Still rooms at Philly inns for papal visit

You might be amazed, but hotel rooms are still available if you want to come into Philadelphia for the papal visit.  

Ed Grose of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, who said he’s been monitoring the travel websites, has found plenty of rooms open for Sept. 26 and 27,  the weekend Pope Francis will be in  Philadelphia.

“I go to the same places everyone else goes, I’m seeing a lot of availability, I’m seeing some great rates,” he said. “There’s still a lot of room available, but they are filling fast.  I still believe there will be few, if any, rooms available the week leading up to the visit.”

A random check of travel websites showed rooms in Center City ranging from $400 to more than $700 a night.

Beyond price, Grose advises thinking about travel restrictions before booking a room.

“I would highly recommend if you are coming for the weekend come on Friday and stay until Monday,” he said.