Philadelphia is a fantastic destination for families seeking a mix of history, culture, and kid-friendly activities. With iconic landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Franklin Institute, plus sprawling parks and museums tailored to younger visitors, Philly invites families to explore together. However, to truly enjoy your trip, choosing the right hotel is key—somewhere comfortable, convenient, and packed with family-focused amenities.
Here, we highlight the best family hotels in Philadelphia. These selections balance location, price, kid-friendly services, and easy booking options, ensuring your family getaway is smooth, fun, and memorable.
1. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia
Location: Center City, close to Rittenhouse Square and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Price Range: Approximately $250-$400 per night, depending on season and room type
Family Features: Spacious suites, complimentary cribs, kid-friendly menus at the in-house restaurant, and easy access to the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum. The hotel offers bicycle rentals, perfect for family outings along the Schuylkill River Trail.
Why Choose It: The Kimpton Palomar is stylish yet welcoming, blending modern luxury with family comfort. Its proximity to major museums and parks means short walks to kid favorites. The staff is known for being accommodating to families, often providing welcome gifts or snacks for children.
Booking Tips: You can book via major travel platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com, which often feature flexible cancellation policies—a helpful option when traveling with kids.
2. Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Location: Historic Center City, near Reading Terminal Market and the Liberty Bell
Price Range: Around $220-$350 per night
Family Features: This hotel offers spacious family rooms and suites, in-room childcare services, and an indoor pool perfect for kids to burn off energy. Complimentary cribs and high chairs are available. The location puts families steps away from interactive museums and kid-friendly restaurants.
Why Choose It: Loews is well known for its dedicated family programs and child-friendly amenities, making it a go-to for parents who want convenience and comfort. Its historic building offers a charming atmosphere with modern comforts.
Booking Tips: Use third-party travel sites for deals and package options, often bundling hotel stays with local attractions or transportation passes to save on family costs.
3. The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton
Location: Near Logan Square and the Franklin Institute
Price Range: $280-$450 per night
Family Features: The Logan offers family suites, kids’ activity kits upon arrival, and access to an outdoor pool and a rooftop lounge with panoramic city views. It’s a short walk to the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences, ideal for educational outings.
Why Choose It: Modern design meets practical family needs here. The hotel has babysitting referrals and in-room dining options suitable for children. Its central location means you can easily explore cultural spots and parks with kids.
Booking Tips: Consider booking through Hilton’s affiliated travel platforms or popular hotel booking engines, where you might find special offers or rewards points.
4. Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Location: Rittenhouse Square, one of Philly’s most beautiful neighborhoods
Price Range: $200-$350 per night
Family Features: Sonesta offers suites with kitchenettes, perfect for families who prefer to prepare simple meals. The hotel has babysitting services, and its staff is well-trained in accommodating families. Nearby parks and playgrounds provide natural spaces for kids to play.
Why Choose It: The residential vibe of Rittenhouse Square coupled with the hotel’s family-friendly amenities makes Sonesta a strong choice for families looking for a quieter, more relaxed urban experience.
Booking Tips: Platforms like Priceline or Agoda often have competitive rates for Sonesta, and many offer flexible cancellation policies for family peace of mind.
5. Hyatt House Philadelphia/Center City
Location: Center City, within walking distance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market
Price Range: $180-$300 per night
Family Features: Hyatt House specializes in extended stays, so it offers suites with full kitchens, washers/dryers, and separate living areas, ideal for families who want extra space. Complimentary breakfast and a grocery shopping service make meals easy with kids.
Why Choose It: For families planning a longer visit or those who prefer home-like comforts, Hyatt House delivers. The location is convenient for sightseeing, and the hotel is known for its friendly, helpful staff.
Booking Tips: Book via popular online travel agencies or through discount membership sites that cater to family travelers, often with package deals.
6. The Windsor Suites Philadelphia
Location: Near Rittenhouse Square and Philadelphia City Hall
Price Range: $190-$320 per night
Family Features: Offers spacious suites with full kitchens, free parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The suites include separate living rooms, allowing families to spread out comfortably. The hotel provides children’s activity packs and is close to kid-friendly attractions like the Please Touch Museum.
Why Choose It: Great for families wanting more space and flexibility without sacrificing location. It’s also a budget-conscious choice that doesn’t skimp on quality or comfort.
Booking Tips: Use trusted booking platforms such as Booking.com or Expedia, where guest reviews can help you assess suitability for your family’s needs.
7. The Franklin Hotel at Independence Park
Location: Old City, steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
Price Range: $200-$340 per night
Family Features: The Franklin Hotel features classic charm with modern amenities, offering cribs and rollaway beds upon request. Its location makes sightseeing with kids incredibly convenient, with easy access to parks and museums. The hotel offers in-room dining with kid-friendly options.
Why Choose It: History lovers will appreciate staying close to Philadelphia’s historic core. The hotel’s warm, welcoming atmosphere is especially appreciated by families visiting the city for its cultural heritage.
Booking Tips: Consider hotel aggregators that include this hotel in historical travel packages or family-friendly city stay bundles.
Booking Accommodations for Families: Best Practices
When planning a family trip to Philadelphia, securing the right accommodation is one of the most important steps to ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyone. Unlike solo travelers or couples, families need more space, specific amenities, and often extra flexibility to accommodate children’s needs. This makes thoughtful planning and smart booking strategies essential—especially in a vibrant, popular city like Philadelphia where demand for family-friendly hotels can be high during peak seasons.
Book Early to Secure the Best Options
One of the most valuable tips for booking family accommodations in Philadelphia is to reserve your hotel well in advance, ideally two to three months before your intended travel dates. This lead time is particularly important during the summer months and holiday periods when the city experiences an influx of tourists. Early booking gives you access to a wider selection of rooms, including family suites, rooms with connecting doors, or accommodations that offer cribs and other child-friendly amenities. Waiting too long to book could mean missing out on these options or facing much higher prices due to limited availability.
Use Flexible Booking Platforms for Peace of Mind
Families often face unexpected changes—whether it’s a sudden illness, a shift in travel plans, or delays with flights and transportation. For this reason, choosing booking platforms that offer flexible cancellation policies and easy date changes is critical. Leading online travel agencies like Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com provide family travelers with the option to cancel or modify reservations without penalty, sometimes up to 24 or 48 hours before check-in. This flexibility provides peace of mind and protects your investment in case plans shift.
Moreover, many platforms allow you to filter hotels by family-friendly amenities, ensuring you don’t waste time sorting through unsuitable options. Reading detailed property descriptions and filtering by features like kitchenettes, pools, or babysitting services can help narrow down your choices.
Look for Family Packages and Bundles
Another savvy way to save money and reduce hassle is to look for hotel packages that bundle accommodations with attraction tickets, transportation passes, or city tours. Philadelphia offers many kid-friendly attractions, such as the Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum, and Philadelphia Zoo. Some travel platforms partner with hotels to offer these combined deals, providing convenience and value.
Booking bundled packages can simplify your itinerary and often results in significant savings compared to buying tickets and accommodations separately. It also means less waiting in lines and a smoother overall experience, which is a huge plus when traveling with young children.
Check Recent Reviews from Families
While star ratings and official hotel descriptions are useful, guest reviews—especially those from families—offer invaluable insights into what you can really expect. Recent reviews can highlight the quality of family services, such as the availability of cribs, the friendliness of staff towards children, the safety of the neighborhood, and the suitability of on-site amenities.
Pay particular attention to comments about noise levels, room cleanliness, and ease of access to key attractions or public transport. Families often mention practical details others might overlook, like the availability of laundry facilities or nearby playgrounds, which can significantly impact your stay.
Philadelphia is a city brimming with opportunities for family fun, education, and exploration. Selecting the right hotel can make the difference between a stressful trip and a truly memorable vacation for both parents and children. Whether you opt for luxurious suites with stunning city views, convenient extended-stay apartments with full kitchens, or charming historic hotels nestled near the city’s landmarks, Philadelphia has family-friendly lodging options to fit a wide range of preferences and budgets.
By planning ahead, leveraging flexible booking platforms, seeking out value-packed packages, and carefully reading family-focused reviews, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the ideal accommodation for your Philadelphia adventure. This preparation allows you to focus on what really matters: spending quality time with your loved ones and soaking in all the unique experiences the City of Brotherly Love has to offer.
