Hotel West & Main and its two restaurants opened last week in Conshohocken. There was an opening party that we couldn’t make due to the Montco Beer Festival, so we asked Conshohocken resident and former public relations professional Jamie Joffe to attend and give us a report. Joffe is also one of the people behind the popular Binge & Cringe Facebook group that focuses on television and movies.

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As a longtime resident of Conshohocken, I have been waiting with bated breath for its newest hotel to open its doors. Hotel West and Main, which is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, did not disappoint.

Construction of the hotel took place mostly during the pandemic, which prompted the developer Keystone Development + Investment, and partner Concord Hospitality to reevaluate the design of the space. By reducing the number of hotel rooms and offering additional amenities, the result is a next-level experience with the perfect balance of luxury and historic charm.

The hotel connects to the historic Washington Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, which was originally built in 1874 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The firehouse has now been restored to its former splendor, featuring elements of exposed brick, chrome, and sleek industrial elements. The original 16-foot windows span the length of the bar.

The hotel’s lobby showcases the firefighters’ original lockers which provides the perfect instagrammable moment. The hotel is over six floors with 127 luxurious state-of-the-art guest rooms decorated in muted gray, beige, and navy. Each room also gives a shout-out to Conshy’s rich history with a reproduced copy of the original The Conshohocken Recorder adorning the wall.

There are two restaurant experiences led by executive chef Zack Wannawong, who hails from The Boathouse in Richmond and The Olde Bar in Philadelphia. The lobby cafe and bar, 1874 Social, pays homage to the year the Washington Fire Company was founded. 1874 Social is an all-day cafe that will offer options for breakfast and happy hour. In the coming weeks, 1874 Social will also begin lunch service. You can view the menu for 1874 Social here.

Upstairs you will find an upscale dining experience at Hook & Ladder Sky Bar & Kitchen. The menu has a variety of steaks, seafood, and sushi/Crudo dishes, plus the $99 gilded gold burger that received early buzz. You can view the menu for Hook & Ladder here.

Hook & Ladder’s bar and lounge overlook the public square that sits between the hotel and firehouse and AmerisourceBergen’s corporate headquarters. Downstairs the firehouse’s former garage doors open that space into the square.

As one of the only luxury hotels accessible to 76 and the Blue Route, Hotel West & Main is a welcome addition to Conshohocken’s ever-changing skyline. The vibe feels much more like Manhattan than Montgomery County.

Pictured on the top right is Hook & Ladder’s dry-aged tomahawk ribeye. Photo by Dantone Creative
To the top left is the firehouse looking from the west.