If the walls of a 1901 rental home in Olde West Chester could talk, they would tell a touching tale of neighbors and a legacy of welcome that lives on in its spacious rooms. The historic blue two-story is the house next door to Tonia Wheeler’s business with her husband Josh, The Fetchington Luxury Pet Hotel. As they built their business, they also built a relationship with Priscilla, their lovely next-door neighbor.
“Priscilla reminded me so much of my grandma,” Wheeler explains. “We just had an immediate connection. We bonded. I made sure to look after her, take her meals and visit her weekly.”
When Priscilla passed away, the Wheelers bought and lovingly restored the home to its original glory. They made the decision to turn the property into a homey Airbnb and named it Priscilla’s Place.
“We wanted to pay homage to Priscilla and honor her by bringing her house back to life, the way that I know she would be so proud of it,” says Wheeler.
After renovating The Fetchington, the Wheelers were seasoned experts at rehabbing century-old dwellings. The fondness Tonia holds for the home is evident in how she speaks of it as a human.
“We took possession of it in January 2023 and spent a few months polishing her up,” she shares. “We even had to prop up her front porch. That front porch is just amazing.”
Guests rave about the personal touches at Priscilla’s Place. The home features historic details like original wood floors, porcelain door knobs and leaded windows, balanced by modern amenities like a mini-fridge in the primary bedroom, smart televisions and comfortable furniture. Wheeler clearly pictured a variety of uses as she designed it.
“I wanted this big table in the kitchen where people could gather and catch up with family that they haven't seen in a while if they're using it for a graduation, wedding or funeral,” she says.
As animal lovers, the Wheelers welcome pets at Priscilla’s Place.
“We knew we wanted it to be pet-friendly, just because that's who we are. We love dogs and we would want to bring our own dog,” Wheeler says.
Wheeler has been surprised by her guests.
“So far, we’ve mostly hosted local families who have had floods, fires or something happen to their homes,” Tonia shares. “Their entire household, including their dogs, have to move out. I love that we're serving our community that way.”
Priscilla’s Place is a home with a heart, exceeding guest expectations with outstanding hospitality. Airbnb.com
“We wanted to pay homage to Priscilla and honor her by bringing her house back to life, the way that I know she would be so proud of it,” Tonia says.
