Kimberly,
I’ve slept in just about every standard bedroom in a Viewliner sleeper, and there really is very little difference in terms of which is the best room. None of the rooms are directly above the trains wheels, so that’s not a problem noise wise. If I were to suggest avoiding any rooms, they would probably be 1, 2, 11, & 12. I’d avoid 1 & 2, because they are near the vacuum system that makes the toilets work. So whenever someone flushes, you can hear the vacuum kick it. It’s not very loud, but you will notice it.
I’d avoid 11 & 12 simply because they are the closest rooms to the door at the end of the car. Those rooms however are not right next to the door. On one side there is a shower at the very end of the car and on the other side is the car attendant room. It’s the shower and that attendants room that are also above the wheels.
That said however, I’m really nitpicking here about the rooms. I probably wouldn’t worry too much. If you were riding the bi-level trains, room locations are far more important.
Now let’s talk about the actual rooms. Please don’t expect something big and fancy here. The rooms are comfortable, but they are small. If you haven’t already, I highly suggest checking out
this page. It contains link to a virtual tour of the bedrooms. It should be noted that this tour is from the bi-level sleeper, not the Viewliner.
Your room will look a little different, as you will have a sink, mirror, and a toilet. Let me also warn you that the toilet is not is a separate area, it’s right in the room with you next to one of the seats. So modesty may require that one person leave the room, while the other uses the facilities. For this reason, you may wish to consider the deluxe bedroom, which does have the toilet enclosed. Note that the deluxe bedroom will cost more than the standard room.
Luggage wise, you will have room for one medium sized suitcase in a cubbyhole above the hall. Two small suitcases or backpack can fit under the seats and a garment bag could be hung on the wall. Anything more than that should be checked as it won’t fit into the room and there are no luggage racks elsewhere in the car.
Now as others have pointed out, you will have movies available to you on a small screen in the room. You will also find that the sleeping car attendant puts out water, juice, and soda in the car for you. There is also a coffee pot available in the sleeping car. All meals are included, if you take them in the dining car. This includes the meal, desert, and non-alcoholic beverages. Anything you get from the lounge/café car, you have to pay for.
Finally as Viewliner mentioned, you will have the luxury of using the Club Acela lounge when you depart from Philadelphia. Your sleeper tickets qualify you as a First Class passenger on Amtrak. As a first class passenger you are entitled to utilize Amtrak's first class lounge in Philly. These lounges are a nice quiet refuge in the often-bustling train station. They have nice plush chairs, conference rooms, computer terminals, newspapers, TV's, free soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea and clean safe bathrooms. They also allow you to board your train before the rest of the masses.
In Philly the lounge is on the second floor, but the entrance is kind of hidden down a long hall in the corner of the station. Walk down towards gate 1 and you should see the hall leading to the stairs. Go up the stairs and ring the bell next to the door. An attendant will buzz you in, just show your tickets and then relax. Probably around 15 minutes before your train leaves, the attendant will have you board an elevator that will take you right to the track level. You won’t have to stand in the long line that forms in the main waiting area with all of the coach passengers.
Hope this helps some. Please don’t hesitate to ask, if you have more questions.
