February 01, 2017
Lokal Hotel/Source
The location of the upcoming "invisible service" hotel, Lokal Hotel, in Old City.
Good news for those visiting Philadelphia who hate dealing with people.
The city's first "invisible service" hotel is set to open in Old City. Located at 139 N. Third St., Lokal Hotel is slated for a March launch and will feature six suite-style apartments inside a historic property that used to hold a printing gallery, according to a press release.
So what exactly is "invisible service"? It essentially just means there's no front desk so that visitors feel like they're living "as a local" during their stay. Also, there will be "unique" and "carefully crafted" guides to the city already laid out for guests when they arrive. Per the release:
In doing away with many of the trappings of a traditional hotel, Lokal seeks to provide a unique connection with the city without sacrificing the comfort and care travelers expect.
“Invisible service is an approach to hospitality that tries to reduce the barrier between a visitor and the real experience of a place,” says Chad Ludeman, Co-Founder of StayLokal. “The idea is to still provide all of those things guests want from a hotel without them feeling like they are leaving the neighborhood and entering something artificial or apart.”
As part of this commitment to the experience, Lokal will provide carefully curated, in-room guide books, offering guests local dinner, drink, shopping, and adventure recommendations, which will give unique and honest insights into the city and the neighborhood.
Fishtown-based real estate developer Postgreen Homes and the Jersey Ice Cream Company (a home makeover duo, not an actual ice cream company) are behind the development of the space. The hotel has been posting updates on Instagram:
Bookings for both long- and short-term guests will begin sometime later in February. You can find more information on Lokal Hotel on its official website.
