Hotel Bethlehem

The premium room was roomy, comfortable, and nicely appointed, and we could walk safely to many of Bethlehem’s historic sights. We were in town for the holiday festivities and stayed one night. The Christmas decorations were beautiful, and despite a busy weekend with several weddings, the lively lobby and lounges added to the festive feel. Bellman Barry welcomed us as soon as we arrived, and the staff were lovely throughout. A great treat for a stay.

We spent New Year’s Eve at Hotel Bethlehem and the two-band setup made the night. We started upstairs with the Motown-style band at the Masquerade, then went down to the first floor and danced with the younger crowd. Having separate music for the two groups was a brilliant idea. The masks and dressing up gave the evening an elegant touch, and the food and service were great. The first floor looked impeccable for the holidays, and our bedroom had a lovely mix of historic character and modern comfort. We’d taken a horse carriage ride in the late afternoon, which was a nice way to set the mood. It made me wonder if Hotel Bethlehem might offer rides in partnership with someone when the weather allows. It was our first visit, and we’d happily come back.

The sides were the best part of the meal, and the hotel itself is an impressive historic landmark, worth an extra star. The service was uneven, though. With each course, the servers seemed to have trouble getting the right dish to the right person. My Caesar salad was uninspired, and I’d swear the dressing was commercial, maybe Ken’s. I ordered my steak medium rare, but it arrived closer to medium well. It was bland and not very tender, and nobody checked whether it was cooked properly. The salted caramel cake was only okay and seemed like a commercial frozen dessert that had been thawed. My espresso came cold in a standard coffee cup. On the food alone, I’d give it 2 stars. Hotel Bethlehem can do better.

For our stay at the Historic Bethlehem Hotel, we paid $427 a night and were on the 6th floor. There are two lounges and a restaurant on the first floor, plus ballrooms on the first and second floors. The whole experience was easily five stars, and this could be a lovely place to propose. The surrounding area has plenty to do for a weekend getaway, or really any time. Downtown Bethlehem has diverse shops and restaurants, including a pastry shop, and you can tour the historic area by horse-drawn wagon. There are also festivals throughout the year. We took the shuttle bus to the historic steel mill shopping area, which costs $7 to get in. Inside and out there are acres of things to explore: cheese shops, wineries, distilleries, a huge indoor tent, food vendors, outdoor seating, and domed dining areas. There are lodging choices for people on a tighter budget too.