Arriving by cab from the airport, we pulled into the circular driveway that the hotel wrapped around, and were greeted by the bellhop opening the door to our cabs. From the outside, the hotel looks simple and small, but elegant. We walked into the open lobby (all the doors to the rooms open up onto balconies overlooking the lobby) filled with chairs, tables, lush greenery, and a running fountain. At night, there were many people hanging out in the lobby. Also in the lobby was an upscale restaurant, a small bar, and a gift shop. There was also a concierge desk that was pretty helpful: free maps and brochures, helped us find a place to eat dinner nearby (don''t use that computer near the desk unless you have a car... all the restaurants in it are too far to walk!), and allowed us to check our bags for the day after we checked out.
Check-in was very easy (being a member of Sheraton''s Starwoods club helped). We were given a non-smoking room on the 3rd floor of the 4 story hotel. The indoor pool and health club were also on our floor.
Our room was a fairly good size, with two very comfortable double beds, a table and chairs, a huge armoir with several drawers, a 20" TV, and a coffeemaker. The bathroom was nice and clean with plenty of towels and toiletries. There was also a mirrored closet - important for 6 girls trying to get ready at the same time.
The hotel was located in the best possible location from all I saw about Philly. We were blocks from most of the historical monuments, and South Street; yet it was a nice, clean, safe area of town and there were neat restaurants, bars, and shops within a few blocks. (Go out hotel entrance, turn Right onto 2nd Street and there''s all kinds of stuff!)
As for parking, the valet parking at the hotel was $22 a day, or $16 a day to park yourself.