The Pod Hotels continues its rapid brand expansion, adding to its portfolio Pod Philly, Philadelphia’s first-micro hotel, which just opened its doors in the highly desirable Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Developed by Modus Hotels and Parkway Corporation, the 252-room property takes the title of the sixth Pod Hotel in the country, including Pod 39, Pod 51, Pod Brooklyn, Pod Times Square, and Pod D.C.
Following the model of the successful Pod Hotels in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Washington D.C., Pod Philly features well-designed guest rooms and vibrant food and beverage spaces, where travelers are encouraged to connect with locals and visitors alike. Centrally located in the hub of the city’s business and retail districts, Pod Philly is positioned to meet the needs of the modern business and leisure travelers alike.
Pod Philly’s 234 guestrooms (averaging 180 square feet) and 18 larger studio rooms boast expansive floor to ceiling windows exposing sweeping views of Philadelphia. The interiors are designed by the New York firm Stonehill Taylor (TWA Hotel, Nomad Las Vegas, and Refinery Hotel) and carefully consider functionality to maximize the utilization of space in the Pod Philly guestrooms. The hotel room design is chic, modern, and efficient with nods to the city’s industrial past through chosen finishes and details. Local artists’ influences appear throughout the property from the first-floor artwork to the unique design of guest room corridors. Guestroom ceilings make use of the building’s precast concrete floor slabs and metal joints in the design. Cove lighting on the ceiling perimeter illuminates the sanded surface’s raw look and feel, while the gloss black painted metal echoes the color of the guestroom door.
“Modus Hotels is looking to energize the Philadelphia hospitality scene with the addition of Pod Philly,” said Aaron Katz, President, and CEO of Modus Hotels. “We believe there is a place in the Philadelphia hotel market for a fun, value-driven hotel — one that places travelers in the center of the city’s happenings, inspires an outreach to local adventures and offers them a social experience that is new and fresh to Philadelphia. Pod Philly will allow travelers to do all that without breaking the bank.”
“The expansion of The Pod Hotels to Philadelphia reflects the growing demand for our micro-hotel concept,” says Richard Born, the founder of BD Hotels. “We believe Pod Philly will attract US and international travelers who seek functional and affordable accommodation with smart, high tech design and vibrant communal spaces.”
The property has three food and beverage spaces, each imagined and operated by Defined Hospitality, the restaurant group behind nationally renowned Suraya, Pizzeria Beddia and R&D cocktail bar, which include:
* Condesa: A contemporary 140-seat eatery, named after the vibrant neighborhood in Mexico City. Under the guidance of Executive Chef and co-owner Nick Kennedy, the menu highlights regionally-inspired dishes centered on Mexican heirloom corn tortillas made entirely on premises each day. The bar, helmed by Aaron Deary (R&D cocktail bar), showcases a significant list of mezcal- and tequila-based spirits.
* El Café: An all-day offering serving coffee from Stumptown Roasters, breakfast tacos and made-daily pastries from Suraya’s Executive Pastry Chef James Matty.
* El Techo: An 11th- floor taqueria offering a casual Mexican menu, communal tables, and expansive views of the Philadelphia skyline with state-of-the-art, retractable glass windows and roof that allows for year-round, open-air dining.
Pod Philly’s on-site fitness center features Matrix equipment, Peloton Bikes, and free weights. Guests can enjoy complimentary fitness classes facilitated by the hotel’s neighborhood partnerships. The hotel’s commitment to efficiency extends throughout the property, with each floor featuring a Brita water station to encourage reusable water bottles. Eco-friendly bath products, paperless check-in and linen and terry exchange upon request, minimize the hotel’s environmental footprint.
Pod Philly is located at 31 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (between Market and Chestnut Street at the corner of 19th and Ludlow). Opening rates start at $159 per night.
Pod Hotels has announced its first West Coast property with Pod LA slated for 2021. The brand plans to expand to even more key markets, including Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Nashville, Seattle, Montreal, Toronto, and Mexico City, amongst others.
