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Located in the heart of Center City, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is one of the Philadelphia’s most fashionable and wheelchair accessible hotels. The 581-room hotel has 16 handicap accessible guest rooms that feature modern decor, comfortable bedding, free wi-fi and ADA compliant bathrooms, making it a great choice for travelers with disabilities. Opened in 2000, the hotel is located inside the old PSFS building—America’s first modern skyscraper and a National Historic Landmark.
The Loews Hotel and Visit Philly teamed up to host me on this trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but the views and opinions shared here are my own. The pictures speak for themselves!
Booking an Accessible Hotel Room
The easiest way to reserve an accessible hotel room at Loews Philadelphia Hotel is online at the hotel’s website. Rates at the hotel vary based on the season and nightly demand, but usually start at around $200 USD.
Searching for rates and availability is possible from the homepage. To limit your results to accessible guest rooms, click the ADA button. This option is shown in the screenshot above, which I have marked with a red arrow.
The hotel has 16 total ADA accessible rooms which are dispersed among the various classes of rooms. They are segmented as follows:
- King bed + Accessible bathtub — 5 rooms
- King bed + Roll-in shower — 1 room
- 2 Double beds + Accessible bathtub — 5 rooms
- 2 Double beds + Roll-in shower — 3 rooms
- Club Room with Queen bed + Roll-in shower — 1 room
- Suite King bed + Roll-in shower — 1 room
With proper dispersion, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel offers guests with disabilities the opportunity to reserve the room best suited to their needs. And, when traveling for a special occasion, you can book an accessible club floor room or even a suite!
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room
After checking-in at the front desk, I made my way up to my room on the 22nd floor. The door was unlocked with a tap of the key card and swung open easily with little force.
The room’s interior was spacious. Its centerpiece, a single Queen size bed, was plush, comfortable and topped with an abundance of pillows. There was space for my power wheelchair on all sides of the bed, and plenty of room for a 360-degree turn. For a hotel with such a prime downtown location, I was impressed with the room’s square footage.
The work desk was wheelchair accessible and the accompanying chair could be rolled out of the way easily. On the bedside table, three convenience items: an easy to operate lamp, iHome Speaker with iPhone docking station, and power outlets. It was here that I plugged-in my power wheelchair for charging. More outlets were located nearby, attached to the side of the desk.
Opposite the foot of the bed was chest of drawers, topped with a flat panel television, a lamp and a coffee maker. The bright red chair added some color and flair to the room. All-in-all, a very accessible sleeping area at the Loews Hotel.
Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom
Bathrooms designed for use by people with disabilities must be accessible, and I was happy to find just that at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The shower, sink and toilet were all compliant with the ADA standards for hotel bathrooms.
The roll-in shower was fantastic, with grab bars in all the right places and a sturdy shower seat attached to the wall. The water controls and a handheld shower spray unit were all within reach of the seat. Water pressure was high, making for a truly enjoyable shower.
The bathroom sink was set at the right height to allow my wheelchair to roll underneath and the water faucet was easy to operate. An adjustable mirror nearby makes it possible for everyone to see their reflection, regardless of height.
Grab bars were attached to the walls next to and behind the toilet. An abundance of clear floor space directly alongside the toilet provided a place to park my wheelchair and made lateral transfers possible. Toilet paper was within reach. Like the sleeping area, the bathroom in my accessible Loews Hotel room was accessible.
Location & Transportation
Located on the corner of 12th and Market streets, the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is just two blocks from City Hall, two blocks from Reading Terminal Market and six blocks from the Liberty Bell. With so many tourist attractions, restaurants and bars within walking distance (including the Hard Rock Cafe on the opposite corner), the Loews Hotel is at the center of the action.
Public transit connections couldn’t be more convenient. Multiple city bus routes are located in front of the hotel and the wheelchair accessible 13th Street subway station is just steps away. Jefferson Station, with trains to the Philadelphia airport, is two blocks from the hotel. If you need assistance ordering a wheelchair accessible taxi, just ask the hotel’s staff and they’ll get you squared away.
Final Thoughts
The Loews Hotel in Philadelphia was a fantastic base from which to explore the city. I was in close proximity to so many of the city’s most historic sites and attractions, and I had a truly fantastic stay. The hotel’s comfort, location and high level of guest room accessibility are all important factors in selecting a hotel for your next vacation. If you are planning a trip to Philadelphia, I can’t recommend a better choice in accommodation.
Feature image courtesy of Loews Philadelphia Hotel.
