Front desk at The Logan
Front desk at The Logan

The Logan: A Curio Collection Hotel, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has positioned itself as a top spot in the “City of Brotherly Love.” Here’s my list of 10 things to love about it.

A view of Logan Square from The Logan
A view of Logan Square from The Logan

1. Location, location, location
Situated in the heart of Philadelphia, The Logan by Curio is the ideal hotel and location if you’re planning a visit to Philadelphia for either a short work trip or an extended stay with your family.

A view of The Commons lobby bar from The Library and pool room
A view of The Commons lobby bar from The Library and pool room

2. Hotel design
Having been completely renovated in the space previously occupied by a Four Seasons hotel, the ambiance of the Logan could be described as a creative environment suitable for today’s chic upscale traveler.

3. The staff
Attentive to your needs from the minute you walk though the front door, the staff at the hotel will help to facilitate any request you have while visiting Philadelphia and The Logan. So whether you plan to visit one of the many nearby museums, are planning a guided historical walking tour or have a business affair, the team at The Logan is there to fulfill your requests.

A room at The Logan
A room at The Logan

4. Accommodations
With 391 guest rooms, over 13,000 square feet of function space, weekend rates starting at $189 per night, and fantastic package deals (HH Honor benefits apply), the hotel can accommodate you no matter how many people are in your group or the occasion.

Urban Farmer
Urban Farmer

5. Eats
Philadelphia is loaded with restaurants but why spend time playing the guessing game for either your family or clients? Urban Farmer at The Logan makes this decision easy by providing a fantastic farm-to-table menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Located on the main floor of the hotel, this eatery will also provide service to your room while staying at the Logan.

One of the many fantastic steaks offered at Urban Farmer
One of the many fantastic steaks offered at Urban Farmer

6. Ask the butcher
Known as Philadelphia’s steak house, Urban Farmer was created by the renowned Sage Restaurant Group. If you’re a meat-eater, you’ll love one of the dry-aged Pennsylvania grain-finished steaks that are offered aged either at 21 days or 42 days. I would also suggest trying one of their handcrafted cocktails.

The private dinning room at Urban Farmer
The private dinning room at Urban Farmer

Planning a group dinner and looking for some added privacy? The private dining room at Urban Farmer is conducive to a memorable affair. Attached to the kitchen, the farm-to-table restaurant provides a unique dinning experience for you and your guests.

View from one side of the gigantic wraparound patio at AssemblyView from one side of the gigantic wrap around patio at Assembly
View from one side of the gigantic wraparound patio at Assembly

7. The Assembly rooftop bar
Perfect for drinks before or after dinner, the Assembly rooftop bar has sprawling panoramic views overlooking the famed Logan Square in the heart of Philly. Loaded with tables, high-tops and couches around fire pits, Assembly offers plenty of space both inside with the same breathtaking views.

8. The Commons and Library
Situated in the lobby of the hotel, this is a perfect place for drinks, noshing on some small plates meant for sharing or shooting some pool. When the weather permits you’ll also have the option of sitting in the lush green patio garden area just off The Commons. A perfect place to relax if you’ve got some down time and you’d like to do some people-watching.

The pool area at The Spa
The pool area at The Spa

9. Spa & gym
Whether you spend the day exploring Philly or in meetings, you’ll be relieved to hear The Logan has both a fantastic day spa and gym facility on the premises. They offer plenty of spa packages so be sure to check their website for deals.

Art in The Logan
Art in The Logan

10. Art in The Logan
One of the great attributes of a Curio Collection hotel, to me, is the fact that when renovations begin, emphasis is placed on maintaining the hotel’s identity by encouraging design teams to use local influences. This is made apparent at The Logan by the fantastic artwork spread throughout the hotel. I inquired about the design process and was informed that there is actually just one person on the Curio team that oversees all of the Curio properties by seeking out top local designers and letting them do their thing. Very cool.

The Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation

More around Philadelphia: Art and history
Philadelphia is so rich in history and art that you could spend days visiting museums and on walking tours and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface. The best part of it is that The Logan is located in the thick of it all. Minutes from some of the country’s top art museums and a short distance from the historical sites Philly prides itself on, The Logan acts as a nearby basecamp that makes things very convenient. This comes in handy when you need to take a break and refuel the engines…

Here are a few that are within a stone’s throw of The Logan:

Paradigm Gallery
Paradigm Gallery

More around Philadelphia: Galleries
In addition to the renowned museums close to the hotel, there is also a great local art scene in Philadelphia. So if you’re looking to add to your collection or if you’re new to the game and would like to start collecting or simply look at some art, there are many fantastic gallery options spread throughout the city. Pictured above is one of my favorites, located in South Philly: Paradigm Gallery.

Bow Tie Tours
Bow Tie Tours

More around Philadelphia: Historical tours
Up for a guided walking tour around the landmarks of Philadelphia? Bow Tie Tours provides a fantastic and entertaining time of learning about Benjamin Franklin, the “First American”; the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence; the creation of the Constitution; and the administrations of George Washington and John Adams. Best part is they fill in many of the entertaining historical facts that are often left out of books. Two thumbs up.

gavin
Gavin at the Filmore

More around Philadelphia: Events
If you’re heading to Philly to catch a concert, The Logan is an ideal place to stay. While I was in town I was fortunate to catch a Gavin DeGraw show at The Filmore. The artist has recently teamed up with the Curio Group for a leg of his North American tour to help travelers get the inside scoop on cities—to experience them like locals—as part of the brand’s #CitiesbyCurio program. Where did he stay while in town? The Logan. We got to hang at the Commons for a bit the day after the show. Great dude.

Philly's colorful South Side
Philly’s colorful South Street

More around Philadelphia: Get local
If your goal is to see some local flair, I would suggest heading to South Philly and more specifically walking around South Street. It’s bustling with bars, restaurant, shops, and the people that help define the identity of this great city.

Tommy DiNic's in Reading Terminal Market
Tommy DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market

More around Philadelphia: Eats
To call Reading Terminal Market a food court would not be merely a huge disservice; it would be borderline-blasphemy. In fact it’s probably one of the best multi-faceted markets under one roof that I’ve ever been to, and depression set in when it came time to leave. Fresh and local, the energetic market packs people in everyday, bringing foodies to their knees with some of the best eats around. It’s a must see when the time comes to get your grub on. One word describes the roasted pork with sauted spinach and provolone at Tommy DiNic’s “Boom.”

Lasagna at Kensington Quarters: pheasant ragu, bechamel, St. Malachi cheese
Lasagna at Kensington Quarters: pheasant ragu, bechamel, St. Malachi cheese

If you’re heading to The Filmore or are looking for a restaurant off site, I would highly recommend Kensington Quarters, located in Fishtown. It’s a full-service restaurant and bar that prides itself on sourcing from local regions and using local farmers and producers to provide customers with the healthiest, best-tasting food possible. The eatery is also a full-service butchery and cooking education center.

Jim's Steaks in South Philly
Jim’s Steaks in South Philly

More around Philadelphia: Philly cheese steaks
Saving the best for last, I’ll now cover a delicacy that can really only be found here in the “City of Brotherly Love”: the Philly cheese steak. As synomonous with Philadelphia as the Liberty Bell or Aaron Burr, the cheese steak and the culinary masters that provide the cheese wiz-soaked meat in bread represent a locality that can be found throughout the city. But the question remains, whose is the best? Some say Tony Luke’s, while others stay loyal to Jim’s Steaks or Geno’s. Regardless of the establishment you pay homage to, the cheese steak is a must while in town. Here’s a list of just a few of the steak shops that were recommended to me by locals, cab drivers, Uber drivers, bellhops and the guy selling papers on the corner.


For more on The Logan Philadelphia, visit theloganhotel.com.

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