ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Located in the heart of Fishtown, Philadelphia, Hôtel Anna & Bel lies within perfect walking distance of the neighborhood’s best storefronts, restaurants and bars. When I first arrived, I was lucky to find street parking directly across from the property. The front desk also offered directions to the hotel’s off-site parking lot, about an eight-minute walk away.
I found the lobby modern, warm and luxurious. A grand, wooden staircase — the star of the show — paired well with the white, black and gray tiled floor, offering a homey feel for guests. I arrived a bit earlier than the 3 p.m. check-in time, so the desk staff held my luggage while I relaxed by the pool. I ordered a cocktail via poolside service and was eventually escorted up to my room, where my luggage awaited.
GUEST QUARTERS: Fifty rooms and counting, each unique in its own way. Nestled on the corner of the second floor, my One-Bedroom King Suite overlooked Belgrade Street and gorgeous views of the private hotel courtyard, home to the in-ground pool and cocktail lounge, Caletta.
© Emily Gladu
The suite greeted me with a spacious living room upon entrance, French doors leading to a private balcony, a king bed and a quaint breakfast nook located next to the full-sized refrigerator and premium bar cart. A nice touch was the smart TV mounted on the wall, making my favorite shows and streaming services easily accessible. When I wasn’t lounging around the room in my complimentary, custom-made Printfresh (local business) robe, I enjoyed the peace and serenity of the cozy, outdoor private balcony.
© Emily Gladu
SERVICES/AMENITIES: More than a one-night stay is crucial to taking full advantage of all the amenities offered at Hôtel Anna & Bel. While I spent my afternoon enjoying a delicious cocktail and floating in the heated pool, my next stay will include dedicated time in the infrared sauna and a visit to the yoga/meditation patio.
Come dinner, I was met with two options. At Bastia, a leisure café by day and upscale restaurant by night, seasonal flavors of Corsica and Sardinia are the main inspiration behind the dishes. On the other side of the hotel sat Caletta, a sophisticated cocktail lounge serving small Italian bites and specialty sips. Not hungry enough for a full meal, I watched the sun set on the outdoor patio of Caletta as I enjoyed a plate of sheep’s milk ricotta, topped with sweet blueberries, and chili brown butter and grilled focaccia on the side. The dish was yummy and the views were top-tier … what could be better?
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
- As I obsessed over the full-sized Le Labo products offered in the bathroom, Ignacio at the front desk surprised me with a complimentary gift set of hand lotion, face mist and lip balm. How thoughtful!
- Make sure to take advantage of the Essentials Closet located on each floor. Stocked with anything you may have forgotten for your stay, you can find extra towels, toiletries, K-cups and my favorite: a filtered water station.
- Hôtel Anna & Bel hosts unique experiences for guests year-round. Check out its website and see which offer suits you.
HÔTEL ANNA & BEL
1401 E. Susquehanna Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
tel 267 682 8253
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAirlines
Aug 18, 2026Air India Selects JFK’s New Terminal 6 For Future Operations
JFK Millennium Partners, the company building and operating Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal 6, and Air India recently announced the airline chose T6 for its operations beginning in 2028, aligning Air India with other Star Alliance member carriers in the new terminal. Sixteen leading international carriers have now selected T6 for their operations, including Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and TAP Air Portugal.
Sponsored Content
Elevate Your Journey with TAP Air Portugal’s New Economy Prime
Exciting news ahead for TAP Air Portugal, as Portugal’s flag carrier prepares for the launch of its brand-new Economy Prime cabin, offering customers more space, additional privacy and a superior travel experience. Flights boasting the new cabin take off June 1; booking for Economy Prime is now available across all TAP channels and travel agents.
August 2026
Aug 18, 2026Pamper Your Passion for Barefoot Luxury in the Seychelles
Imagine a place where the weather is always warm and the sun forever shines upon groves of towering palm trees and unspoiled white-sand beaches, where a vast expanse of turquoise water surrounds you as far as you can see. When I first landed in the Seychelles last spring, I knew I’d discovered a hidden Eden. Known as the Land of Perpetual Summer, the archipelago consists of 115 islands scattered in the western Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar and 1,000 miles east of mainland Africa.
Daily
Aug 18, 2026North Carolina’s The Art of Living Retreat Center to Host Creative Living Workshop
The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, is inviting travelers to relax, unwind and form a deeper connection to themselves with a restorative retreat experience.
Sponsored Content
The Art of Balance in Seoul: Beyond the Boardroom
The value of a destination is no longer defined solely by infrastructure, efficiency or scale. Increasingly, it is measured by a city’s ability to balance productivity with well-being — creating opportunities for focus, restoration and more meaningful connections.
Daily
Aug 18, 2026Portugal Hotels Partner with MOKE International Electric Vehicles
Looking for an environmental angle for your next excursion to lovely Portugal? Now you can charge up your MOKE for stays at Bomporto properties in Lisbon and Porto. And in case you’re wondering what on earth a MOKE might be, we’re happy to elaborate: Created by British luxury motor brand MOKE International, these iconic vehicles were designed in the 1960s by the same Sir Alec Issigonis, regarded as the father of the Austin Mini.
Puerto Rico by Water: Beyond San Juan
Destinations
Aug 17, 2026Daily
Aug 14, 2026MGallery Collection Debuts in the Maldives
It’s official: V Villas Maldives at Mirihi –MGallery Collection is open, welcoming guests to a private island experience rich in Maldivian heritage. The all-villa property is set upon Mirihi island within the South Ari Atoll, where the setting includes sparkling azure lagoons and sugary white-sand beaches. Accessed by a 30-minute seaplane crossing from Malé, guests arrive to discover a world of luxury comprised of 42 expansive villas, including four new opulent overwater villas, each with an ample private pool and direct lagoon access. Villas were crafted by the renowned experts at multidisciplinary design firm Studio Gronda, who fashioned each to fit harmoniously into the surrounding tropical landscape.
Sponsored Content
The World Awaits with Turkish Airlines’ Global Access
Turkish Airlines enjoys the unique position as the airline flying to more countries than any other airline. Its unrivaled global reach is only the beginning of the experience that awaits passengers with Turkish Airlines.
August 2026
Aug 14, 2026Take Along These Essentials, Wherever You Go
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Marketed to avid sportspeople as well as those who find traditional earbuds uncomfortable, Shokz OpenRun 2 gained a reputation as the best bone conduction headphones on the market. This is due in large part to their hybrid design, transmitting high notes by vibrations while using conventional speaker units to play the low notes with which technology struggles. Customers swear by their durability as well as their sound quality, perfect for runners and cyclists who need to be aware of their surroundings. $179.95.
ShareThis