BETHLEHEM, PA – AUGUST 27, 2021 – Three, Two, ONE… Historic Hotel Bethlehem has been named the #1 Best Historic Hotel in the Country by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice. This is the third year that the hotel has been nominated for this annual national recognition. In 2019 they were named #3, in 2020 they took spot #2, and now Historic Hotel Bethlehem is 2021’s #1 Historic Hotel.
A panel of experts partnered with USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice to pick the initial nominees, with Historic Hotel Bethlehem being the only hotel nominated from Pennsylvania. The top 10 hotels were then voted on by the public and awarded the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award. “Today, guests enjoy modern amenities in this historic setting in the heart of Moravian Bethlehem,” USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice says.
The Hotel is honored to be named #1 this year as they are celebrating their 100 year Anniversary in the 2021-2022 year. “What a fitting tribute for all of us to achieve this distinction during our 100th anniversary celebration,” Bruce A. Haines, Managing Partner for Historic Hotel Bethlehem, states, “This recognition is a tribute to my dedicated partners and hotel staff that have persevered to restore this Grand Dame to its original 1920s grandeur over the past 22 years.”
Larry Horwitz, Executive Vice President of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, states “Historic Hotel Bethlehem deserves this recognition as they have demonstrated their leadership in hospitality as evidenced by their being named recipient of the 2019 Historic Hotels of America Best Historic Hotel (in the 76-200 room category).”
Voting started on July 19th and was open to the public for 4 weeks of daily voting. With the help of the Lehigh Valley Community, loyal guests and staff they were able to maintain #1 Best Historic Hotel throughout the entire voting period. The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee has traditionally held the #1 Best Historic Hotel position. Haines continues, “The Peabody is truly a nationally recognized luxury hotel. The Historic Hotel Bethlehem was built in 1921 as a Community Hotel for Bethlehem at the vision of Bethlehem Steel founder, Charles M. Schwab. He wanted a Grand Hotel to host his customers to compete with U.S. Steel’s Pittsburgh hotels. Schwab would be very proud to know that his vision was achieved 100 years later.”
Historic Hotel Bethlehem is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the heart of a National Historic Landmark District. A 125 room luxury boutique conference center hotel, this historic treasure is also a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. Today's guests can follow in the footsteps of numerous illustrious figures who have graced the halls of this historic hotel, including Amelia Earhart, Winston Churchill, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Shirley Temple, and Muhammad Ali. United States Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton have also stayed at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Experience world-class service, charming guest accommodations and award-winning cuisine, all on a site that has been warmly welcoming guests since 1741.
Read more about the history and heritage of the Historic Hotel Bethlehem here.
The Top 10 Hotels are as follows:
- Historic Hotel Bethlehem – Bethlehem, PA
- The Peabody Memphis – Memphis, TN
- Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa – Point Clear, AL
- Deer Path Inn – Lake Forest, IL
- Hotel Trundle – Columbia, SC
- Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, MI
- The Hermitage Hotel – Nashville, TN
- The Francis House – Calistoga, CA
- Wentworth Mansion – Charleston, SC
- The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, CO
About The 10Best Readers’ Choice Award
The 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest launches new categories every other Monday at noon, revealing each category's 20 nominees. After 4 weeks of voting, the contest closes on the 28th day at noon. On the Friday after voting ends, winners are revealed. Rules allow the public the right to vote online for one nominee per category, per day.
About USA Today
USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of more than 1.6 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 6.6 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than 16 million downloads on mobile devices. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc.
About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.
