💡 Get Philly smart 💡
with BP’s free daily newsletter
Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
The NFL Draft begins in Philly in two days — as do the Penn Relays — and there are still plenty of lodging options for last-minute travelers who want to make their way to Philly.
A scan through both Hotels.com and Airbnb shows that the latter could be a better option at this point. Hotel rates within city limits or walking distance of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are still in fluctuation and almost all are booking for more than $200 a night.
Ed Grose, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, told Billy Penn earlier this month that the Draft is driving hotel occupancies in the city and he expects that occupancy to reach somewhere close to 100 percent. He said though “this isn’t DNC rates,” the demand created by the Draft was similar to “a large medical convention that doesn’t quite sell out the city, but does well.”
There are some lodging deals for a two-night stay from Thursday to Saturday that are still out there that might be worth scooping up if you’re within driving distance of Philly. Here are 10 that are available (though rates are changing by the hour):
Hotels
1. Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Location: 1200 Market St.
Price: $239/night
Hotels.com rating: 4.5/5
What else to know: The Loews is one of the most well-known hotels in Philadelphia, and staying here will put you just a few blocks from City Hall and the entrance to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway where the Draft will be located. Also, trivia: It’s located in the nation’s first skyscraper.
2. The Logan Philadelphia
Location: One Logan Square
Price: $399/night
Hotels.com rating: 4.4/5
What else to know: Obviously this price isn’t exactly… affordable. But you can’t get much better than watching the NFL Draft on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway than being in the Logan right there in the thick of it. Book this place if you hate walking and have a lot of money to throw around.
3. Sofitel Philadelphia
Location: 120 S. 17th St.
Price: $272/night
Hotels.com rating: 4.6/5
What else to know: This hotel is one of the nicest, most well-known in Philadelphia and is in the heart of Rittenhouse Square. It’s just a short walk to the NFL Draft action and not far from University City if you’re interested in the Penn Relays, too.
4. Wyndham Historic District
Location: 400 Arch Street
Price: $178/night
Hotels.com rating: 4.0/5
What else to know: The prices start dropping pretty significantly the farther you are from the Parkway. That’s why the Wyndham in Old City might be a better bet. It’s a longer walk to the Parkway, but it’s certainly doable if you’re a spritely young thing. Or you can easily hop on the Market-Frankford line to get to and from the Parkway area.
5. Holiday Inn Express Bensalem
Location: 1329 Bristol Pike, Bensalem
Price: $119/night
Hotels.com rating: 4.2/5
What else to know: Some of us have Logan Hotel tastes with Holiday Inn Express Bensalem budgets. It’s OK. We get it.
Airbnb options
1. ‘Inches from the NFL Draft’
Location: Located next to The Barnes Museum and nearby Rodin Museum. (Airbnb doesn’t provide exact addresses until you book.)
Price: $160/ night
Rating: Five stars
What else to know: You can’t do much better in terms of location than this one-bedroom townhouse that’s basically sitting on the Parkway where the NFL Draft is taking place.
2. Skip the Parkway and watch from this condo
Location: Fairmount/ Art Museum area
Price: $250/night
Rating: No ratings yet, but the host is verified.
What else to know: This condo in the Art Museum area has a private rooftop deck overlooking the area where the NFL Draft will take places. No promises you’ll be able to hear the action, but you might be able to see some things. Sort of.
3. Get a cheaper spot north of Center City
Location: Near 13th and Fairmount
Price: $41/night
Rating: No rating yet.
What else to know: Rent out this third-floor bedroom for cheap and you’ll be close to SEPTA stations along the Broad Street Line, which will take you much closer to the NFL Draft set-up in Center City.
4. Stay across the river
Location: North 38th Street and Lancaster Avenue area
Price: $85/night
Rating: Five stars
What else to know: Consider staying across the Schuylkill River in University City for some cheaper rates compared to Center City Airbnb locations. You’ll also be basically steps away from the Penn Relays.
5. Get free noodles in South Philly
Location: South Sixth Street and Oregon Avenue area
Price: $32/night
Rating: Five stars
What else to know: This is a scorching hot deal. It’s not far from the stadium area where parking for the Draft is free, and you’ll likely be just a few blocks away from the Broad Street Line which will take you up to Center City. Also! You get a cup of instant noodles per day per guest. Score.
