Where can I find temporary wifi office space in Philly?

August 9, 2009 9:19 AM

Monday morning I need access to a quiet location in Philadelphia (best: in Chestnut Hill or Mt Airy area) with inexpensive WiFi. Difficulty: I, myself, will not be quiet.

Basically, I have an online conference call on Monday and due to various circumstances my normal location (home office) is not going to be available. So I need a place that could be kinda like a home office, only not in my home. I'm totally willing to pay, I know it would be rude to set myself up in a quiet coffee shop and mooch off their wireless and disturb others with my talking. However, ideally I'd pay less than $20 for two hours or so.

posted by Deathalicious to work & money (12 comments total)

Oh, and it will have to be accessible via public transport, too.
posted by Deathalicious at 9:21 AM on August 9

Try calling hotels and ask about renting a conference room.
posted by entropic at 9:23 AM on August 9

Might there be a public library with sound-proof(ish) conference rooms?
posted by Meg_Murry at 9:28 AM on August 9

Try calling hotels and ask about renting a conference room.
I don't think this will be less than $20 for two hours (think more $200+, not including wifi access...)
I second Meg_Murry, phone a few libraries, they might also know about non-profit groups that have them. Last year I needed the same kind of set-up for a conference taking place abroad and I ended up in an elementary school that had a nice web conference set-up (part of an educational program--they could talk with other schools around the country) and since it was not for business they charged me nothing (I gave anyway).
posted by ddaavviidd at 9:39 AM on August 9

Looks like Philly libraries are all closed on Sundays during the summer, unfortunately. Unsurprising considering our budget difficulties. I suppose if nothing else comes through I will give them a call at 9 am exactly, but I'm not sure I could even make it there on time for the meeting at that point.

Looks like one alternative might be IndyHall, but they specifically recommend that if you are going to be on the phone you should use their conference hall (cost $100).
posted by Deathalicious at 9:50 AM on August 9

I'd check with a local Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn or Holiday Inn Express about a short time room rate (I've gotten good deals [$20 to 40] on short term use of small meeting rooms as day time interview suites, particularly when using airport motel locations [they get frequent requests for such services, as job interview sites for sales and service jobs]; airport motels are generally all reachable via public transit/shuttle bus services, although some distance south of your desired location). Or, you might be able to just buy a WiFi access code at a hotel closer to you in Chestnut Hill, and work in a quiet corner of a lobby (I've done this a number of times, for a few bucks).
posted by paulsc at 9:59 AM on August 9

What about the Morris Arboretum? It's right across the street from the beginning of Chestnut Hill, public transport accessible. I would call and ask - they have banquet rooms and some small office rooms where you could set up shop in relative privacy. Also try calling Drexel or Temple or Penn or some other local universities.
posted by iconomy at 10:09 AM on August 9

You might check out the area Kinkos/FedEx stores. They offer conference rooms and wi-fi, though their website doesn't offer any prices.
posted by Atreides at 10:24 AM on August 9

I like iconomy's idea of checking out the local universities (especially since it's summer). But Penn's libraries apparently don't give wireless Internet access to the public; you mentioned this is important. I can confirm that Penn's libraries have some conference rooms although I'm not sure how access to these is controlled. The main Penn library (Van Pelt) is open today; you might give them a call and ask.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:43 AM on August 9

2nding Meg_Murry: Public libraries often have conference rooms you can reserve in advance but use for free; I've done this many times, even at libraries which are some distance away from my home/office.
posted by DrGail at 11:00 AM on August 9

Problem solved.

My fiancee (soon wife) said, "Why don't you just ask a neighbor?!?" I went next door, asked permission kindly, and I now have a place for tomorrow morning. My neighbors are awesome.

In the future I will definitely turn to one of these other options, since I also want to be an awesome neighbor, and not that guy.
posted by Deathalicious at 1:01 PM on August 9

After checking MeMail... wow, looks like you guys are awesome too.
posted by Deathalicious at 6:23 PM on August 9