The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection — a landmark building in the heart of Center City
If you want to be dead-centre in town in a building with character, The Notary occupies the historic City Hall Annex, beautiful architecture with high ceilings, next to City Hall and walkable to Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown.
The hotel occupies the restored 1926 City Hall Annex right next to City Hall in the heart of Center City. It is walkable to the legendary Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown, the Avenue of the Arts and the Broad St subway. This is the most connected location in the city.
"A high-ceilinged lobby in a beautifully restored old building gives you a grand feeling the moment you step in."
Rooms are designed inside a historic building, mixing classic and modern, with high ceilings and large windows that feel airy. Sizes are good by city standards. What guests praise is the building's character and grand lobby, plus a location that makes everything walkable.
It is a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel with a lobby restaurant and bar, a gym and reliable big-chain service. The overall feel suits tourists and business travellers who want to be central in a place with character.
On value, rates start around 195 dollars a night, excellent for a hotel in a historic building in central Center City. You get the best walkable location plus old-building charm at a mid-range price.
One thing to know: it is a large hotel with many rooms, so the lobby can feel busy during conventions, and because it is an older building some rooms have different layouts. If you want a particularly large or quiet room, request it at booking.
Bottom line: The Notary sells a central Center City location and historic-building charm at good value. If you want easy walking access to both Center City and Old City, it is a well-placed base.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Central Center City location
- ✓ Beautiful high-ceiling historic building
- ✓ Walk to Reading Terminal Market
- ✓ Good mid-range value
- ! Busy lobby during conventions
- ! Room layouts vary
- ✓ By City Hall, dead-centre
- ✓ Charming restored old building
- ✓ Walk to Chinatown and Avenue of the Arts
- ✓ Reliable Marriott standard
- ! Large, busy hotel
- ! Pricey parking
- 💡If you want a quiet, private feel — this is a large, busy hotel · Fix → see the smaller, quieter Morris House
- 💡If you want an extra-large room — layouts vary in the old building · Fix → request a larger room at booking
- 💡If you are driving — parking is pricey · Fix → City Hall station below connects every line
Heading to Philadelphia for the World Cup?
Philadelphia is a 2026 host city — see our full World Cup guide (matches, where to stay, tickets, visa) plus how to reach Lincoln Financial Field on match day.