Artful design, delicious dining options and secret $100 dollar bills – Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel is now open.
The property, part of the Renaissance Hotels group, has opened its doors to guests following a multi-million dollar renovation. This anticipated opening further reinforces the brand’s significant growth momentum around the world with upcoming openings planned for Harlem to Chelsea.
The hotel will be ‘offering guests a sense of clever theatricality and an invitation to experience this historic neighborhood in a modern and unexpected way” with an aim to improve “the brand’s design momentum around the world, creating moments that are sure to inspire stories worth sharing.”
In the heart of Old City Philadelphia, the 152-room hotel sets the stage for the spontaneous with unexpected design elements around every corner. Designed by award-winning firm Campion Platt, the hotel pays homage to the cultural history of the city with a clever irreverence from playful portraits of Benjamin Franklin’s five mistresses, created with pixelated $100 bills tucked away in Chez Ben restaurant, to pop-art inspired images of famous Philadelphians adorning each of the guest rooms.
Upon arrival, guests are guided through The Alley inspired by the city’s famed Elfreth’s Alley, which was once home to the 18th-century artisans and trades-people – the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. Employing a combination of grit and glittering finishes, the design of The Alley is anchored by a ceremonial staircase clad in blackened steel and backlit with luminous panels, which perfectly juxtaposes a 100-foot long graffiti wall by local artist Dan Murphy.
For foodies, the new hotel is also bound to impress. Chez Ben Restaurant celebrates the French brasserie in quintessential Philadelphia Old City language. The bistro features a stone clad bar, an industrial-style wine cave and a café counter boasting coffee specialties from Philadelphia’s own La Colombe, fresh juices and buttery pastries all day. A raw bar, tarte flambee and globally-inspired entrees such as blood orange duck breast with sunchokes and whole grilled daurade are a few highlights.
Meanwhile Brown’s, a retro-contemporary cocktail bar, specialises in long-aged brown liquors sourced from around the globe, in conjunction with a classic and specialty cocktail menu. Bottoms up.
Centrally located, the hotel is within close proximity to local landmarks and icons including Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Franklin Square, Guests can immerse themselves in the historic neighborhood with a wink-and-a-nod to its now modern downtown vibe.
To find out more, visit www.renhotels.com.