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City House Bed and Breakfast

Located in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, the City House Bed and Breakfast is a 10-minute walk from downtown and the property backs up to the Susquehanna River. There are four rooms available for visitors, named William, Bryce, Helen, and Elizabeth. The business also hosts events such as weddings, business retreats, and parties. Each room has a coffee maker as well as a desk and chair so guests can work if necessary. There is free wifi for visitors, and breakfast is complimentary. The owners strive to create an environment that is welcoming and peaceful, in order to give guests the opportunity to relax and have a calm vacation. 

About

The City House Bed and Breakfast is located in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, ten minutes from downtown. The property has 4 rooms, each with its own name and décor style. The owners describe the establishment as having "modern amenities with an old-world charm." The house was built in 1925, and the owners strive to keep the historic feel of the building but keep it modern for guests. The four rooms are named Helen, William, Elizabeth, and Bryce. Each room has a mini-fridge and coffee maker in the room, as well as shampoo, conditioner, a hairdryer, an iron, a desk, and a chair. Each bedroom has a king-sized bed as well. There are fireplaces in every room except William. The four rooms each have French-style windows that open to outside that guests can use to see views of the Susquehanna River nearby. The Bryce room also has a shower with three showerheads. Bryce is the most spacious of the four rooms and is a guest favorite. All four of the rooms have 40 inch LCD flat-screen televisions, room darkening curtains that patrons may use to keep the sun out if they want to sleep in, as well as Wi-Fi capabilities. 

Other than the rooms, there are multiple common areas around the bed and breakfast where guests can socialize with each other. Inside there is a den, dining room, sunroom, and living room. The sunroom is Florida-style with bar tables and a loveseat. Three of the four walls of the sunroom are made of glass, allowing guests to see outside but keep the comfort of being inside.  On the second floor of the building is a coffee station that has snacks for guests as well as coffee, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a tea kettle. Outside on the property, there is a fireplace that those who visit the bed and breakfast can enjoy. There is also a veranda with chairs that can be used to socialize and chat between patrons of the inn. The building itself is brick and the front yard has a cobblestone walkway and patio area. There are patio chairs and a bistro-style table in the front as well that guests can use to socialize. There is a garden area in the back of the premises, and guests have commented on the birds, squirrels, and other animals that visit the area. 

On the side of the building is a grass-filled yard that the City House Bed and Breakfast uses to host events. The space can accommodate up to 125 people and has been used for multiple types of events. The owners enjoy hosting events on the property and are willing to work with guests and other visitors to the area in planning and carrying out different parties and activities on the property. There have been weddings, baby showers, family reunions, business retreats, and rehearsal dinners in that space and at other locations on the property. The owners look forward to helping host parties and events on the property and hope to continue to do so moving forward. 

The City House Bed and Breakfast serves breakfast every morning at 8:30 AM and at 9:00 AM. They offer two different times to try and accommodate guests' vacation schedules. Depending on the number of guests at the bed and breakfast at any time, the breakfast options vary. Guests have mentioned the frittata, baked oatmeal, and pancakes. The owners make the effort to accommodate any dietary needs a guest may have. The day before a visitor's arrival, the innkeeper will call and confirm their reservation as well as ask them if they have any dietary restrictions so the staff can prepare to accommodate them for their breakfast the next morning. In the past, the staff has accommodated dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian guests. 

Culture

The City House Bed and Breakfast owners, Chris and Erica Bryce, strive to provide guests with a comfortable place to stay where they can feel at home. They hope their guests feel welcomed to the property and that patrons can feel at ease in socializing with other guests as well as the staff on-site. They try to provide this atmosphere to visitors by chatting with guests during breakfast and making themselves available to guests' needs at any hour. The innkeeper is on call 24 hours a day, at the building during business hours but available by phone at any other time, and strives to help guests with whatever they may be needing. 

The property is a non-smoking facility, and there are designated smoking areas on the outside patios. The bed and breakfast also do not allow children under the age of 8 to stay at the building in order to provide a restful and quiet experience for other guests. There are no pets allowed at the City House Bed and Breakfast as well. Check-in at the property is all electronic. On the day of a guest's arrival, a text is sent to them with the information to the lock on their room, and they can arrive any time after 3 PM. 
Many of those who have stayed at the bed and breakfast before comment on the historic charm that the building has. They have also mentioned the location of the building the hospitality of the staff at the establishment. One guest said "The cozy, historic building is right on the water with nice views and centrally located to nice bars and restaurants. It was close to Stage on Herr where we saw a concert. The staff is very warm and friendly, and a nice breakfast was included." The owners strive to create an overall experience for guests, not just a place to rest their heads. Another guest commented on the view of the river. They said, "A lovingly restored historic house with quiet, cozy rooms overlooking the Susquehanna. Location is near many great restaurants, bookshops, etc."

The business is open all year, and the busiest season of operation is generally the summer months of June-August. There are many different types of visitors who stay on the property, from those in town for business, honeymooners, and retired couples. The owners of the bed and breakfast strive to have a "family style" business and love having repeat guests. Those who stay frequently at the business are recorded and their preferences are kept by staff so they can have their room prepared as they like for each stay.

Harrisburg Pennsylvania is the capital of the state, and the bed and breakfast is located a 10-minute walk from downtown. There are a variety of activities guests can choose to do in Harrisburg, including the state museum which is within walking distance of City House. There is also a minor league baseball team that is based in Harrisburg, the Senators, who have games during the springtime. Additionally, there is an island in the Susquehanna River, named City Island, which has multiple activities including mini-golfing and a train. 

History

The building of City House Bed and Breakfast was originally built in 1925, and during its time has only had three owners. It was originally used as part of a storage company and was built in a similar style to others of the time period, receiving inspiration from Spanish architects. In the 1940s the property was sold and converted into two homes. In the 1980s and the 1990s, the buildings were used together as a group home. In 2010, the establishment was bought by the current owners, Chris and Erica. They converted the former group home into what is known today as the City House Bed and Breakfast. The couple entered the hospitality industry as a way to reflect and live their Christian faith. Chris and Erica believe that hospitality and serving others is part of their calling in life, and strive to use the bed and breakfast as a way to reach out to others and help them feel loved. 

Click for directions on Google
Established
2010
Location

915 North Front Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102
United States

Type

Bed and Breakfast

Owners

Chris and Erica Bryce

Owned Since
2010
Phone
717-903-2489
Reviews
4.9 (273 Reviews)
4.8/5 134 Reviews
Google.com
5/5 139 Reviews
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