Traveler's Rest Hotel — Hotel in Pittsburgh

Our trip didn’t start out as planned.||Originally, my wife and young kids were going to stay with a friend in nearby Pittsburgh neighborhood while my sister and I bunked at Traveler’s Rest before setting off on a multi-day bike trip along the GAP trail. But at the last minute, that friend’s plans fell through, leaving my wife and I scrambling to find a place for her and the kids to stay.||We’d checked online—no rooms available. Still, she decided to call. Thankfully, she reached Paul, the owner. After hearing our situation, he mentioned that they did have one room left—a room they usually keep vacant. Without hesitation, he offered it to us.||Just like that, we were back on track. The relief of having our whole family under one roof was immediate. Crisis averted.||That said, our kids weren’t so sure at first. When we pulled up to Traveler’s Rest, they gave each other uncertain looks—it didn’t look like a traditional hotel. No front desk, no glowing sign, no rows of identical doors. But all that hesitation disappeared the moment we stepped inside. They wandered through the cozy living room, scoured the communal kitchen, and excitedly claimed their beds in the charming bedrooms. And then they met Peabody—the resident dog—who sealed the deal with a wagging tail and instant friendship. From that point on, they were all in.||The morning after our night's stay at Traveler's Rest, the kids were buzzing with excitement. They made a beeline for the communal kitchen, eager for a tasty breakfast and happy to chat with other guests while my sister and I packed up our gear for the day’s ride—60 miles ahead of us.||Then came the second curveball.||I opened my pannier to grab the key to my bike lock... and realized I’d brought the wrong one. My heart sank. We were on a tight timeline—miles to cover before dark, and now we were stuck. I considered driving to a hardware store for bolt cutters, already watching the morning slip away.||That’s when Paul walked into the garage.||“Any chance you’ve got bolt cutters?” I asked, half-hopeful.||“No,” he said. “But I’ve got an angle grinder… somewhere.”||What followed was over an hour of Paul rolling up his sleeves, unbolting the bike rack by hand, and then grinding through a thick, heavy-duty chain lock in the driveway. Sparks flew—literally—and Paul never lost his good humor.||While all this was happening, his wife, Mary Beth, was inside chatting with our kids, answering an endless stream of questions with kindness and patience. She and Paul weren’t just hosts—they were lifesavers.||That morning could’ve easily gone off the rails, but instead, it turned into one of the most memorable parts of our trip. Their generosity and calm in the face of our mini-crises turned what started as a stressful situation into an unforgettable one—for all the right reasons.||I’m late in sharing this story, but it’s one my family and I won’t soon forget. If you’re planning a trip on the GAP trail—or if you just want a place to stay that feels like home—do yourself a favor and stay at Traveler’s Rest. And while grinding off bike locks is not standard practice, Paul and Mary Beth go above and beyond, not because they have to, but because that’s just who they are. || (THANK YOU AGAIN MARY...

Thank you, Mary Beth & Paul for such a lovely stay! My husband and I spent 5 nights here while visiting friends in the area and it was exactly what we hoped it would be.

The contactless check-in was a breeze. We had airport delays getting in which made for an exhausting travel day, and even though we arrived late at night, the emailed instructions were very easy to follow. We got right into our room and were able to hit the kitchen for a late night snack before bed - exactly what we needed to feel human again. There were even chocolates by the front door.

Family Room has a comfy bed (we used the bunk beds as makeshift shelf space for luggage.) It also has a mini fridge if you bring any food you don't want to keep in the kitchen. No TVs in the room was a pleasant surprise - we liked that it truly was a place to rest.

Communal kitchen was awesome - we really enjoyed being able to cook our own eggs and toast that we're used to eating every morning. They brew coffee from a local place and have a French press if you're like me and travel with your own. Plenty of variety in breakfast items available to all guests.

Know before you go - note for light sleepers: If staying on a weeknight, the street gets a little noisy in the morning from people going to work. Generally speaking, this is an old building with creaky floors, and the upstairs bedrooms have private bathrooms across the hall, so you will probably hear other guests getting up in the middle of the night to use their bathrooms. We found though that putting on the 'wind' sounds from my meditation app on my phone was good enough white noise to counteract the noises of the house. 🥰

Location is 'off the beaten path' which I prefer because staying right in downtown can be overwhelming. It was an $8 Uber into downtown to walk around and see some sights. Just learned this morning before checking out that one of the area theaters builds their sets in a neighboring building. Fun!

Hosts & staff were fantastic - everyone was really friendly and took great care of us. And the other guests we met in the mornings were lovely as well. Pretty sure we were the only ones staying there who weren't cyclists. 😄

We would absolutely recommend this place for anyone who doesn't like typical hotels and who appreciates a place that invites you to make yourself at home. ♥️ There's even an adorably scruffy dog to cuddle with...

Auspicious Experience for a Real Connection - Even as a Marriott Platinum for Life Member

This was one of the most lovely experiences staying at a "hotel" I can recall. I would say that is saying something as I'm a Marriott for Life Platinum Member and travelled almost 100% of the time for 10 years as a Consultant prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Paul and Mary Beth along with their family and staff make you feel like you joined their amazing family for the time in which you stay. The Guests who are attracted to this sweet spot in Pittsburgh are typically cyclists who are doing a bike trip of some sort, either around Pittsburgh or to and from Pittsburgh. These are not just ordinary Guests, they are interesting, educated, talented, well travelled, curious, and adventurous! As a result, the times I spent in the beautiful "Main Living Room" which is just outside the door of the Byers Suite where we stayed on the first floor, were simply lovely. Guests shared stories, adventures, plans for their bike trips, experiences, current event discussions, and even played music (there's a guitar in the closet should you be inclined to tune it up). There's a bike repair area in the hotel where those biking can secure their bikes and gear as well as accomplish repairs as necessary. We didn't find the washer and dryer until a few days into our stay, yet it was a welcome treat, free with goods to wash your clothes and certainly a necessity for those biking! My husband and I backpacked Europe for 3 months in 1986, yes the year of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, and got married in Kathmandu, Nepal and travelled through India for our "honeymoon adventure"! For those of you who recall the books "Off the Beaten Path" - that is how I'd describe the Traveler's Rest Hotel. it's important to manage expectations as it's not a Marriott and you need to know that going in... yet the experience is worth any of the "comforts" you may give up, in my humble opinion (IMHO)! What a treat and rich compliment to an incredible visit with my Parents, who in their 80's came to Pittsburgh from Idaho for a convention. We were all delighted with our stay. I can't wait to return! Reliably and Respectfully, Marie Getsug Jacobs Engineering and...