"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?Pod Philly is located on a central stretch of 19th Street that connects the shops and restaurants of Rittenhouse Square to the office-filled skyscrapers of Market Street. With its sunlit cafe, plus plenty of couches and communal tables inhabited by guests grabbing coffee and remote workers, the hotel’s lobby has a bit of an Ace Hotel vibe, which makes sense. The same architectural firm that helped envision Manhattan’s Ace, New York City-based Stonehill Taylor, also designed Pod Philly.
What's the backstory?Philly’s first micro hotel is part of a small chain, with outposts in New York and Washington, DC. The idea here is you get just enough cleverly-designed space to feel comfortable in your room, plus plenty of appealing communal spaces, like the lobby cafe, and El Techo, the gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant with a retractable glass ceiling and views of the city’s skyline. Since the property sits in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, just a short walk to some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, parks, and art museums, who’s spending much time in their room anyway?
Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?On average, rooms (or “pods”) run about 180 square feet each. Though they’re not particularly roomy, floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light, and supremely well-designed elements—custom benches that double as storage, nightstands that become desks, lots of Danish-made wall hooks—make the square footage feel more than sufficient. Most rooms have pillow-top queen beds, but some have bunk beds, and 18 studio rooms have a bit more space, plus a couch and small dining table. Black-and-white-tiled bathrooms, outfitted with eco-friendly bath products in refillable containers, have a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi is free and fast. (As God intended.)
Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?There’s no room service here, and rooms aren’t equipped with coffee makers or minibars, but find Philly’s best breakfast tacos just downstairs in the lobby at El Cafe. Runny eggs with cheesy beans and chorizo are tucked into fresh tortillas, made with heirloom-corn masa that chef Nick Kennedy grinds daily on a custom volcanic stone. Defined Hospitality, the crew behind the hotel’s F&B—including El Cafe, plus full-service Mexican restaurant Condesa, and rooftop bar El Techo—is also behind award-winning Fishtown hotspots Suraya and Pizzeria Beddia. If breakfast tacos aren’t your thing, James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef James Matty bakes Mexican-inspired pastries, like a fluffy vanilla concha, paired with a tiny pot of melted chocolate from local chocolatier Eclat.
Locals love Condesa, which is open for lunch and dinner with a menu of tacos and platters, plus plenty of fresh seafood-centric shared plates like the bright shrimp and scallop aguachile, and surf clam ensenada. A robust tequila and mezcal menu is the cornerstone of the cocktail list at both Codensa and El Techo, and when the weather is nice at the latter, they retract the glass roof and throw open the walls of windows for a sparkling view of the city skyline.
And the service? The check-in and check-out were seamless, and the room and its amenities are simple and intuitive.
What type of travelers will you find here?Stylish young couples toting Away carry-on cases on weekend getaways. Recent Wharton business school grads back in town to take meetings with potential investors for their tech start-ups. European tourists of all ages who are used to small living quarters and love a good deal.
What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?Set in one of the busiest sections of the city, the six-month old Pod Philly feels like it’s always been part of the neighborhood. A short walk to the north, find the museum district (with the Barnes, Rodin Museum, Mutter Museum, and more), to the west is the Schuylkill River trail, and a wealth of shops, cafes, and restaurants are all around.
Is there anything you'd change?Between its central location and thoughtfully-designed interiors, rooms here are some of the best bargains in the city. Though if you’re traveling with a family, you might find it a little cramped.
Any other hotel features worth noting?Burn off the breakfast tacos with a ride on the Peloton bike in the hotel’s tiny fitness center, or get a feel for the neighborhood with a complimentary class at a nearby yoga studio.
Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Yes! Pod Philly is a great deal for a room in the center of one of Philadelphia’s toniest neighborhoods." - Regan Stephens
