AKA University City
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?Occupying a picturesque stretch of Schuylkill River waterfront, AKA University City stands apart from the hustle and bustle of Center City Philadelphia. The reflective, all-glass building towers above the surrounding West Philly skyline, offering the city’s highest residential views (the apartment-style hotel offers both short- and long-term stays, plus 17 floors of annual-lease residences). While strong neighborhood vibes aren’t the main draw, convenience is: Hop over the Walnut Street bridge and you’re minutes from Rittenhouse Square; head just a few blocks West and you’re weaving among UPenn and Drexel co-eds; drive a half-mile down Schuylkill Ave and you’re boarding a train at 30th Street Station. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?Before you moved to the suburbs, had two kids, and rescued a golden doodle, you might have dreamed of living in a sleek bachelor pad that looked something like AKA’s guest rooms. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects outfitted each of the 268 apartment-style suites with minimalist Lissoni Associati interiors, complemented by amenities like fully-furnished kitchens (resident services can grocery shop before your arrival), washers and dryers (detergent included), and more. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?The hotel doesn’t offer room service, but there’s Food Network and that full working kitchen! No desire to replicate Giada? Pop down to the lobby-level Walnut Street Café, which offers all-day dining and perhaps the city’s best locally sourced Lancaster chicken (served with roulade, Brussels sprouts, mustard seed, and dill). For after-work aperitifs, head to the 28th-floor a.lounge, where a “Tangerina Jolie”—a tart tincture made of rum, tangerine, tropical tea, lime, and apricot—will take the sting off your boss’s “constructive criticism.” And the service? From the ebullient doorman, Lou, to the always-courteous front desk staff, you can count on friendly greetings and assistance whenever needed. What type of travelers will you find here?Celebs in town for filming (hey, JLaw!), monied college parents, savvy business travelers—it’s an elevated crowd at this waterfront enclave. Any other hotel features worth noting?Amenity junkies can get their fix on the property’s 28th floor, a resident- and guest-only club dubbed Level28. There’s a glass-enclosed Olympic-sized swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, 3D golf simulator (finally, a round at Pebble Beach!), cocktail lounge, outdoor terrace with fire pits, business center, and private screening room. After a day cooped up at your consulting gig, seek fresh air at Cira Green, a Highline-esque elevated urban park that hosts seasonal morning yoga, cultural festivals, and more. Heading to dinner in Fishtown? Skip the Uber and request a chauffeured ride in AKA’s house Tesla Bottom line: Why are we choosing AKA?AKA delivers an understated-luxe, amenity-packed experience that fills a much-needed gap in Philly’s mostly “live like a local” (read: “do it yourself”) hotel landscape." - Katie James Watkinson
