Among the many hotels in the Lehigh Valley there are some that are rich in history and tradition. Be sure to stop by, stay for a time, and hear their stories:
Dolon House:
5 W Broadway
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
dolonhouse.com
An 1888 ‘Old Mauch Chunk’ Millionaire’s Mansion, this house retains much of its fabulous history through details like jeweled stained glass windows, stunning hand carved woodwork, the a grand staircase with its gas lighted newell post and the Italianesque mosaic entry floor. Now a fine inn, The Dolon House features the art, antiques and collections of four decades of travel by innkeepers Jeffri and Michael. Welcoming, comfortable and elegant along with all the service and amenities you would expect, your visit to Jim Thorpe will be special.
Sayre Mansion:
250 Wyandotte Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
sayremansion.com
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.
Stony Brook Inn Bed & Breakfast:
102 Worthington Avenue
Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356
stonybrookinn.com
The Stony Brook Inn’s original house was built in 1853 and was a private dwelling primarily used as a summer home. In 1930 the house was sold to Anton von Wening and in the mid ‘30s was turned into an inn – the Stony Brook Inn. Anton’s daughters Constance and Helen operated the inn until the mid ‘40s. It is told that these spinster sisters slept in the attic when the inn was full. Nice and cool in the summer under that old slate roof!
In 1945, the von Wenings sold Stony Brook to Karl and Miriam Dresdner whose initials are still on the old brass door-knocker on the front door. They had two children, Hedl and Philip, who spent many summers in Shawnee. During this period there were many changes to the house. The front door, then facing Worthington Street, was replaced by a bay window across from the big old stone fireplace in the living room. The new front door replaced a small porch area and now faces River Road. The kitchen, complete with a big iron coal stove, was converted into the existing dining room. Fred Waring designed the step-downs from the front living room into the dining area.
After Karl Dresdner died, Miriam summered here until the mid ‘70s, after which Hedl, Philip, and their families used it sparingly until it was sold to Malcolm and Beverly Waring in 1983. Malcolm, the son of Fred Waring of “Pennsylvanians” fame, and Bev added some “creature comforts” including the heated swimming pool and spacious deck in the back yard.
In May 2000, we purchased the property and decided to grace Shawnee Village with a new Bed & Breakfast with an old name – Stony Brook Inn.
Stroudsmoor Country Inn:
257 Stroudsmoor Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
stroudsmoor.com
Stroudsmoor Country Inn is an all-inclusive resort located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. This boutique hotel has a storied history dating back to 1984, when the Pirone Family purchased Stroudsmoor with a vision and a dream. The once 150-acre property has grown in size and scope to 200 acres and 22 buildings including six dedicated event and wedding venues.
Intimate, individualized, inspirational – one-of-a kind, exceptional, and distinctive – all terms to describe what a Boutique Resort aspires to be. Stroudsmoor, after nearly 40-years in business under the direction of the Pirone family, has achieved the title of Boutique Resort. Its history is built on the property’s many stunning vistas, stock to striking amenities, award-winning staff, historic and history-inspired venues, and the varied vintage-chic guest accommodations offered to travelers and event guests. Seated high atop the Pocono Mountain Range overlooking Cherry Valley Wildlife Refuge, Stroudsmoor manages to transform guests to a time when simple pleasures like watching leaves turn, feeling a gentle breeze and warm sunshine, and connecting with Mother Earth, family, and friends were most important. To these glorious pleasures, the Inn adds fine dining, spa and salon services, fitness and relaxation facilities, technology, art, and old-world hospitality, combined with charm and a refinement decades of experience has cultivated.
