Sonder The Witherspoon Apartments Center City

The street noise is the main tradeoff for the location. The narrow streets seem to amplify it, and on weekends things didn't quiet down until after 3:00 a.m. Sunday. The earplugs they provide are a must for light sleepers. Some of the furniture didn't work well for me either: the sofa was deep and low, and the breakfast bar stools seemed made for someone sprier and lighter. Apart from the desk chair, there wasn't anywhere else to sit. In my unit the bed was placed so I had to get out of bed to turn off the bedside light. The HVAC worked, but was loud. The building was clean except for the outside of the windows, which were filthy and badly in need of a wash. For a week exploring Center City as a possible future home, Sonder The WItherspoon was a great base. The neighborhood has become a nightlife destination, with bars, cafes, and restaurants just a few blocks away. My one-bedroom apartment had a small extra room with a desk and chair, and the kitchen was set up for basic cooking and eating in. Appliances were good quality, including a Bosch washer/dryer, and there were pots, pans, dishes, and glasses. Hot water and pressure were great, and the linens and towels were fine. There was no cleaning during a typical stay, but extra towels and necessities were available in the lobby. WiFi was fast and reliable, and the unit was extremely clean and ready when I arrived. A minor repair was taken care of quickly, and the staff were all friendly and helpful. For the money, it was a great deal, and I'm glad I chose it over a standard hotel room.

We were disappointed by our recent stay at the Sonder Witherspoon in Philly. The location was fine, but our two-bedroom, two-bath apartment only had one TV in the living room, with no local channels for weather or news. Guests have to use their own streaming services. There was shower gel but no washcloths, and service was basically nonexistent. We were directed to the housekeeping closet for towels and other supplies, but there weren't any washcloths there either. We booked as a one-off through Marriott and complained to them. They passed it on to Sonder, which offered a $100 credit for Sonder only. I thought Marriott would stand behind its brand, but apparently not.

The room was comfortable and had plenty of amenities for a longer stay, and the price and location were convenient. But the noise at night was a lot: cars revved outside, and nearby bars stayed lively until 2-3am. Walking north toward the market felt sketchy, though heading south from the hotel was fine. They leave earplugs in the rooms, which makes sense. I just wish it had been quieter.

I had a stay booked for next week, then received an email saying Sonder’s licensing agreement with Marriott International, Inc is no longer in effect and they could not honor my reservation. It said nothing about a refund. The phone number for the property hangs up as soon as I call. Marriott customer service gave me a case number but wouldn’t refund me or find another room nearby. They looked on Google and suggested two hotels at a similar price about 10 miles away, which wasn’t useful. I still hope my money comes back, but cancelling without an immediate refund or comparable accommodation is ridiculous. I won’t book another stay at a Marriott hotel.