"First impression?At first glance, you might think you’ve been transported to a Nordic nation, what with the lobby’s light wood finishes, muted color palette, clean lines, and cozy wingback leather chairs. Hospitality 3 hotelier Paul McGowan (a former Starwood executive) tapped award-winning local architecture firm Digsau to infuse his 212-room hotel with a sleek yet approachable design. The modern, 10-story structure stands out across the street from the busy, red brick-laden corner of 33rd and Chestnut streets, elevating West Philadelphia’s Woodland Walk neighborhood. What’s the crowd like?If you’re staying here, you’re likely a business traveler with meetings at the convention center, or a UPenn or Drexel parent visiting your kid for the weekend. How was check in? This is the second outpost of McGowan’s Study Hotel series, the first of which opened in 2008 at Yale University. The concept—boutique, upscale stays near college campuses—caters to sophisticated, well-off parents. So while the experience is designed to place guests directly in a campus setting, management still understands its clientele and makes top-notch service a priority. You’ll feel this from the moment you check-in (a very smooth process) to your interactions with the concierge (who offer great restaurant recommendations) and thoughtful touches (maps of Drexel and UPenn in the room). Tell us about the rooms.The Scandinavian-mod vibe carries over to the guest rooms, which are minimalist in decor, but cover all the essentials, including a cozy bed, spacious desk, and leather armchair and ottoman. It would've been nice if the standard rooms had had more counter space and storage in the bathroom, but in general the fixtures were nice and everything was spotless. Families or extended-stay guests should consider booking a University Suite, which has more square footage and includes a separate living room and kitchenette. How about the little things, like the minibar, or shower goodies? There were plenty of plugs on the bedside table for charging all our devices—no one likes living life on the edge at 15 percent battery. And if you plan on sleeping in, no need to worry about missing the housekeeper; even if you hang the “do not disturb” sign on your door, you'll still receive a bag full of fresh towels, toiletries, and bottled water hanging on the doorknob, which you use to replenish at leisure. How about room service, or the dining options in general? The on-site restaurant, Co-op, located just off the hotel lobby, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch and focuses on light bites, from mornings toasts to pressed sandwiches and salads, and charcuterie. Caffeine addicts, be warned: There are no coffee machines in the rooms, which is a bit of a bummer (but they're available upon request). But the hotel offers a complimentary coffee bar in the lobby, so you can pop down and grab a cup (or two) to enjoy back in the room. Any other services or features you'd like to shout out? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Valet parking is a bit pricey at $43 (plus tax) per night; to avoid the charge, consider using the Drexel University public parking garage, which is just a block from the hotel and costs only $20 for overnight parking. Oh, and all children under 12 years of age stay free (you can request an extra bed). Bottom line: worth it, and why?It’s hard to find a more modern, well-conceived hotel within walking distance of the UPenn and Drexel campuses. Mom and Dad should feel free to leave me $20 upon check out." - Katie James Watkinson
