Philadelphia B&Bs Give Distinct Local Experiences
Patrons Seek History, Intimate Feeling

PHILADELPHIA, July, 2003 – People who prefer the intimacy of bed-and-breakfasts will find more than 125 B&Bs throughout the Philadelphia region. Choices in the city and countryside include elegant townhouses, historically certified homes, charming Victorian inns, quaint cottages, high-rise apartments and country estates, says Mary Alice Hamilton, a partner in A Bed & Breakfast Connection of Philadelphia.

The main reason increasing numbers of travelers are seeking B&Bs is for the particular local flavor guests can enjoy. According to Hamilton, B&Bs are not just for leisure travelers anymore: Convention attendees and business travelers also are selecting B&Bs with many booking through the Internet. The following B&Bs are among the many awaiting travelers to the Philadelphia region.

Phone numbers and Web sites are indicated for each property, except for the following, which may be booked through A Bed & Breakfast Connection at (610) 687-3565, (800) 448-3619, www.bnbphiladelphia.com: Barren Hill Inn, Historic B&B, University City Victorian, Chester County Guesthouse, Linfield Elegance, Malvern Inn, Victorian Splendor and Winters B&B.

PHILADELPHIA

Barren Hill Inn: Built in 1732, this home in the Chestnut Hill section has five guest rooms, each with cable television, radio and modem. Guests may use the spacious living room and the 24-hour kitchen, stocked with juice, milk, soda and spring water. Rate: $99 to $159.

Historic B&B: A private residence since 1828, this home has been restored and furnished to reflect the graciousness of the early 19th-century. Located in the heart of Philadelphia's Society Hill, this B&B is listed with the National Registry of Historic Homes. The narrow tree-lined street and private city garden insulate guests from noise and traffic. Four large, elegantly furnished rooms each have a private bath. Some have a working fireplace or jacuzzi. Rate: $135 to $200.

Rittenhouse Square Bed & Breakfast: This meticulously renovated carriage house has 10 guest rooms with marble bathrooms, phones, 100-channel cable TVs, computer workstations with Internet access and a 24-hour concierge service. Located on a small quiet street within walking distance of restaurants, museums, boutiques and historical attractions. Rate: $149 to $259. (877) 791-6500, www.rittenhousebb.com

Thomas Bond House: This handsome Federal-style building in the heart of the Old City historic district offers 12 guest rooms with period furniture and authentic accessories. Some rooms have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, and amenities include nightly wine and cheese, Continental breakfast on weekdays and full breakfast on weekends. (215) 923-8523, (800) 845-2663. Rate: $95 to $175. www.winston-salem-inn.com/philadelphia

University City Victorian: This elegant Queen Ann Victorian house is sheltered by gardens, which can be enjoyed from the wrap-around porch. It has five guest rooms in the heart of University City and within walking distance of the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania. Rate: $85 to $125.

SURROUNDING COUNTIES

Bed & Breakfast at Walnut Hill: The circa 1840 antique furnished mill house is built on land that was originally granted by William Penn to his daughter Letitia in 1701. Bright rooms feature antiques and crafts imaginatively displayed. Located in Kennett Square, midway between Philadelphia and Lancaster County. (610) 444-3703. Rate: $75 to $115. www.bvbb.com/walnuthill.html  

Bridgeton House On-The-Delaware: Situated on the banks of the Delaware River, this small brick inn is situated in a charming hamlet north of New Hope. Features include French doors, canopy beds, fireplaces and private balconies. (610) 982-5856. Rate: $139 to $299. www.bridgetonhouse.com  

Chester County Guesthouse: This renovated Pennsylvania fieldstone farmhouse, with its open beam ceilings and random width floors, dates back to the early 1730s and was part of the Underground Railroad. Each bedroom has its own theme plus private bath, cable TV and central air-conditioning. The house is located near Brandywine Valley and the Amish country. Rate: $85 to $95.

Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast: Located in the Brandywine Valley, this stately mansion offers nine guest rooms appointed with antiques and Oriental rugs, four-poster and canopy beds, private baths and TVs. Beautiful living room with a Federal-era fireplace, period billiard room and cozy solarium. Rate: $130 to $195. (610) 459-3000, (877) 836-8212, www.hamanassett.com

Highland Farms: The former Bucks County estate of famed Broadway lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II is now a cozy bed and breakfast. Rooms are named after Hammerstein’s famous musicals, including The King and I, Carousel and Oklahoma. The lovely grounds feature a 60-foot swimming pool and patio area. Rate: $145 to $295. (215) 340-1354, www.web-comm.com/highland 

Linfield Elegance: European and American craftsmen fashioned this 22-room Victorian mansion in 1897. The mansion features marble and alabaster floors, stained glass, fireplaces and a winding chestnut staircase. It is located just 12 miles west of Valley Forge and King of Prussia. Rate: $95 to $145.

Malvern Inn: Once a carriage stop for travelers, this elegant country inn near Valley Forge and the Brandywine Valley has been in operation since 1745. Rooms, some with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, feature four-poster beds and authentic Colonial furnishings. Rate: $120-$190.

Mansion Inn: This Victorian manor home in the heart of New Hope, furnished in high-quality antiques and art works, is Bucks County’s only four-diamond inn. Some guest rooms feature an antique clock, fireplace, whirlpool and elegant canopy bed. An in-ground swimming pool is also on site.
Rate: $195 to $295. (215) 862-1231, www.themansioninn.com 

Sweetwater Farm: Built in 1734, this Chester County manor home sits on a 50-acre farm. The main mansion houses seven guest rooms while the surrounding buildings include five cottages and three barns. Rate: $100 to $275. (610) 459-4711, www.sweetwaterfarmbb.com 

Victorian Splendor: Built in 1896, this 17-room home is a late-Victorian showpiece. A huge fish tank serves as the base of the kitchen counter. Four fireplaces and an abundance of oak woodwork add to the charm, and a lovely garden frames the backyard swimming pool. The Barnes Museum and St. Joseph's University are both a short walk away. Rate: $95 to $125.

Winters B&B: Built in 1881, this gracious bed-and-breakfast is in an elegant Victorian mansion near the Brandywine Valley. The foyer is filled with period antiques, featuring solid oak wainscoting. The house also boasts a library, wrap-around porch and 10 unique fireplaces. Some rooms include marble showers, whirlpool tubs and private balconies. Rate: $155 to $200.
 

GPTMC is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676. For information about arts and cultural attractions in the region, visit the Philadelphia CultureFiles at gophila.com.

Note to Editors: For story angles and photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit gophila.com/pressroom.  

July 2003

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