Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

Character and identity

Set inside the 1907 Lafayette Building on Washington Square West, the Kimpton Monaco trades on the contrast between its sober Greek Revival shell and an interior that goes hard on colour and pattern: coffered ceilings and 18th-century wainscoting pushed up against boldly painted walls, Federal-nouveau furniture, and a wall of antique calligraphy pens behind reception. The 268 rooms run from Parkview and Deluxe through King Spa categories with vintage soaking tubs. Downstairs, Red Owl Tavern handles all-day dining with local sourcing; upstairs, Stratus Rooftop Lounge brings a 30-foot fireplace, DJ booth, and indoor/outdoor seating behind steel garage doors.

Who's it for

Bottom line

Location is the headline here: nothing else in Philadelphia puts you this close to the colonial sites with this much personality attached. The cooking at Red Owl is competent rather than a reason to book. Splurge on a King Spa room for the soaking tub and add the $40 Soak Session; book directly to access wellness extras and rooftop access on warmer-weather weekends.