The Delaware River Waterfront is Philadelphia's eastern edge, with Columbus Boulevard running along it and Penn's Landing at the foot of Market Street as its best-known stretch. Stay nearby and the riverside promenade and the waterfront's outdoor events are a few minutes' walk away, and Old City's historic streets are right behind you. All five hotels here are within 0.4 miles of Penn's Landing, from full-service 4-star hotels to smaller 3-star hotels.
Hotels near the Delaware River Waterfront: what to expect by location
The five hotels fall into two groups. The Hilton and the Holiday Inn Express are on Columbus Boulevard, so the river is right there when you step outside. The other three are a few blocks inland in Old City, on Dock, Front and Chestnut Streets, where you give up the river view for quieter streets.
Old City has more hotels than anywhere else near the waterfront. Its grid of narrow streets between Front Street and 4th Street mixes independent and boutique hotels with the bigger chain hotels on the boulevard, and Society Hill, just to the south, is mostly homes.
All five hotels are a 2- to 9-minute walk from 2nd St on the L (Market-Frankford Line), and SEPTA buses run along Columbus Boulevard and Market Street for trips farther into Center City.
Side-by-side comparison: proximity, star rating and guest score
| Hotel | Distance to waterfront | Walk time | Star rating | Guest score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing | 0.10 mi | 1 min | 4 stars | 8.0 |
| Philadelphia Marriott Old City | 0.20 mi | 5 min | 4 stars | 8.4 |
| Penn's View Hotel Philadelphia | 0.24 mi | 5 min | 3 stars | 8.8 |
| Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection | 0.28 mi | 6 min | 3 stars | 9.2 |
| Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn's Landing by IHG | 0.39 mi | 8 min | 3 stars | 8.1 |
Distance to Penn's Landing
- Penn's Landing's main plaza is at the foot of Market Street where it meets Columbus Boulevard. Use that corner to judge walk times from any Old City hotel.
- Events on the waterfront are spread along several piers and plazas, so check the exact address of the one you're going to before you set off.
- From 2nd St, the L (Market-Frankford Line) runs straight west through Center City to Drexel Station at 30th St and University City, no taxi needed.
- A taxi from Philadelphia International Airport to Center City is a flat $32 for one passenger, plus $1 for each extra passenger. Rideshare pickups at the airport are at Ride App Zone 7.
The hotels
Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing
201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd
8.01,536 reviews
9 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)On Columbus Boulevard 0.10 miles from Penn's Landing, the closest of the five to the river, about a minute's walk to the promenade.
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Philadelphia Marriott Old City
1 Dock St
8.4527 reviews
6 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)A 4-star on Dock Street, 0.20 miles from the waterfront at the edge of Old City and a short walk from Independence Hall.
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Penn's View Hotel Philadelphia
14 N Front St
8.82,320 reviews
2 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)An independent 3-star on Front Street with an 8.8 guest score, 0.24 miles from the waterfront and two minutes from 2nd St.
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Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection
235 Chestnut St
9.21,046 reviews
3 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)Guest score 9.2, the best of the five, on Chestnut Street near Independence National Historical Park, 0.28 miles from the river.
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Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn's Landing by IHG
100 N Christopher Columbus Blvd
8.11,687 reviews
6 min walk to 2nd St (L, Market-Frankford Line)A budget-friendly chain hotel on Columbus Boulevard just north of Market Street, 0.39 miles from Penn's Landing.
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Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to Penn's Landing on the Delaware River Waterfront?＋
The Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, at 201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, 0.10 miles away, about a one-minute walk to Penn's Landing.
How do I get from these hotels to Philadelphia International Airport?＋
A taxi from Center City to the airport is a flat $32, however many of you there are. For the train, ride the L west from 2nd St to 11th St, then walk through to Jefferson Station for SEPTA's Airport Line, which runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and costs $8.75.
Is there a SEPTA Metro station within walking distance of the waterfront hotels?＋
Yes. All five are a 2- to 9-minute walk from 2nd St on the L (Market-Frankford Line). Penn's View is closest at 2 minutes, and the Hilton at Penn's Landing is farthest at 9.
Are any of these hotels LEED-certified?＋
No, none of the five holds LEED certification. If that matters to you, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia (LEED Gold) is a few blocks inland at 433 Chestnut St.
What is the hotel tax rate in Philadelphia?＋
Philadelphia's total hotel tax is 15.5%, so add it when you compare quoted room rates.
What events take place near the Delaware River Waterfront?＋
Penn's Landing and the riverside promenade host outdoor festivals, concerts and seasonal markets through the year. The Philadelphia Marathon is on Sunday, November 22, 2026, and the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show runs March 13 to 21, 2027 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, about a mile west of the river.
