Philly Hotel Deals From $185 a Night

Philadelphia's tourism officials are offering several enticing hotel packages at the city's official visitor site gophila.com and its hip new sister site, uwishunu. We're spotlighting some of the most eye-catching deals below.

The three packages listed here are for hotels close to the square-mile Independence National Historic Park between Walnut and Arch streets. (You'll find details on this national park below.) As always, read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing (Photo by Jason Smith for GPTMC) [enlarge photo]

The Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City, from $185 per night
The Boundless Philadelphia package includes a one-night stay at this property in Center City, daily breakfast, a book of coupons for outdoor tours and activities, free parking, and a pack of laminated maps with marked routes for walking, jogging, and hiking, such as on the eight-mile loop along the Schuylkill River. The $185 rate is for the Hilton Garden Inn. Additional hotels are available at higher rates. When Ongoing in 2007. Details No single supplement; no minimum night stay. Taxes are additional. Contact Online only at gophila.com.

Westin, from $219 per night
The Friday Night Sensory Experience package features a two-hour wine-and-cheese reception in the lobby of the Westin. You'll sample cheeses from one of Philly's top cheese shops, DiBruno Bros. For about $20 more a night, you can stay in room 414, which has been decorated with the work of about 20 Philadelphia-area artists and craftspeople. Valet parking is included, which is a $39 a night value. When Through 2007. Details No single supplement; taxes are additional. Contact Call the hotel directly, not the national reservations hotline, to book this deal, 215/563-1600.

Radisson Plaza-Warwick, from $236 per night
The Relax and Romance package includes a one-hour massage session for two people at the Rescue Rittenhouse Spa. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located in Rittenhouse Square, near the city's top performance halls. The package includes breakfast daily, plus evening receptions with alcoholic beverages and appetizer-type snacks. Rates are for single or double occupancy. If you want to book a girlfriend getaway with more than two adults in a room, you will need to pay an additional charge. When Through Dec. 30, 2007; based on availability. Details Rates vary by date. Minimum seven-day advance booking. Taxes not included. Contact 215/735-6000, radisson.com/philadelphiapa.

Background on Philadelphia In the city's historic district, you'll find many redbrick buildings with symmetrical Georgian (and, eventually, Federalist) designs. The Pennsylvania State House, which became Independence Hall, is the centerpiece attraction, having been the place where the Founding Fathers hammered out the compromises of our Constitution. A recently-built Constitution Center displays one of the original copies of the famous document.

Next door, a pavilion houses the Liberty Bell. During the Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell rang to herald victories and defeats. During the Civil War, the Bell became a symbol for the anti-slavery movement.

A good place to get yourself situated is at the Independence Visitor Center, which offers maps, walking tours, and interactive exhibits. And before you even arrive in town, you can purchase an all-day walking tour pass from the National Constitution Center by shopping at its website. Tickets cost $12 per adults; $8 per child under age 12.

A quick tip While you're in Philly, you'll need to try a cheesesteak sandwich. Writer Richard Rhys from Philadelphia magazine taste-tested 50 cheesesteak over the course of one month to find out which restaurant produces the best cheesesteak.

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