Sayre Mansion

Description:

The Sayre Mansion has been a landmark in Bethlehem, PA since 1858. The first mansion of its kind in the city’s prestigious Fountain Hill neighborhood was built for one of Bethlehem’s most prominent citizens, Robert Heysham Sayre. Meticulous restoration of the property transformed The Sayre Mansion into a stunning inn designed to host guests in the grand tradition of its founder, Robert Sayre who gained renown as chief engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. We are proud to have attained distinction among Historic Hotels of America. We see ourselves as stewards of this grand home and staff members act as historians preserving and sharing the heritage of the building with guests.

There are 19 guest rooms within the mansion and four suites located in the former Carriage House. Many spaces retain original touches such as the vaulted ceiling, chandelier and floor to ceiling bookshelves of the mansion’s former library. Additional architectural details of the Gothic Revival style mansion include gold-leaf ceiling, fireplaces with marble surround and intricate woodwork throughout. The Conservatory is possibly the most distinctive room at the Inn. A glass roof spans the entire depth of the house giving this rooftop refuge a 180-degree bird’s eye view of Bethlehem. The glass roof is also original to the home and was once the crowning feature of Robert Sayre’s library.

The Inn sits on two-pristine acres in the heart of Bethlehem. Guest spaces such as the formal parlor and dining room boast antique furnishings, photos of the Sayre family and reminders from the mansion’s past. An atmosphere of old-world elegance permeates throughout while guests enjoy all the amenities of a modern boutique hotel. Guestrooms are dressed in fine linens; each features a private bath and refined furnishings. To accommodate the needs of today’s world, there’s an onsite business center, meeting room and electric car charger as well as free high-Speed Wi-Fi and complimentary access to the nearby Steel Fitness Center Riverport.

Offerings at the Inn tap into mansion’s legacy and pay tribute to its roots. Thursday Afternoon Tea is a popular weekly event in the grand tradition of the great estates of the 19th century. The traditional tea service in the formal dining room features delicate finger sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts. The Founder’s Table lets visitors dine in the same surroundings where some of the area’s most notable industrial magnates such as Robert Sayre and Asa Packer held court. In-house caterer Karen Hunter prepares a sumptuous six-course meal for 8-18 guests that’s served in the privacy of the mansion’s formal dining room.

Distinctive lodging and superior hospitality are the hallmarks of The Sayre Mansion. Our goal is to transport guests to an era of elegance without sacrificing the conveniences of today. We firmly believe preserving the treasures of the past will pave the way for the future.

TOURS
Complimentary mansion tours are available by appointment only. Contact Sarah Trimmer, Senior Director of Hospitality, to inquire.

ANNUAL EVENTS – 2025
Mayfire Witches Victorian Garden Faire – May 10
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea – May 11
Independence Day Celebration – July 4
Sapphyre – September
A Haunting at Sayre: Paranormal Arts & Oddities – October 11