The Gables Bed and Breakfast Philadelphia

A group of 15 of us had the opportunity to rent out the entire house for a big birthday party. The house is absolutely gorgeous and the hospitality is superb! If you are lucky enough to have Cesar cook for you, his food is amazing and reflects a filipino influence much like their restaurant nearby (sadly closed since pandemic). Plenty of heat and hot water in this old Victorian home! Can’t wait to see what this place is like in the summer so we can sit outside on the wraparound porch. If you love antiques and old world glamour, this place is amazing. We’re also looking forward to seeing their other bigger sister property in Reading called the Sterling!

I have stayed at the Gables three times while visiting my daughter at Drexel, and I’m sure I will be back again. The historic house is beautiful with a huge wrap around porch and an abundance of period details. Free, off-street parking is a big plus! The two rooms I’ve stayed in are comfortable and spacious. Most rooms have en suite bathrooms. The Victorian even has a separate little sitting room which I’ve used for zoom meetings. The hosts are truly gracious and kind and have worked hard to accommodate my dietary restrictions. Lovely neighborhood as well.

The B&B itself is a large and unique Victorian that has been beautifully restored, furnished and maintained. The proprietors are exceptionally hospitable and helpful and we had a wonderful time staying with them. Our room -- The Victorian -- was great with its canopied bed and separate sitting room. The breakfasts were enormous and delicious and the location was perfect for us. We would love to go back again.

Highly recommended! We recently stayed with Cesar and his family for one night while passing through Philadelphia. When we arrived, we were met by Annette and her lovely son who showed us the house and our room. The decor is absolutely charming. There is a big porch and a garden with lots of seating when the weather is nice. All the rooms are named; ours was the Egan - private, detached bath. The mattress was SUPER comfortable and the bathroom was just next door. WiFi is good. They even stock a pantry with water, wine and snacks for guests and are available to give recommendations on what to see, where to eat, etc. Location is convenient and parking is on site, in a lot off the street. But the breakfast was our favorite! Cesar is an amazing chef (quiche, sausage, fruit and cake) and it’s so nice to sit with other guests in the dining room and chat. We will definitely stay at the Gables next time we are in Philly - you should too.

Where to start? Just pulling up to the home, I fell in love with the wrap around porch and beautiful yard. The home offers very well appointed rooms, super clean and one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in while away from home. Our hosts were warm and welcoming. The breakfast were fantastic and I'll be wishing for the purple waffles for a very long time to come. The location can't be beat. There is a trolley stop on the corner, a block from a great park that hosts an amazing farmer's market on Saturdays. I hope to be able to return for another visit soon. Thank you for a wonderful visit.

The house was beautiful, the hospitality was wonderful, Cesar the innkeeper was very helpful and upgraded our room for free, which was so nice. The breakfast was delicious and I loved our room. It’s so cool that the house is over 120 years old, beautiful house. I would definitely go back there if I’m in the area. Also, Annette and her son were wonderful and very helpful as well.

Lovely restored Victorian home that is beautifully kept. Staff is helpful, accommodating and kind. My room was well furnished and the bed and pillows extremely comfortable. I slept so well in this quiet house. The grounds and porch have multiple perches for sitting and reading or taking in city life. I will definitely try another visit!

Lovely old mansion in west philly with fantastic grounds and wrap around porch. Location is ideal to University City and trolley stop is at corner. Beautiful rooms and fantastic breakfast. Cesar is a great host and his dogs are fun to play with. Off-street parking is a bonus.

We stayed 2 nights including Christmas Eve, December 2021. We loved our room, the B&B, the neighborhood, and the city.

My partner and I held our wedding at this rare and truly special place over the recent summer solstice in June. We were able to have our families and some close friends all stay together for a full weekend getaway there, which made the experience all the more incredible and intimate. Cesar, Regina, Linda and their staff were unbelievably welcoming, professional, and responsive. They worked with us to tailor a delicious, festive meal. Their generosity and warmth made us all feel at home as if we were in a kind of sacred, dream space away from the world which was exactly what we wanted. We feel so truly grateful and lucky to have been able to hold this special occasion there and could not have been more satisfied and appreciative!

This is an absolutely wonderful bed and breakfast. My husband and I went to Philadelphia for a family event that overlapped with my birthday. We had originally booked another place on Airbnb but when we arrived it was dirty and we decided to leave. I found the Gables at the last minute and they had a room and allowed us to check in within an hour. The room was amazing. We were so worn down after a day of travel and the bad Airbnb experience that we would have taken anything clean, but were pleasantly surprised by the pristine, peaceful, beautiful suite that we got. The owners were very understanding of our situation and helped us get settled right away. They were great about helping us get trolley tokens and find our way downtown so we could enjoy what was left of the day. In addition, since it was my birthday they even surprised us with cake and champagne. The morning breakfast was also great and checkout was easy. I am a Penn alum but somehow didn't know about the Gables. It is now my go to place for trips to Philadelphia, I can't recommend it enough. Thanks to the owners for a great stay!

This was my first time staying at a B&B and it was exactly the experience I wanted! I have a thing for old buildings, particularly Victorian ones and the décor was spot on. Our hosts, Caesar and Ricky were super friendly and were happy to assist us with whatever we needed. They have the absolute tiniest dog you've ever seen (a miniature pinscher if I remember correctly) named Sugar who brings a nice little bit of quirkiness to the house. There's a few pieces of artwork guests have made over the years depicting her which is really cute. She's very quiet and polite, so don't worry if you're not a dog person ;) The house is on a corner with a spacious yard with plenty of chairs and a hammock. There's also ample seating along the lovely wrap around porch. Guests have access to three floors of the home, the top two contain the bedrooms. The house has multiple fire places, stained glass, two pianos, a mens and a woman's parlor, and large dining area. In the dining area is a selection of coffee and teas, and there is also a pantry with wine, beer, soft drinks, snacks, a microwave, etc. I had Birch beer for the first time and fell in love. The house does have a decently sized parking lot but spots do get taken fast when the house is full. The trolley also runs right by the house, so public transportation is an option. Breakfast was delicious: a crustless mushroom quiche with sausages and mixed greens. There were also homemade pastries every morning, cereal, and juice. That quiche stole the show though: so light and fluffy! We stayed in the Country Willow room on the third floor. This room had its own private bathroom with standing shower and a Queen sized bed. Some rooms have shared bathrooms or twin beds, so there are options for different parties. The room was so charming! Four post bed, lace curtains, a rocking chair, lovely wood furniture, a television, and a seriously strong AC! They also have extra quilts in the room if it gets too chilly. The bed was just the right amount of firm, I had two of the best nights of sleep I've had in a long, long time. As we were leaving the cleaning crew was kind enough to let us take a look at some of the other rooms and the whole house is like a dollhouse, like something out of a fairy tale. I couldn't have asked for a better B&B experience, highly recommended!

I stayed at this lovely B&B for two nights. The house is well preserved with storied antiques and charming decorations. Cesar and his aunt Linda are the nicest hosts I've ever met. They will make you feel at home right away. They put so much thought into breakfast! For instance, I had three delicious breakfasts, and nothing showed up more than once during those days. The location is safe in a quiet neighborhood with free and available street parking around. The trolley is within a minute of walking and can take you to the universities and the center city throughout the day. Uber rides to restaurants are easy and fast. Lastly, I have to talk about the amazing conversations I had at the breakfast table with a diverse group of guests. If you are shy, you can sit at a smaller round table and don't have to join in the conversations. I can't wait to stay here again if I return to the area.

My husband and I stayed at The Gables in June and enjoyed it so much. The rooms were beautiful, the food was really delicious, and the hosts were exceptional! They are gracious and SO helpful. I've already booked my next stay at this B and B.

I was absolutely blown away by the experience of staying at the Gables. The Inn Keepers were extremely helpful and accommodating. I was a last-minute booking due to the impending snow storm and they were willing to hold my room without any information beyond my first name. I needed to get there quickly. From the moment I arrived, I felt like home. There was a delightful cookie and wine offering at the first of the lobby and the fireplace was so welcoming. The trolley stops right in front of the residence, and provides convenient access to everything you need when visiting this area. The breakfast was delightful each day, and the menu was well varied. They were also very accommodating of my dietary restrictions and timing needs. I look forward to returning on a planned trip to this wonderful property!

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.

A truly lovely experience .... from beginning to end ! This Victorian bed and breakfast is beautifully maintained ..... really exquisite , very clean , accommodating and well Run , a hidden gem i. Such a wonderful area of west Philadelphia ..... Ricky checked us in and welcomed us ..... and we had the most wonderful stay and will be back again , perfect for a romantic getaway ..... so quiet and cozy ...... the other things , that really stuck out , was the great price , and the wonderful attitude of the staff and owners , and the huge wonderful wrap around porch , that let's out into a garden sitting area , and the beautiful antiques inside ....a top shelf experience ........

Loved my stay! I had such a quick trip that I didn't get to really take in the house but next time I will! The breakfast was delicious and the restaurant they own has some of the best food ever. The owner is kind and deliberate with all the details and making sure you enjoy your stay. I cannot wait until next time. Thank you!!!

We spent three nights in this 1890s classic. Warmly greeted by our host we had a quiet top floor room breakfast was wonderful and our party's dietary needs were easily accommodated. Within a short walk of many cool cafes and local restaurants, it's on a Septa line for easy access to other places. Will stay again next time we visit family, only an 8 minute walk away

We had my daughter's wedding guests stay here. The hosts could not have been nicer and more attentive. They served us incredible breakfasts every morning and took into consideration all the different diets. They also served an incredible pre-wedding meal for all the guests. It was all over the top wonderful.

i would like to give my first 5-star recommendation to Gables bed & breakfast. The house is amazing, just like the ones i saw in TV shows. The rooms are beautiful and clean. The breakfast is so tasty. The staffs are professional, helpful, and caring. It was my first time to philadelphia and I did not have tokens for public transportation. The manager just gave me and my girl friend two tokens for FREE! The Gables is definitely an unexpected pleasant experience in my trip. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Confession: I only started staying at B&Bs about two years ago. Now, it's hard to go back to regular hotels. I appreciate the pleasant atmosphere which feels like you're staying at a relative's house--acomplanied with good company and good food. That said, I try to research possible B&Bs when I'md staying in a given area. I've been successful so far, and The Gables did not let me down. Let's start with the building itself. It's a huge, beauftiful Victorian building which dates back to the late 19th century. Beautifully decorated, the first floor has large rooms for eating and sitting, and the rooms on the second and third floors are equally beautiful and accomodating. As for the hosts, Ricky and Cesar were warm, friendly, inviting, and very helpful. They're new owners to the property, but they've made it their own and they did a great job of making my girlfriend and I feel welcomed. They provided late night snacks and offered us ideas on places to eat for dinner and visit while we were in town. Located in University City, the Gables, while not in Center City, has very easy access. For starters, they have free parking (parking in the city will cost you an extra 20 bucks+). By comparison, you can park at the Gables and take the trolley (which picks up right outside the Gables) and take a nice streetcar trip into the city for the cost of a token (about 2.25). That, in itself, is a nice experience. I definitely need to mention the food. Ricky is an exceptional cook, and our breakfasts were delicious, and the coffee was great. It was hard to leave both mornings (for the city and for home), but that's just a testament to the atmosphere our hosts cultivated. As for our room, it was lavishly decorated and clean, warm, and very comfortable (the fireplace definitely added to the appeal). All things said, I highly recommend the Gables for people staying in Philadelphia or looking to simply take in a weekend respite.

This is by far the best bed-and-breakfast I've ever experienced. The home was built in 1889 and is completely Victorian inside and out. When you walk in, you were overwhelmed by the beauty and details of this home. The owners greeted me with warmth, and they made sure I was comfortable throughout my stay. The breakfast was delicious and filling. The rooms each had their own theme, beautiful and extremely clean. I will definitely be back here again and cannot express how much I recommend this place. Despite having family and friends in hour away, there will be a future stay at this location again. Do yourselves a favor and take a much-needed mini vacation and stay here, you will not be disappointed. Thank you Ricky, Cesar and "Sugar" for an amazing stay!

My colleague and I recently stayed at The Gables during a work trip to Philadelphia. This happened to be during Penn's graduation so everything close to the university was completely booked up. The Gables had rooms open, so we booked immediately. This was about a mile from Penn's campus - very easy to walk or get transportation. Neither of us had ever stayed at a B and B before and this set the bar for any other experience incredibly high. Upon entering this gorgeous Victorian home, we were met by Oscar who gave us a thorough tour and gave us the rundown for staying at the inn. He made a wonderful dinner recommendation and helped us get settled in. We were there for 2 nights and were able to enjoy a couple of their amazing hot breakfasts - eggs, bacon, toast and a selection of pastries and cereal. The bedroom was so comfortable and welcoming - I slept so well! I would love to go back to Philly just to revisit The Gables. Everything was excellent - I cannot say enough about it!

My girlfriend and I spent 2 days at the Gables for her birthday. The owners were more than accommodating providing superior service to our needs. Caesar baked a small Carrot Cake for my girlfriend's birthday. The weekend was a wonderful experience and we will definitely return in the future.

Have you ever closed your eyes after watching a BBC or PBS period drama and wished that you could travel back in time and experience Victorian luxury as did a contemporary aristocrat? Well, stop dreaming and get yourself to The Gables for the full, immersive experience. The Gables is a sprawling, fanciful brick Victorian manse featuring ten immaculately appointed bedrooms, an expansive, high-ceilinged downstairs dining room, two sitting rooms and an inviting lobby. The elaborate woodwork on the winding staircase and in the floors displays artisanship that is now long gone. The rich furnishings include custom-made period curtains, stand-out Persian rugs, collector quality furniture and art pieces and ceiling lighting of museum caliber. There are operable antique gramophones to provide the music to help lure back into the past. While we encountered no spirits, a 200-year old white lace wedding dress on display with a bittersweet tale of nuptials aborted by tragedy, can conjure them in your imagination. All-in-all, The Gables is a lovingly reconstituted reproduction of a bygone era, one that a guest can lose himself in - and in comfort. It is also centrally located, with a trolley line at curbside. The hosts, Cesar and Rick, go beyond the call of duty in looking after their guests' comfort and information needs. They are of that caliber of people who seem to genuinely enjoy hosting visitors, right down to the small touches, including complimentary wine, milk, soft drinks and homemade cookies as well as reimbursable transit cards to save you the hassle of purchasing them. Breakfasts are imaginative, healthful and ample. During our stay, they threw an impromptu dinner, which was a most welcome offering after having driven hundreds of miles that day. If I were to proffer one tiny suggestion, it would be to place a bowl of apples out in the lobby (we are fruit lovers). Anyway, next time you're lost in "Upstairs, Downstairs," "Victoria," "Downton Abbey" or "Bleak House," don't despair of being captive in the 21st century. Make your way to the City of Brotherly Love and check into The Gables. Rick & Cesar are awaiting your arrival and will look after your needs.

This place was magical! The home is beautiful and the owners bent over backwards to make us feel comfortable. It was such a warm and wonderful experience. We left feeling refreshed and restored. Thank you both for your kindness and for welcoming us.

Ricky is a great host. Very knowledgeable of the area and takes great care of the guests. Food is wonderful and the baked goods are incredible. Stay here if your visiting University of Pennsylvania and want a non-hotel experience. Trolley in front goes straight into historic Philly.

I read Chaviva's review and I have to say, i had a completely different experience. Maybe it's because I reserved a room with a private bath, knowing that I am a bathroom hog, but I had a great time here! The house is a quiet beautiful oasis in the busy streets of Philadelphia. Plenty of off-street parking. A delicious breakfast that features fresh fruit and cream, sausages, egg casseroles, fresh muffins, cereals, juice, milk, and all the coffee you can guzzle down. My room was beautifully furnished. A bit toasty even with the air on, but then, I only spent nights there. All staff was very courteous, if not overly chatty, but then, I'm from California. Perhaps this was the East Coast reserve I've heard so much about. Several local restaurants deliver and I had some wonderful take-out dinners. I also spent some fun time in the comfy hammock in the garden. I would caution, however, that the neighborhood is a tad iffy. I sat on the front porch for no more than 10 minutes before a ruffian on a bicycle asked if he could talk to me (and when I say ruffian, I mean someone who looked like he was going to ask for money or sell me drugs). A bit creepy. I was visiting University City and so this is the perfect location if you'd rather not stay at the Inn at Penn or the Sheraton (I've stayed at both and they are adequate, but pricey and generic). There's a trolley that stops right outside the front door for those who don't have a car or prefer to leave the car in the lot. I thought the price was more affordable than chain hotels, especially given that breakfast and parking were included in the rate. I would stay here again!

Rick and Caesar truly understand how to make a guest feel at home in their gorgeous bed and breakfast. Aside from the kind and attentive hospitality, the accommodations are stately and comfortable; the meals worthy of a five-star review. My husband and I loved our stay. We witnessed our hosts going way above and beyond the call of duty to transport a guest to the airport after she got stuck when the trains were down. The whole staff is fantastic, and we look forward to our next stay.

Best hotel for taking USMLE Step exams!! With the flooding in Houston, TX, I was rescheduled to take my Step 2CS in Philadelphia PA as an evening exam. The staff at Gables were kind, considerate, and thoughtful. I came in the night before, was served complimentary dinner, and the staff allowed me to leave my car at the hotel the next day, even though I checked out that morning! They gave me trolley fare round trip and directions to get to and from the site! Along with such amazing customer service, the hotel is stunning! Beautiful furniture, lobby, rooms, it was like I was staying in a Victorian suite! The only thing I had to worry about was taking the Step exam, which was great, I passed! I'll be booking a room here when I take Step 3, many thumbs up!!!

Stayed here for New Year's Eve and what a great decision that was. Such a killer old Victorian house and the price was more than fair for a nights stay. The decor inside was just beautiful and very clean. Also super comfy beds. I didn't stay for breakfast but having a fridge stocked with drinks was a nice touch too.

We loved staying here last weekend. The house itself is a real treasure, making you feel as though you stepped back into 1890. The Gables had been brought back to its former glory by the previous owners and Ricky and Caesar have lovingly maintained it. Ricky greeted us warmly and showed us around, giving us a brief history of the house. (Caesar was away so we didn't get to meet him.) There is easy parking either in the back, or out on the street. We stayed in the Country Willow Room on the third floor. The queen bed is comfortable with lovely linens. The bathroom is quite small, but adequate, with thick fluffy towels. Breakfast was the best I have ever had in a B&B. Our only issue was with the noise of the trolleys rattling down the street. Bring some ear plugs. I still give it 5 stars because the trolley noise is not the fault of Ricky and Caesar. The University City section of Philadelphia has some nice little restaurants within walking distance and it is an easy drive to the museums and downtown.

This was our first bed and breakfast and my friend and I just loved it. The hosts were welcoming even before we came, asking about any special accommodations or service we might need. The welcome on arrival was warm and personal making us feel comfortable immediately. This personal touch extended throughout our stay. The place is truly Victorian, house and decor. All charming and the bedrooms are beautifully decorated, mine had a fireplace and so did my friend's. Breakfast was delicious. There are free snacks and free wifi not to mention free parking. The Gables is conveniently close to the trolley line (also a treat). Thank you Cesar and Rickie for a wonderful time

Such a beautiful place! The owner gave us a nice tour on arrival. Our room was the Library with it's own bathroom on the third floor. Very comfortable and pretty. It is in a very quiet neighborhood and the owners have information on the local foods and how to get downtown. It was only a $14.00 cab ride from the Liberty Bell, so very close to the city but so much more homey. They have a pantry with snacks and drinks for their guests. I was especially appreciative of their invitation to our daughter and her boyfriend, who were staying somewhere else to join us for breakfast. Our daughter had just graduated from StJoe's, and they wanted us to spend some extra time with her before we left town. They even made her boyfriend a special lactose free breakfast! Just wonderful people, and very gracious. A certain destination for sure, if we return to Philly!

Beautiful bed and breakfast with delicious food and an incredibly nice staff. Parking is a little tricky and there could be some updates done to the home but otherwise it was a marvelous stay and will definitely go back!

Incredible receiving, host makes you feel like at home and gives you a fast briefing of the historic past of the house... social areas are quite cozy, bedrooms are pretty awesome. Food is quite good.. totally recommend it!

I booked for a last minute interview traveling from out of town. Caesar was very attentive and accommodating throughout the booking process. He even was willing to let me keep my car parked there beyond check out time as my interview would have ended much later. Unfortunately I had a change of plans and was unable to stay and had to cancel my reservation. I still wanted to review because I was very impressed with the communication & friendliness of the staff prior to my arrival.

We had dinner here and it was very nice. The prefix dinner menu has a nice selection of dishes and rhe service is really good. We had fresh utensils for every dish and they gave us a nice little jar of gooseberry jam.

We had a wonderful stay at The Gables this weekend. From the gorgeous comfy rooms to the yummy breakfast, we can't wait to go back! Thank you Ricky and Cesar, we felt right at home, it's so special to find an affordable place that offers you so much. We appreciate how easy and sweet you made our visit to Philadelphia. Continued success to you, see you again soon!

I've given myself several days to cool down after returning from a trip where I spent two nights here with some friends. I had the highest of hopes for this cute, quaint little place, especially since it's right across the street from where one of my best friends lives. And up to a point it was a dream come true. And then, well, things quickly fell apart and I have to say that I've never -- ever -- had an experience at any hotel, motel, inn or otherwise like I had here. So turn around and walk away after your read this review, or proceed at your own caution. The house is beautiful. I have no qualms with the house in all its knick-knacky glory. There's also a beautiful dog named Oscar who resides here, and he's as friendly as the day is long. My initial reaction upon arriving was excitement. The innkeeper was incredibly friendly, showed me to my room and went on his merry way. I dropped my things and went across the street. Hop forward to about 11 p.m. that evening when the rest of my crew arrived -- with one extra person. In any hotel situation, this would not have been a problem. They sprawl out on the floor and call it a day. So one person slept on the floor, one on the rollaway, and two of us on the set of twin beds. It was a comfy set-up, and we didn't think it would be a problem. After all, we were already paying an exorbitant amount for the room as was. We got up in the morning, three of us showered, and three of us ate -- we weren't about to taken advantage of the situation because of the extra body. We probably spent about an hour -- with breaks in between -- occupying the shared bathroom in the hallway. I knew there was one guy down the hall, but no one ever knocked or notified us that we were using up too much time in the bathroom. We went about our day, enjoyed the city, and came back early that evening and collapsed in our room, cozy as it was, to rest before dinner. And then came the knock at the room door. I have never in my life been treated so poorly by a hotel/inn/motel/b&b owner in my life. The scene that followed was absolutely shocking, and to this day I'm not really sure how exactly something like this could have happened. The innkeeper proceeded to chastise us for taking advantage of them, telling us that they were very upset that we had four people staying in the room ("we would never, ever have four people in this room," he said shaking intensely). He got after us for leaving their blankets on the floor ("now I have to wash these," he said, making me wonder -- don't they have to wash them anyway?), not to mention chastising us for spending all morning in the bathroom leaving the other patrons to not be able to use the facilities (no one ever knocked on the door, and really, it wasn't even a full hour of usage, and there were plenty of breaks in between our usage). He also got after us for eating breakfast (only three of us -- the paying people -- ate their breakfast). He wouldn't let us get a word in edgewise, we couldn't explain that the last-minute addition was just that -- last minute. Would he have preferred we woke him up at 11 p.m. to say "Hey, do you have a spare room for our friend?" After all, there are limits to the check-in time. The extra girl tried to explain herself, but this innkeep was not having it. He was shaking like a leaf, upset that we'd taken advantage of them in "their home." I was absolutely blown away. Just completely shocked. He said he wasn't "kicking" her out, but that it would probably be best for her to find someplace else to stay (so she did). It ruined our night -- literally. We went out to dinner and our moods were just filled with shock and anger, so we came right back home and didn't enjoy our last night out in Philly. Two of the girls had stress dreams about the situation and I lost sleep over figuring out how the interaction would be when I was paying upon our departure the next day. We didn't bother to get up and eat breakfast (shame?) and we spent as little time as possible in the bathroom that morning as to not upset the other guests and/or our "hosts." I will note a few things. This place has ants. The bathroom on the second floor was crawling with them near the toilet. The first night the girl sleeping in the roll-away woke up with bug bites on her neck, as well. I just can't express enough how worth it it would be for you to stay at a Motel 6 or some other hotel/motel/inn in Philly. These innkeepers obviously didn't truly weigh the whole "we're opening our home to other people so we can't get all stuffy when G-d forbid they accidentally leave a blanket on the floor" thing. So walk away. Just walk away. Quaint and cute are not worth dealing with overzealous innkeepers who watch your every move, listen for you to come in so that they can chastise you and float around you at all hours of the day.

I stayed here instead of the usual hotel option(s) so that I could walk to my friend's house, just a few blocks away, and I'm so glad I did! The warmth of the innkeepers (Don & Warren) doesn't really come through on the phone or by e-mail, but once you arrive, it's clear that they truly care and take pride in their home. The rooms are beautiful, and the breakfast is fantastic. I was expecting the usual generic cereal, sausage, eggs and toast, but they really go the extra mile for a delicious breakfast. (example: baked apples with cranberries, broccoli pie, gourmet sausages, slow-cooked oatmeal with walnuts, raisins & cranberries, etc. -- plus the option of the usual toast, cereal, etc if you want that) They also have a little room with snacks, drinks and a refrigerator in case you get hungry during the day or night. The location is very convenient, and there is plenty of street parking. The neighborhood is not too sketchy (by urban standards). Oh, and there is free WiFi throughout the house, which is important to a nerd like me. I'm glad I didn't read that first review before booking my stay. Sounds like maybe she and her friends were a bunch of annoying college kids or something?? (And I think that only 2 out of the 10 rooms has a shared bathroom. If I were a guest sharing a bathroom with 4 other people and I expected to have to share it with 1 or 2, then I would be annoyed, too! Not that I would have booked that room... because I hate sharing a bathroom with anyone...) Anyway, one of the innkeepers actually told me that my friend (who lives in the neighborhood) is welcome to come and have breakfast with me here even though he's not staying here, and I thought that was an unusually generous offer. (which I won't take him up on, because my friend would never wake up in time. haha.) Anyway, I would thoroughly recommend this place, and I will definitely be a repeat customer! (Oh yeah, and if that first reviewer had been a grown-up, she might have recognized that the "shaking like a leaf" was actually a medical condition. It's called a tremor!)

September 25th, 2014. I got the best night of sleep in my life! My friends and I had driven from Williamsport to see a concert. I myself had already been awake for 26 hours. When we arrived in Upper Darby, we asked a bartender at Fibbers, "Where's a good place to bunk?" Together we narrowed down the list and pretty much led to Gables. We called ahead of time and arranged a meeting. As we drove through a destitute part of town we feared the B&B would not live up to our expectations. Lo and behold, like an oasis in the desert this house sprung at us. Beautiful garden, wrap-around porch, hammock, this place was magnificent! After our introductions, we got the key and left for our show. We came back battered, bruised, but victorious of our evening. I crawled into bed and then I heard "you want some popcorn?" Before I fell dead asleep. I'll say it again, It was the best night of sleep I ever had. I woke up with a certain energy about me. I had to have breakfast. The table laid out in the common room was decorated with apple pancakes, a variety of muffins, cereal, etc. Other folk whom spent the night were in the dining area chatting. My friends awoke and we left with nothing but kind things to remember. We will choose this place again when we return and recommend that you choose gables too!

I can't say enough about the proprietors and all the staff at the Gables B&B in Philadelphia. I was in Philly on business and had forgotten something very important. Cesar and Rick went out of their way to find and personally drive me at 11.30PM to get what I needed. When we got back, they offered to make me a midnight snack, which I gratefully declined as I was too tired after a long drive. They brought my bags up to the Blue Willow Room, which was so comfortable. I had an amazing night's rest. The next day, breakfast was superb. I wish I could have stayed more than one night. I will definitely be back! Ricky & Cesar, I can't thank you enough. You are both so kind and generous and your home is so warm and welcoming. Thank you & see you very soon! - Gita

Wife, grown son and I spent a night here on a two day visit to Philly about a month ago. We found TGB&B to be conveniently located to the usual tourist spots, in a very nice neighborhood, clean and attractive and well managed by a friendly staff. A bit on the pricey side, however.

I stayed in this B&B during Labor Day weekend and I have to say I have never stayed in one before . This B&B has truly in my eyes raised the bar on where to stay when vacationing . I don't think I even would make a hotel my first choice when choosing a place to stay on vacation . This B&B was clean - Warren ( the innkeeper ) was professional , helpful and friendly . The breakfast was delish for the two days I was there and the neighborhood was beautiful . Thanks - Warren again !!

Absolutely wonderful, comfortable, charming and really delightful inn owners. I have stayed here several times and they are extremely accommodating and thoughtful. Very nice breakfasts!!! The little dog "Sugar" is a huge highlight, he's a doll!

Beautiful house with wonderful innkeepers, and delicious breakfast! My friend stayed for three nights and could not stop singing his praise of how comfortable and interesting and gorgeous the whole experience was.

This place is amazing! The owners are so nice and thoughtful. The rooms are very comfortable. The breakfast is delicious every morning. I almost don't want to recommend this place because I want it to always be open! But I can't hide this secret! Great find

I wanna highly recommend this place. it's not cheap, but worth every penny. a very charming place that impossibly can be beaten by a hotel athis price. Very clean rooms designed and furniged in a "back in the days" style, like I only know it from my grand mom's house. A fresh home made breakfast to die for. Walton and Don who running this place and their employees are very polite and helpful 24/7. Oh well, as I can hardly be without it, I should mention the fast and easy to use Internet connection available everywhere in the house... all in all an awesome experience and whenever my ways will bring me back to Philly I will make sure to give my body a rest in that place.

My son lives in the neighborhood and had wanted an excuse to see this B&B inside, my sister and I were happy we could grant his wish! From the moment we arrived til our departure we were made comfortable by Warren and Don (and of course Oscar)! The breakfasts were tasty and filling (especially the apple & walnut muffins). The decor is amazing, you can tell they have spent many hours making it perfect. Thank you so much and I hope I can enjoy your beautiful home again some day.

Great stay at this lovely bed and breakfast! Our room was beautiful and the accomodations were wonderful, including the homemade breakfast in the morning. Looking forward to our next stay at Gables B & B!

Wife and I had a delightful experience! Would certainly return; the B&B experience enhanced our Philly visit. Clean, great breakfasts, very pleasant hosts, super convenient hop-on/off location for trolley.

Gables personifies the sort of experience one should have when staying in an historic, family-run bed & breakfast. After arriving and being greeted by Warren and Oscar, we were offered a tour of the house to see which of the available rooms we might be most interested in. A wealth of amenities - night-time snacks, movies, etc. - are made available in the remarkable restored mansion, which is situated on a quiet, safe block in West Philly. Don and Warren are warm, good-humored hosts, and the experience they provide is exquisite and inviting. We were particularly struck that they invited me to join them for breakfast, even though only my mother and aunt were spending the night. And it was quite the breakfast - by far the best morning meal I've had in months. A great deal of care and love are put into this home and the guest experience, and I highly recommend the Gables to anyone interested in staying in the West Philly area.