The USGBC directory lists six LEED-certified hotel buildings in Philadelphia, and four of them are priced in the mid-range: the Kimpton Monaco in Old City, the Kimpton Palomar and Hyatt Centric near Rittenhouse Square, and the Homewood Suites in University City. Here's what each certification means and how to get around from each hotel.
What LEED certification means for your stay
The US Green Building Council awards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) after a third-party review of a building's energy efficiency, water use, indoor air quality and materials. Gold and Silver are above the entry Certified level. The certificate covers how the building, or for both Kimptons its interiors, was designed and built.
Every certification is publicly searchable in the USGBC's online directory, so you can check it yourself before you book.
Affordable sustainable hotels in Philadelphia at a glance
| Hotel | LEED Certification | Star Rating | Price Range | Nearest Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG | LEED Gold | 4 | Mid-Range | 5th St/Independence Hall (L) |
| Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia by IHG | LEED Gold | 4 | Mid-Range | 15th St/City Hall (L, B, T) |
| Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia | LEED Silver | 4 | Mid-Range | Walnut-Locust (B) |
| Homewood Suites University City Philadelphia | LEED Silver | 3 | Mid-Range | 40th St (L) |
Getting around from these hotels on SEPTA
- A single SEPTA Metro trip costs $2.90. A SEPTA Key card ($4.95, refunded when you register it) saves you fumbling for cash at the fare gate.
- The One Day Convenience Pass costs $7.50, which beats three single fares if you plan to cross the city a few times.
- The L (Market-Frankford Line) connects Old City, Center City, and West Philadelphia in a single east-west run. The B (Broad Street Line) runs north-south through Broad Street and reaches NRG Station for Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field.
- The Airport Line runs every 30 minutes on weekdays between Center City and Philadelphia International Airport. The fare is $8.75 when bought in advance or $11.00 on board.
Philadelphia's other LEED-certified hotels
Philadelphia's other two LEED-certified hotels are the Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City and the Courtyard Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard, both at the entry Certified level. The Canopy usually prices above the mid-range bracket this page covers. We have a separate page for eco-friendly luxury hotels if you want the full LEED-certified set without a price filter.
The Four Seasons Philadelphia is in the Comcast Technology Center, a LEED Platinum office tower, but the hotel itself holds no LEED certification, so it isn't here.
The hotels
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia by IHG
433 Chestnut St.
9.21,287 reviews
2 min walk to 5th St/Independence Hall (L, Market-Frankford Line)LEED Gold, one of only two Gold-rated hotels in Philadelphia, at mid-range prices.
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Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia by IHG
117 S 17th St
9.0950 reviews
5 min walk to 15th St/City Hall (L, B and T lines)LEED Gold like the Monaco, near Rittenhouse Square, with restaurants and green space an easy walk away.
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Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia
1620 Chancellor St
8.81,382 reviews
5 min walk to Walnut-Locust (B, Broad Street Line)LEED Silver on Chancellor Street, steps from Rittenhouse Square.
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Homewood Suites University City Philadelphia
4109 Walnut St
8.2620 reviews
7 min walk to 40th St (L, Market-Frankford Line)LEED Silver at three-star prices, with kitchenette suites.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Philadelphia hotels have LEED certification?＋
Six Philadelphia hotels hold LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco and Kimpton Hotel Palomar both hold LEED Gold. The Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square and Homewood Suites University City hold LEED Silver. The Courtyard Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard and the Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City hold entry-level LEED Certified status. All six are publicly listed in the USGBC project directory.
Does the Four Seasons Philadelphia have a LEED certification?＋
No. The Comcast Technology Center tower it occupies holds LEED Platinum, but that certification belongs to the office building. The Four Seasons hotel has no LEED certification of its own.
How do I get from these hotels to Philadelphia International Airport?＋
SEPTA's Airport Line runs between Center City and Philadelphia International Airport every 30 minutes on weekdays. The fare is $8.75 when purchased in advance or $11.00 if you buy on board. A taxi from the airport to Center City runs a flat $32 for one passenger, plus $1 for each extra passenger. Rideshare pickups at the airport are from Ride App Zone 7.
What does LEED Gold mean compared to LEED Silver?＋
LEED uses a point-based scoring system. A building earns Certified status at 40 points, Silver at 50, Gold at 60, and Platinum at 80 or above. Gold means the building cleared a higher bar across categories like energy efficiency, water use reduction, and indoor air quality than a Silver-rated property. Both levels are reviewed and awarded through the US Green Building Council.
Are there eco-certified hotels near the Pennsylvania Convention Center?＋
Not on this page. The closest LEED-certified hotel to the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 1101 Arch Street is the Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City on Ludlow Street (LEED Certified), which usually prices above this page's range. Of the four here, the Kimpton Palomar and Hyatt Centric near Rittenhouse Square and the Kimpton Monaco in Old City are all a short SEPTA ride away.
Do hotel brands' own sustainability programs count as eco certifications?＋
Not here. Big hotel groups run internal programs to track energy and water use, which can be useful, but they aren't third-party certifications. Every hotel on this page holds LEED certification awarded through the US Green Building Council.
