A bank for nearly a century, The Ritz-Carlton remains a monument to opulence. The hotel meticulously restored original woodwork, marble, and brass fixtures throughout to open in 2000 for a luxury-seeking clientele of well-heeled executives and families. The lobby has 140-foot-high dome, $2 million in artwork and antiques, and turn-of-the-century-style furnishings.

Travelers looking for turn-of-the-century opulence and Philadelphians attending social events emerge from the elevator into the 19th-floor lobby, where they're greeted with fine views of the city from Palladium windows. This soaring space, like the grand ballroom with its ornate elliptical staircase and the hotel's other public rooms, has been lavishly restored.

A lobby with rose-marble floors, crystal chandeliers, wall tapestries, and a working fireplace provides a warm welcome to this 14-story hotel. From the friendly, khaki-clad valet at the front door to the accommodating concierge and housekeeping staff, the Omni prides itself on service. Conference attendees as well as families stay at the Omni because of its ideal location in the historic district and its child-friendly policies.

Two miles from Philadelphia International Airport, this hotel's convenient location is appealing to many travelers. Some guests enjoy exploring the surrounding wildlife refuge, while others prefer the indoor comforts of the atrium lobby, with its goldfish pond and traditional furnishings.

This University of Pennsylvania-owned Hilton, which shares a building with the university's bookstore, is a favorite stop for academics, businesspeople, alumni, and leisure travelers looking for handsome, up-to-date accommodations tucked right into the Penn campus. The mix of guests makes for a sophisticated meeting place and an atmosphere that's clubby but not stuffy.

Red letters in lights spell PSFS (Philadelphia Saving Fund Society) atop this former bank. Guests enter through glass doors and continue past escalators to a narrow lobby with Numidian Sanguine marble, black-granite floors, Art-Deco Cartier clocks, and a steel vault. Special children's programs and a pet-friendly policy make this Center City hotel a popular choice with families.

Guests take elevators up to a grand lobby, that--despite its location in a late 20th-century skyscraper--reflects a distinctly Philadelphian Colonial style, with landscape paintings, antique porcelain, fine china collections, and 18th-century reproduction furnishings.

Although only one block from one of Philly's busiest districts, this hotel feels removed from the bustle because of its tranquil waterfront setting. Guests enter by way of a warmly lit, circular lobby accented with modern art and velvet armchairs.