It’s easy enough to spot Fitler Club. Stationed on the banks of the Schuylkill, between the Chestnut and Market Street bridges, the hulking concrete-and-glass fortress sits catty-corner from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, almost in I-76’s crosshairs. What’s harder, though, is figuring out how to get in, through somewhat hidden front and back doors. Once inside, the place has a swanky, subtle charm, like an urban country club for the city’s go-getter in-crowd. Though a members club, Fitler’s 14 hotel rooms are open to the public. It’s the first outpost of a lifestyle concept dreamed up by founder David Gutstadt. Gutstadt, who previously led fitness brand Equinox‘s hotel strategy, has clearly taken some of his alma mater’s fitness fanaticism to heart in creating Fitler Club; see Field House, Fitler’s 25,000-square-foot exercise area, and one of its most impressive selling points. He clearly understands what high-paying members expect from their amenities, and he’s made sure that Fitler Club delivers: few to no wait times for machines, plenty of staff support in the form of trainers and instructors, and an absolutely smashing cocktail program. —Betsy Blumenthal
