Four Seasons Philadelphia Inducted into Esquire’s Hotel Hall of Fame

Philadelphia has always been a city of firsts, rich history, and world-class culture. But if you needed any more proof that the City of Brotherly Love is a premier global luxury destination, look no further than the skyline.

The prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center has officially been named one of the world's most timeless properties, earning a coveted spot on Esquire’s Hotel Hall of Fame.

To make this exclusive list, a property can’t just be a shiny new opening. It has to endure, shape the identity of its city, and demonstrate a lasting impact on the local community. Perched at the very top of the Comcast Technology Center—North America’s highest hotel—the Four Seasons Philadelphia has done exactly that, redefining urban luxury from the clouds down.

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A Masters-Level Lesson in Architecture and Design

Stepping into the hotel is an experience in itself. From the street-level entrance, guests are whisked up 60 stories in a high-speed glass elevator, watching the historic streets of Philly shrink below.

The hotel’s physical space is a collaboration between legendary architect Lord Norman Foster and world-renowned artistic director Jeff Leatham. The result? A sleek, hyper-modern urban sanctuary that subtly brings the outside in. Everywhere you look, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and strategically placed mirrors reflect the shifting sky and flood the minimalist, warm-toned rooms with natural light.

Sky-High Wellness & Healing Crystals

For those looking to escape the hustle of the city, the hotel's entire 57th floor is a dedicated health and wellness sanctuary. It features:

• The Infinity-Edge Pool: An absolute showstopper where guests can float "above the clouds" while taking in panoramic views of the sunrise or the twinkling city grid below.
• The Forbes Five-Star Spa: Known for its unique focus on crystal healing, the spa walls are embedded with over 700 pounds of crystals to promote absolute tranquility.

Culled from the Best: A Culinary Destination

A true Hall of Fame hotel needs a world-class culinary program, and the Four Seasons delivers on multiple levels.

• At Jean-Georges Philadelphia (occupying the 59th and 60th floors), Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves up breathtaking tasting menus alongside unobstructed, 360-degree city views.
• Down on the ground floor, Philly’s own James Beard Award-winner, Chef Greg Vernick, puts a modern, Jersey Shore-inspired spin on the classic American oyster bar at Vernick Fish.

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Setting the Standard for Philadelphia's Big Year

This induction into Esquire's Hall of Fame arrives at a massive moment for the city. With Philadelphia gearing up to take center stage for America250 and the 2026 World Cup, international travelers are looking for iconic places to anchor their stay.

Whether you’re booking a stay in a Skyline Corner Suite to overlook the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or simply stopping by JG SkyHigh for a cocktail above the clouds, it’s clear why Esquire considers this property a masterpiece. The Four Seasons Philadelphia hasn't just joined the skyline; it has defined it.

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Have you ever stayed at or dined at the Four Seasons Philadelphia? What's your favorite view of the city? Let us know in the comments below!

16 New Hotels Scheduled To Open In Philadelphia Area Through 2020

    

The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (top) and the W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia (above) are just two of many hotels slated to open in the Philadelphia region this year.

Credit: photos courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (left) and the W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia (right)

PHILADELPHIA – Big-name hotels are opening in Philadelphia—a sky-high Four Seasons, a dual complex of a W and Element—while just-in-Philly properties are strengthening the city’s boutique stock. Altogether, 16 new hotels are unlocking 2,700 new rooms in the city and surrounding four counties. All this new lodging comes at a time of high visitor demand: In 2018, Center City hotel demand grew 5.6% year-over-year, the largest growth in demand in seven years.

So, what else is coming? An ultra-efficient, 250-room micro hotel (Pod Philly) and a 14-room boutique hotel and private lifestyle club (Fitler Club), a historic New Hope redo (Ghost Light Inn), and more new properties in Philadelphia and The Countryside. 

Here’s a look at the hotels opening through 2020:

Just Opened:

1. Lokal Fishtown – Following the stylish formula it established in Old City, the Lokal in Fishtown operates with an “invisible service” boutique model. Guests receive highly customized concierge guidance without a front desk. staylokal.com

• Completed: January 2019
• Developer: Stay Lokal
• Units: 6
• Location: 1421 N. Front Street, Fishtown

Coming In 2019:

2. Fitler Club – This boutique hotel and members-only pool- and bowling alley-equipped lifestyle club will give new life to the former Marketplace Design Center. fitlerclub.com

• Expected Completion: March 2019
• Developer: David Gutstadt
• Rooms: 14
• Location: 2400 Market Street, Center City West

3. Holiday Inn & Suites Philadelphia W – Drexel Hill Hotel – On the edge of Philadelphia’s Drexel Hill neighborhood, this Holiday Inn & Suites will include an onsite restaurant, Starlight, complete with an outdoor beer garden, along with a fitness center and heated outdoor pool. ihg.com

• Expected Completion: May 2019
• Developer: Drexelbrook Associates
• Rooms: 98
• Location: 5400 Ferne Boulevard, Drexel Hill

4. Candlewood Suites Chester – Airport Area – Each of these pet-friendly suites will feature a spacious kitchen with a stovetop, dishwasher and full-size refrigerator. Guests enjoy close proximity to the Philadelphia Union’s home field at Talen Energy Stadium—just a five-minute drive away—and an outdoor grilling area in the hotel courtyard. ihg.com

• Expected Completion: June 2019
• Developer: Sunset Hotel Group
• Suites: 89, including six accessible rooms
• Location: 351 Welsh Street, Chester

5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Horsham Willow Grove – This four-story hotel will feature one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, along with an indoor pool. homewoodsuites3.hilton.com

• Expected Completion: September 2019
• Developer: Horsham Hotel LP
• Rooms: 112
• Location: 720 Blair Mill Road, Horsham

6. Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia – Guests arrive to the hotel’s sky lobby on the 60^th floor of the Comcast Technology Center via high-speed elevators. From there, they can ease into their stay with a wellness trip to the spa, fitness facility and infinity pool on the 57^th floor. Restaurants helmed by award-winning chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Greg Vernick will draw both nearby and visiting culinary enthusiasts. fourseasons.com

• Expected Completion: Summer 2019
• Developer: Comcast/Liberty Property Trust
• Rooms: 219
• Location: One N. 19th Street, Center City

7. Ghost Light Inn – Next door to the Bucks County Playhouse, this historic site—formerly the Playhouse Inn—will be revitalized this summer. The building will connect to the brand-new riverwalk, featuring some of New Hope’s best views of the Delaware River. visitbuckscounty.com

• Expected Completion: Summer 2019
• Developer: Bridge Street Foundation, Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC
• Rooms: 15
• Location: 50 S. Main Street, New Hope

8. Tru by Hilton Audubon–Valley Forge – Vibrant, affordable, comfortable rooms comprise this hotel, located seven miles from the King of Prussia Mall, the largest shopping mall on the East Coast. audubonvalleyforge.trubyhilton.com

• Expected Completion: October 2019
• Developer: Audubon Land Development
• Rooms: 121
• Location: 825 Forge Avenue, Audubon

9. Home2 Suites by Hilton – Delaware County’s newest hotel will offer 70,000 square feet of extended-stay suites with full kitchens. Guests will be able to get a workout and wash clothes in Spin2Cycle, the hotel’s combination laundry and fitness area. home2suites3.hilton.com

• Expected Completion: Fall 2019
• Developer: Roch Capital Inc.
• Rooms: 109
• Location: 75 Applied Bank Boulevard, Glen Mills

10. Pod Philly – The micro-hotel pioneer arrives in town via an efficient, 11-story Rittenhouse Square building. Philadelphia restaurateurs Greg Root and Michael Kennedy will operate a first-floor restaurant, coffee shop and rooftop restaurant and bar. thepodhotel.com

• Expected Completion: Fall 2019
• Developer: Modus Hotels & Parkway Corporation
• Rooms: 252
• Location: 31 S. 19^th Street, Rittenhouse Square

11. Home2 Suites by Hilton Ridley Park Philadelphia Airport South – With more than 100 suites, this extended-stay hotel will cater to both business and leisure travelers. home2suites3.hilton.com

• Expected Completion: December 2019
• Developer: 145 Stewart Partners
• Rooms: 113
• Location: 145 S. Stewart Avenue, Ridley Park

12. MainStay Suites/Ascend Hotel Collection – Locally inspired artwork will bring the city inside the hotel, and guests who still want a workout after traversing the walkable surrounding city area can pop into the fitness center. choicehotels.com/mainstay

• Expected Completion: Winter 2019
• Developer: Landmark Property Group
• Suites: 118
• Location: 917 Arch Street, Chinatown

Slated for 2020:

13. W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia – It took a full 24 hours to pour the concrete for each floor of this 52-story, dual-hotel complex. Each floor looks a little different than any of the others. hotel-development.marriott.com

• Expected Completion: Early 2020
• Developer: Chestlen Development
• Rooms: 295 in the W Philadelphia, 460 in the Element Philadelphia (755 total)
• Location: 15^th & Chestnut Streets, Center City

14. WoodSpring Suites – The 48,000-square-foot site of this extended-stay concept will feature fully equipped kitchens and a small exercise room. woodspring.com

• Expected Completion: Early 2020
• Developer: Brookwood Hotels
• Rooms: 122
• Location: Montgomery County, 101 Lee Drive, Plymouth Meeting

15. The Hyatt Centric Hotel – This 13-story new construction promises a large, rustic modern hotel. An outdoor terrace and onsite underground parking will complement the hotel’s proximity to Rittenhouse Row’s shops, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and bars. hyatt.com

• Expected Completion Date: Mid-2020
• Developer: DAS Architects
• Rooms: 322
• Location: 17^th & Chancellor Streets, Center City

16. 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, 1.5 million square-foot hotel and casino will have 2,200 slots, more than 150 table games and more than 200 hotel rooms. livecasinohotelphilly.com

• Expected Completion: December 2020
• Developer: The Cordish Companies
• Rooms: 200+
• Location: 900 Packer Avenue, South Philadelphia

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is  the region’s official tourism marketing agency.

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.

Vernick Fish, By James Beard Award-Winning Chef Greg Vernick, Will Open At The New Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia At Comcast Center In Summer 2019

Vernick Fish, helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Greg Vernick, will open at the new Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center in Summer 2019.  With a focus on pristinely fresh fish and seasonality, Vernick Fish will reflect Greg’s unique approach to American cooking and excellent service and will feature a lively atmosphere with a warm, neighbourhood feel.  

“Vernick Fish will share the same spirit as Vernick Food & Drink, the best quality seafood product served, unexpected and impactful flavour combinations and seasonality. I’ve had a modern take on an American oyster bar in mind for the last several years, and I’m grateful to be able to open another restaurant in Philadelphia, a city that I will forever call home,” says Chef Greg Vernick

Concept Highlights

• Located on the street level of the new Comcast Technology Center at the intersection of Arch and North 19th street, Vernick Fish can accommodate up to 200 guests both day and night, featuring indoor and outdoor patio seating, communal and private dining, and an expansive and lively bar.
• Blending local and global ingredients, Vernick Fish will feature an extensive menu of beautifully prepared fish and shellfish, and a selection of other proteins and vegetables.
• The restaurant’s beverage offering will feature curated cocktails and a concentration on sparkling and white wines.

Design Highlights

• Vernick Fish marks Tihany Design’s first project in Philadelphia.
• Widely regarded as one of the world's preeminent hospitality designers, Adam Tihany is known for his practice of thoroughly interpreting a chef’s vision and bringing it to life within the interiors of a restaurant.
• With a refined industrial appeal, Vernick Fish features a partially exposed ceiling and a sophisticated use of bronze and antique brass details.
• Custom terrazzo floor, speckled with what looks like crushed white shells, offers a subtle hint to the sea while echoing the natural colour palette throughout the venue.
• The space is contemporary and casual with a seamless transition from bar to dining area. The white terrazzo extends along the back wall, where the chef’s kitchen is set against a backsplash of blue and cream coloured ceramic tile, the shapes reminiscent of a school of fish.

“I have watched the Philadelphia restaurant scene evolve over the last few years to rival some of the most sought-after food cities in the world. Greg has been a part of that growth, which is why I am excited that Vernick Fish will mark our first-ever project in Philadelphia. We aim to translate the culinary team’s vision of a refined, loft style bar and restaurant into a buoyant local experience with subtle ties to the sea,” says Adam Tihany, Tihany

Design Details

• Seat: 200 total seats, indoor and outdoor
• Restaurant Designer: Adam Tihany
• Cuisine: Modern oyster bar and seafood with a selection of other proteins and vegetables
• Location: One North 19th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia

“Greg is an excellent Chef and it’s been a joy to work so closely with him to develop Vernick Fish. Greg and his team share the commitment of Four Seasons to delivering impeccable service while making people feel right at home. Vernick Fish will be an incredible part of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, and it will help set the high standards for what will be a world-class hotel," says Ben Shank, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center.

"I have admired Greg and the team at Vernick Food & Drink since day one. They have managed to make world-class dining feel warm, accessible, and authentically Philadelphia. We are proud that Greg has chosen our campus for his next undertaking and excited to support him as he builds on his outstanding success,” says Brian L. Roberts, Chairman & CEO, Comcast Corporation

About Chef Greg Vernick

The Cherry Hill, New Jerscy native earned a degree in hospitality management from Boston University and went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America. In New York City, he worked with Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s team at Perry Street, Nougatine, Spice Market and later travelled to Qatar, Tokyo, Vancouver, Boston and Park City to train Chef Vongerichten’s opening teams. In 2012, Greg returned to the Philadelphia area, with his wife Julie, where they opened the doors to their own restaurant, Vernick Food & Drink, serving their honest, no-fuss take on new American cooking. Vernick Food & Drink has been recognised by the likes of Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Philadelphia magazine, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. In May 2017, after receiving his third nomination for the category, Vernick was named Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation.

About Adam D. Tihany

Widely regarded as one of the world's preeminent hospitality designers, Adam D. Tihany has created hotel and dining interiors at some of the most iconic properties around the globe, including Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, One & Only Cape Town, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre. Tihany was one of the first designers to collaborate with celebrity chefs, creating signature restaurants for culinary stars such as Thomas Keller, Heston Blumenthal and Daniel Boulud. Tihany Design is a multidisciplinary design atelier with offices in New York and Rome that has a focus in luxury hospitality design.