The Rooms at Fitler Club
Hotel · Rittenhouse
24 S 24th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Highlights
Upscale urban country club with fitness, dining, and cocktails
24 S 24th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Get directions
Upscale urban country club with fitness, dining, and cocktails
24 S 24th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Get directions
"Fitler Club offers 14 hotel rooms ideal for longer stays or business trips. Guests have access to members-only amenities, including on-site restaurants, a coworking space, fitness classes, a pool, and a spa. The club is intimate and suitable for busy activities without feeling crowded." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"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
"What was your first impression? Guide us through.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. Maybe that seems reasonable for a members-only club, where it's cool to have to search for the secret door; but after driving to Philly in the rain, and then having my GPS direct me down a dark alleyway with no discernible signage, it seemed a little less, well, fun. There also may be no valet or doorman out back, which isn't necessarily ridiculous, since Fitler primarily functions as a members-club with regulars who have biometric access and don't need to be buzzed in and assisted with bags. But I digress. 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. Just past the reception desk, there's a spacious dining room filled with modular tables and chairs, a smart mix of creamy marble and green velvet. There's the splashy bar and lounge, too, which members and hotel guests alike hit for pre-dinner drinks before going out on the town, or circle back to for some dancing and a post-meal nightcap. I was drawn towards the dining room, which has expansive views across the river—until my attention was captured by a Damien Hirst piece hanging next to the bar, which is on loan, I'd later learn, from one of the club's investors. Pretty neat, all around. What's the backstory on this place?This is 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 hometown Philly boy Marc Vetri, 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. Tell us about your digs.I was in room six, about midway down a hallway, which was perfect. (I'm pretty noise-sensitive, and I hate being near doorways or elevators.) The room was sleek, a sort of high-end take on a locker room, which felt in keeping with the property's emphasis on fitness: locker-like doors on the nightstands and cabinets, and a graphic, black-and-white graph-print comforter. The modular couch looked cool, though it was pretty uncomfortable, and didn't have any designated reading light—but the bed and comforter were among the most (if not the most) comfortable I've ever slept in. The bathroom products smelled divine, and I loved the rainfall shower. (And, if it were somehow possible, I would've loved to have stolen the pale marble sink, which dipped in just a little, for my own home.) The HVAC was also incredibly receptive and strong, which I appreciate as someone who likes to sleep in a chillier room—and which I often find lacking in hotels. The hotel receives an honorable nod for the excellent espresso/cappuccino/americano maker that sits in the hallway outside the guest rooms; there's really nothing better than gratis coffee that doesn't taste like nutty dirt. How was the service?I found the staff to be totally charming, if a little out of their depth, particularly when it came to the hotel component. It's understandable, given that the majority of their time and energy is spent catering to Fitler's 2,700 members, who likely have a very different set of requests than hotel guests. To wit: the bag debacle. On schlepping my stuff into the hotel, no one at either of the reception desks (I saw two) offered to take them, or help me carry them, which you'd absolutely expect at a hotel at this price point; and on check-out, I somehow wasn't offered a copy of my bill. Instead, I got into the elevator, had that realization, then went back and asked for it. Small things like that—a few key elements of the anticipatory, rather than reactive service you'd receive from a high-caliber establishment are, notably, still missing. What's the scoop on the F&B?Initially, chef Kevin Sbraga had signed up to lead Fitler Club's F&B, though prior to its opening, the responsibility shifted to chef Marc Vetri, whose eponymous restaurant regularly turns up on Philly's "Best of" lists. I'm agnostic about this change—but I will say that Vetri has worked up a mean brunch and lunch menu (there's dinner, too, though I didn't stay at Fitler long enough to test it out.) I ate brunch in the dining room on the one day that I woke up at the hotel, and treated myself to an excellent lobster burrata omelet—the lobster was succulent and sweet, and the burrata creamy (if a little watery)—and an avocado toast. The latter didn't quite impress me—the avocado smear tasted a little pre-packaged—but the thick, multigrain toast it sat on was crunchy and complex in flavor. There was also a little pastry and Bloody Mary bar at the back; I treated myself to a few bites from the former, and can happily report that the cinnamon-raisin bun checks out. I'd come here for a relaxed brunch, certainly, or for a pre-dinner drink; my Green Hornet, a subtle tequila-and-egg-white concoction, from the night prior, was perfectly balanced. What are the other guests like?I couldn't really tell the other hotel guests apart from club members—it's not like they went around wearing pins. But as far as Fitler members go, think male and female variations on Kevin Plank: fit, rich, authoritative, determined, interested in exercise and making deals. What's the surrounding neighborhood like?At first, I was skeptical of Fitler's location, right by the Market Street bridge. Okay, yes, sure: It's convenient if you're going to and from the train station, but that's certainly not the case if you're interested in seeing—or experiencing—the cobblestoned charm of Society Hill. Fortunately, it's really only about a 10-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square. (Bonus points: behind it, across the street, sits the Mütter Museum. You can walk to most things in Center City in about 20 minutes; and because of its prime location along Market Street, a main drag, Ubers are nearby and numerous. Other features you liked?There's a cushy screening room in the club, which is great for watching Eagles games with fellow Philly fanatics. There's also a two-lane bowling alley, equipped with its own bar, which I wish I'd had the insight to check out on the night I stayed over. Oh, and shout-out to my talented masseuse, Jenny, who gave me a terrifically relaxing 50-minute massage (and whose very presence felt calming). What changes would you make, if any?As I mentioned, I'd station a doorman near the back entrance to let guests in, and help them with bags. I'd also put a thicker door or divider between the pool area, where kids are running around and making noise (as kids are wont to do) from the spa. I had something of a tough time relaxing, despite my wonderful masseuse, because I could hear kids shrieking nearby." - Betsy Blumenthal
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