The Nine Most Anticipated Hotel Openings In Greater Philadelphia in 2020

Outdoor Deck W Hotel Philadelphia

2019 was an epic year for hotel openings in Philadelphia and the surrounding region.

Among the properties that welcomed visitors for the first time were the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia in the Comcast Technology Center, the riverside Ghost Light Inn in New Hope, Center City’s swank, art-filled Fitler Club on the Schuylkill River and the rustic-chic boutique operation and The Queen in Queen Village, to name a few.

Now, in 2020, the city and region are looking forward to adding more than 1,800 new hotel rooms.

The Market East corridor welcomes Canopy by Hilton; Philly’s first W and Element hotels — the first dual brand for the hotels, anywhere — debuts in the center of Center City; New Hope receives a luxurious new River House at Odette’s; and the Main Line gets a rustic-chic extended-stay property on the Schuylkill in the Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia/Bala Cynwyd.

Also planning their 2020 debuts: Guild House Hotel, a National Historic Landmark that’s also a landmark in Philadelphia women’s history, and Live! Hotel & Casino, featuring gaming and dining near the sports complexes of South Philadelphia.

Here’s a look at hotels opening in Philadelphia and The Countryside in 2020.

Note: This article was originally published on January 24, 2020, and was updated on May 29, 2020.

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Map data ©2020 Google

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HOTELS IN PHILADELPHIA

Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City

RENDERING COURTESY CANOPY BY HILTON PHILADELPHIA CENTER CITY

An addition to Hilton’s Luxury and Lifestyle brand portfolio comes to the fast-developing Market East/Midtown Village neighborhoods. The boutique-style Canopy will thoughtfully adapt the 1896 Beaux Arts Stephen Girard Building to modern tastes.

Where:1180 Ludlow Street 

Expected Completion:July 2020

WWW.CANOPY3.HILTON.COM 

Element Hotel Philadelphia

RENDERING COURTESY COPE LINDER ARCHITECTS

Element’s largest global property opens in the very center of Center City, next door to its dual-branded property, the W Hotel Philadelphia. Element guests can enjoy a kitchen in every guest room or suite, a signature Westin Heavenly® bed, onsite Italian restaurant Dolce, and both complimentary breakfast each morning and glass of wine or beer each evening.

Where:1441 Chestnut Street 

Expected Completion:August 2020

WWW.MARRIOTT.COM 

Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia

RENDERING COURTESY HYATT CENTRIC CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA

This 13-story new construction by Philadelphia-based DAS Architects near Rittenhouse Square promises a large, rustic modern hotel. Onsite underground parking will complement the hotel’s proximity to Rittenhouse Row’s many shops, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and bars.

Where:1634 Chancellor Street 

Expected Completion:August 2020

WWW.HYATT.COM 

W Philadelphia

RENDERING COURTESY THE W PHILADELPHIA

Less than one block from iconic City Hall, this skyscraper hotel will bring modern luxury with a stylish dose of Philly vibrancy and artistry. Among the W’s amenities, including 22 meeting rooms, the FIT gym, the Living Room cocktail lounge and bar terrace, is a year-round heated pool — outdoor pool, that is.

Where:1439 Chestnut Street 

Expected Completion:August 2020

WWW.MARRIOTT.COM 

Guild House Hotel

PHOTO COURTESY GUILD HOUSE

In historic Washington Square West, this National Historic Landmark building once housed the New Century Guild — a hotel, library and food hall for unaccompanied working women visiting Philadelphia for 111 years. (At the time, women were prohibited from entering such establishments without a male chaperone.) In its new iteration, the invisible service hotel will maintain founder Eliza Turner’s name above the front door and name each of its dozen rooms for a Guild member, while transforming the interior to accommodate modern travelers’ desires for multi-night stays in rooms and suites.

Where:1307 Locust Street 

Expected completion:September 2020

WWW.GUILDHOUSEHOTEL.COM 

Live! Hotel & Casino Philadelphia

RENDERING COURTESY LIVE! HOTEL & CASINO PHILADELPHIA

This long-awaited complex will bring Philadelphia its second casino within city limits, near South Philadelphia’s trio of sports arenas. The $700 million, 5 million square-foot hotel and casino will have 2,200 slots and electronic table games, more than 150 live-action table games, a Sportsbook, a 12-story hotel, venues for live entertainment, and dining.

Where:900 Packer Avenue 

Expected Completion:Late 2020

WWW.LIVECASINOHOTELPHILLY.COM 

HOTELS IN PHILADELPHIA’S COUNTRYSIDE

River House at Odette’s

RIVER HOUSE AT ODETTE’S | RENDERING COURTESY RIVER HOUSE AT ODETTE’S

On the site of famed Bucks County cabaret Chez Odette, a luxury hotel will offer great views of both the Delaware River and Lambertville landscape. A lively piano bar and vintage appointments will revive the spirit of its namesake. Traditional, seated dining (indoor and outdoor) and exceedingly comfortable guest rooms will appeal to modern guests. There are also plans for a private rooftop bar.

Where:274 S. River Road, New Hope 

Expected Completion:Late July/early August 2020

WWW.RIVERHOUSENEWHOPE.COM 

Element by Westin Valley Forge

RENDERING COURTESY ELEMENT BY WESTIN VALLEY FORGE

This all-suites property brings Montgomery County its first Westin. Each spacious room comes with its own kitchenette.

Where:480 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia 

Expected Completion:September 2020

WWW.DOVEHILLCOS.COM 

Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia/Bala Cynwyd

RENDERING COURTESY RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT PHILADELPHIA / BALA CYNWYD

The Main Line’s historic Pencoyd Iron Works, established in 1852, becomes a riverside extended-stay hotel featuring a recreational trail, 7th-floor terrace with a restaurant and bar, saltwater pool, patio with grill and fire pit, electric car charging, bikes for guests and event and conference spaces.

Where:615 Righters Ferry Road, Bala Cynwyd 

Expected Completion:October 2020

WWW.PENNGROUP.NET 

Source: https://www.uwishunu.com/2020/05/most-anticipated-hotel-openings-in-greater-philadelphia/

Philly Region Hotels, Attractions & Tourist Hubs Prepare To Welcome Back Guests

Photo courtesy Amtrak; Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia; Photo courtesy Philadelphia International Airport

PHILADELPHIA, PA. –  With the Greater Philadelphia region in the yellow phase of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 recovery plan, the region’s hospitality industry, including hotels, transportation providers, attractions, restaurants and other popular tourist sites, is focusing on increased cleanliness and new social-distancing protocols as it begins to slowly welcome back guests. For its part, VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the five-county region’s tourism marketing organization, is launching a public- education initiative to make sure people are aware of the steps being taken to ensure their safety and make them confident and comfortable in choosing to visit Greater Philadelphia.

Research Reveals Visitors Value Cleanliness:
VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s latest findings from Russell Research show just how important cleanliness and sanitation are to people considering travel. About three-quarters of people surveyed said that public health (in regards to cleanliness and safety) is the primary consideration when choosing a destination for their first leisure trip. Of the more than 700 travelers surveyed, 41% want hand sanitizer or wipes available to guests, 40% want customer-facing staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and 38% want customers to be encouraged to wear PPE.

“With locals beginning to get out and explore again now that we’re in the yellow phase, we want them to feel as comfortable as possible and know that Greater Philadelphia hotels, attractions and businesses are putting their health right on par with their employees,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “Our public-education initiative is designed to empower visitors to choose a destination that is doing everything possible to make their experience a safe and enjoyable one. That’s especially important for an urban destination like Philadelphia.”

Businesses throughout the region are following guidelines set by organizations like the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lodging Association, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia. Measures include protective barriers to help with in-person contact, masks, temperature checks, social-distancing signage, capacity limits and enhanced cleaning regimens.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s Public Education Initiative:

VISIT PHILADELPHIA is taking an integrated marketing approach to ensure the public knows what businesses and attractions are doing to prepare to welcome them again. That means regularly updated content on visitphilly.com that details specific actions hotels, transportation providers, attractions and restaurants are taking (details below); paid advertising; social media promotion; and a public relations push.

Hotels, Attractions & Others Take Action:

Transportation Providers:

• Amtrak: Amtrak is allowing for physical distancing by reducing the number of ticket sales on reserved services. They also require face coverings for all employees and riders and have ramped up the frequency and intensity of their cleaning services. For now, it’s cashless payments exclusively. And through August 31, 2020, they’re waiving change fees on all reservations.
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• Megabus: Every rider will enjoy an empty seat next to them thanks to the 50% capacity restriction on Megabus. Additional policies include: face masks for employees and passengers, contactless ticketing, and enhanced cleaning.
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• Philadelphia International Airport: Two of the most notable features at the Philadelphia International Airport in the wake of COVID-19: motion sensor-activated technology throughout public areas, including doors, faucets, soap dispensers, flush valves, paper towel dispensers and doors, as well as the Grab app, a contactless food-ordering platform that enables guests to order food and bypass long lines without ever pulling out a credit card.
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• SEPTA: Back to its regular schedule (except on the Regional Rail), SEPTA is sanitizing each vehicle twice a day, redeploying crews so that cleaning is happening around the clock and setting passenger limits for easier social distancing.

Hotels:

• Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center: The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is collaborating with Johns Hopkins Medicine International on its new global health and safety program Lead With Care. In addition, all hotels will appoint a hygiene officer focused on implementing enhancements to already stringent procedures. 1 N. 19th Street
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• IHG Hotels & Resorts: Working with the Cleveland Clinic, IHG Hotels & Resorts is developing guidance and resources for hotel teams, including those at their 26 Philadelphia region properties — Kimpton Hotels and Holiday Inns, among them). At each individual property, a Clean Champion will help staff deliver elevated cleanliness standards.
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• Loews Philadelphia Hotel: Loews Hotels’ Chat Your Service program allows guests to use their own cell phones to communicate with staff for all requests, such as room service, extra towels, concierge advice or car retrieval from the valet. 1200 Market Street

Attractions:

• Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum: This historic gem in Bucks County reopened its 100-acre space for socially distant, self-guided tours on select days beginning on June 15. Guests must purchase timed tickets online to explore the grounds of the impressive Greek Revival mansion. 1237 State Road Andalusia
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• Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center: Reopening on June 24, Shofuso will be one of the first gardens to open in Philadelphia. Visitors — limited to a manageable 30 people per hour — will be able to enjoy the gorgeous grounds, just a 15-minute drive from Center City. In-the-know visitors pair a trip to Shofuso with a stop at Parks on Tap (see below), taking place steps away at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. Horticultural & Lansdowne Drives
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• Peddler’s Village: This major open-air shopping destination in Bucks County is back with measures to keep shoppers, diners and guests at the Golden Plough Inn safe, including the addition of numerous hand-sanitizer stations and social-distancing markers throughout the property. Also new: tables and tents throughout the village, so patrons can enjoy takeout meals, as well as full-service outdoor dining. Route 202 & Street Road, Lahaska
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• Spirit of Philadelphia: Passengers are treated to stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline during a Spirit of Philadelphia cruise along the Delaware River, set to relaunch at the end of June with new “standards of cleanliness.” Those include contactless check-in, extended boarding times, a reduction in the number of cruises to allow for proper cleaning and more. 401 S. Columbus Boulevard

Restaurants & Breweries:

• Breweries in Greater Philadelphia: While regional breweries have been doing brisk business with delivery and pickup, some are making moves toward safely reopening to guests. The teams behind Berwyn’s La Cabra Brewing and Quakertown’s The Proper Brewing Company invite guests to drink and dine in socially distant outdoor tents, which are rigorously cleaned between seatings. And Perkasie’s Free Will Brewing Co. has supplemented its existing outdoor space by converting a brewery-adjacent field into an outdoor beer garden, complete with sanitizing stations and social-distancing requirements.
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• Outdoor Dining: Dozens of bars and restaurants throughout the region are taking steps to safely accommodate outdoor diners. Those precautions include recommended 90-minute-stay limits (Sancho Pistolas, Pistolas del Sur); the installation of glass partitions in dining areas (Jerry’s Bar); and reduced seating by reservation only (Morgan’s Pier, Dim Sum House by Jane G’s).
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• Parks on Tap: Philly’s annual nomadic beer garden has a new stationary home for 2020 outside of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. Numerous safety measures are being implemented, including hand-sanitizing spray/wipes, a mask requirement and temperature checks for employees. 100 N. Horticultural Drive

About VISIT PHILADELPHIA:

VISIT PHILADELPHIA is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.