Featured Image: Historic Hotel Bethlehem front desk – foyer (photo provided by the Historic Hotel Bethlehem)

BETHLEHEM, PA – October 19, 2020 – Christmas is arriving early this year in Bethlehem as it will for Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The Hotel is expected to be completely decorated for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving this year to accommodate guests coming in early for the Christmas Season. They felt it was necessary to kick off their holiday season early like ArtsQuest and the Downtown Bethlehem have done with their Christmas markets.

The Hotel is professionally decorated by designers Gary Berger and Robert Averill, who have decorated the hotel lobby, restaurants, grand ballroom, meeting spaces, and exterior of the Hotel for the last 15 years. This year will be no different for them, except they have to start early and at “super-elf” speed to finish this enormous job by mid-November. Together they design the elaborate displays that highlight the hotel’s ornate architectural features, and organize their set-up along with the hotel’s engineering staff.

“We have always sought to make Christmas at the Hotel a truly magical experience for visitors to Bethlehem. This year will be more challenging to manage this annual experience”
says Bruce Haines, Managing Partner.

The Hotel will be requiring all guests to have a reservation before entering the Hotel. This will help the staff and the management team manage the crowds coming into the Hotel during their busiest season. In years past the Hotel would have opened their doors to thousands of guests per day to view their decorations, dine with them or enjoy cocktails in their grand ole’ lobby. Unfortunately, that will not be the case for the 2020 Christmas Season.  Guests are encouraged to make dining reservations in advance on OpenTable for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Overnight accommodations at the Hotel can be made directly by calling the Hotel at 610-625-5000. The Hotel is offering some great packages for those looking for a one night stay or weekend get-away! If locals or guests visiting Bethlehem are looking to view the breath-taking decorations throughout the Hotel, they must make a reservation in advance on EventBrite for a self-guided tour. Tours are limited, so reserving early is strongly encouraged.

Dennis Costello, General Manager of Hotel Bethlehem, states “The primary purpose for reservations this year is to ensure the safety of our staff and Hotel guests. This means taking a proactive role to better control the flow of visitors in our lobby and throughout the Hotel. It is not our intention to preclude from experiencing our decorations but this action is a necessary one this Christmas season.”

Historic Hotel Bethlehem is located in Bethlehem, Pa. in the heart of a National Historic Landmark District. The Hotel is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America, and achieved USA Today’s #2 Best Historic Hotel in 2020. Experience world-class service, charming guest accommodations and award-winning cuisine, all on a site that has been warmly welcoming guests since 1741. www.HotelBethlehem.com

Historic Hotel Bethlehem – Christmas Decorations Fun Facts

• More than 35,000 Christmas lights are used
• Over 1,000 hours of labor are needed to complete the decorations
• 20 sparkling Christmas trees throughout the hotel
• Two 16 ft. trees in the lobby
• 36 wreaths
• Six 7 ft. toy soldiers
• Nativity scene by St. Joseph’s Studio
• Every tree is recreated every year
• The Mural Ballroom is designed with a gold and silver classic Christmas theme
• A handcrafted gingerbread replica of Hotel Bethlehem is on display in the lobby

 

Information Provided By:
Brynn Levine | Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Marketing Manager
Facebook: facebook.com/hotelbethlehem | Twitter: twitter.com/hotelbethlehem

 

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