The Urban Aerie

04/30/2020

Welp. We’ve done it. Closed up our beloved Urban Aerie for the time being. For this time being the time of the Coronavirus.

Last month we cleaned the space to a fare-thee-well and covered the furniture with sheets. The plush towels and luxury linens I bought with no one else in mind but my guests, I wrapped up with lavender and stowed away for safekeeping, and closed the door, hoping we might be able to open again—in May? OK. June maybe? Last night, out of that proverbial “abundance of caution,” we canceled our remaining seven guests for the year.

Those of you who know me, know that the Urban Aerie has been a love project of mine for three years. Nothing pleases me so much as making beautiful spaces for people to feel comforted, cosseted and appreciated. And because of the loving care Charlie and I put into this project, we achieved, at first, superhost status, and then AirBnB designated the Aerie as an AirBnB Plus property. Needless to say, I am sad to have to “close up shop.”

I am pleased, however, that In July we have a lovely couple moving into the space for a year, and I know they’ll take good care of the Aerie should we decide to open again one day.

Until we do, we wish you and yours good health and a bit of peace during these difficult and tumultuous times. We hope you will stay in touch.

With a full heart,

D’Arcy, with Charlie, and co-host extraordinaire Madison Claus

03/16/2020

Hello All—

Welp—our last guest for the foreseeable future departed on Thursday. (We always love hosting Thomas, and were sorry to say farewell!)

We’ve scrubbed, sanitized all the hard surfaces, sanitized and washed the bedding, ironed the sheets, placed dust covers on everything, and closed the door.

If you are reading this post, it may be because you have an upcoming reservation at the Aerie. I will commence canceling all reservations for the month of April beginning tomorrow. I’m not sure what May will hold, but I suspect we may be cancelling some of those as well. If you would like to keep your reservation, but change it for a later date in the year, please let me know by messaging me through the Airbnb site. A few people have done that already.

We will stay in touch! But I leave you with this quote that a friend posted on her Instagram account (thank you, Amanda),

“In a pandemic, self-isolation is called quarantine. In Buddhism, it is called retreat. From the cave of our home, like the meditators in ancient times, we can consciously kindle the lamp of compassion and connection.” [Lama Willa Miller]

Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy,
D'Arcy, Charlie, and co-host Madison

03/11/2020

Are you considering a stay at the Urban Aerie? Or have you already booked a stay with us?

In response to the increasing spread of COVID-19, we want you to know that here at the Urban Aerie we are monitoring the situation closely and treating the outbreak with the gravity it deserves.

Though we are not canceling bookings at this time, we do continue to follow the advice of state and county officials, as well as the CDC. If it becomes necessary to cancel your reservation we will contact you immediately.

In the meantime, following the recommendations of the CDC, we are implementing new cleaning and disinfection standards to limit the spread of the virus and other illnesses within our building.

If you become ill, or you no longer feel that it is safe for you to travel and stay with us, we encourage you to stay home. You may cancel with no penalty to you.

Every day we hear that more and more large group events such as concerts, conventions and theatre shows are being canceled due to concerns of viral spread. If this affects you, you can take advantage of Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy, detailed on their website.

Stay safe, Friends,
D’Arcy and Charlie

02/23/2020

There's much rejoicing in our neighborhood as restauranteur Michael Lynch opens his newest place in the Bok Building, just a couple blocks from the Urban Aerie! Breakfast starts at 8 every day, and service continues through lunchtime. Great coffee and food await you on the Dudley Street side of Bok!

It's the second location of Michael Lynch's popular South Street West cafe.

02/14/2020

Planning a trip to Philly and staying at the Urban Aerie? You're sure to enjoy this unique attraction, opening in May! Philly is a great city for history AND the arts, and this show combines them in an unforgettable fashion!

“What is so compelling about the show is the physical comedy of the troupe. Its antics are imaginative as well as the one-liners and contemporary dialogue that make the show such fun.”

12/17/2019

Coming in to stay at the Urban Aerie for the holidays? Are you a foodie? Check outs these traditional Philly treats!

Philadelphia does festive food and drink right...

11/20/2019

What?! Philly was named the TOP U.S. city to visit in 2020?! How about that?! Well, come on by and spend some time in the City of Brotherly Love. And the Eagles. And Rocky. And if you need a place to stay, we've gotcha covered. The Urban Aerie is your perfect home away from home. We made it that way just for you.

Now is the time to "rediscover an American classic"...

11/01/2019

Welp--one thing's fer sure about visiting South Philly--you won't go hungry. The latest fine dining establishment to open is River Twice. We're recommending it here based on the rep of the chef. Read about it here

River Twice, from a James Beard-nominated chef, opens this week with a menu highlighting local ingredients

10/05/2019

My mother was somethin’ else. She was a dame with style, a gracious host who knew how to make people feel at home and special when they walked in the door. Cookie was her name, and Cookie had panache. She didn’t have two nickels to rub together, but yep—she had panache in spades. Our house looked like a designer’s showcase. She could turn an ordinary meal into an occasion, and holidays were always momentous events, beautiful, sparkly and full of delight. My mother instilled a sense of occasion and beauty in all her children.

But the other thing my mother instilled in her kids was manners—you know—the regular things—please, thank you, keep your elbows off the table, treat others the way you would like to be treated. And she also taught us all how to be good guests.

Any time I was heading out for an over-nighter with my pals my mother would always say as I walked out the door: “Remember your manners, and BE A GOOD GUEST!”

That meant pick up after myself. Take my dishes to the kitchen. Keep my feet off the furniture. Clean up after myself in the bathroom and make my bed. Say please and thank you. Basically—leave a small footprint behind. And the host will be happy to have you back again and again.

The same holds true for AirBnB hosts and guests. When an AirBnB guest is a good guest, hosts always want them to return, and they are happy to write an unequivocally positive review endorsing them as future guests for other hosts.

So we appreciate those guests who are mindful of not using the good bath towels to mop up hair dyes or wipe off soiled shoes. We are grateful when guests use the luggage racks for their suitcases instead of the furniture or bed, which keeps things clean for the next guests. We are glad when guests read the house rules that we post online and in the apartment, and comply with them.

Remember—when you book a place with AirBnB, you aren’t booking a hotel room with a large cleaning staff that’s equipped with commercial washers and dryers and industrial strength steam cleaners. You are booking a place in someone’s home. You are, for all intents and purposes, a GUEST.

I became an AirBnB host because I love being able to do for our guests what my mother did for everyone who crossed her threshold. I love this space I’ve made for my guests. It’s a place of quiet, no-fuss luxury. And it’s beautiful.

There’s a picture of my mother at the foot of the stairs. She was my inspiration for creating this lovely space we coined The Urban Aerie. Please do come and enjoy your stay with us. And, in Cookie’s words, be a good guest!!!

09/16/2019

Often guests from other parts will ask us where to get the best cheesesteak. Oof. People around here pretty loyal to their cheesesteak joints, and I don't want to get i the middle of that argument. But if you want alternatives to the obvious (Pat's and Geno's) check out John's Roast Pork (14 Snyder Avenue) or Jim's Steaks (South Street). Both pretty divine, especially John's roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone. Heaven. If you're touring the Reading Terminal Market, there are seven--count 'em--SEVEN cheesesteak spots. Check 'em out.

We rank all seven of the cheesesteaks available at the market.

09/10/2019

A shout out to the tenders of the Urban Aerie. They don’t just make a bed, run a vacuum and split the scene. These humans scrub, scour, and dust. They are like heat-seeking missiles for spots, wall scuffs and stains. They cater to my Leona Helmsley-esque obsessions about cleanliness, a beautifully made bed and a well executed square corner. They make sure that not only is the Aerie spotless, it is safe. And on the rare occasion, they have had to deal with some pretty nasty messes left behind by careless and inconsiderate guests. It happens. They take it all in stride. And deal with it. Sending all gratitude and love to Madison Caroline Claus, Kathleen Scullion , Julia DeGruchy, Emily Fernandez, Anna Radway, Zoe Feldman , Chelsea Nadeau, and Jack Henry. I could not make this a beautiful haven without your efforts and care.

07/08/2019

An Urban Aerie sunset. The early evening light from the bedroom is magical.