The Independent Hotel, www.theindependenthotel.com, a part of The Independent Collection of hotels, www.independentcollection.com, is now featuring STASH Hotel Rewards.  Forget about what all those Big Brand Hotels offer, we now have a “one up” on them!  Check out www.stashrewards.com for details & to find The Independent Hotel and many others across the globe.  STASH is an entirely new kind of hotel rewards program, one that’s dedicated to the spirit of adventurous, meaningful travel. With Stash, you can earn and redeem points for free nights at some of the best independent hotels in the U.S., from landmark historic inns to boutique gems to top-rated resorts.

The Independent Hotel is already SOLD OUT - www.theindependenthotel.com - but that doesn’t mean you can’t still come out and play on New Years Day! 

Broad Street is waiting for you to show off your Mummers Strut and support the History that many hold as a New Years Day Tradition.  The Mummers Parade is held each New Year’s Day in Philadelphia. Local clubs (usually called “New Years Associations”) compete in one of four categories (Comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades). They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete. This is done in clubhouses, many of which are located on or near 2nd Street (called “Two Street” by some local residents) in the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia, which also serve as social gathering places for members.

Find all the latests & greatest events going on in Philadelphia over the New Years Holiday.

www.visitphilly.com/newyears

It’s that time of year again, the time when the leaves have almost all fallen away and the wind chills you to the bone. Thankfully, Philadelphia’s Christmas Village will be here to warm us all up soon.

This outdoor market is built from the ground up in a style similar to traditional German holiday markets. Dozens of vendors sell their goods and wares to visitors in preparation of the Christmas shopping season. Jewelry, arts & crafts and handmade items will all be available for purchase. If you get hungry along the way there are also traditional German food staples such as Bratwurst and mulled wine.

Along with eating and shopping there will be performances held in the Christmas Village for all to see, free of charge. These performance are scheduled to take place 1pm, 5pm and 5:45pm (daily).

The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, November 26th, but for those of you that can’t wait to get the season started there will be a sneak peak on Thanksgiving, November 24th. But that’s not all! The Christmas tree will be lit by Mayor Nutter on Wednesday, December 7th.

For more information check out their website:   http://www.philachristmas.com/28-0-About.html

Happy Holidays!!

So for those of you who are familiar with the Independent Hotel you know that the building has a total of five floors and that the hotel actually starts on the second floor where the lobby is located. You may be left wondering: what will be going in the first floor? Good Question!  Well, we won’t keep you wondering any longer.  Executive Chef Mike Stollenwerk’s Fish Restaurant will be swimming over to 13th & Locust Street.

Chef Stollenwerk and his team lead Fish restaurant at its current location with creative menus and a casual atmosphere.  This move will triple the space in the dining room and open up the kitchen to create more menu options for guests.

The renovation process is expected to be completed this Fall so that the restaurant is ready to open its doors again in its new home.  The Independent Hotel is BEYOND Excited to have a remarkable restaurant such as Fish finding a new place at 1234 Locust Street.   As this newest addition to the 13th Street Midtown Village Row of Tasty & New Restaurants, we can safely say Fish will truly be the Anchor to complete this block.  Please stay tuned for more information and check out Fish’s website to see what they’re all about.

www.fishphilly.com

Guest Service Agent: Hello, thank you for calling the Independent Hotel. This is Jane. How can I help you?

Caller: Hi! I just made a reservation at your hotel and was calling to confirm your location. What’s your address?

GSA: 1234 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Caller:Oh, is that in the…uh…Gayborhood?

GSA: ABSOLUTELY!!

 Yup, you heard correctly. We’re in the Gayborhood and proud of it! We accept everyone with open and loving arms and like our motto says we are “A Boutique Hotel for the Independently Minded.”

We’re located footsteps away from both historic sites and some of the most hopping gay bars and clubs in the city. No matter your lifestyle we (and the Gayborhood) have something to offer everyone.

For more information about our awesomeness check out this fabulous article featuring some of the gay-friendly hotels in the area.

http://press.visitphilly.com/releases/come-one-come-all-hotels-welcome-gay-and-lesbian-travelers-to-philadelphia-and-the-countryside

As you may have heard Philly is THE place to go if you want to see some of the most impressive and stunning public works of art in the country.

The Mural Arts Program is a program that takes boring walls and turns them into masterpieces and has turned a depressed looking city into a wonder to behold. It also promotes art in the communities and encourages local youth to partake in beautifying their hometown.  What started out as an anti-graffiti program has turned into a well respected organization with a mission to leave things better than how they found them.

While most tourists only see murals on their walks around town, guests at the Independent get access to one very special mural custom made for our hotel. That is the 30′x10′ mural above the front desk in the central atrium of the hotel. This massive piece of art is three stories tall and features one very important landmark in our nation’s history, Independence Hall. Kim Senior, the muralist commissioned for this piece, used vibrant colors not usually associated with Historic Philadelphia, helping bring some life to this historic building.

For more information on the Mural Arts Program and tours of the murals please visit the site below:

http://muralarts.org/

For more information on the artist responsible for our mural and many more please visit her site below:

http://www.kimsenior.com/

 
 
Today we Celebrate our 3 year anniversary!  It seems like just yesterday we opened our doors and welcomed guests from all over the world, as they’ve called us their home away from home. Now, years later, we have met thousands of new faces and welcomed familiar ones too. We look forward to making even more friends as the years go on.
 
Our General Manager, Jim Evans, has been here since opening day and has this to say:
 

We feel so lucky to be situated in a neighborhood and city where we are able to build relationships with residents and local businesses that have attributed to our success. Because of Philadelphia’s diverse population and cultural attractions we’ve had the pleasure of serving travelers from all over the world. We are excited to have made such a mark these last three years within our local landscape and to give guests a unique option to call ‘home’ while visiting Philadelphia.

 
Our neighborhood has grown and changed around us which has helped The Independent to become a better neighbor to the environment and local organizations. HERSHA Hospitality Management believes in the importance of fostering relationships with our community and friends in an effort to make the world around us a more hospitable place.
 
In our way of giving back this year we’ve:

• * Implemented a new green initiative while being successful in reducing waste and encouraging our guests to recycle  
• * Contributed to local charities to support those in need in our area
• * Honored Earth Day this year by planting a tree to further our commitment to the beautification of 13th and Locust Streets
• * Donated soaps and other amenities to Clean the World, an non-profit organization committed to improving quality of life in struggling countries

 
To celebrate this three year milestone we are extending our weekday wine reception thru the weekend (Friday and Saturday). The Independent Hotel Guests will partake in some Philly treats, commemorative amenity gifts and a special addition to our breakfast on Sunday Morning.

What: Roberto Capucci: Art Into Fashion Exhibit

Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art

How Much Time is left: up until June 5th, 2011…so hurry!!

Roberto Capucci is a fashion designer with a passion for flair. Born and bred in Italy he honed his talents for creating dramatic works of art during a time when Italy was becoming the center of the fashion world.

He has been named one of the most creative and innovative designers of his time and has the portfolio to prove it. His collections have traveled the world and have been featured in motion pictures both in Europe and the United States.

Don’t miss this spectacular exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of art. Tickets can be reserved online.

 http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/411.html

So during the day you followed the crowd to the Art Museum, the waterfront and to the local cheese steak shop, but now you’re looking for something unique and fun to do in the evening. Look no further! Keep reading to find out some information on a couple of great tours that will keep you interested and entertained as the sun goes down.

Tippler’s Tour

This tour takes you through colonial Philadelphia to visit some local pubs where you learn about our founding fathers and their favorite watering holes. Learns the songs and toasts of their day while walking in their footsteps.

Independence After Hours

This tour takes history to the next level. You are not only hearing about it, you are living it! The tour starts with dinner at City Tavern and continues when your guide takes you through Independence Hall after dark. Here you will find actors reenacting some of America’s most important scenes. 

These tours are brought to you by Historic Philadelphia. This is an organization that strives to bring history to life by operating tours and historic attractions in the City of Brotherly Love. They have created these tours geared toward those who want to extend their history lesson into the late night hours.

Hurry up and catch these gems before they go away for good!

Philadelphia has been lucky enough to get two great exhibits in town at the same time. The sad part is they’re both leaving at the end of May.

Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America

This exhibit was created by the International Spy Museum and is at the National Constitution Center until Monday, May 30th.  It explores accounts of actual events and missions to keep America’s borders safe from attacks and foreign threats. Artifacts from throughout the country’s history are displayed to tell the story of the United States that many do not know about.  

This is a great way to indulge the spy and secret keeper in us all. Bring your family, friends, enemies….frenimies and maybe you’ll learn a trick or two to become the next 007.

http://constitutioncenter.org/

Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop

The ideas of the great inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, come to life at his workshop located at the Franklin Institute until Sunday, May 29th. The inventions include contraptions for flying all the way up to devastating machines of war.

The audience can see his sketches and his notebooks at this exhibit along with interactive displays that will take you a little bit further into the mind of one of history’s greatest thinkers.  

http://www2.fi.edu/

OK, so going to every single event during the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) may be impossible, but wouldn’t it be great if you could?

This festival is definitely something to get excited about. Inspired by Paris in 1911, the PIFA strives to not only entertain but inspire others with over one hundred performances, exhibitions and lectures that will take place between April 7th and May 1st. Many are free, family friendly and spread throughout the region so there is no excuse to miss out.

The Kimmel Center is a “leading inspiration” for this festival and takes pride in hosting many of the performances as well as being right smack in the middle of the Parisian Street Fair to take place on April 30th. This fair will take you back to a time where art and culture were taking Paris by storm. It will take place on the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street between Chestnut & Lombard Sts) from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. This all day event will feature activities for kids, street performers and even a giant Ferris wheel!

For more information about tickets and events check out their website below;

http://www.pifa.org/

As many art lovers know, the Barnes Foundation (currently located in Merion, PA) is being moved to the City of Brotherly Love. While this has caused much controversy, the outcome will hopefully make up for any broken vows made to founder Dr. Barnes to keep the collection exactly how it is at the 12-acre estate it is now housed.

The new museum will be located near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  This is a convenient location for visitors who will be able to examine this extensive collection while also exploring the city. With an increase in visitor activity, the foundation should be able to raise enough money to continue its operation for future generations.

The architects chosen to design the new home for this famed collection have taken measures to ensure that the building will reflect its current home and the history behind the artwork and its founder. Below is an image of the proposed building. Groundbreaking took place in 2009 and construction is still underway. The building is hoped to be completed by the Winter of 2011.

Many agree that the artwork’s location and arrangement are what make it unique, interesting and valuable. This move should be a great study in not just art, but in architecture as well. Challenge yourself to consider how the space, arrangements and location alter your interpretations or understanding of this collection. Let’s make it interesting and take it one step further. Examine the collection at its current location in Merion, PA and then visit the new museum to see if your feelings have changed. It could be said that if your appreciation of the collection has remained the same then the architects did an excellent job and really captured the spirit of the Barnes estate.  

For more information on the Barnes Foundation go to their website below.

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

This (see above) can happen to you if you keep feeding your stomach orange cheese puffs and greasy cheese pizza.

Yup, that’s right your stomach will grow its own mouth (and possibly its own limbs) so it can take itself out to get some quality cuisine.

At first this may not seem like such a bad thing. ‘This is great! I don’t have to think about what I’m going to eat next, my stomach will just do it on it’s own.’ However, when people start pointing and laughing at the guy with a mouth for a stomach, it will be a sad and pathetic scene.

So don’t be just another statistic, go out and feed your stomach some of the best food in the city during Philadelphia’s Restaurant Week. 

During these two weeks, restaurants from all over the city will offer special three-course dinner menu at $35 (and lunch at $20).

When: January 16-21 & 23-28

Where: 100+ restaurants in Philadelphia

What do I do: Make your reservations NOW to partake in restaurant week

For more information visit Center City District’s website:

http://www.centercityphila.org/life/RestaurantWeek.php

Don’t worry, it happens to everyone. You get so wrapped up in holiday planning, shopping and cooking the Christmas ham that you forget the most fun holiday of them all….New Years Eve!!

Leaving the planning for this holiday to the last minute could give you a rough start to the new year. Virtually every bar and club in the city is having some sort of party so there will be no shortage of places to have a celebratory drink. And after a night of drinking and confetti throwing most of these people will stay overnight (thank you responsible drinkers). Which is great, except you didn’t book your room yet and we are almost sold out.

I know you’re already looking for your phones to call so here’s our number: 215.772.1440. And guess what? Since we are in such festive spirits we are offering a late checkout (1pm) so you can catch up on some much needed sleep before heading back home.  We look forward to seeing you and Happy Holidays!

You do your own taxes, and even change the oil in your own car, so why let someone else take you on a scripted tour? The good news is: you don’t have to!

The Fairmount Park Art Association has put together a Museum Without Walls audio tour for visitors and locals alike. This tour allows you to access audio commentary through a variety of mediums so that you can create and partake in your very own public art tour.

Philadelphia is widely recognized as having the largest collection of public art, which can be seen in the form of sculptures, statues and murals scattered throughout the city. The Museum Without Walls program gives you the location and background on each of the pieces through commentary provided by people who share a connection with the work of art.  

Creating your own tour and soaking in some scenery along the way doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend a day in Philly. It’s definitely something to consider if you’re the type that likes to march to the beat of your own drum.

http://museumwithoutwallsaudio.org/

Every Thanksgiving you wake up early to watch the parade on television, and every year something grows inside of you, a feeling of discontentment. But why? How could someone be so unhappy on this day of thanks? Then it hits you. Images of giant floating cartoon characters, tap dancers and confetti flood your mind and you stand up and shout “I should be there! I should be at the parade!”

Music, dancing and the big man himself (Santa, of course) can take anyone back to the carefree days of their childhood. Whether reliving the good old days or creating new memories with your family, Philadelphia is the place to be on Thanksgiving.

The parade starts at 8:30am on 20th and Market and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Make sure you get there early enough to grab a good spot along Benjamin Franklin Parkway or at the Art Museum. The nation’s oldest Thanksgiving parade will have plenty of acts to watch along with giant floats and some of today’s hottest celebrities. 

Now, while the kid inside of you is jumping for joy at the possibility of going to the parade, the adult in you is cringing at the thought of traffic and police barricades. Do not worry for we have rooms to spare. Stay with us the night before and you’ll be well rested for a long day of cheering.  

Ok, I know what you’re thinking…what should we do the night before? Glad you asked.

Tavern 17 is celebrating Thanksgiving Eve in style! Enjoy a drink and something off their menu and then stick around because from 8p-12a Back 2 Life will be performing. If you’re still looking to hang out after that head over to the Coffee Bar. Live music, great food, good drinks…you can’t go wrong. 

Tavern 17 will also be open on Thanksgiving with a special menu for those looking to escape Aunt Mildred’s dining room and her 19 cats.

http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/philadelphia-thanksgiving-day-parade/

http://www.tavern17restaurant.com/

http://www.intoxicaffeineation.com/

The highly reviewed show, The Jersey Boys, is in Philadelphia until December 12th and it couldn’t get any hotter. Don’t wait long to get your tickets, shows and hotel rooms are selling out.

The Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on their climb to the top of the music charts. The story is told from the perspective of each of the four band members and will give you a look into their lives onstage and behind the scenes. The story will delve into issues they faced and reveal the pressures of being one of the best musical groups of the day.  

Call us at the Independent Hotel and we will be happy to help you to book your stay here in Philadelphia.

Check out the site posted below for ticket information: 

http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/tour/philadelphia.htm

The only thing that has lasted longer than the Army-Navy football game has been the rivalry between these two branches of the US military. On December 11th, Philadelphia will host the 111th match-up between the United States Military Academy (West Point, NY)  and the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD). The cadets and midshipmen will be giving everything they have to win bragging rights for their school and respective branches of service.  

Anyone who has ever been to an Eagles vs. Cowboys game can attest to the fact that Philadelphia is often the scene to intense rivalries and matches. The City of Brotherly Love has played host to these two teams in the past (81 times in fact) and is accustomed to seeing enthusiastic fans flood the area to support their team.  Pep rallies and other festivities will be going on in the area all weekend and will be sure pump up fans, supporters and servicemen alike.

Make sure to book your room at the Independent Hotel before we sell out!! If you don’t act soon, you may find yourself sleeping in the car after fun day of tailgating.

Check out the website below for more information about the game.

http://www.phillylovesarmynavy.com/

We’ve all seen movies of brave service men and women who risk their lives for the freedoms many of us take for granted, and while they are entertaining can they really show us what life is like in the U.S. military? Well, if you were one of those not quite convinced about their authenticity you’ll be pleased to learn that military forms of art exist outside of Hollywood.

Through January 10th the National Constitution Center will be hosting an exhibit entitled Art of the American Soldier. The national tour has brought these rarely seen pieces of art into public view to honor not only the artists, but our country’s brave soldiers and veterans as well.  The featured pieces were collected from soldiers who served our country through World War I all the way up to present day. These works give us a glimpse into their lives during times of war and through personal struggle.

The exhibit is divided into 5 parts. The first explains the art program that has yielded these powerful works and the rest categorize the pieces according to what part of a soldier’s life it depicts from everyday things like doing laundry to more dramatic things such as preparing for an ambush.

Art of the American Soldier is an exhibit anyone can appreciate. Bring your family and friends to the National Constitution Center and gain a new perspective on the life of an American soldier. The National Constitution Center is located in center city near many other attractions so you are sure to have a day filled with history and fun. At the end of the day come stay at the Independent Hotel for a good night’s sleep. We are located in the heart of center city and even offers a government rate for those with proper identification.

Viewing the exhibit is free with admission to the museum and tickets are available through the National Constitution Center’s website posted below.

http://constitutioncenter.org/

The violent, the brutal and the criminally insane!! Even though this historical prison has been closed for decades some say the souls of its inmates still linger waiting to strike fear into the hearts of those who enter. This is probably why Eastern State Penitentiary has one of the most celebrated haunted houses in the country. Each fall ESP opens its doors in the evenings to let in the thrill seekers who are looking to get the socks scared off them.  Terror Behind the Walls opened its doors on September 17th and will be open to patrons until November 6th. Tickets are available online for anyone who is interested in experiencing nightmares.

However, if you’re a bit of a scaredy cat and don’t think you can handle the haunted house side of it, you’re not alone. Eastern State Penitentiary is open to visitors during the day. You will learn all about this notorious prison’s history as well as the famous people who stayed there. ESP is still a little creepy even in the daylight so make sure you bring someone you can hold on to.

For more information visit the website below:

http://www.easternstate.org/