BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Historic Hotel Bethlehem has chosen a new general manager who will be just the second woman to lead the 104-year-old cherished tourism spot and first in 40 years.
Kelly Ronalds, who has worked at the hotel for 16 years, most recently as director of room sales and guest experience, will take the reins Feb. 1, the hotel said in a release.
“Kelly has earned this promotion through years of hard work and creative vision. I’m confident she will lead our hotel reputation to even greater success than she already has.”Bruce Haines, who will become Hotel Bethlehem's managing partner
Bruce Haines, who led the hotel's day-to-day operations for the past five years while rebuilding the business and management team post-COVID-19, will remain as managing partner, according to the release.
Haines has been with Hotel Bethlehem since 2002. He was an investor who helped Christmas City Hotel Corp. buy the then-shuttered hotel in 1998.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem's only other female general manager was Elizabeth Emslander, whom Bethlehem Steel (which owned the hotel at the time) appointed in 1981.
“Kelly has earned this promotion through years of hard work and creative vision," Haines said. "I’m confident she will lead our hotel reputation to even greater success than she already has.”
Ronalds said, “I am humbled to accept this promotion. I look forward to leading the team at this iconic hotel that I love so much in this city that I adore.
"You won’t find a better team in hospitality than the one we have here at Hotel B. It’s truly a privilege to be a part of it.”
'Destination marketing savvy unmatched'
Ronalds will have a strong focus on national marketing benefiting both the hotel and the city, Haines said.
Ronalds joined Historic Hotel Bethlehem in 2010 as director of sales.
She was promoted to director of room sales and guest experience in 2021. That role included overseeing the front desk, bell staff and housekeeping.
In 2022, marketing and public relations came under her purview.
Ronalds' leadership was instrumental in the hotel’s five consecutive USA Today No. 1 Best Hotel/Resort wins and in Bethlehem’s No. 1 Best Main Street victory.Bruce Haines, Historic Hotel Bethlehem managing partner
She first started working at hotels while in college, according to the release, and early in her career was director of sales and marketing for the Allentown Hilton. She later was director of sales for Discover Lehigh Valley.
As general manager, Ronalds plans to focus on promoting the hotel and Historic Bethlehem as a national and international tourism destination, according to the release.
“Her destination marketing savvy is unmatched,” Haines said.
He said her leadership was instrumental in the hotel’s five consecutive USA Today No. 1 Best Hotel/Resort wins and in Bethlehem’s No. 1 Best Main Street victory.
New role as managing partner
Haines joined Hotel Bethlehem with Christmas City Hotel, a group of nine investors — most with local ties by virtue of attending Lehigh University — who bought the hotel at a bankruptcy sale.
Haines personally oversaw the conversion of the Extended Stay Suites & Spa, across the street from the Hotel at 462 Main St., while rebranding the expanded property as a nationally recognized “Luxury Historic Destination Hotel.”
As managing partner, Haines will continue to have financial and human resources oversight, along with crafting the next strategic initiatives.Historic Hotel Bethlehem release
As managing partner, he will continue to have financial and human resources oversight, along with crafting the next strategic initiatives.
Before COVID, Dennis Costello was general manager for 15 years. Costello retired in 2021.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem has 125 guest rooms, two restaurants, two ballrooms and seven meeting rooms.
It also has nine Extended Stay Suites, an executive conference center, ladies' boutique shoppe, Steel Magnolia Spa & Salon, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop and the Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor, serving Penn State Creamery ice cream.
