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5.0
#2 of 10 B&Bs in Philadelphia
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Award winning Victorian B&B, 10 guest rooms, free parking, full breakfast. Amazing collection of Victorian antiques with 21st century amenities such as WiFi, cable tv, phones, computer station, dvd and vcr. Easy public transit. Near universities and hospitals, 12 minutes to center city.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Green
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English
Location
4520 Chester Ave At South 46th St., Philadelphia, PA 19143-3707
The Gables Bed and Breakfast
726 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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We stayed at The Gables for our anniversary in September. This is an extraordinary place for two reasons. First, the house is full of history that you can reach out and touch. There are all kinds of working mechanical marvels here, like a phonograph, a pump organ, and a Victrola, that you can actually play. Almost all of the structure of the house (doors, windows, flooring, etc.) are original to 1889, and the innkeepers have decorated the house wonderfully with unique objects (elaborate gigantic birdcages and a 100+ year old chess set, to name a few) that give the impression that you have stepped back in time to the Victorian era. You just cannot find a place with this much character anywhere else. (Of course, the place also has modern amenities like great air conditioning.)
Secondly, the innkeepers, Cesar and Ricky, are consummate hosts and go far, far out of their way to make you feel welcome and taken care of. They cook a delicious, ample breakfast every morning. Sometimes we hosted some visitors and Cesar would just stop by with some complimentary cupcakes. There is a pantry with wines, beer, coffee, tea, and snacks that you can access 24/7, and you can leave leftovers or put other beverages in the fridge as well. We had to mail a package over the weekend and Cesar took care of it while we were out and about. You can easily reach the hosts by text and they respond to your questions in minutes.
Lastly, we felt safe and the innkeepers have taken all precautions in the COVID era. Folks wore masks (guests and staff alike) and it was very easy to socially distance on the property.
We stayed in the Victorian Suite, which I highly recommend as it has a solarium, perfect for reading breaks or naps during the day. If you come here, please also visit the nearby Kusina Philly restaurant that Cesar also runs -- the Filipino food is delicious and safe indoor dining is available too if you want to escape the heat.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:The Victorian Suite is the best room as it comes with a solarium.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 17 Sept 2020
It was so nice to meet and host you both as you celebrated your anniversary. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to write us a review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us at The Gables. Thank you for your support of Kusina Philly (our Filipino restaurant) Until next time:) Regards The Gables Family and Staff
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My husband and I had a wonderful stay at The Gables Bed and Breakfast.
The owners were so kind and treated us so well. We stayed there while things were still slowly opening back up after the COVID shutdown, so we were the only guests the night we stayed, which was actually quite fun. We dined in the dining room and sat in the two sitting rooms, pretending we were living the life of luxury. The owners went above and beyond making sure everything was sanitized.
The bed was so comfortable, and we both had the best night sleep there than we have had in a long time. In the morning, they fed us like we were kings.
We highly recommend!
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Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 24 Jul 2020
It was so much fun meeting you both! Happy anniversary again! We are glad that we made your stay memorable. Until next time. The Gables Family
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We didn’t want to leave!!! This place is a beautiful, quiet, cozy, gorgeously decorated little sanctuary with the loveliest hosts you could ever ask for.
Cesar upgraded our room right off the bat and reached out to make sure we had everything we needed. He even brought out his 3 adorable, loving rescue pups for us to cuddle, as we were missing our dog (after less than 4 hours away of course).
Upon our arrival, Cesar showed us around the house and shared some of its fascinating history. He pointed out the location of snacks, tea, coffee, and bottled water, and brought us to our room, called “The Library.” We had every comfort we could possibly ask for—cozy bed with soft pillows, a power strip on either side of the bed(!!!), soft fluffy towels and a very hot shower, a hair dryer, tons of books, a TV, a small space heater. It’s very clear that the owners have been extremely thoughtful about what travelers might need. We felt so at-home.
This extended to breakfast, which is not to be missed— both days that we stayed, it was delicious! Cesar’s sister, Jeanette, took wonderful care of us! There was orange juice, water, tea, and coffee; everyone received a plate of fresh fruit and homemade banana bread, followed by a hot main course that included eggs (day 1 was waffles, eggs and sausage; day 2 was “birds nest” of eggs, tomato, hash browns, bacon, and salad greens).
We’ve already agreed that this is our go-to for all future trips to Philadelphia. We cannot wait to go back!
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:They will introduce you to their dogs if you request!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 21 Nov 2022
It was nice to meet you both! Thank you for your support and for taking the time to write us a review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and that your husband had a successful marathon run. Have a wonderful holidays and see you next time. Regards The Gables Family
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Hello, This is a nice place and there was parking. The host's sister was there to greet us and that was fine. The room was nice and there was a draft and the space heater didn't really help. The gas fireplace was quite romantic and I believe it was there for show as it didn't really send heat more than one foot out. My boyfriend mentioned the security could be better as our door only had one deadbolt. He is used to at least a chain or some kind of other contraption. I woke up early Sunday as a sign mentioned that coffee/tee/muffins are put out at 7 am. I went downstairs just to grab something for the road and while the coffee and tea were out, there were no muffins or any kind of milk. The lobby was still quite cold and it looks like the space heaters had just been turned on. I waited until at least 7:15 wanting to give the benefit of the doubt but, alas, nothing. The breakfast was way too early, from 8-9:30 so of course, we slept through it. Perhaps that can be changed from 9-10:30. Most of the time, people stay someplace overnight because they had something to do the night before so a breakfast with strangers in a drafty room on a weekend should at least be at a reasonable hour. Finally, the toiletries look like they stay in the room until they are used up. NOT A FAN OF THAT AT ALL. Going forward, I am going to stick to hotels.
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Date of stay: November 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Make sure your bathroom in en suite, ours was and it was nice.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Gables is a beautiful victorian mansion from the late 1800s. All of the furniture is original. Our room had a nice sunporch and the bed was very comfortable. What really impressed us was the service. We asked to park our car early and they allowed us early check-in. We asked if we could pay extra to invite 2 guests for breakfast and they served us a delicious breakfast, declining the extra payment. There are drinks and coffee available at all times and the staff is always available.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 24 Sept 2021
It was great to meet you, your wife and your nephew and his wife. Thank you for your support! We are glad that you enjoyed your stay, our hospitality and food. Until next time. The Gables Family
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With its broad welcoming porch and shaded yard, the Gables was a great place to reconnect with our adult children who both live in Philadelphia while maintaining physical distance. We ordered a take-out lunch and ate in the yard (6 feet apart) and had breakfast in the yard the following morning (while maintaining distancing). As always, Ricky and Caesar were gracious and considerate. I am grateful to them for helping to make my stay safe and welcoming. I stayed overnight in the Regents room, which was beyond comfortable and relaxing. I will definitely keep the Gables in mind for future trips.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheGablesbb, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 9 Jun 2020
Good evening, It was great to see you and your children again. We are glad that we were able to facilitate a meeting between the three of you while maintaining social distancing. Thank you for your continued support and see you next time. Enjoy your summer! Regards. The Gables Family
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We had a great stay at the Gables Bed and Breakfast, which is a beautifully restored Victorian house, complete with period furniture and even an antique pump organ. Due to high Covid infection rates, our family wanted to eat in a separate space and Cesar, the owner was very understanding and accommodating. There was plenty of heat in the room where we stayed (The Blue Willow Room) and the home cooked breakfast was delicious! Parking right behind the house was convenient. We would certainly stay here again if we had the opportunity, Thank you to Cesar and his family!
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Date of stay: December 2022
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:The Blue Willow Room is lovely and on the third floor, so up two flights of stairs.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 30 Dec 2022
It was a pleasure meeting and hosting you and your family! Thank you for your support and for taking the time to write us a review. Happy New Year! Until next time. The Gables Family
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My fiancee and I stayed here on a weekend trip to Philadelphia to celebrate our engagement. Cesar was so sweet and attentive! He contacted us when we booked the room to ask if we needed any special accommodations and upgraded us for free when a larger room unexpectedly came available. The B&B was very clean and comfortable, with great historic charm and atmosphere. There was wine, soda, coffee, tea and snacks available 24/7 and a delicious, home cooked Filipino breakfast. I would recommend this place to anyone and definitely stay here again if the opportunity presents itself.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 31 Oct 2021
It was nice to meet and host you both! Thank you again for your support and congratulations on your recent engagement. Wishing the both of you a wonderful life and time together. Until next time. Regards The Gables Family
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To celebrate our parents 60th anniversary we sent them on a trip to Philadelphia since my father loves history. They are a sweet older couple who were way out of their element traveling from a small town in Missouri to the east coast.
They got lost finding the B&B the first night. The owner asked for their location and drove to meet them so my parents could follow them back. Once back they went way above expectations to make them feel comfortable after the stress of being lost.
My parents were not familiar with using services like Uber, but after getting lost once, thought it would be their best option when eating out at night. The owners contacted Uber for my parents and just charged it to their room. Once again making my parents feel way less stressed about the process.
I could give several more examples of how wonderful my parents were treated. When making plans to send them so far away from family, we tried to anticipate everything they may need. They were treated so well it was almost like we sent them to stay with family.
My parents also could not stop talking about how beautiful the building was, and how well it was maintained. Their only complaint was the number of stair to get to their room.
Needless to say, we highly recommend The Gables. But we also want to say thank you for the kind way you treated our parents.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 25 Oct 2021
It was a pleasure to meet, host and get to know your parents. They are indeed lovely people. We missed seeing them since the left. They were so kind and appreciative of what we did for them. We hope to see them again. We might have to visit them:) Send them our hugs and well wishes. It is people like them that makes hosting worthwhile. Take care Thank you for the support! The Gables Family
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We enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home, lovingly decorated in late 19th century style. Cesar, one of the owners, was gracious and flexible. He met us on our evening arrival and gave us a tour of the first floor. We were also offered a glass of wine and water. The lovely breakfast included fresh melon and strawberries with banana bread, followed by eggs, bacon and French toast. We slept in the Library on the 3rd floor, complete with books and period piece paintings. It was all very comfortable - good bed and linens. The owners are very involved in their community and explained the part of the proceeds of their business is used to support a soup kitchen and other projects for the needy. Last, the location in West Philly is excellent and they offer parking in their yard, which is an added convenience. Great stay.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Gonzales, Owner at The Gables Bed and Breakfast
Responded 5 Jun 2021
It was nice to meet you and thank you for your support! We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. Until next time. The Gables Family
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Good evening, we apologize for our late response to your email. For some reason we missed your message.Please contact us at 215-662-1918.
Regards.
Cesar Gonzales
Owner and Innkeeper
There are more places to choose from in the Philadelphia area.
PRICE RANGE
$366 - $434 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesPennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUniversity City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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