• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

The mosaic-decorated sunroom at French Philly.   (Photo: Courtesy of French Philly)

Find Art Deco touches mixed with contemporary furnishings like a recycled white-glass fireplace at Hotel Palomar (from $189), a slick, 230-room Center City property housed in the 1929 Architects Building. All the rooms are stylishly appointed with original artwork; ask to stay on the eighteenth floor to enjoy the tallest ceilings and views of the skyline. For something similarly stylish but brand-new, splashy sister property Hotel Monaco opens in October.

Escape to a quiet side street just off Rittenhouse Square at Rittenhouse 1715 (from $160), a century-old former carriage house with 23 spacious guest rooms featuring marble bathrooms and antique-style furnishings. Homey touches round out the comfortable French-inflected décor like board games, continental breakfasts, and iron balconies accented with flower boxes. Before heading out to dinner, enjoy complimentary wine in the drawing room, offered each evening.

Spread out on the second floor of an 1853 row house at French Philly (from $120), a bed and breakfast run by a friendly couple in trendy Northern Liberties. The space includes a private bathroom and art-filled library, but you can also make use of the downstairs sunroom, decorated with a wine-themed mosaic by local artist Isaiah Zagar. Be sure to mine the owners, who are 30-year residents, for tips on the area like where to fine the hidden Maxfield Parrish Mosaic.

Published on Aug 31, 2012 as a web exclusive.