"So, can you tell us a little about this place?Part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, The Bellevue is a landmark hotel in Philadelphia (the only one on the National Register of Historic Places), built in 1904. Though the hotel has since renovated and expanded, the towering French Renaissance building retains its century-old charm. Wow—that's quite a pedigree. What’s the crowd like?You’ll see a mix of leisure and business travelers, owing to the convenient Center City location. Got it. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about the digs.Simple, spacious, light-filled—the 172 rooms at The Bellevue are a breath of fresh air in a city that often tries too hard (or not hard enough) to style the perfect guest room. Excellent. How about the little things, like the mini-bar, or the shower goodies? Was there anything that made your stay more comfortable (or memorable)?The 14-foot ceilings are reason alone to love the room. Couple that with vintage art, parquet floors, and city skyline views, and you’ve got a not-so-standard home away from home. Indeed. How about the room service, or the dining options, in general? Worth it?The signature restaurant, XIX (or Nineteen—so named for its location on the 19th floor), serves seafood-centric American classics, such as stuffed Pennsylvania trout, ahi tuna tartar, and grass-fed New York strip. Though the city’s strong food game provides stiff competition, the glitzy dining room’s 36-foot-high domed ceiling, 19-foot Italian pearl chandelier, and sweeping city views create an elevated ambience. If you’d rather dine in the comfort of your room, order XIX To-Go, available from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., daily. That does sound tempting. Any other services or features you'd like to shout out? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Even if you're on vacation, there’s no excuse to skip your workout when staying at The Bellevue: the hotel has the city’s most tricked-out gym, the 93,000-square foot Sporting Club at The Bellevue. Guests have access to all of the facilities, which include a boxing studio, 25-meter indoor pool, NBA-sized basketball court, 10,000 square-feet of cardio and strength training equipment, plus 120-plus monthly fitness classes, from spinning and yoga to barre, TRX, and more. Wow—is this a hotel gym, or an Olympic training facility? So, bottom line: worth it, and why?A convenient location, attentive service, elegant guest rooms, and a truly stellar fitness facility make The Bellevue a standout in Center City." - Katie James Watkinson
