Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square

I liked the renovated look and general appearance of the restaurant. The TV was good, and the room felt safe. But the rooms are small, and there was no coffee, closet, or iron. The ice machine is in the basement. The AC made the loudest noise I've ever heard, and the bathroom basin faucets were really hard to use. The staff were generally attentive, though they forgot to offer me the water bottles they offered to all HH members. Usually just one person handled check-in and luggage pickup, so there was a wait.

The staff and servers were easily the best part of my stay. Everyone I dealt with was kind, polite, and professional, and I really appreciated their service. The room itself raised several concerns. I found a dirty cup under the bed, and the bedding seemed to be just mattress covers with a loose sheet that kept slipping off overnight. It also didn’t look like the linens had been fully changed between guests. The shower never got properly hot, even turned all the way up, so bathing was uncomfortable. The food wasn’t worth the prices, either. The café’s empanadas were disappointing. At the restaurant, my shrimp and scallop ceviche came with only three shrimp, lots of cucumber, very little avocado, red onion, and no side. The serving and presentation didn’t justify the cost. I expected more attention to cleanliness, comfort, and food quality.

The bed was comfortable, the location was excellent, and staff kindly brought me extra floor mats. For a first stay at a Motto, the small room and basic amenities were fine. But the shower curtain was absurd. It hung about three inches above the shower step, so water splashed freely onto the bathroom floor. Staff said every room had the same issue and the curtains were all too short. Lowering the rod seemed like a simple fix, but apparently it had to go through Hilton procedure. Since when does a global hotel chain need so much red tape for something this basic?

There’s not much shared space unless you’re using one of the restaurants. The coffee shop area gets crowded, and there’s no proper lobby lounge, so arrivals and departures can feel cramped. Parking is across the street, though SpotHero has cheaper options around the block. Still, the value for this location is hard to beat. The rooms are small, but the studios work well for a few days of exploring. It’s clean and felt safe, with some of the city’s best food spots just steps away. The entrance is understated, and the staff and bartenders were all kind and helpful, with quick service at the bar. We enjoyed the restaurants and food and drink options, and Hilton Honors members get a daily food and beverage credit that’s genuinely useful. Tip: there’s a water refill station and a shared microwave in the basement for leftovers.