Help with Philadelphia hotels, please

Anonymous
We are a family of five with a budget which makes staying in hotels hard. I feel like past advice on DCUM was to stay at Embassy Suites. Any other suggestions for a hotel near the attractions that would let 5 stay in one room? Any close in suburbs that we should look at since the downtown hotels make you pay for parking anyway? I don't know Philly geography. Thank you!
Anonymous
Home2suites, home wood suites...both have Philly locations.
Anonymous
We love the Latham in center city, right next to rotten house square. Lots of shopping and restaurants, and trader joes if you want fruit or small snacks. I love being so close to everything and they never have a problem with us being 5.
Anonymous
Rotten house square? Lol it's "Rittenhouse Square" and it's one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest part of Philly.
Anonymous
Ha re rottenhouse. I know what you meant!

Thanks for the ideas!
Anonymous
Sorry, iPhone mishap....
Anonymous
The Best Western in the Art Musuem area is affordable and in a great location for a family. Parking is reasonable, you are within walking distance to the Franklin institute, art Musuem, Barnes foundation, and other local attractions.
Anonymous
Hi OP

We are a family of 6 that visited Philadelphia for a 3 day weekend several years ago (when we had kids between 2-8)

We actually ended up staying in NJ at a Residence Inn and driving into the city each day. Residence Inns win us over Embassy Suites because they usually have a full kitchen in each room.

We stayed in the one in Deptford. It was several years ago (2008). but it worked well for us. Our only complaint was that it was very close to a strip mall. Our room over looked the strip mall and it seemed that at the end of the day/evening a group of local young people seemed to hang out in the parking lot. It wasn't horrible, but a bit...odd. The hotel itself was wonderful.
Anonymous
If you book in advance and are willing to do a non-refundable booking you can get rates during the week for rooms at Hilton Garden Inn for about $99-160 (I called to ask if the $99 for 2 doubles was still available, it wasn't but she offered a jr. suite for $136). You can stay at the Holiday Inn Midtown with two double beds for about the same price & that includes breakfast, parking is only $25 a day.

If you are planning to visit the Franklin or Drexel, it would save money to join a science museum near your house and take advantage of the reciprocal agreement they have (through ASTC) We did this and can visit our local museum plus those two (and lots more) for only $99. http://www.astc.org/members/passlist.htm (you may be able to find one for less than $99 in your area).

Also, make sure to put the kids in their swimsuits and visit Sister Cities park, free fun.

Franklin Institute is open select Thurs until 7pm. Place was just about empty from 4-7 when we went. Allowed us to do Drexel first, lunch, then Franklin.

If you want to see Independence Hall, spend the 1.50 each and order your tickets in advance or they may be sold out. (Honestly, younger children aren't going to be interested in the tour, you could walk around the grounds and they would be happier). If you want to go in and see the liberty bell, get there before opening (we skipped the line and looked at it from the outside) The US Mint is free to tour, don't go on a weekend no one is working the floor/machines. Reading Terminal is interesting. Eastern State Penn was really cool but tickets could get pricey, you can't walk from the hotels but parking is free.
Anonymous
We are visiting colleges in Philly this summer. What is the cheapest, but safe, hotel/motel to stay in?
Anonymous
Check out www.philadelphiahostel.org
Anonymous
Sorry, that should have been:

Www.philahostel.org
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks to all who responded for all the ideas. And a huge thank you to 20:45 who really went above and beyond for a stranger!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to all who responded for all the ideas. And a huge thank you to 20:45 who really went above and beyond for a stranger!
ust got

Glad to help! We had just gotten back from Philly the day before and had gotten a lot of great info from DCUM.
Anonymous
I would look at the north/west suburbs of Philadelphia too. Hotels are cheaper and parking is free.
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