If Staying In A Stunning Delancy-Style Home Is On Your To-Do List, Then La Reserve Is The Hidden Gem You’ve Been Seeking
The latest in our Know Your Neighbor series, discover the bed & breakfast on Pine Street managed by innkeeper Maria, which is an absolute – and understated – delight.
“She used to sunbathe on the roof, naked,” Maria, the current innkeeper of La Reserve Bed & Breakfast recalled fondly of her former employer.
To call Beverly Ensor a character would be misleading. As Maria shared more and more stories of the owner and founder of La Reserve, Beverly sounded to us more like an entrepreneurial force of nature. She turned the home she grew up in into a B&B because she didn’t want to sell it, and, having grown up with parents who owned rental properties, it probably felt like a perfect fit.
Curating a Home Away From Home
Fast forward 40 years later.
Every detail in La Reserve tells a story. The rooms, meticulously designed with vintage tapestries and intentional décor, reflect the love and care of their creators. Beverly and Maria worked tirelessly to imbue each space with personality. The legacy includes contributions from former staff, like Keisha, who designed a detailed guest book capturing the essence of Philadelphia. “Each person who has walked through these doors has left something behind,” the innkeeper mused. “That’s what makes it feel like home.”
Navigating Challenges: From Personal Loss to a Pandemic
Life at La Reserve hasn’t been without its challenges. The innkeeper stepped into her role in 2017, only a few years before the pandemic turned the hospitality industry upside down. From securing loans to reimagining operations, she worked tirelessly to keep the business afloat. “We lost 10 months of business, but there wasn’t a moment to rest. If I wasn’t cleaning, I was on the phone with the bank or brainstorming ways to adapt.”
Maria also reflected on the personal losses that marked this journey, including Beverly’s passing in 2020. “Beverly had such a jovial spirit. She could put you in your place, but always in the sweetest way. I miss her presence every day.”
A Community of Guests and Friends
With 13 rooms and a rich mix of international and local guests, La Reserve is more than just a business; it’s a community. Guests often leave as friends, touched by the welcoming atmosphere and the stories shared over breakfast. Even the innkeeper’s apartment, once Beverly’s, carries memories of rooftop sunsets and quiet reflections.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Hospitality
La Reserve continues to thrive as a testament to its founder and caretakers. Just this year a development team bought the property, but they’ve committed to keeping its charm intact.
Despite the trials of recent years, its mission remains steadfast: to provide not just a place to stay, but a home filled with warmth, care, and connection. “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about,” Maria said.. “It’s about making people feel at home.”
The parlor always has coffee and tea are available for guests.
Guests start the day with an included continental breakfast where they mingle with other guests.
The building – now buildings as the new owner bought the townhome next door for expansion – has many of its original historical details.
Walking throughout the building felt like a family member’s Delancey townhome, and nothing like a hotel, or a B&B in general.
The 12 rooms, including the ones in the building next door, range from studios to 1-bedrooms. All have kitchenettes.
Each room has unique features, and genuinely vintage furniture.
There’s a small courtyard available for guests in the main building if they want to take a quick breath of fresh air.
Each room comes with a binder filled with details about Rittenhouse, the area’s history, and things to see, do, eat or drink, written by Keisha, one of the staff members. It’s another personal touch that’s very much in the La Reserve vein.
If you’re interested in exploring La Reserve check out their site here. And if you do get to experience it, be sure to ask Maria why it’s called La Reserve as it’s a great story, and one she’ll undoubtedly enjoy sharing.
