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Photo Courtesy: Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Bethlehem, PA (August 18, 2023) – They shot, they scored! Thanks to massive community support, USA Today named Historic Hotel Bethlehem the Best Historic Hotel in America for the third consecutive year. “It’s a hat trick!” exclaimed Hotel Managing Partner Bruce Haines. “And just like in hockey, the playmaker is just as important as the player who put the puck in the net. In this case, the entire Lehigh Valley community gets credit for three assists. We couldn’t have done it without each and every guest, team member, and community supporter who took the time to vote.”
A triumphant triple crown
Historic Hotel Bethlehem topped other prestigious historic hotels including The Peabody in Memphis, The Grand Hotel Resort and Spa in Alabama, and The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in California. “It’s quite an accomplishment and speaks to our team’s dedication to providing outstanding hospitality that Historic Hotel Bethlehem has held the number one spot,” said Kelly Ronalds Director of Room Sales and Guest Experience. “We plan to once again hold a community celebration to share in this major victory and will announce those plans within the next two weeks.”
Award history
USA Today debuted its Best Historic Hotels contest in 2015. French Lick Resort in Indiana won that year. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside California pushed its way to the top in 2016. In 2017, Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan took the trophy. The Peabody held the crown from 2018-2020 while Historic Hotel Bethlehem rose through the ranks. In 2019, the beloved “Hotel B ” came in 3rd. The next year it jumped to 2nd, and in 2021 overtook The Peabody for the first time to reach the peak. “We planted our flag and have held the summit for three years,” said Ronalds. “It cannot be understated what an honor it is to stand among these great iconic hotels. All of these winning hotels are affiliated with Historic Hotels of America, which is a collection of over 300 properties under the auspices of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Historic Hotel Bethlehem and The Peabody are the only hotels to have won this prestigious award for three straight years.” Haines added, “assuming USA Today holds this competition again next year, we will effectively be playing the 7th game of the World Series with both teams tied at 3 games each.”
Hotel History
Historic Hotel Bethlehem opened in May of 1922 as a 200 room community hotel. Prior to Historic Hotel Bethlehem, multiple structures occupied the property. In 1741, Moravians constructed the “First House of Bethlehem” on the land. In 1823, the Moravians opened Golden Eagle Hotel and remained until 1919. In its last days, The Golden Eagle Hotel served as a convalescent home for soldiers returning from World War I.
The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce sold shares of the hotel to local residents for $50 per share. This was key in bringing the vision of Bethlehem Steel President Charles Schwab to light for a grand hotel on Main Street in Bethlehem. Since the roaring ‘20s, Historic Hotel Bethlehem has been a vital community hub. It has hosted presidents, celebrities and thousands of local weddings, anniversaries, proms, galas, and special events as the social center of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.
About Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Historic Hotel Bethlehem, located in the heart of Historic Moravian Bethlehem, is celebrating over 100 years as a community hotel. Guests enjoy the hotel’s original 1922 elegance in its 125 guest rooms and suites along with the grandeur of the lobby, restaurants and multiple ballrooms. The hotel also offers an Executive Conference Center, Ladies Boutique Shoppe, and Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor. The hotel is affiliated with Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. USA Today named Historic Hotel Bethlehem the ”#1 Best Historic Hotel in the Nation.” in 2021 and 2022. For more information visit hotelbethlehem.com.
Information provided to TVL by:
Laurie Monteforte | Founder & CEO
Strong Mountain Media, Inc.
https://strongmountainmedia.com/
