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June 1st, 2021 – Historic Hotel Bethlehem is proud to announce the 100 year anniversary of the ground breaking of their Historic Hotel. On this day 100 years ago, Bethlehem Hotel Corporation broke ground for what would become the thriving roaring 20s, jazz filled property that Hotel B is today. Over the 100 years the Hotel has only had 4 owners. It has hosted numerous celebrities, politicians, Bethlehem Steel Executives, their suppliers and customers. It has also been a focal point for local family visitors from out of town as well as Moravian and Lehigh parents. It has hosted small weddings, big weddings, galas and high school proms. These events have been a huge part of history for Downtown Bethlehem. Hundreds of thousands of residents have been employees of the hotel at different times of their lives while multiple generations of brides have followed their parents and grandparents in choosing the hotel for their special day.
When the Hotel first opened in May of 1922 it was operating as a 200 room Community Hotel. Local residents could become part owners by purchasing shares for $50. Today, the Hotel is a bustling 125 room hotel with 19 suites offering full service amenities for their guests. The hotel boasts state of the art AV technology and has over 24,000 square feet of meeting space for corporate events or social gatherings. The current owners over the past 23 years have updated the property to preserve its history, integrity and original grandeur. In 2018 they extended the footprint one block up Main Street to open a 5,000 sf Executive Conference Center. In 2019, the hotel owners acquired the building across the street to house its Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor serving Penn State Creamery Ice Cream in addition to opening 10 extended stay suites.
The Hotel will be hosting a “100 Year Anniversary Bash” on May 28th, 2022. So mark your calendars now and save the date because this is one event you won’t want to miss. History tours, photo galleries, “Famous Former Guests” and much more will be available throughout Memorial Day weekend for guests to enjoy. Learn about the original architecture of the Hotel and how Bethlehem Steel jumped in to acquire and preserve the hotel in the 1960’s. Hear about the events that happened at the Hotel, such as the “Musikfest Balls” on the eve of Musikfest during the 80s. Learn about the Friendly Spirits from the Moravian owned 1823 Eagle Hotel that return periodically to the place they most enjoyed. Hotel Bethlehem has been a Community Hotel for the City of Bethlehem for 100 years and they invite you to share that history and celebrate it.
Overnight packages and tickets will be on sale late fall of 2021. The Hotel is asking that anyone who may have original “Hotel Bethlehem” items or stories to please reach out and share that information with them. The 100 Year Anniversary will be a special weekend for Historic Hotel Bethlehem and they want to share it with everyone.
Over the next several months the Hotel will be offering a “1922 Exclusive Stay” packages. There will only be two of these packages available each month at the rate of $1,922. To celebrate the 100 years of being open the Hotel has put together various packages per month that will feature extravagant offerings and specials for a lucky guest who books this package. The package will be announced on the first of every month beginning in July and will feature “adventures” such as a 7-course dinner with wine pairings, a hot air balloon ride, a full day of spa services or even a photoshoot on the roof! Each month will have a themed package.
Finally, with the support of the Lehigh Valley community, the Hotel can achieve the USA Today #1 Best Historic Hotel distinction this year. To move from #3 in 2019 to #2 in 2020 was a logical step toward overtaking the perennial #1 Memphis Peabody Hotel in 2021. What a fitting tribute to Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley were we to achieve this ranking for the Hotel’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Voting will occur in July and the Hotel needs your community support to achieve our vision. More to come on this when voting opens in early July.
Information Provided By:
Brynn Levine | Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Marketing Manager
Facebook: facebook.com/hotelbethlehem | Twitter: twitter.com/hotelbethlehem
