The Study at University City

20 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Philadelphia, United States

4-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.5 / 5

Overview

The Study at University City is a polished 4-star hotel set in the heart of Philadelphia's bustling University City district, surrounded by shops and eateries. The property blends a bookish, whimsical design aesthetic with soft-colored, warm interiors, giving it a distinctive academic character that suits its collegiate neighborhood. With a 4.5 rating from 749 reviews, it stands out as a well-regarded choice in the area.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms feature leather reading chairs, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, with some offering panoramic campus views. Studios step up with kitchenettes and dining areas, while suites add living areas, pull-out sofas, wet bars, and in some cases curated libraries. Several guests note that standard rooms can run small, so travelers wanting more space may prefer a studio or suite.

Dining

The hotel houses a chic on-site restaurant/bar along with a cozy, library-style cafe, and room service is available for guests who prefer to dine in. Guests frequently praise the food quality, service and inviting atmosphere of the dining spaces, though a few have found the on-site restaurant pricing or offerings inconsistent.

Amenities & Recreation

In addition to the restaurant/bar, cafe, and room service, the hotel offers an on-site gym for guests wanting to keep up a fitness routine while traveling.

Location

The hotel sits a minute's walk from the 33rd St. trolley station and within a 6-minute walk of both Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. It's also close to major cultural sites including the Penn Museum (585m), The Mütter Museum (1174m), the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1463m), The Franklin Institute (1503m) and the Barnes Foundation (1626m), with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell reachable within roughly 3.5km.

Best for

This hotel suits academic visitors, campus-adjacent business travelers, and culture-focused tourists, given its proximity to Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, and museums like the Penn Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Its trolley access a minute away also makes it a good fit for travelers who want easy transit into wider Philadelphia without a car. Couples or solo travelers who value a design-forward, literary atmosphere over sprawling amenities will appreciate its distinctive style.

Travel tips

The 33rd St. trolley station is just a minute's walk away, making it easy to reach other parts of Philadelphia without a car. Many top museums, including the Penn Museum, Mütter Museum, and Franklin Institute, are within a mile, so comfortable walking shoes go a long way, while Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are better reached by trolley or taxi given the longer distance. Since standard rooms have been described as compact, travelers prioritizing space should consider booking a studio or suite.

What guests say

Guests consistently highlight the quality of the on-site food, attractive design of the space, and friendly, efficient service, with one reviewer describing a smooth check-in and a spacious, quiet, well-appointed room with comfortable bedding. Staff responsiveness is also noted positively, including a quick resolution to an air conditioning issue. On the negative side, some guests find standard rooms too small, and a few mention the hotel feels overpriced, criticize the restaurant's food quality, and note the absence of basic amenities like an in-room kettle or coffee and tea bags. Overall sentiment leans strongly positive, but room size and value perception are recurring points of friction.

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