Continental Congress Loft at Kestrel Hotel

Really nice space, building was easily accessible. Quiet. Good location. Very helpful hosts. I had a minor logistics problem and they were GREAT. Self-catering kitchen etc facilities are very well done, and that's such a delight, especially in North America where "kitchen" can equal "microwave" (not equal kitchen!). The location is very close to downtown, therefore to convention center etc. It seems a bit deserted and perhaps a tiny bit threatening if you are not a big city person, but my sense was that this ex-warehouse, ex-flatted factory area is in fact very safe and has quite a few nice places to eat and drink. There are a lot of homeless people in this city, and that's a fact that should not be airbrushed away. It does not at all mean that you are threatened if you are more fortunate, but tune yourself in to that reality. Go across Vine St on 11th St and you hit Chinatown very fast. Lots of choice. Wood St pizza place is very friendly, close and good. Luggage drop room for before and after your stay is a great facility.

There's one thing really wrong, and it's wrong. The space is two storeys high, with big windows on each level. There are thin curtains (to, largely) cover the entrance (5th floor) level. There are no curtains or blinds to cover the upper-level (6th floor) windows. And the main double bed is on the upper, mezzanine or loft level. Lovely space, completely exposed to view from facing apartments. Noticeably, they all have curtains or blinds. But if you're staying here, you don't. And I don't know about you, but going to bed in full night-time view of your neighbours, even if they're a block away (or wrapping up to hide yourself as you do so) is not my idea of a restful, pleasant stay. The place is a good price: you pay for the excellent facilities and that's OK, but you are paying for an expectation of privacy, and this you are not getting. So you don't feel you can enjoy half of what you've paid for, and that's a real pity. A piece of good news (and it would be great news, minus the problem above): there is a singe mattress below the stairs to the upper level, firmly out of view, and perfectly comfortable. Great if sharing, great with one young kid, not so great if it's your only private place to sleep. Please: Invest the money in making the upper floor windows translucent and you're done. Oh, and a real iron beats a steamer. But that is truly a detail. Every other aspect of the self-catering experience was really great. Minor: the nearby "upscale" grocery store/deli is expensive and a bit sparse in its offering, especially fresh produce and (near non-existent) fish or meat. And it closes early. And this is Philadelphia, so wine is blocks away in any direction. Buy some supplies at the station if you're lucky to travel by train, or somewhere else before heading north of Vine St (the motorway which divides you from downtown).

The location, the kitchen, large bathroom.

Small bed under stairs, maybe switch out and use a pull out sofa.

I would have given an excellent but the last night several rooms on my floor had young people that partied late into the night, actually into the early morning, in the hallway & between rooms. Other than that our stay was near perfect. It was the perfect size room for my wife and I with our small dog. Close to absolutely everything, we parked our upon arrival and didn't move it until we left the following week. Quiet, it was very quiet for a center city location ( except the last evening). Never met the host but we communicated over an internet problem which was corrected the next day and they kept it me informed of the progress and provided an alternate solution until the problem was corrected. Would highly recommend and will revisit if in the area again.