The Ramada Inn-Philadelphia Airport South is a part of Ramada Worldwide, which owns and operates the Ramada brand of hotels that began in 1954 when a group of investors opened its first inn in Flagstaff, Ariz. In 1959, the group adopted the name Ramada , a Spanish word for a shaded resting place , and sold its first franchise. Since then, the Ramada chain has grown to more than 1,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The Ramada Inn Philadelphia Airport South is a seven-story high-rise conveniently located off Interstate Highway 95 and Interstate Highway 476, only three miles south of the Philadelphia International Airport. The hotel offers 24-hour complimentary van transportation to and from the airport. It is also located approximately 15 minutes from Historic Center City Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Ramada Inn-Philadelphia Airport South is located in Essington, Pa.