Making the Most of Philadelphia When Traveling for Business

When it comes to finding a hotel in Philadelphia, you have options. Lots of them. According to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, there are a whopping 3,600 hotel rooms within a 2-minute walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, making the downtown area – the Center City – one of the most-packed areas in the nation in terms of lodging options. There are about 6,400 hotel rooms within a 10-minute walk, 8,500 hotels within a 15-minute walk and an eye-opening 17,200-plus hotel rooms within a 30-minute drive of there, according to the PHLCVB. That, of course, is good news for business travelers.

Meeting Your Business Needs

However, you don’t always have time to see the sites while traveling for business. If that’s the case, consider staying at a hotel close to the airport. According to Airport Hotel Guide’s website, there are more than 20 hotels within five miles of the Philadelphia International Airport. Most airport hotels come with the usual fare: on-site restaurant and/or dining, bars, etc. Some come with workout rooms, and most will have at least one pool. Make sure, though, that your hotel also has high-speed Internet access and/or Wi-Fi.

The beauty of staying at one of the Philadelphia airport hotels, though, is that you’re still relatively close to several major tourist attractions. The Liberty Bell, for example, is a short 15-minute drive. The City Center (downtown) is also about 15 minutes away. Philadelphia also comes with plenty of business-traveler transportation options, aside from renting a car or taking a taxi. The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has everything from buses to commuter rail to rapid transit. SEPTA also operates a trolley system along with a trolleybus system. The main rail station, 30^th Street Station, is about a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Remember, too, that airport hotels cater specifically to business travelers. They should have all the information you need about the local restaurants, tourist spots and entertainment districts, if time allows.

Great Cost and Convenience

Another benefit of staying close to the airport is the cost. Generally speaking, the close to downtown you are, the more expensive your hotel room will cost. Airport hotels, though, are typically less expensive, including Philadelphia. You’re still getting all the same amenities and accommodations that you’d get at a hotel close to the City Center, you’re just getting it at what’s often a fraction of the cost. Even after you factor in potential travel expenses, like taking a taxi, you’re still getting a better deal than you would closer to downtown.

Book Well in Advance

However, if you don’t book your hotel room well in advance, you might wind up paying much more. Worse yet, if you wait until the last minute, you might not be able to book a room at your first choice. Booking a hotel room isn’t that much different from booking a plane flight: rates change, sometimes daily. Look around at the various travel sites and respective hotel websites for deals and discounts, and when you find something you like, book it as soon as possible.