BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at America's No. 1 historic hotel.
That means a mission accomplished for interior designer Anthony Sierra.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem, the majestic 102-year-old accommodations establishment in the heart of the city's downtown, last week unveiled its new Christmas decorations.
"This place is like decorating a palace."Interior designer Anthony Sierra
"We start in January, planning and buying" decorations, said Sierra, a Parsons School of Design graduate. "Then over the summer, everything has to be shipped and unpacked.
"For the past week, I've been here from about 5 a.m. until 9 at night. This place is like decorating a palace."
On a recent day, he treaded lightly as he walked through each room of the hotel, careful as to not move or disrupt anything in the holiday display.
Every holly branch was placed strategically. Every light angled to achieve maximum brightness.
For Sierra, it's all about the details.
His pride in his multiroom creation was obvious, but he remained humble.
"There are so many hands that go into this," he said. "It's so much more than me."
This year was the second that Sierra decorated the hotel, along with design partner Ty Cundey.
New year, new themes
Sierra said last year's display was all about cohesion.
"It was very in-your-face Christmas," he said. "Lots of reds, greens — the colors you associate with Christmas."
This year, each room of Historic Hotel Bethlehem has a different story to tell.
In 1741 On The Terrace, the hotel's restaurant, it feels as if you're enjoying coffee or lunch in a snow-caked French courtyard, under the watchful eye of majestic owls and pesky elves.
Although the orange slices and cinnamon sticks adorning the shelves are fake, they look so real you can almost smell them.
"Everything is important, but the lobby is your first impression."Interior designer Anthony Sierra
In the Mural Ballroom, you can wander through a frosted wonderland, chilled from the icicles and snowflakes hanging off a white Christmas tree. (They're actually made from crystals.)
In the lobby, you have a 360-degree view of it all. Above the lobby on top of the mezzanine is a peaceful nativity scene, reminding visitors of the reason for the season.
Sierra said the lobby is his favorite part of the display, because it's the first thing people take in upon entering the hotel.
"Everything is important, but the lobby is your first impression," he said.
Sierra said he took much inspiration from two of his favorite things: Newport, Rhode Island, and the HBO Max series "The Gilded Age,” which follows characters living in New York splendor at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
"Newport is known for its hydrangeas, so you'll see lots of those," he said as he pointed to bushels of the flower attached to the lobby Christmas tree.
"There are also gilt leaves and flowers, to make you think of the Gilded Age. Very subtle, but very opulent design."
Compliments from Santa Claus
Sierra said that since the display's completion, the response from the community has been very positive.
"Everyone has been so amazing and kind," he said. "It's overwhelming."
Even the Big Guy himself was impressed with the holiday display.
"How lucky we are that [Sierra] brought [his magic] to the hotel. It looks so good."Actor Danny Roebuck
Danny Roebuck, who was at the hotel following a successful premiere of his new film "Saint Nick of Bethlehem,"shared some accolades for Sierra and his team — and some behind-the-scenes insight.
"How lucky we are that [Sierra] brought [his magic] to the hotel," Roebuck said. "It looks so good."
He noted "Saint Nick of Bethlehem'" was shot "here in the Lehigh Valley, and there was a scene in 1741 On The Terrace."
"Sierra came in a few days early to decorate," Roebuck said. "I am so blessed and honored to have his work in the movie."
Looking at Sierra, he said, "People are going crazy over the movie, and you are an integral part of that."
Sierra grinned ear to ear.
