn and Suites being close rivals. Fairfield Inn has everything I could expect or want: free wireless Internet access; breakfast in the morning; comfortable, clean rooms; windows that can be opened for fresh air; generally quiet locations; and friendly, responsive staff. It's prices are competitive, too, which makes a big difference.

You walk into the grand entrance of the Renaissance inn Philadelphia Airport and it's clearly branded to be a more expensive, grand hotel. If that's the case, why is it so much less enjoyable to stay there than a Fairfield Inn? Could Marriott's lower end hotels teach a thing or two to the higher end crowd?

Here are a few examples of ways in which this hotel could really use some help:

1. Air quality

In my humble opinion, I think it's a serious mistake to build any hotel without windows that can be opened for fresh air. But if you're going to seal them shut, then find ways of maintaining the air quality of hotel. The air was so bad, I woke up with a nosebleed (the first nosebleed I've had in 5 years), and heard other guests complaining about it as well.

2. Internet access

The internet access in this hotel is a bad joke. In 2005, it's generally bad form to charge for wireless internet access given that it costs the hotel very little to maintain a few wireless routers throughout the building. But to charge $10 per 12 (!) hour period is simply ridiculous. They did offer a free wireless connection in the lobby, which had many technical difficulties. When it did function there was this strange problem with it, in which upon logging on, the computer would say it's about to bill room 227 for the connection, even though I was sitting in the lobby and wasn't staying in room 227. Then I logged on another time and it wanted to bill room 429 for that connection. They promised to remove the charge from these unsuspecting guests, but heads up to anyone reading this: check our bill upon checkout for any stray internet charges.

3. Breakfast oddities

I arrived at the restaurant seeking breakfast, and was informed that it would cost $13 per person, for our party of two, totaling $26. This was very pricey for a modest breakfast buffet, and it was also confusing, because somehow I was under the impression that breakfast was included. I asked the server whether or not there was a way to get breakfast for free, or at a reduced rate. She said, no, there was not a way to do that, at least through her, although some people did come to the restaurant bearing coupons for a free meal. I left the restaurant and went to the front desk, and asked how I could get a coupon.

Much to my surprise, not only did the front desk clerk give me a coupon, but the coupon already had my name hand written on it!!! The coupon was good for meals for the two of us, for three days, a $77 value.

Several good things to appreciate about this hotel:

1. Free shuttle service to the airport and free parking for hotel guests flying in or out. The shuttle drivers are very friendly and efficient.

2. Reasonably comfortable rooms and beds.

3. Friendly front desk staff. All the staff at this location are very nice, from the shuttle drivers to the bell hop to the front desk to the wait staff.

4. Fairly quiet, given its proximity to the airport.

5. Great location if you're flying in or out of PHL

Room has water damage on the ceiling area in two places. Acoustical spray on material is hanging due to lack of adhesion. Made note of it on customer report card. Here are some pictures:

nice place to stay if you are not planning on going into downtown PHL - cab ride is 25-30 bucks each way - rooms clean, relatively quiet compared to other airport based hotels - was there for a conference - catered food good, good portions as well - nice place to stay if you are just going to be near the airport -

My husband and I stayed at the Renaissance in Philadelphia because of the good reviews from this web site and the fact that they have 24/7 shuttle to the airport as we had to be at the airport at 4:30 for a 5:30am flight. The experience we had exceeded our expectations. The room was great, staff friendly and accomodating and the restaurant was terrific and fairly priced for what we ordered. The hot tub and pool were a nice feature, too. So, our vacation got started on the right foot with a stay at this hotel. I would highly recommend it if you're flying out of Philly or just to get away.

I travel for a living and stay at Marriott properties, many of them Renaissance, 100+ nights a year.



Parking was real hassle. I had to park acres away from the hotel's front door.



The property has obviously been re-flagged from another brand in its previous life. While the room was really spacious and clean, and the staff really nice, I found the room and property overall to be a bit dated and tattered, especially in view of how hard Marriott is working to make Renaissance a more hip brand. It was very early 80's inside and out.



For my money, next time I'm staying at the brand new Marriott in the airport terminal just up the street.

The staff was great along with the accomodations. They really go the extra mile to help with local information. The room was very nice and the high speed internet was a great feature. The only bad part of the trip was the parking which can sometimes be a problem. As a travel agent Im very critical of the hotels I stay in, but this one was great.

This is a nice hotel - easy to get to driving from EWR or flying into PHL. Its a bit expensive but worht it as this area is a bit rough. You really can't go wrong at this hotel.