Loews In Philadelphia Has Introduced "Flavor By Loews Hotels" Showcasing Local Culinary Partners

La Colombe, Metropolitan Bakery, Saint Benjamin Brewery have been selected to provide guests with an inspiring taste of Philadelphia’s homegrown flavor right on property

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Loews Philadelphia Hotel introduces Flavor by Loews Hotels, an innovative food and beverage experience serving up the best of Philadelphia’s local flavor so that guests can dine like a local within the four walls of the hotel. Rolling out across the Loews portfolio, Flavor by Loews Hotels has now been unveiled at Loews Hotel Philadelphia, tempting guests with hyper-local flavors that capture the essence of the city as well as the heart behind local food & beverage producers.

Loews Hotels is one of the first hotel brands to embrace local partnerships on a national scale, satisfying guests’ desires to immerse themselves in the destinations – bite-by-bite and sip-by-sip. Flavor by Loews Hotels at Loews Philadelphia Hotel is built upon this vision and highlights partnerships with artisan food & beverage vendors who have inspiring stories to share. They include:

·         Todd Carmichael and JP Iberti founded La Colombe on a simple premise: America Deserves Better Coffee. By sourcing and roasting with care, and borrowing on ancient and modern coffee traditions from around the world, the two have built a successful company and an elevated coffee experience for Americans. The first location opened in Rittenhouse Square in 1994, and is now served in cafes and homes across the country, including Bank & Bourbon and Pod Market in the lobby of the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

·         When Wendy Smith Born and James Barrett opened Metropolitan Bakery breads made with all-natural starter, a long-slow-cool rise and crackling crusts were unique in Philadelphia – and  "shop local," "locally sourced" and "whole grain" were still fledgling food movements. Since then, Metropolitan Bakery has become a Philadelphia institution. Stop by Pod Market in the Loews Hotel Philadelphia and try a chocolate croissant, and you’ll taste why Metropolitan is a nine time Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly” winner.

·         Saint Benjamin Brewing Company is a craft brewery and taproom operating in Kensington, Philadelphia. The name “Saint Benjamin” is a reference to founding father Benjamin Franklin. For the folks at Saint Benjamin, Ben Franklin was more than just a local hero who helped provide a good brewery name. His spirit of piling innovation atop tradition helped inspire them to create offbeat beers like their coffee kolsch and India cream ale. Guests of Bank and Bourbon can try bourbon barrel aged ale, made exclusively in partnership with Saint Benjamin Brewing Company.

“Our Flavor by Loews Hotels partners are the perfect reflection of the Loews Philadelphia Hotel and restaurant concept,” says Chef Thomas Harkins. “Each partner will offer something unique that will enhance our guests experience throughout our hotel. La Colombe, Metropolitan Bakery and Saint Benjamin Brewing Company have deep roots in the Philadelphia community, and we are excited to see how our guest’s react to all our new offerings.”

The Flavor by Loews Hotels program was born at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, which perfectly captured the iconic culture of Miami through its partnerships with an amazing cast of the city’s finest food & beverage purveyors. Based on the success of Flavor Miami, all Loews Hotels from coast-to-coast are now introducing the best of their destination’s food and drink artisans, so guests can truly dine like a local.

Flavor by Loews Hotels will complete its launch across the brand by spring 2018. For more information on Flavor by Loews Hotels visitwww.loewshotels.com/flavor.

About Loews Philadelphia Hotel:

Restored in 2000, the 581-room luxury Loews Philadelphia Hotel is a combination of historic architecture and modern amenities in the landmark PSFS building. Located in the heart of Center City, one of Philly’s most influential neighborhoods, the hotel is walking distance to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal, many historic attractions, museums, theaters, shops and restaurant.

Loews Hotels & Co

Established 1960

Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels & Co. Hospitality Company is rooted in deep heritage in the hotel industry and excellence in service. The hospitality group encompasses branded independent Loews Hotels, and a solid mix of partner-brand hotels. Loews Hotels & Co. owns and/or operates 24 hotels and resorts across the U.S. and Canada, including Hotel 1000 in downtown Seattle and the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, the fifth hotel in partnership with Comcast NBC Universal. Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews Hotels portfolio features properties grounded in family heritage and dedicated delivering unscripted guest moments all with a handcrafted approach. For reservations or more information about Loews Hotels, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or visit: www.loewshotels.com.  

Like Loews Hotels on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoewsHotels

Follow Loews Hotels on Twitter: www.twitter.com/loews_hotels

Watch Loews Hotels on YouTube: www.youtube.com/LoewsHotels

Read our Wish You Were Here Blog at www.loewshotelsblog.com

Travelore News: Philadelphia Hotels Best Rated In US

Overnight visitors to Philadelphia are usually very happy with their hotel choices. In fact, according to a recent survey from TravelMag.com, hotels in Pennsylvania's largest city have earned the distinction of being the best rated in the United States.

The survey compared 30 main destinations in the United States using the customer reviews their hotels have received over the past 12 months as the basis of comparison. Specifically, all reviews of 3- and 4-star hotels posted by guests on the hotel booking site Expedia following their stay were taken into account and were categorized into either positive, neutral or negative assessments.

In Philadelphia, 71% of all 3-star and 83% of all 4-star hotel reviews have been positive over the last year. On the other hand, only 11% of 3-star and 5% of 4-star Philadelphia guests have been disappointed with their accommodations. Overall, hotels in the City of Brotherly Love have achieved the best evaluation among all 30 destinations analyzed by the survey.

Among the other destinations on the survey with top hotel ratings are Chicago, Seattle, Boston and Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Las Vegas ranks at the very bottom of the list. Indeed, less than 50% of customers have been happy with their Sin City hotel over the past 12 months, while more than 25% of these guests awarded their accommodations a negative rating.

Interestingly, for certain destinations such as Charlotte, Indianapolis and New York City, there is no significant difference between the average rating for 3-star hotels and 4-star hotels. Given that the price for a 4-star hotel can sometimes be up to 50% higher, budget-conscious travelers might be better served by opting for a 3-star hotel in these locale.

Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia's Garden District. #ChestnutHillPA

I've lived most of my life in the beautiful Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia, 25 minutes North West of Center City, yet we've never done a Destination Report on the area. Since this area is nestled along 1,800 acres of the Wissihickon Valley park, part of Philadelphia's 9,200 acre Fairmount Park, and includes the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania; it has become known as the Garden District of the city.   A current renaissance of development along Chestnut Hill's main street, Germantown Avenue, is bringing new life to this area named a 2010 Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A series of new restaurants and boutiques are are also opening.

 Where to stay...The historic Chestnut Hill Hotel, dating back to 1864, sits on Germantown Avenue in the central part of area. This boutique hotel with 36 rooms, including 4 suites,  has recently undergone a full renovation bringing it up to high standards. Included are large flat screen televisions with premium cable, free internet, workout room, L'Occitaine bathroom amenities,  complimentary continental breakfast, and free parking.  The staff is also outstanding. Recently they arranged for their private car service to get an actress friend not staying at the hotel on time to a performance in downtown Philadelphia after she missed a train.

For more information please go to www.chestnuthillpa.com, www.upenn.edu/arboretum, and www.chestnuthillhotel.com

I will occasionally add timely information about Chestnut Hill in this blog, with a more extensive Destination Report planned exclusively in print for our subscribers.