Philadelphia's Newest Hotel Has a Secluded Courtyard Inspired By a Coastal European Hotel, Local Art, and a Surprising History

The 50-room Hotel Anna & Bel is welcoming guests in August.

Philadelphia, the city that birthed American Democracy and a mascot named Gritty, will soon be home to a swish new boutique hotel — one with a hidden courtyard that channels a Mediterranean holiday. The 50-room Hotel Anna & Bel — brought to life by Philadelphia-based real estate development firm Foyer Project and operated by Life House, which also counts properties in Palm Springs and the Berkshires — is slated to open in August in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood. The property has roots in the 18th century and was once home to a communal living home called the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women.

“Throughout the renovation process we worked with the Preservation Society of Philadelphia to emphasize and honor the property’s rich architectural history while breathing a new design life into the space with modern amenities and features,” Dor Berkovitz, co-founder and managing partner at Foyer Project told Travel + Leisure.

That new design life takes ample inspiration from the property’s history, with curved lines,  pastel colors, and other elements that lean into the “inherent femininity of the property,” Berkovitz said.

Beyond its history, the hotel’s space comes to life with a host of local artists and makers: custom robes are by Philadelphia-based Printfresh, beloved Fishtown grocer Riverwards Produce is the mastermind of the in-room minibar snacks, and neighborhood independent bookstore Ulisis stocked the hotel’s reading nook. Throughout the property, oil paintings, illustrations, and mosaics by a mix of local, female, and international artists were curated by another Philly-based firm, Paradigm Art Advisory, including prints capturing scenes of the city by hometown photographer Gab Bonghi.

Rooms range in size from studios to two bedrooms, each with either a kitchenette or a minibar with a Nespresso maker, plus custom-made wooden bed frames and vintage-inspired decor. On the top floor, a two-bed, two-bath primary suite has expansive views of the city skyline and loads of natural light thanks to a series of skylights. On the second floor, interior rooms have French doors that open to a balcony overlooking the courtyard with perhaps the most dazzling aspect of the property: a leafy courtyard with umbrella-shaded loungers trimming a heated outdoor pool.

The outdoor space was designed “to feel transportive,” Berkovitz said. “We wanted the area to feel like an escape from the city. Reminiscent of New Orleans, the courtyard is surrounded by iron balcony railings that draw from both French and chic Mediterranean influences to make the area feel like a coastal oasis.”

While the oasis is for guests only, Bastia, the on-site restaurant helmed by local chef Tyler Akin, will be open to the public. The cafe and coastal Mediterranean restaurant will center around seafood dishes, and will also provide in-room dining. The same team is behind Caletta, the property’s lounge, which will also serve poolside spritzes and Italian snacks, bringing guests that much closer to the Med.

Located northeast of Center City, Fishtown has historically lacked in the robust range of lodging options compared to the downtown neighborhood. But with so much happening in the stretch of the city, including welcoming some of the city’s buzziest restaurants of late, it’s a prime time for a new hotel to open its doors.

“As residents of the neighborhood, we don’t have anything similar that appeals to both visitors to the area and locals alike,” Berkovitz said. “In recent years, Fishtown has seen a surge of new restaurants and shopping, so we felt the neighborhood would be perfect for travelers who are looking for a destination that combines a sense of community with full amenities and boutique offerings.”

Nightly rates start at $300. Learn more or book your stay at annaandbel.com.

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