This is a mini-review of a short hotel stay. There’s nothing fabulous about most any airport hotel, but having spent one night here before a flight, I thought it was worth a quick post. The back story – I was in New Jersey on business, and the most suitable airport was Philadelphia. I flew in the evening before my series of meetings the following day and stayed near the project site. I knew I would be unable to finish everything I needed to do on site, and get back to PHL before the last flight to Atlanta. The solution – The Philadelphia Airport Marriott. Staying at the airport enabled me to avoid getting up at 3AM to get to the airport, and I was able to drop the rental car off one day early too, since the hotel is connected to the airport terminal. I could do without a car because Philadelphia’s SEPTA trains service the airport, and you can take that into town, or you can do what I did and realize you’re bone tired and really just want a drink and a burger in the hotel restaurant (which turned out to be surprisingly good) and then go to bed.

Check in was swift, and easy, and I was on my way to my 7th floor room in short order. The room was basic Marriott with a comfortable bed, big TV, well-lit work area, and my favorite thing about any hotel nowadays, lots of power outlets.

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The hotel’s restaurant, The Riverbend Bar and Grill, turned out to be surprisingly good. I went for the pork chop, which was really good. All of my colleagues were well pleased with their food as well. Dinner menu here. There is a concierge lounge, which I only visited for dessert so I can’t speak to the morning and evening buffet spreads. Dessert was a little minimalist, but fine for me.

Getting to the airport terminal was very easy. There is a shuttle, but you can walk from the second level. The hotel staff estimated a 7 minute walk, but I’d be surprised if it took more than 5 minutes. The climate controlled walkway ends at the B/C security checkpoint. If you’re a PreCheck person, just turn left at the end of the walkway and proceed a little further. Even though this lane enters into the US Airways area, you can easily walk to the Delta gates. If you have luggage to check, you’ll need to spend a few minutes outside, but you can still walk to the Delta check in area.

If you have an early morning flight from Philadelphia International, consider staying at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, and saving yourself a few minutes of valuable sleep.

-MJ, November 22, 2013