Chestnut Hill Hotel

Philadelphia, United States

Chestnut Hill Hotel 8229 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118 United States

Beginning with its original destination as “Summer Hausen,” the vacation spot of choice for colonial Philadelphians, Chestnut Hill always had a reputation as a most accommodating place.

The 13 families who settled here in 1687 certainly appreciated its charm, and constructed the first permanent settler’s housing (the Yeakel cottage) a half mile down the hill at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane several years later. By 1711, the year that area was officially designated “Chestnut Hill,” rudimentary roads had already been carved through the forest to carry farmers and their goods to Philadelphia.

Although Chestnut Hill is close to Center City by today’s standards, in 1777 it was considered quite remote. In fact, the Revolutionary War nearly passed it by, except for a brief period when General Howe occupied Chestnut Hill during his retreat from Philadelphia.

The existing Chestnut Hill Hotel building was constructed in 1864 to replace an earlier Inn which existed at the same location from 1772.

Of course, Chestnut Hill has grown in size, yet remarkably, it has managed to retain its old-world charm.