HOTEL PALOMAR, PHILADELPHIA
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Terrifically located off Rittenhouse Square, The Palomar injects a dose of liveliness into Philadelphia's stodgy hotel scene. In place of prim settees and stern wood paneling, you'll find chrome-and-velvet couches, a roaring fire, and quirky design touches such as pop art busts of Benjamin Franklin, ceramic roller skates, and bowls formed from gold bananas. The mix of whimsical and modern design elements make the lobby and neighboring Square 1682 restaurant places you want to hang out in. The staff further encourage the impulse, chatting up guests over complimentary wine or hot toddies in the evening—depending on the season—and shade-grown coffee in the morning (eco- and energy-saving measures grant it the honor of being Philadelphia's first LEED-certified hotel). Pieces by local artists pay homage the building's past life as the Art Deco Architects Building, with installations of pinwheels made from blueprints and metal figurines scaling a wall like an army of construction workers. The 230 guest rooms lack some of the snappy personality of the common areas, but feel serene and welcoming with lavender chevron headboards and pillowy beds topped in white Frette linens.

Which room to book: Book a south-facing Spa King Room on one of the higher floors: For an extra $60 dollars, you'll get 125 more square feet and a massive Fuji soaking tub with views of the skyline that the former occupants of the building helped to create.

Hotel Palomar Philadelphia
Tel: 888 725 1778

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See more hotels on Condé Nast Traveler's 2010 Hot List.

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