BETHLEHEM, Pa. — “Vote-Hotel-B-dot-com!” rang out through the lobby of Hotel Bethlehem Monday morning.
Staff and supporters of the more-than-100-year-old Main Street hotel were joined by Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ mascot FeFe to announce an all-new “bases loaded” partnership and more.
USA Today newspaper nominated the hotel for its sixth consecutive run at the Best Historic Hotel in America title — a recognition the luxury landmark has brought home the past three years in a row.
“These awards are so much more than recognition for the hotel. They recognize the community and the spirit that built this landmark and brought it back to life when it nearly shut down for good in the 90s.”Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines
Now’s the time for Bethlehem and the broader Lehigh Valley to step up to the plate, hotel officials said.
“Winning this again would be like having the bases loaded and hitting the home run for our community,” Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines said.
“So I’ve been saying we’re going for the grand slam this year.”
And making a run at the 2024 title goes beyond the walls of the hotel, he said.
“These awards are so much more than recognition for the hotel,” Haines said.
“They recognize the community and the spirit that built this landmark and brought it back to life when it nearly shut down for good in the '90s.”
Campaign details, how to vote
Heading to see the IronPigs play anytime soon?
Here’s what you’ll see at the ballpark during the voting campaign set to run at votehotelb.com until 11:59 a.m. Aug. 5:
- At Wednesday’s game, Haines will be joined by Ryan Crookham, esteemed Lehigh University wrestler and the hotel’s community ambassador, in throwing the first pitch
- Team leadership, mascots FeRROUS and FeFe as well as Haines will hold a pregame ceremony announcing the voting campaign
- When the IronPigs have bases loaded, a QR code will be displayed on the big screen, featuring a link to the voting website and more information
- Hear voting details during defensive lineup announcements
Individuals may vote once daily through the next 28 days.
“Each day, think about taking a step up to bat in honor a great memory you, your family and friends have made at the hotel,” Haines said.
“From special dinners to proms and weddings, everyone in the Valley has some kind of connection to Historic Hotel Bethlehem.”
Fierce competition
Nineteen other hotels were nominated for the title, including Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey; The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee; Williamsburg Inn in Williamsburg, Virginia; The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, California; and Hotel El Convento in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes said the competition is steep for Hotel B, but the win is within reach if locals and beyond pitch in.
"It’s kind of like the seventh game of the World Series. Our beloved local landmark is up against some of the best hotels in America. The bases are loaded, and we need everyone to come together to bring home the bacon to the Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem.”Lehigh Valley IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes
“It’s kind of like the seventh game of the World Series,” Landes said.
“Our beloved local landmark is up against some of the best hotels in America. The bases are loaded, and we need everyone to come together to bring home the bacon to the Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem.”
A panel of hotel experts chose the 20 hotels in the running because each “has witnessed a great deal of history, and each has held true to its historic roots and unique sense of place,” according to USA Today’s 10Best.
