Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hotel Anna & Bel

Name: Hotel Anna & Bel
Address: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Price range: From $280
Rating: 4.6

Fishtown's first full-service boutique hotel, built inside a former 18th-century women's asylum.

Open · August 2024

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A cluster of historic Fishtown buildings, once a women's asylum and later a retirement home, reopened in August 2024 as Hotel Anna & Bel, the neighborhood's first full-service boutique hotel. Fifty apartment-style rooms and a preservation-minded renovation anchor the project.

The essentials

Group: Foyer Project (operated by Life House)
Opening: August 2024
Rooms & suites: 50 rooms
Segment: Boutique/Lifestyle
Designer: Foyer Project & B-March
Entry rate: From $280

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The place

Hotel Anna & Bel occupies a cluster of historic structures in Fishtown, including an 18th-century building that originally served as a women's asylum and later as one of the city's earliest retirement homes.

The concept

Developed by Philadelphia-based Foyer Project with B-March and operated by Life House, the property opened in August 2024 as Fishtown's first full-service boutique hotel, a new hotel operation inside buildings that had never been run as one. The design team worked with the Preservation Society of Philadelphia to keep original features (a grand entry staircase, exposed brick, fireplaces, timber ceiling beams) intact, while rooms follow an apartment-style layout that varies from studios to two-bedrooms, so no two stays look quite alike. Local partnerships run through the property, from art curated by Old City's Paradigm Art Advisory to robes by Printfresh and books from neighborhood bookstore Ulisis.

Dining & wellness

The hotel includes a pool, a Fishtown rarity, alongside its apartment-style rooms; specific dining/restaurant details have not been independently confirmed.

Google guest reviews

4.6/5 · 127 reviews

Recently stayed for a weekend. Booked directly through hotel website and received a small discount on room pricing. We were greeted immediately upon entering and easily checked in. We were initially booked in a room that is on the first floor directly behind lobby and hotel restaurant. There was significant noise from the restaurant and bar area which does not close until 11 pm and the windows of the room opened to the courtyard (so little privacy). Due to the atmospheric noise we requested to move to another room on a higher floor and the staff quickly accommodated us (which we appreciated). We ate dinner at Bastia which was excellent - the staff was knowledgeable and provided great recommendations. It was great receiving a citrus snack at the end of their meal. Our king room was spacious and well appointed. There is a small bar cabinet with mini fridge and microwave which was great for late night dining of our leftovers. The shower had the best water pressure I’ve ever experienced in a hotel. We also had lunch poolside from Caletta and the swordfish skewers were so good. The pool was heated during a chillier day which made it very enjoyable even with cooler weather. The courtyard pool is surrounded by Caletta which is open to the public but the pool is only for hotel guests. I love the history and coziness of this hotel. Would definitely stay again. There is paid valet parking or free self parking (about three blocks walk from hotel) $$$
Christina B. · 4/5

This hotel is absolutely lovely. The common spaces are beautiful and thoughtfully designed; the location is in wonderful Fishtown; the restaurant and bar are excellent; the staff is warm and welcoming; and the pool feels like an oasis in the middle of the city. Every time I've come to Philly I've stayed at one of the larger hotels in City Center, and will aim to stay here every time I come back to the city. Can't recommend Anna & Bel highly enough.
Colton Staab · 5/5

As someone who travels on a weekly basis, I’ve experienced a wide range of hotels but this one truly stands out. This is already my third visit, and it continues to impress me every time. The rooms are absolutely amazing,each one has its own unique design, making every stay feel fresh and unique. The hotel is exceptionally clean, and it’s clear that great attention is given to every detail. The service is outstanding, professional, attentive, and always welcoming. Every room also includes its own bar 😉, which adds a fun and unique touch. And with all this, what truly completes the experience is the incredible comfort the mattresses and pillows are extremely comfortable, allowing for perfect rest after frequent travel. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a special and memorable stay.
אביתר מנחם · 5/5

The Anna & Bel is a beautiful boutique hotel, but unfortunately our experience did not come close to justifying the $3,500 we spent for a three-night stay. Our stay started on an odd note when the front desk asked if we needed help with our luggage. When we politely declined, the employee loudly replied, "Thank God." It was an unprofessional first impression. Our first room was not what we expected. We booked what we believed was a one-level suite, but instead were assigned a room accessed only by a narrow, steep staircase leading to what felt like an attic. We later learned it's better to call the hotel directly because the online room descriptions can be misleading. The biggest issue with that room was that it had no blackout curtains over two large windows in the sitting area. Bright exterior lights poured into the room all night, making it nearly impossible to sleep. The next morning, Ryan kindly moved us to another room on the first floor overlooking the courtyard and "spool." While we appreciated the effort, it was clearly a downgrade from what we originally booked. Unfortunately, the replacement room wasn't properly cleaned. After dropping an earring, I used my phone flashlight and found black hair, dust, and dirt all over the floor. I reported it immediately to the manager. The most disappointing part of our stay was the hotel's second anniversary celebration. We were initially told guests were invited, but when we returned that evening, the entire courtyard and bar had been roped off as a private employee event. At over $1,000 per night, it was frustrating to lose access to the hotel's primary outdoor space so the hotel could host its own party. Even the complimentary guest water station had been moved inside the private event. Later that evening, several employees came outside near our patio and began smoking what smelled like marijuana before quickly going back inside after noticing us. It was incredibly unprofessional. Service throughout the stay was inconsistent. Some employees were friendly and helpful, while others seemed annoyed by guests. This hotel also isn't ideal for anyone looking for a quiet boutique experience. Although the rooms include mushroom gummies, intimacy products, and a full bar—which suggests an adult-focused atmosphere—it was filled with young children screaming in the tiny spool throughout the day. That's obviously not the hotel's fault if they allow children, but it wasn't the atmosphere we expected. Another disappointment was the wine program. At dinner our bottle was served noticeably warm, and later we purchased a $150 bottle from the hotel bar that was also warm and tasted oxidized. We regularly drink this wine and know how it should taste, making us question how their wine is being stored. Our second night's sleep was even worse. The queen bed and pillows were uncomfortable, upstairs guests were extremely noisy for hours, and at 6:30 a.m. employees began loudly dragging metal patio furniture across the courtyard. After being woken up by hotel staff, coffee wasn't even available until 7:00 a.m. On Friday night, the courtyard remained crowded and noisy until nearly 11:00 p.m., despite being told it closed at 10:00. Since our room faced the courtyard, the noise carried directly inside. We were never warned that our room would be subject to restaurant and courtyard noise. For the amount we paid, I expected exceptional hospitality, attention to detail, and a relaxing stay. Instead, we received a downgraded room, cleanliness issues, inconsistent service, poor sleep, and lost access to one of the hotel's primary guest amenities during a private staff event. No adjustment to our bill was offered. Anna & Bel is undeniably beautiful, but beautiful décor alone doesn't justify luxury pricing. At over $1,000 per night, the experience simply wasn't worth it. If you're visiting Fishtown, I'd recommend renting a nice VRBO instead and enjoying the fantastic restaurants in the neighborhood while avoiding the disappointment we experienced.
HB 1997 · 1/5

SERVICE: I booked the Anna Penthouse Suite and emailed six months in advance to inquire about photography rules on the property (to avoid disturbing the experience of other guests) and if I could come onsite for a tour to plan for how many people could be present for photos and while I got ready for my wedding ( (i.e. wedding coordinator, etc). The person who said they set a reminder to follow up with me forgot but apologized later on, stating they understood how much work goes into planning a wedding. As a paying guest, it was hurtful to see an influencer event taking place in the same exact suite right around when I was expecting to hear back (no disrespect to influences at all, just wish I could have been treated with at least half the dignity). I also never heard back from the photography person despite following up with them. While I tried to let all of that go and focus on being present the day of my wedding, some guy (maybe chef/part owner? Idk) came up to us while we were wrapping up our First Look pictures to tell us what were doing was inappropriate despite the fact that my coordinator and photographer obtained permission from a staff member prior to me coming down. I had a permit to take photos at Rodin Museum but figured if there no issues at the hotel, we could just do first look photos at Anna & Bel instead. Prior to the guy “scolding” us, guests were cheering us on while we took our photos which was very sweet of them. My photographer was clearly aiming her lens at us and away from them, because other than us not wanting to disturb other people’s peace or privacy, why would we pay that kind of money to have strangers in the background of our WEDDING photos. My in-laws also booked a room to be there for us and I was embarrassed I chose a hotel that had such unprofessional management. I’ve come to love Philadelphia and was excited to select this place for convenience instead of going abroad to get the same aesthetic. So I am absolutely torn to write a bad review for a local business, especially since some of the staff were kind. The patio is very small, made the best of it but not what I expected (they can’t help it but wish I knew to plan accordingly for pictures). The description for the kitchenette was misleading, you cannot fit a plate in the sink at all (not being dramatic). Fridge was also small and stocked with items that I don’t believe were complimentary. There wasn’t a microwave or anything to heat up our breakfast or wedding leftovers. The water situation seems to have been rectified but I wish I brought a pack of water to stay hydrated. During check-in, I was told the pet fee increased significantly (from the $50/night pictured in my confirmation screenshot to $150/night). I noted the discrepancy to the guy at check-in , there wasn’t really a response so I’m not sure what happened with that. I brought my own flowers and a vase to add my own flair for the photos. They had a cute dog bed and bowls (not sure if they’re cleaned in between bookings). I’m glad I could have had my dog with us while we got ready, seems like a lot of hotels in the area are pet friendly though. OVERALL: I am glad other people have had a better experience than we did. Unfortunately, despite the lovely pictures my awesome photographer captured (I attached a brief snap of our first look in the corner by the pool) , I can’t even drive by when I’m in the area without being reminded of how horribly I was treated. I was a very “chill’, organized, DIY bride, not expecting a “Yes” for anything, just enough information to plan accordingly. Our plans to return for drinks, dinner, stay for special occasions completely vanished. I hope no one else experiences what I did on their special day.
Raldina Bredy · 1/5

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