Philadelphia heaves with major historic sites. It’s famously the home of the Liberty Bell, and it’s always fun to see such an icon in person. But I find Independence Hall much more thrilling to visit. When I returned, I couldn’t help but feel a shiver of emotion as I stood in the very room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. The National Park Service’s Independence Square Improvement Project was in full swing during our stay, and by now, the major restoration work on Independence Hall, Congress Hall and Old City Hall should be complete.

We’ve long recommended only The Rittenhouse, a stately hotel in a modern tower. It’s still a fine choice, but in such a historic city, I wanted a hideaway with real period character. I paid incognito visits to two, but Philly’s star hotel perches at the top of a shiny glass-and-steel skyscraper.

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comast Center

In stark contrast to the other three properties on our itinerary, the lavish Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center overlooks the city from the top 12 floors of the Norman Foster-designed Comcast Technology Center. Our visit began with an exhilarating glass elevator ride: At one floor per second, the journey of more than 1,000 feet to the 60th-floor lobby was both expedient and heart-stopping. As an extraordinary swath of Philadelphia came rushing into view, I was awestruck. Even my acrophobic companion enjoyed it.