Historic Historic Hotel Bethlehem has been named the #1 Best Historic Hotel in the Country by USA TODAY for its 10BEST 2021 Readers Choice Awards. This is the third year that the hotel has been nominated for this annual national recognition. In 2019 the hotel was named #3; 2020 #2; and being recognized as #1 for 2021.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem was one of 20 Hotels once again nominated by a panel of experts based on their expertise of historic hotels. Historic Hotel Bethlehem was the only hotel nominated from Pennsylvania. The top 10 hotels were then chosen by popular vote and awarded the 10 Best Readers Choice Award.

“What a fitting tribute for all of us to achieve this distinction during our 100th anniversary celebration,” says Bruce A. Haines, managing partner for Historic Hotel Bethlehem. “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.”

“Historic Hotel Bethlehem deserves this recognition as they have demonstrated their leadership in hospitality, as evidenced by their 2019 award by Historic Hotels of America #1 Best Hotel (76-200 rooms),” says Larry Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide.

Voting started July 19 and was open to the public for four 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, Tenn., has traditionally held the #1 Best Historic Hotel position.

“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.”

The Top 10 Hotels

1. Historic Hotel Bethlehem – Bethlehem, Pa.

2. The Peabody Memphis – Memphis, Tenn.

3. Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa – Point Clear, Ala.

4. Deer Path Inn – Lake Forest, Ill.

5. Hotel Trundle – Columbia, S.C.

6. Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, Mich.

7. The Hermitage Hotel – Nashville, Tenn.

8. The Francis House – Calistoga, Calif.

9. Wentworth Mansion – Charleston, S.C.

10. The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, Colo.