PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a city preparing for a historic year of global attention, entrepreneur Scott Yesner is reshaping the hospitality landscape with a portfolio that blends short-term rentals and boutique hotels.
The 40-year-old Delaware County native, once a malpractice attorney, now manages more than 110 properties through his company Bespoke Stay. The portfolio stretches across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the Poconos, and the Jersey Shore, attracting athletes, entertainers, and travelers seeking alternatives to traditional lodging.
“You have to hit a number of factors to have a successful short-term rental or boutique hotel business,” Yesner said. “Our tailored spaces are designed for guests’ specific needs, providing more than the typical hotel or vacation rental.”
His properties have hosted Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, Eagles players, actor Jason Segel, and singer-actress Jennifer Hudson. Both Segel and Hudson stayed at a renovated 19th-century mercantile building at 30 South Seventh Street while filming in Philadelphia.
Yesner traces his shift to hospitality back to Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to Philadelphia, when short-term rentals surged as hotels filled to capacity. Renting his own property revealed the revenue potential, convincing him to leave his legal career. “This was the point of no return,” he said. “I knew it was time to get serious.”
His latest venture, The Gas Lamp Hotel, opened last year near Elfreth’s Alley. The five-room boutique property, built in 1845, features a speakeasy and pays homage to the Austrian Gas Lamp Company, which once occupied the site. Guest rooms are named after inventors such as Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, underscoring Yesner’s emphasis on storytelling and historic preservation.
“Boutique hotels are not just about lodging, but about creating a story that guests can interact with,” Yesner said. “We are really focused on the guest experience and are very proud of all the exciting things happening in our city.”
Philadelphia is bracing for a surge of visitors in 2026 with the U.S. Semiquincentennial, FIFA World Cup, and Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Yesner sees this moment as an opportunity to cement the city’s reputation.
“Philly is rapidly becoming the boutique hotel capital of the U.S., and I’m hell-bent on doing my part to help the city achieve that designation,” he said. “The next 12 months are going to be wild. Everyone will be coming here. We cannot wait.”
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