I’ve been to Philadelphia many times – I try to get there at least once every two to three years. So, this year, when I had a soon-to-expire annual free night from my Chase Hyatt credit card, I decided that a Philadelphia trip was in order.
The Bellevue Hotel is part of World of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. It has historical origins dating back more than one hundred years ago, but when I entered the hotel, I felt like I had stepped back in time onto the set of a 1940’s movie.
Prior to my trip, I received thoughtful emails from the hotel’s general manager, Ms. Pina Purpero. We took the NJ Transit/SEPTA train from New York City to Philadelphia (the poor man’s frugal person’s alternative to Amtrak). The benefit of this route, despite the cost, is that you can take the train right to Suburban Station, within walking distance to the hotel, rather than having to take a taxi from 30th Street Station.
From beginning to end, we were treated warmly. The staff had that special Hyatt charisma and gracious can-do attitude that I appreciate so much. This is the hotel front desk:
This is the hotel hallway on the 12th floor.
We were given the Bellevue Suite, which I understand is a premium suite.
Both the bedroom and the living room were very spacious. Although the suite screamed of another era, everything was new and current.
This is the living room. Note, among other things, the generous size of the room, the tall ceiling and windows, the large television, the wood floors and the navy tufted sofa.
This piece of furniture held a room safe, a coffee machine and a refrigerator, among other things. There was no mini-bar, which is fine with me (I usually ask housekeeping to remove all mini-bar items anyway). The water was complimentary.
This is the bedroom. Note the size of the room, the wallpaper, the headboard, the sitting area and the bench in front of the bed.
This is the closet. It was certainly sufficient because we were only there 2 nights. If our stay was longer, it might’ve felt a little cramped.
The bathroom is a basic bathroom.
The toiletries were by Guild and Pepper.
Breakfast was served in the hotel restaurant on the 19th floor, aptly called XIX. It is simply beautiful there. One morning we had the breakfast buffet and the second morning we ordered the Crab Benedict from the a la carte menu. As a Globalist World of Hyatt Member, breakfast was complimentary.
There are also other rooms and a bar area within the XIX restaurant. I like the details, such as the arches, the molding and the ceiling!
The fitness center of the hotel is reviewed separately – but let me say this – it is phenomenal – including a huge gym, squash and racquetball courts, a boxing facility, a basketball court, yoga and spinning studios, a running track (12 x per mile) and a pool!
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
The hotel has gone from Park Hyatt to Hyatt to not-really-Hyatt-but-Hyatt. My last few stays (over five years) shows a hotel in desperate need of renovations that the owners are apparently not willing to do. The brand downgrades recognzies that Hyatt understands and agrees.
BC,
It was totally renovated 2 years ago. I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
I stay here once a year to see clients and it’s a dump as Hyatt’s go. The Palm was renovated two years ago but the hotel is terrible, Classic but not worth the rating.
IMO
Totally agree. Our daughter is at Villanova currently and we will not return to the Bellevue. It’s a shame since the place has so much potential.
I’m not quite sure why there are any negative comments about this hotel. I did recently have a minor issue, but it was quickly resolved.
I stay at the Bellevue almost weekly. It’s a fantastic hotel. Even before I was a Globalist, they almost always graciously upgraded me when I asked if anything was available.
Now that I just achieved Globalist again, I’m hoping upgrades will even be better and be offered without asking.
The hotel staff and everything about my stays has been top notch.
My only negative is purely a personal preference and nothing to do with the quality of the rooms. I generally don’t like interior courtyard facing rooms, but now that the staff knows my preference, they always accommodate me with an outside facing room.
I will continue to stay here and enjoy this luxurious historic hotel in the heart of the city.
Ignore the negative reviews here. and check it out for yourself!
PS – The fitness center is amazing.
Thanks so much for sharing such a detailed review of this hotel. It is nice to see not only the room photos but your photos of all the other hotel amenities too.
I stayed there for 3 days back in July. Ate breakfast once as it was totally disgusting. There was a Piece of Toast stuck in toaster the entire visit. There were pieces of dirt in the cherry bowl. Eggs were disgusting. I’ve had breakfast at HP and HH better than this dump. Food was void of taste. I ate breakfast elsewhere. Atrium views are the worst. Especially when they have a luncheon and you want to take a nap. Staff can be good but it’s hit or miss. If you are a Hyatt loyalist there’s not much options in the city. There’s a reason it’s no longer a Park Hyatt.