TL;DR

Historic charm: 1883 red-brick building with character.
Local hosts: Run by two Pittsburgh locals since 2018.
Balanced vibe: Casual but with plush touches.
Great location: South Side Flats neighborhood.
Check prices here

Traveler’s Rest offers laid-back hospitality in Pittsburgh’s lively, historic South Side Flats neighborhood.

The building is the first draw, an 1883, classically lovely red-brick with a fully-branded facade.

It first belonged to a prominent area iron manufacturer, because, of course.

Our present-day hosts have been in charge since 2018, and they maintain the space with a nice balance between casual and somewhat plush.

The two Pittsburgh locals who run the hotel are welcoming and knowledgeable, and more than ready to showcase their city.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 7, each unique with moody character.
Varied styles: No two rooms alike, from cozy to suite.
Bathrooms: Mostly detached but private use only.
Top pick: The Suite with Jack-and-Jill bathroom and wood paneling.
Amenities: Slippers, coffee machine, microwave, mini fridge.
See each room in detail here

There’s more room variety in this boutique hotel than in many others. No two are remotely the same, though they all have a certain moody allure.

It’s all very, you’re back in your high school bedroom, but actually you were Very Cool in High School, or maybe you’re just in an episode of Euphoria, but with more leather couches.

To add to this is what will probably be the sticking point for many guests: all but one of the bathrooms is detached.

For us, it’s not a big issue, as each bathroom (save one) is for private use; you won’t have to share.

However, if you’re dedicated to running naked directly from the shower into bed, this might not be for you.

If you’re looking to spend some cash, The Suite is the obvious option. It’s the one with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom ensuite.

More importantly, in our opinion, is the gorgeous wood paneling covering both walls and ceiling, decorative fireplace, and a clever little murphy cabinet we’d take home with us if we could.

It sleeps 6 with the help of a couple of sofa beds, but a couple wouldn’t feel out of place if they like a lot of space.

Other options aren’t quite a lush, but they’re cozy and well-equipped for parties of anywhere from 2 to 4.

In-room amenities include slippers, a coffee machine, microwave, and a mini fridge.

What are prices like?

Check dates and prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Breakfast: Granola, pastries, and excellent local coffee.
Local flavor: Food from Pittsburgh suppliers.
Guest perks: Kitchen access and laundry facilities.
Long stays: Flexible arrangements possible.
For cyclists: Storage and rentals available.

The space is essentially a B&B setup, a house full of rooms, with a common area used for breakfast (in this case called the Great Room).

The food, as it stands, is an excellent start to the day, filled with local flavor. A Pittsburgh company makes the granola available and fresh pastries come from the one neighborhood over.

The excellent coffee is courtesy of local chain La Prima Espresso, available as pour-overs.

Add to that a make-your-own waffle-and-pancake situation, and breakfast is looking pretty good.

The nicest touch, however, is that Traveler’s Rest has a few other key amenities that many other bed and breakfasts lack.

Guests can access the kitchen, and there are laundry facilities and plenty of flexibility if you plan to stay long-term (contact the hosts for more details).

The bicycle storage is a really nice touch, with rental bicycles available as well.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Neighborhood: South Side Flats, historic and lively.
Nightlife: Cafes, bars, brewery on East Carson Street.
Scenic ride: 15 mins to Mount Washington views.
City access: Walk, drive, or bike downtown easily.
Cultural sites: Museums, stadium, Andy Warhol Museum nearby.
Upscale areas: North Oakland, Shadyside for dining and parks.

South Side Flats is not the most central location in Pittsburgh, but it is perhaps its most lovely, and also home to much of the city’s nightlife.

If you came to see all the sights in a day, you might want to be closer, but if you like local flavor when you travel, this is the spot.

You’ll find cute cafes, a brewery and plenty of bars around East Carson Street, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, right next to the hotel.

We’d also recommend the 15-minute bike ride through Emerald View Park to the Mount Washington neighborhood, which has the best views over the city.

Downtown is easy to access, just a half-hour walk, 5-minute drive, or 10-minute bike to the center.

Here you’ll find many event venues, have dinner somewhere along Penn Ave, check out Point State Park and catch the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

If you head north from here, you’ll hit the North Shore and Allegheny, home to many cultural and entertainment options.

Around Allegheny Commons Park, you’ll find a cluster of museums and other venues.

Options closer to the river include Acrisure Stadium, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center, and the Mister Rodgers Memorial.

North Oakland is the spot for upscale activities, home to the Carnegies and a lovely park with botanical gardens and a golf course.

If you’re more in the mood for exploring neighborhoods, Shadyside is a nice place to walk, shop, and eat. You’ll probably want a car for this one, though.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“The hosts were very friendly! The building is beautiful and done up really well. The included breakfast items was a really nice way to start your morning before stopping at a local spot. I would recommend staying here as long as the sounds of the city don’t bother you!…”

“Great boutique hotel. It’s feels like home. The owners are super nice and happy to provide recommendations and help if needed. The place has been beautifully renovated and the complimentary breakfast is delicious: croissants, pastries, bread, eggs and coffee or tea. Very easy to park around and close to everything….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Shower pressure was weak….”

”Bathroom being outside, still private but you need to go outside your room. Check in was tricky, instructions on where to find the keys could be clearer, put a colour light on the desk to be able to differenciate between all wooden doors and desks there are in the hall….”

Read all the reviews right here