Things to do / Travel Guide
The region of eastern Pennsylvania is fully furnished for the lover of luxury: Whether you're planning a stay in Philadelphia amongst history and in a vibrant downtown, in the Poconos with its glorious scenery and clean mountain air, or in Hershey where the atmosphere oozes with rich, creamy chocolate, there's no doubt but that you'll enjoy yourself through and through.
Luxurious Accommodation in Eastern Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is a cultural hub for the region. The luxury hotels you can stay at, like Four Seasons Philadelphia or the Rittenhouse Hotel place you smack in the downtown area, a few blocks from the commercial centers along Market Street. The suites in Four Seasons feature Federal-style furnishings, lavish full-marble bathrooms, a king-sized bed, and views of Logan Square.
Rittenhouse Hotel overlooks Rittenhouse Square, named for Revolutionary War patriot and Philadelphian David Rittenhouse. This smaller hotel has consistently received the highest accolades, from AAA and Conde Nast among others. The rooms and suites, up to the fantastic Presidential Suite, are decked in mahogany furniture and luxuriant fabrics. The suites include a gourmet kitchen, an oversized bathtub, and a refrigerated mini-bar.
Eastern Pennsylvania doesn't stop at Philly, and nor do your chances for finding accommodations at which to indulge in the high life. The Poconos have long been a station for those in search of R&R, and there exist today a number of highly-rated resorts, hotels, and spas at which to spend the night. One resort and spa you're bound to love is Skytop Lodge, an original from the Roaring 20s.
Skytop's main building is made of powerful stone, and the idea is for the edifice to blend in with the background mountains; while satellite inns and cottages populate the surrounding clearing and hills. The style of 20s persists throughout, and large bay windows in the central hallway afford you excellent views of the mountains. The accommodations are all roomy and spacious, and service is second to none.
Another take on the whole spa idea is Hershey's. At the Suites at Hershey, chocolate is king. Chocolate emanates from the rooms, wafts out to greet you, and helps you relax as well. Aside from the spa, you're just a mile from Hershey Park. And the suites themselves are huge and come with plenty of amenities. There are two bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room and a complete kitchen, and a washer and dryer. If you're nice they might even put a chocolate on your pillow ...
Luxurious Dining in Eastern Pennsylvania
Ahh, Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love outdoes itself when it comes to fine dining in the lap of luxury. There are a number of special places to eat out in this city, treats for those who like to raise the culinary experience to a new level.
Take Deux Cheminees', probably the most-highly-esteemed French eatery in Philadelphia. The name of the establishment means “two chimneys,” a reference to its setting in two adjacent townhouses. You eat in the opulent parlors and dining rooms of the two downstairs floors, in stately Victorian class. Amidst all this richness, the staff is unpretentious and helpful in choosing dining selection. The chef prepares fabulous prix fixe five-course meals for you, of classics like foie gras and baked snails with garlic butter for appetizers, and touredos steak and striped bass as entrées. For dessert, drown yourself in chocolate, jams, and creams, in the form of crepes, pastries, genoise, and cheesecake.
Are you in the mood for more French cuisine? You better be because you don't want to miss out on the city's other great French restaurant. Rittenhouse Hotel graciously hosts not just you, but also Lacroix, for a more contemporary kind of dining experience. Be overwhelmed by the sautéed young rabbit loin or the wild boar. You've never tried eel? Here's the place for a first time, served with shiitake mushrooms and charred Vidalia onions. The restaurant is also admired for its superior wine list, specializing in an extensive French selection (obviously).
Philadelphia also boasts its share of steakhouses. For the best of the bunch, head to the Capital Grille, with a club-like atmosphere, a great selection of different cuts of steak, and a fantastic wine list. Start with caviar, move on to lobster bisque, feast on the restaurant's famous dry-aged sirloin steak, finish with white chocolate mousse. It isn't just the food that makes this Philly's best steakhouse; the ambiance, realized with dark mahogany furnishings and plush leather, makes this a culinary masterpiece for the meat lover.
Luxurious Activities in Eastern Pennsylvania
Philadelphia's Skytop Lodge's primary draw is recreation, including golf, boating, and hiking. In wintertime it's a great place to go downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as ice-skating. Then back inside you have the spa, which features aromatherapy and massages of all types. Your skin will feel fresh as a baby's bottom after the Shiatsu treatment, which clears away body blockages so that the body can take charge and flush away impurities.
A helicopter's view of Philadelphia will be a memory to savor for a lifetime. Swoop down near the buildings, and gain sweeping views of the Delaware River and the outlying countryside. For a more relaxed ride, you can balloon above Amish country or the Poconos. Grab your favorite bottle of champagne for a gentle excursion and fantastic views of farmland and mountains.
Eastern Pennsylvania is where it all began. Don't miss the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and the Brandywine Valley, among all the other historical and architectural, wonders. But do yourself a favor, and experience the region through the lens of luxury. Great accommodations in a great city, pampering spas in the middle of the mountainous country, and fantastic food - both French and otherwise - all make eastern Pennsylvania a standard for those in search of the good life.
Luxury Vacation Ideas in Philadelphia, Lancaster, the Poconos, Eastern Pennsylvania
Luxury-Vacations
The Chocolate Spa at the Hotel Hershey
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