And now, that very property has just been named the Best Historic Hotel in America.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, just earned the No. 1 spot on USA Today’s 10 Best list of historic hotels and resorts, topping destinations across the country from Virginia to Washington.
280+ years of history, all under one roof
Few hotels in the U.S. can claim such a sweeping story.
It all began in 1741 when Moravian missionaries built Bethlehem’s very first structure on this site — a humble log cabin that served as a gathering space for the new community.
By 1794, the Golden Eagle Hotel rose here, becoming a popular stopover for stagecoach travelers and merchants along the busy Easton-to-Bethlehem route.
For more than a century, it welcomed guests before being transformed into a convalescence home for World War I soldiers, who recovered within its walls after returning from Europe.
In 1922, the present Hotel Bethlehem was constructed, ushering in a new Jazz Age era of glamour. Its guest books read like a who’s who of American history:
- U.S. presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton.
- Celebrities like Henry Ford, Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, and even Amelia Earhart.
- Hollywood icons including Shirley Temple, Bob Hope, and Marlon Brando.
The hotel became Bethlehem’s crown jewel, a gathering place for steel executives, dignitaries, and artists — even cementing the city’s nickname as “Christmas City, USA” thanks to its Moravian roots and festive traditions.
What it’s like to stay at Historic Hotel Bethlehem today
While history lingers in every corner of the Lower Lobby (where exhibits tell the story of the property’s past), staying at Hotel Bethlehem is anything but outdated. Guests today will find:
- 125+ restored rooms and suites, equipped with fiber-optic Wi-Fi and Keurig coffee makers.
- Two award-winning restaurants—1741 on the Terrace and the Tap Room— serving locally sourced dishes with sweeping views of Historic Main Street.
- Panoramic vistas of Historic Main Street (ranked among the nation’s Top 10 Main Streets), Lehigh University, Moravian University, and the glowing Star of Bethlehem.
- Elegant ballrooms and event spaces, making it a popular choice for weddings, galas, and conferences.
The perfect NYC escape
Best of all? You don’t have to fly across the country to experience it.
Bethlehem, PA is only about 90 minutes from New York City by car, making Hotel Bethlehem an easy weekend escape.
With cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and plenty of charm, it’s a destination that feels worlds away from Manhattan — without ever needing to board a plane.
