After a “grand slam” fourth win in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Hotel contest in 2024, the Historic Hotel Bethlehem is among the 20 properties nominated in 2025 for the best historic hotel/resort award.

Hotel management and staff, representatives of the Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites, IronPigs team mascot FeRROUS and hotel guests learned of the 2025 nomination at a midday announcement July 7.

Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites docent Keith Sten received the honor of casting the first vote just seconds after USA Today announced the nominations.

Bruce Haines, hotel managing partner, said, “Only 1% of USA Today winners across all categories have earned the honor for five consecutive years.”

Haines recited all of the great things that have happened since 2024’s “grand slam” win, noting the No. 1 Main Street Award from USA Today and Bethlehem’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Looking for a five-star review, the Historic Hotel Bethlehem and Main Street anchor has a number of promotions scheduled, said Kelly Ronalds, hotel director of room sales and guest experiences.

A five-star search at local businesses, guests who have five-star experiences at the hotel, five-star service awards given by guests to exemplary employees, promotional voting at home games of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and a ceremonial first pitch at an IronPigs home game, which was held July 20, are designed to enhance community support during the voting period. A special five-star dessert, the Five Star S’more, is available at the hotel during the four-week voting period.

The current nomination of the Historic Hotel Bethlehem is the seventh straight, and the hotel is the only hotel/resort to win four in a row.

“When you get up in the morning, please vote,” Haines said. “Go to votehotelb.com and vote each day for the next four weeks.”

The winners will be announced by USA Today noon Aug. 13.