Nothing says "upscale hotel" like bullet proof glass surrounding the front desk....

 

The first review on the travel website said something to the effect of "Don't let the fresh coat of paint on the outside fool you...." I guess that should have been a clue. Then I arrived and saw that that there was a thick pane of bulletproof glass separating the small lobby area from the front desk.  Another clue.  I asked the front desk clerk whether or not my room would have an iron and ironing board in it.  He told me that it didn't but that I could check them out from him and carry it to my room -- which I could only get to by walking outside and walking around to the back of the building, in the 30 degree weather.   It kind of reminded me of when I first moved to Chicago and didn't have a car.  I went to Kmart and purchased a full-size ironing board and then I got to take it back home with me on the bus, in the middle of rush hour.... I've been in Philadelphia for less than 24 hours and I've already had all this excitement.  I can't wait to see how the rest of the trip goes....