A Chic Boutique Hotel Brings Mediterranean Charm To Philadelphia's Fishtown

You might not find a lot of hotels in Philadelphia with outdoor pools, and even fewer look as nice as the one at Hotel Anna & Bel. The deck chairs, rockers, and potted plants look like something out of a postcard from the Mediterranean, as do the tiled walkways and tasteful railings. Did we mention the pool is heated? Whiling away a summer afternoon in Hotel Anna & Bel's central court, you could imagine yourself anywhere — Capri, Santorini, Barcelona — but probably not here, in the former working-class enclave of a neighborhood known as Fishtown, in Pennsylvania.

Yet here it is, a luxury boutique hotel that opened in 2024, just north of Center City in Philadelphia. Set in a vintage brick building, Hotel Anna & Bel lovingly integrates renovated rooms and common spaces into the preserved 18th-century architecture. The pool is seasonal, but the on-site restaurant, Bastia, serves elegant Corsican and Sardinian dishes all year. Here, you can savor such delicacies as swordfish brochettes with walnut pesto or pearly fregola pasta infused with grilled baby artichokes, persimmon, and saffron, all created by Chef Tyler Akin. Philadelphia is widely considered an underrated northeastern destination for foodies, and Bastia proves just how toothsome the City of Brotherly Love can be. The restaurant is open for all meals, including brunch. The drinks menu includes wines, elegant cocktails, and inventive non-alcoholic options. 

Hotel Anna & Bel is billed as "a serene urban escape," which is true on several levels. The interior is expertly laid out and packed with fine art and thoughtful furnishings. The design shows great respect for the brick walls and original window openings that have stood here for more than two centuries, while also feeling fresh and cozy. You would never guess that this building once served as the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women. Then again, Philadelphia is full of dramatic historical landmarks that harken back to more turbulent times, such as the still-intact Betsy Ross House and the haunting ruins of Eastern State Penitentiary. Hotel Anna & Bel's provocative past is just another reason Philadelphia is one of the best U.S. cities for history buffs to add to their bucket lists.

The hotel is also a microcosm of the neighborhood it inhabits: Fishtown began as a settlement for English and German families who eked out a living fishing on the Delaware River. For years, the district was known for its brick row houses and close-knit families that had lived here for generations. The neighborhood has radically transformed in recent decades, thanks to waves of new residents and invigorating new businesses, such as the winery Mural City Cellars and yoga-and-martial-arts school Balance Studios. Hotel Anna & Bel is part of this renaissance, which has not only turned Fishtown into a trendy place for young Philadelphians to live, but a cool destination for travelers to explore. The Liberty Bell and LOVE Statue are great and all, but there's more to Philly than old monuments.

The hotel has 50 rooms in all, which range from studios to king-sized suites. Many rooms come with wet bars and balconies and the hotel has already garnered attention for its tasteful, minimalist decor. The site is about 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport by taxi, or about an hour by public transit. Off-site parking is available a few blocks away if you choose to drive. The refined settings will set you back a bit, though: One night will probably cost between $300 and $400, though prices can vary depending on when you book.

This is an action-packed town, and Hotel Anna & Bel is both close to the hotspots and a quiet place to retreat to. You could easily spend your time exploring Fishtown, which has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and nightlife to keep you occupied, or you could venture into the Old City of Philadelphia, which is only two miles away along the park-lined Delaware River. The city is crowded with landmarks and cultural things to do, so be sure to check out the best museums to visit on a trip to Philadelphia. When night falls, you can circle back for a nightcap at Caletta, Hotel Anna & Bel's sophisticated on-site piano bar.