AKA University City

Character and identity

A 268-suite glass tower rising over the Schuylkill River, AKA University City sits on the West Philly side of the water, a Walnut Street bridge crossing from Rittenhouse and walking distance to UPenn, Drexel, and 30th Street Station. The Pelli Clarke Pelli building houses apartment-style suites with Lissoni Associati interiors, full working kitchens, and in-unit laundry. Dining centres on the lobby-level Walnut Street Café and the 28th-floor a.lounge. Up on Level28, expect a glass-enclosed Olympic pool, fitness centre, golf simulator, screening room, and fire-pit terrace. The register is residential and quietly polished rather than full-service hotel.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What defines this property is the serviced-apartment proposition: a designed Pelli tower with kitchens, laundry, and a 28th-floor amenity club, parked on the quieter side of the river. Book it for stays of three nights or more, or anything multi-week, where the kitchen and residential layout actually pay off. A higher-floor suite facing the Center City skyline is the one to request.