The Notary Hotel Philadelphia, Autograph Collection (Marriott). Bottom Line Review.

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a stack of books in a library

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…

a room with two beds
My Queen Room at the Notary Hotel. Nice decor. Slightly uncomfortable beds (in my opinion). Small window, but with a great view.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument skyline at night with a clock tower
The view from the small window in my Queen Room at the Notary Hotel.
a room with a bed and a desk
Nick’s King Room at the Notary Hotel.
a plate of food on a table
Breakfast at the Notary Hotel. The breakfast flatbread was pretty good.
a menu on a paper
Breakfast menu at the Notary Hotel Philadelphia. The hot items sound much more interesting than they really are.  For example, the Torrijas are just ordinary American french toast.  And the patatas bravas which come with the signature breakfast are ordinary American style breakfast potatoes.
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