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Phone: 215-472-2213

Street Address: 331 South 46th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Email: shmanorbb@aol.com 

* Unusual Old Home In University City Section Of Philadelphia *

Rates: From $115 to $145 as of December 2004.

Location Rating: Very good if you want to be in the University City section of Philadelphia.

Lobby Appearance: This is a large 4 story twin home and I never saw a house like this before. It has a certain old charm with its original lead and stained glass windows, and bold, impressive cherry wood trim.

Room Appearance: It has an old style to it. Furniture that I thought were authentic, unusual, rare antiques are actually excellent reproductions which were recently crafted in Indonesia! I saw only the second floor suite. Everything looks antique, yet not old or worn.

Useful Nearby Businesses: This neighborhood is thriving. Many quality new restaurants are here. A movie theater, "The Bridge Cinema" is near, plus a fancy new cafe that is also a major small concert venue. University Of Pennsylvania is also close.

Hotel Restaurants: None, since this is somebody's house. But breakfast is included.

Other Amenities: Air conditioning. Off-street parking. In-room microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, tea box, satellite TV, phone in bed and sitting room. Free walking escorts available in this area. Innkeeper will grocery shop for you. Iron. Ironing board. Relocation assistance. Innkeeper has useful University City visitor's guides (booklets) on hand.

Would I Stay Here? Although I find the indoor architectural features fascinating and I marvel at what grand old homes are here, the antique-room-look is not my particular taste. However, yes I would stay here... especially if I were interested in buying a home in University City. Innkeeper Janet is full of information about this community and she is willing to drive her guests around to show them the University City area.

Comments: Innkeeper Janet Reitano is a vibrant, enthusiastic, happy host who appears to love getting acquainted with her guests. Since 1997 she has been renting out her rooms. She has seen this district go from mediocrity to one of the city's most desired zip codes. And it is easy to see she is excited about her area and the city as a whole.

If you have business with Drexel University or the University Of Pennsylvania, this is one of your local alternative lodging choices. Janet sometimes hosts parents of students.

This area is special. Local universities have their own police forces patrolling the area and they also have the "University City District Ambassadors" who also patrol the streets by foot, bicycle and in-line skates from 11am to 3am. Besides improving public safety, they provide free vehicular lockout and jump start service, give directions and walking escorts, and assist with emergencies. This district also has a dedicated staff to sweep and mechanically vacuum sidewalks, remove graffiti, scrape stickers and posters from public fixtures, water street trees and clean vacant lots. A brand new public school which is overseen by the universities is here. And Penn subsidizes the housing costs for their professors if they live in this district. In a few short years, the district has been revitalized and now many more young families with children have come back.

Other bed & breakfast inns in this district are: Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast Inn and the Gables Inn.

At the Spruce Hill Manor, you get an 800 square foot floor of this 4 story home. The suite I saw had a bathroom, changing room, bedroom and another room that could be described as a living room or parlor or sitting room. I was told that other suites still had the original silk wall panels.

The Spruce Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast does not have any outdoor signage. Janet can tell you the best way to get there if you need directions.