There’s a major new meetings venue in Philly. Last summer, the 295-room W Philadelphia, located in a 51-story skyscraper in the heart of downtown, opened its doors. “Philadelphia is the quintessential city for a W hotel—rebellious, unexpected, and original,” says Tom Jarrold, global brand leader of W Hotels Worldwide.
“Its diverse neighborhoods and rich history attract travelers from around the country and the world, and we are excited to put our unique stamp on its luxury hotel scene.”
With 36 event rooms and more than 45,000 square feet of event space, W Philadelphia offers a variety of meeting space. Here’s an overview:
Pre-Function Space: The event space is spread across three floors, with pre-function space for receptions and networking on floors four and five. The floors are connected by a grand staircase lit by a floating chandelier made of 10,000 gold coins as a nod to the city’s banking history.
Meeting Rooms: W Philadelphia’s meeting rooms have an industrial quality to their design. Hidden behind amber glass doors, they’re designed to evoke the feeling of private recording studios or a soundstage.
WET Deck and Secret Garden: Located atop the seventh floor, the WET Deck features striking views of the city and includes a heated, year-round pool with intricate green and blue custom tile work. Topiary runs alongside the balcony wall, shielding the pool from the cityscape and creating an intimate environment.
Around the corner, guests will discover a lush greenspace known as the Secret Garden. Landscaped with topiaries and myrtle trees, it features illuminated busts of Benjamin Franklin and Marie Antoinette—they spent time together in Versailles when Franklin was the first foreign ambassador of the United States—tucked amid the greenery for a modern twist on traditional garden design.
Stevens’ Prophecy: Concealed behind a two-way mirror, Stevens’ Prophecy is a secret salon with artwork celebrating Philadelphia native, Grace Kelly. The name is a reference to a yearbook prediction by her classmates at the Stevens School in Germantown that she would become “a famous star of stage and screen.”
Great Room: The sun-drenched Great Room ballroom features floor-to-ceiling windows and abstract floral carpeting with exaggerated, digitized references to 1940s needlepoint artwork on display at Philadelphia’s Fabric Workshop and Museum. Capacity: 550 for a reception, 410 for a seated banquet.
