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The Notary Hotel, located in Philadelphia, PA, is a Marriott category 5 hotel… for the moment. On March 4th this hotel will bump up to category 6. Nick and I stayed here for the latest FM to Go for 2 nights. I checked in early and took the only already clean room (two Queen beds) and Nick later checked into his King bed room. We booked a AAA “Hot Rate” of $145 per night.
The Notary Hotel Philadelphia, Autograph Collection Bottom Line Review
Everything about the hotel was pretty good, but not good enough to be called great. They clearly had fun with the “notary” theme with various decorations and the fact that they have a stamp to notarize your key envelope when you check in. I was very happy with the hotel for $145 per night! I wouldn’t be thrilled with paying 50,000 points per night (which is the new standard points rate beginning March 4th 2020).
- Points Price: Category 6, 50K points per night standard, 40K off-peak, or 60K peak (as of March 4 2020)
- Value for the Points: Poor. 50K points is a lot to pay for a good, but not great hotel.
- Location: Very good.
- Breakfast: Good. As a Platinum Elite or higher, you can choose anything on the breakfast menu for free. Tips are extra. Breakfast service was very good. Food was good but not particularly special (despite a menu that made things sound special).
- Room: Good. I liked the decor. I didn’t like how small the window was (at least in my room). I usually like soft beds and the Notary does have soft beds, but I found the bed slightly uncomfortable anyway.
- Parking: Not sure about parking prices. We didn’t have a car here.
- Service: Fair to good. One time when I called with a request (my room was missing water bottles), the delivery was prompt. The next day I asked for something else, but it never came.
- Turndown service: None? I never received any mints anyway.
- Marriott Elite Benefits: Good. The free breakfast was automatic.
- Would I stay again? I’d be happy to stay again if the price is right. I won’t pay 50,000 points though!
Photos and captions follow…
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Used to live in Philly until recently and walked past this hotel all the time. It used to be a Courtyard Marriott – one of three Marriotts within a block or so of the convention center. Then Marriott decided to rebrand it, throw a “notary” theme on it (because it’s close to City Hall or some such?) and turn it boutique-y so they can upcharge. This might be why you were not impressed – I bet it felt like a Courtyard with a thin veneer of boutique-y-ness.
That’s a reasonable assumption, but actually no it didn’t feel like a Courtyard at all. I think they did a great job with the hotel styling and the physical conversion to a boutique-like hotel. It didn’t feel boutique service-wise, though. Despite that, I liked the hotel, it just wasn’t good enough to become a 50K per night hotel in my opinion.
Thanks for the timely review. I booked 2 nights here for Memorial Day weekend to use up my last 35k cert. Weekend nights (Fri-Sat) were peak price so I’m spending 40k points for Sat night and using the cert for Sun. Will definitely be canceling my Marriott cards before the next AF is due, it’s too hard to use the free night certs since most places I’ve looked have peak pricing every weekend night.
Dang, didn’t realize you guyz were in town. Welcome to Dirty Philly! 😉
Sorry you missed us! We posted it last month:
https://frequentmiler.com/fm-to-go-coming-soon-to-a-town-near-you/
We also had it in our Frequent Miler Insiders and on our Events page:
https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-miler-event-schedule/
I know that doesn’t do you any good now, but figured I’d share for future reference so you don’t miss us next time.
Was working then anyway thanks tho!
why don’t you burn your 50k at Ritz Carlton Philly 😀
Because The Notary was $145 😀
Oh I thought you meant you paid points 🙂
No, Greg said that it wouldn’t be worth 50K points, but we were happy to pay $145. I’d definitely book it again at that price.
You are right. I just jumped on 50k points, because I have a 50k certification expiring Aug, and Ritz Philly will be cat-7 after March 4.
But I appreciate the other comment telling me Ritz Philly is horrible. I’ve checked Tripadvisor and used my cert on the historical Marriott in Lancaster (35k) instead. The March 4 category change not only devalues 35k cert badly, 50k cert also take the blow as it’ll be extremely difficult to use 50k cert at >$300 cash value in future..
Ritz Carlton in Philly is horrible
Really! I plan to check it out in Spring. It will jump to cat 7 after March.
I had a similar experience at the Notary this past November. Disappointed to hear it’ll be going to a category 6 shortly. The Residence Inn next door is starting to look better and better. Cheers
What did you think of the comfort of the bed? I’m wondering if it was just me that found it a bit uncomfortable.
Neither my wife nor I were thrilled with it, you’re not alone there!