Photo of Boxbar, courtesy of Boxbar
If you’re contemplating Philadelphia as a city for a fun bachelorette weekend, we here at Guild House Hotel have got you covered—and not just as a beautiful place to stay while you’re in town. (Although … YES. More on that, and on how to book the house at Guild House below!) If you want fresh ideas for a weekend of memory-making with your friends—whether we’re talking a Philly bachelorette party, a bridesmaids’ retreat, a wedding weekend, a girls getaway or any gathering of local pals or out-of-town guests—we’ve got the scoop on some creative, non-obvious ideas, destinations and activities that will help you make the most of your time with your crew.
The Eliza Suite at the Guild House Hotel, one of 12 gorgeous rooms you and your guests can enjoy when you book the house.
Book the House at Guild House Hotel.
Okay, yes, we’re a little biased here, but what could possibly be better than your group having the run of the entire place at Guild House? Our hotel — a beautifully renovated national historic landmark (and one of just two Philadelphia hotels named a “key hotel” in the 2024 Michelin accommodations guide) — features 12 unique rooms and suites, each with its own distinct decor and vibe to appeal to every one of your different guests. (Also? If you’re interested in history —and especially women’s history —you really can’t beat the story behind our hotel. You’ll find that each of our rooms pays tribute to a particular remarkable woman in American history, just as the hotel itself honors the legacy of an amazing group of women who once gathered in this place.)
The hotel sleeps 28, so when you book the house, there’s plenty of space for even a big group of friends, and every room boasts amenities and personalized perks befitting a five-star boutique hotel: luxurious, customized bath products, well-appointed coffee and tea stations (with a seasonally rotating selection of beans and leaves), delightful little snacks and drinks, plush bathrobes and towels, smart-screen televisions, free Wifi, bluetooth speakers, and more. Plus, when you rent out the entire house, you and your party enjoy exclusive access to our lounge, a luxe and lovely gathering space that’s perfect for a group cocktail, a morning coffee, or just a little lazing. When you book the house, the entire hotel is yours for the length of your stay—and our impeccable invisible service means that not only will you and your guests be well taken care of, but that you’ll also enjoy the utmost privacy.
Our location, too, located in the heart of one of Philadelphia’s best neighborhoods, makes it an ideal place for a bachelorette party in Philly, a wedding weekend, or any gathering of friends. Here, nestled in the beautiful Washington West neighborhood, you’re surrounded by some of the city’s buzziest nightlife, bars, retail and restaurants … plus some of Philadelphia’s most famous landmarks, parks, and attractions. Book the house at Guild House, and you’ll have the perfect launch pad for a weekend of activity and a beautiful, comfortable place to land again when you return with your gang.
Photo of a facial at Rescue Spa, courtesy of Rescue Spa via VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Hit the Spa.
There are dozens of great day spas in Philadelphia if a day of beauty is on your Philly bachelorette party wishlist, including a handful that are within a short walk of Guild House Hotel. One option to consider is the renowned Rescue Spa, a spot known especially for its custom facials, but which also home to one of the best massages in Philadelphia. They also specialize in manicures and pedicures, body treatments, makeup, hair, brows and lashes and more—and it’s one of the best known, most beloved day spas on the East Coast. (And yes, they’re open to BYO bubbles and snacks for your crew.) Another excellent option: The fab Underground Spa at the Logan Hotel, which offers really appealing group deals for groups between three and 30-plus people. Packages, which are customizable, include a space for chilling, and offer options for food and drink service (including free wine, Prosecco, bourbon and non-alcoholic options), as well as access to well-appointed locker rooms and a heated saltwater pool. When your group is done at the spa, you can head back to Guild House — it’s all yours, if you book the house— for more lounging and relaxing. Or, now freshly scrubbed and polished, you can get ready for a night on the town.
Photo of the Boxbar charm bar in action, courtesy of Boxbar
Make Something! Learn Something! Drink Something!
Private classes and crafting sessions are big these days as a fun bachelorette party activity in Philly—or a fun activity for any group. Consider, for example, Boxbar, which not only celebrates all things wedding (curating everything from invites to gift boxes for bridesmaids to hotel goodie boxes for your guests) but also offers a delightful private event space with a “charm bar,” wherein everyone in your party can come and design their own (pretty, high-quality) charm bracelet or necklace. If the jewelry isn’t your thing, you can also opt for tote-bag or sweatshirt painting, or bottle decorating with decoupage, or jewelry-box design … and more. If, however, your crew is more into food and drink than crafting, the Philadelphia Cheese School in South Philly offers excellent BYO private classes for 6 to 16 adults, complete with five artisanal cheeses to taste, crackers and pairings, while the Wine School of Philadelphia offers private wine tastings and classes for groups, both on-site at their place (heads up—there’s a waitlist for that!) and also off-site. (That means if you rent the house at Guild House Hotel, you could have the Wine School bring the tasting to you!) And if you’re interested in crafting and drinking … and want to do it all at Guild House Hotel? Book the house, and then call Sippin & Stitchin, and they’ll organize a little embroidery class and session (complete with a starter kit for every person, all the thread you need and a couple hours of guidance from a pro … all while you enjoy your drinks and together time). Both our lounge and our Alice Suite make the perfect festive gathering space.
Photo of the bowling alleys at Harp & Crown by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Play Games.
By all means, hit the bars if that’s your thing with your friends—you have your pick of them in Philadelphia, no doubt—but if you want to mix your drinking with an added diversion, you might consider the adult-focused, sprawling Puttshack on Chestnut Street. Mini-golf is obviously already a game geared to a group—and here, the combo of high-tech courses, quality snacks and massive, lively bar make for a really fun day or night. You might also opt for another fun group game with the charming little basement bowling alley at Harp & Crown. The lower level of this gorgeous restaurant (which was designed by the same team who designed our very own Guild House!) houses, yes, a couple of bowling lanes (plus shoe rental and a bar). The restaurant’s surprisingly elegant Elbow Lanes can be rented out for a party of 11 or more, and offers a complete, thoughtful menu of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, brunch, buffets and more—not exactly your usual bowling alley fare. Or you can consider yet another popular play space for adults: At SPIN, the ping-pong bar that the Inquirer once called “a high-end take on a basement rec room,” you can take your chances with walking in and grabbing a couple tables or you can schedule a party package with your choice of beverage plans, stationed food, dedicated tables and unlimited balls.
National Mechanics’ weekend dance party, courtesy National Mechanics
Dance.
Good spots to get out and go dancing in Philadelphia abound … if you know where to look. (And you should look! What’s a bachelorette weekend without dancing?) For one? There’s National Mechanics, the popular bar in a grandiose historic building in Old City, which turns into a fun, low-pressure dance party every Saturday night from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. The bartenders are chill, and the tunes and the crowd run the gamut: It’s a great spot to bring a large group. Another option is Time, a locally beloved whiskey and jazz bar (that also happens to be just a few minutes walk from Guild House Hotel) whose entire upper floor—which has its own bar—is reserved for a DJ and dancing every Friday and Saturday night. Or, for something just a little different, there’s the deeply cool Trestle Inn, where every Thursday through Sunday, go-go dancers do their thing on raised blocks while an enthusiastic crowd dances to 60s and 70s vinyl, spun by in-house DJs. It’s soul, it’s funk, it’s disco, it’s a little rock — and it’s extremely loose and fun. And bonus: The cocktails are top notch. You and your bachelorette party can dance the night away, then—if you rent the house—head back to settle in in your private, welcoming Guild House Hotel for the night.
** Want to book a room or suite — or book the entire house — at our historic boutique Philadelphia hotel? Click here to plan your stay!
