The Spencer House Bed & Breakfast has been under the ownership of Steve and Lisa since the year 2018. The inn itself dates back to 1876 when it was first built, and the current owners have been putting effort into maintaining the property's historic character. A total of six rooms are available for guest reservations, each including its own private bathroom with toiletries. Every morning at the inn, a two-course breakfast is provided for all patrons. The breakfast is one particular aspect of the establishment that many previous guests have mentioned in reviews. The majority of visitors discover the property by word of mouth or by referrals from friends or family. May through October tends to be the busiest season of operation for the property; however, the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast is open for reservations year-round.
The Spencer House Bed & Breakfast is located in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, featuring six rooms divided among one three-story building. Four rooms can be found on the second floor and the other two rooms are on the third floor. One of the owners, Steve, describes the inn to be a "Victorian mansion," as the building itself dates back to 1876 when it was first constructed. The décor throughout the inn reflects this Victorian style as well. In addition to the guestrooms, common areas in the building include the dining room, the parlor, the Library, and the front porch area where guests can lounge at their leisure. The surrounding yard space and flower areas are characteristic of ferns that are nearly 100 years old, as reported by Steve. He also notes that the street on which the bed and breakfast is located is on the National Historic Register. Some of the bed and breakfast's significant aspects that it is known for, according to Steve, include the breakfast, the hospitality, and the beds. He also mentions that the historical nature of the home is particularly notable.
The guestrooms at the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast provide guests with several amenities. Flat screen TVs with Roku streaming services are in every suite, high speed internet can be accessed, and individually controlled air conditioning and heating is available. All units have private bathrooms equipped with toiletries such as shampoo, soap, body wash, and towels. One of the rooms has two double beds and the rest either have a queen or king-size bed.
Each suite ranges in size, as two of the rooms are relatively larger, while the other four are smaller. One of the smaller guestrooms, the Captain's Quarters, contains a jacuzzi tub, and Steve remarks that this particular amenity makes this guestroom generally more popular in comparison to the other suites. He also mentions that the President's Suite tends to receive more reservations than the other rooms, as it is the "largest and most extravagant."
A two-course breakfast is served every morning in the dining room to all patrons of the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast. Typically, breakfast is served at either 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM, depending on guests' preferences. Some of the dishes that visitors can expect include fruit, scrambled eggs with cheese, fruit parfaits, sausage, bacon, blueberry pancakes, or strawberry French toast. For those with dietary restrictions or food allergies, Steve can accommodate these needs, and guests are asked about such allergies through the reservation process before their stay.
Presque Isle State Park is one of the most prominent attractions in close proximity to the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast. The attraction stretches into Lake Erie, offering several beaches plus access to the bay. There, visitors can engage in fishing, boating, kayaking, water sports, jet skiing, and wildlife watching. A fair amount of natural areas can be found in the state park as well, which patrons can explore if they please.
As the bed and breakfast is located in a generally urban area, a number of dining options can be found in the encompassing city. One particular restaurant that Steve recommends to his patrons is Tap House, which is a bar that offers locally made craft beers. Tap House is within walking distance of the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast. Another restaurant that Steve recommends is Federal Hill Smokehouse, a place that primarily serves BBQ cuisine and usually opens during lunch hours. Pineapple Eddie and Smugglers' Wharf are two other places where visitors can eat, which Steve recommends.
Steve, one of the owners of the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast, has the goal of "creating a comfortable atmosphere that people can feel relaxed in without worry or concerns." "From the time they walk in through the door to the time they walk out at the end of their stay, my goal is that they have a relaxing, enjoyable, and comfortable stay," Steve remarks. In an effort to allow guests to feel this way during their time at the bed and breakfast, Steve tries to "welcome [them] with open arms." He additionally states, "Regardless of their situation, background, race, or sexual preference, we try to love everyone that comes through the door, and to make them feel like they're more than just a guest." Steve explains that when it comes to interacting with those that stay with him, each visitor is different. "Our interaction with them matches with what they're interested in," he comments as he expounds on the fact that some patrons prefer to interact often, while others are more reserved. The two owners, Steve and Lisa, also strive to add to visitors' experience by offering various types of packages. "We recognize that their experience is important," Steve says. One person who previously stayed at the bed and breakfast commented, "Steve and Lisa were very welcoming and served a delicious breakfast. The house is spectacular with its high ceilings and ornate detailing. Plus we enjoyed walking down Millionaires Row and seeing all the other mansions and eating dinner on State Street."
A few policies are implemented at the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast, and those who stay at the inn are expected to abide by the guidelines. Children must be over the age of 10 years old to stay at the bed and breakfast. Many of the suites have a max limit of occupants, the majority of which are limited to two, with the exception of the Spencer Suite with JC's Room which can accommodate four occupants. Pets are also prohibited from staying at the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast. Furthermore, smoking is not allowed inside the inn but can be done outside. As for quiet hours, the property has a set period of time from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM when visitors must keep the noise to a minimum with respect to other visitors at the bed and breakfast; however, Steve notes that the walls are brick and it "makes for a quiet place to stay in."
The property has hosted a few small events in the past such as weddings, a New Year's Eve party, and some birthday parties. Space is limited at the establishment, thus the reason why Steve and Lisa allow celebrations that are smaller in size. Usually, these small events are hosted during the winter season when the business is the least busy compared to other times of the year.
The Spencer House Bed & Breakfast is open year-round with the busiest season of operation typically occurring from May through October. The peak season tends to be from the end of June to the beginning of September, due to the weather and the fact that the location is near the lake with several beaches. Couples constitute the general demographic of those who visit the inn, as well as some occasional families. Most visitors discover the property through word of mouth and referrals from friends or family. "This area tends to be a good stopping point for people," Steve comments.
The Spencer House Bed & Breakfast was built in 1876 by the Spencer family, and it has been in business as a bed and breakfast since 1992. In the 1800s the Spencer family also founded the first national bank, according to one of the current owners, Steve. The home was built by the father as a wedding gift for his son, William, who later had six kids while residing there. William's oldest son eventually took ownership of the home and the building served as a single-family home until the year 1980. Steve reports that all of the woodwork of the inn itself is original to its time. He also notes that the Spencer House was the first bed and breakfast in Erie in 1992 when it first opened to the public.
Steve and Lisa were married in 2004, and they shared the same dream of someday owning a bed and breakfast. They decided that when their children graduated and moved out, they would search for a bed and breakfast to potentially own. After the youngest son graduated in 2017, Steve and Lisa began to search for a business. Eventually, they found the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast in Pennsylvania and decided that this property was best suitable to their standards.
The majority of the changes that have been made to the establishment since Steve and Lisa took ownership of the acreage have been standard maintenance. One of the more major renovations was that one of the rooms that was formerly used as a storage area for the previous owners was converted to a bedroom. Steve and Lisa wanted to convert this room into an extra place of lodging because there are four colleges nearby and many families that travel to the area for college students need a place to stay. As for future plans, Steve hopes to continue to "get the inn as close to its originality from when it was first built as possible," for example, making the gutters copper.
519 West Sixth Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16507
United States
Victorian
Steve and Lisa
