14 Best Hotels in Philadelphia
"It's easy enough to spot Fitler Club. Stationed on the banks of the Schuylkill, between the Chestnut and Market Street bridges, the hulking concrete and glass fortress sits catty-corner from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, almost in I-76's crosshairs. What's harder, though, is figuring out how to get in, through somewhat hidden front- and back doors. Once inside, the place has a swank, subtle charm, with the feel of an urban country club for the city's go-getter in-crowd. It's the first outpost of a lifestyle concept dreamed up by founder David Gutstadt. Gutstadt, who previously led fitness brand Equinox's hotel strategy, has clearly taken some of his alma mater's fitness fanaticism to heart in creating Fitler Club; see Field House, Fitler's 25,000-square-foot exercise area, and one of its most impressive selling points. He clearly understands what high-paying members expect from their amenities, and he's made sure that Fitler Club delivers: few to no wait times for machines, plenty of staff support in the form of trainers and instructors, F&B led by Philly hometown boy Marc Vetri, and an absolutely smashing cocktail program. The membership selection process is opaque at best, but the general idea is to bring the area's movers and shakers together under one well-designed roof: athletes, doctors, investors, and the like. Fortunately, Fitler's 14 hotel rooms are open to the public, so you won't be subjected to that—it just means you might be doing Pilates next to someone who can advance your career." - Regan Stephens, Katie James Watkinson
