Home away from home
I think my title says it all. I stayed at the Alexander Inn for a total of 10 nights and LOVED it. What did I like best? The service from the front desk staff. I am also in the service industry and know that good service comes from the heart. ALL the staff working at the front desk are never grumpy, always helpful and friendly, and do their best to help in whatever situation. A few examples. When I wanted a lot of small change, they took money from their own wallet to give me, on top of using the hotel's money. Never once did I hear a comment like 'oh, we don't have any' like Hotel Lola in New York city. When I use my room phone to make a phone call to a local number that has a different area code and got the answering machine, I only pay 50 cents. Most calls whereby I did talk were just a few dollars. And guess what? Their vending machine in the basement dispenses things that cost LESS than outside. My toothpaste at Walgreens is USD1.50. At Alexander Inn, it only costs USD1.00. Which hotel vending machine does that? I saved taxi fare from airport to the hotel because they told me to take the Liberty Shuttle, which only costs USD10 one way. Just go to the information/transportation counter at Philadelphia Airport, near the baggage claim area. The front desk at this great hotel is manned by 2 persons during the day, and only one person at night. Yet, they are SO EFFICIENT. Other plus which you can read from the other reviews are of course free wi-fi, free continental breakfast, free apples and bananas plus pastries/bagels throughout the day, free newspapers, free good quality toiletries such as shampoo, moisturiser, two bars of soap, liquid body wash, shower cap, great location in the city because it is in the centre of the older part of the city, good restaurants and cheap laundry nearby, the list goes on and on. I actually stayed for two nights first and went back and stayed another 8 nights. Did not want to leave at all. How to get the best out of Alexander Inn? Make friends with the front desk staff and ask lots of questions. They are the most helpful people, ever. It should be at the top of the rating at Tripadvisor. Small beautiful boutique hotel, small beautiful rooms with the best people at the front desk, friendly staff at the other departments too. Rooms not expensive....best deal in Philadelphia.