Got this hotel for $60 a night for two nights.
It took us forever to get into our room, but when we did, it was worth it.
The service was excellent. The location was excellent. The only downside is that its a pain to get from the parking garage to the hotel. The elevator took forever. Parking is $25 a night and you have to park in the garage for the convention center next door.

Hotel has a small pool and weight room.
Quick check-in.

When I stayed at this hotel, the elevator in the parking garage didn't work. I had to walk down 5 levels in the garage - with luggage. When I complained to the front desk manager, I was told "it's not our garage" but she authorized a refund of the parking charge. The next day, when I checked out, the elevator still wasn't working and I was directed to a different elevator. That elevator took me to a different part of the garage - and once I figured that out, I had to CLIMB OVER A CONCRETE WALL to get to my car.

Since then I have made multiple complaints to Hilton Hotels. They just don't care. "Guest relations" kept referring my complaint back to the same front desk manager to whom I complained upon check in. She offered me "a weekend for two with breakfast" - but why would I ever go back to the same hotel? I persisted in my pursuit of an acknowlegement of my complaint and never got one, despite multiple emails and calls. Today I was hung up on by a person in "guest relations". I promise I was irritated but not rude or abusive.

Did you know that the supervisors in "guest relations" don't answer their phone? or return calls? Did you know that the only way to complain about Hilton Hotels is to contact "guest relations"?

Stay away. From all Hiltons. That's the only way to change their behavior.

BTW, I travel between 75 and 100 nights a year. I know hotels.

Ok. The first observation is the entrance to the hotel is under a bridge or walkway and reminds me of port authority in NYC. So, the outside entrance is dark and has cheap stores across the street like a bus terminal. On the flip side, the location of the hotel is right around the corner from Chinatown with its Arch "hence Arch st.", across from the convention center with Reading Terminal Market is around the corner on the same block with interesting food shops and some gift stuff. But be warned that on weekdays Reading closes at 6pm...so no dinner options there -just breakfast and lunch.

Around the corner across the street near the Hard Rock Cafe is the Marriott, which would be a better stay to access the Reading market and Chinatown and get a "Brighter and Lighter" location. However, price played into our decision to come to Hilton Garden plus an indoor-pool with jacuzzi and a nice 10th floor restaurant that is bright and looks out over the city.

For families with young children coming for History tour, this is not recommended. It is too far a walk to Independence Hall through some ugly and smelly areas of Philly . The Holiday Inn in Old City seemed a better location, for an inexpensive family visit to Philly...but we couldn't get a reservation there. Also, noted is the Omni which is in a perfect location, but much more expensive than the Hilton Garden.

Hilton Garden is not a pretty location and it is a noisey location, with the hospital around the corner. The maid service was lacking and did not make our beds but just delivered clean towels, toiletries and emptied the garbage. Room in general was clean and noted was the upgrades on bedding and TVs. The Fan in the room was loud but worked to our advantage when we didn't want to listen to the street noises outside. As we were there just two nights and got the price we wanted this was fine. But would consider something closer to the Independence Visitor center and Old City next time.

I'll preface these comments by noting that I got this room for a rate of $55/night bidding for three-star on priceline. At that price, I can't really complain too much about the place. However, I usually bid for nicer properties on priceline, and after my experience here, I will definitely bid for a nicer (four star) property in Philadelphia.

The hotel was okay save for a couple of significant negatives -- the king size bed was worn out (in room 708 -- so ask for another room if you get that one checking in!) -- it was broken down in the middle, so there was a tendency for my significant other and I to roll downhill all night long. It definitely was not comfortable. After the first night, we called the front desk to see about switching rooms. They claimed to be all booked up, and offered a free breakfast voucher. Needless to say, the free breakfast voucher didn't make the broken down bed any more comfortable the following night! Nor did the place appear to be that full. TERRIBLE customer service.

On the first night (about 2am actually), we also got to experience what seemed like a party on the seventh floor -- loud shouting, doors slamming, all sorts of carrying on for 45 minutes or so. Real classy clientèle at this place on this evening.

On the plus side, our room was HUGE for a hotel in the center of a major city. The free wifi worked quite nicely. The large screen lcd TV was nice. And the location was okay (relatively easy access to the train to/from the airport, major attractions, and Reading terminal market -- although it's not in the greatest area).

But, those pluses hardly outweigh a terrible bed and service staff who don't seem to give a damn. This place definitely isn't worth the rack rate, and if you're using Priceline, I would highly recommend going for a four star and spending a few more bucks.