Historic Hotel Bethlehem announced today that General Manager, Dennis J. Costello, will be retiring at the end of the month after a record 15 year tenure. Costello has been the longest serving General Manager in history at Hotel Bethlehem since it opened in 1922. During his period he has created a strong work ethic for the company while directing an extraordinary growth story that has added memorable milestones to the Hotels history.
Costello started his career at the New Orleans Hilton as a Desk Clerk, and within a year became the Assistant Director of Front Office Operations for the 1,600 room 4 star/4 diamond property. At the time it was the largest 4-diamond Hotel in the United States. Dennis later moved to Omni properties, starting a career at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing, New York as the Front Office Manager. Shortly thereafter he moved to Chicago as Rooms Manager at The Omni Ambassador East for five years. Costello worked at the Grenelefe Resort & Conference Center in Haines City, Florida as Executive Assistant Manager/Rooms Manager. At the time, the property was 1000 units, 3 golf courses and a tennis academy being one of the most ideal resorts in Central Florida. Dennis continued his career with GF Hotels for 15 years as their General Manager at the Richmond Hilton, Charlotte Hilton and Sheraton Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia among other properties. Before starting at Hotel Bethlehem in 2005, he was General Manager at the Chateau Resort & Conference Center in the Poconos for 6 years.
Hotel Bethlehem has achieved numerous awards over the last 15 years including:
- Best Hotel and Banquet Facility for Who’s Who from Lehigh Valley Style for over 10 years
- #1 Hotel in the Lehigh Valley on TripAdvisor for over 8 years
- #1 Best Historic Hotel for 76-200 rooms in 2019 by Historic Hotels of America
- #2 Best Historic Hotel in the Country by USA Today for 2020
- #9 Top Hotel in the Mid-Atlantic for Conde Nast Travelers 2020
- AAA Inspectors Best Housekeeping Award for 2020
- Top 100 Brunches in the Country by OpenTable 2020
In 2013, Dennis J. Costello was named Hotelier of the Year by Historic Hotels of America.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem became a proud member of Historic Hotels of America in 2005 and Costello has been an Executive Board Member for 10 years. He’s been a past President and on the board for 14 years of Discover Lehigh Valley. Costello serves on the board of Northampton Community College’s Hospitality Program. The Hotel has had the opportunity to build relationships with each organization due to Costello’s experience in the hospitality industry and his pronounced knowledge working in many 4-diamond quality Hotels over the last 45 years.
“Dennis has been a trusted partner and confidant in our goal to restore the Hotel to its original national stature. He has been instrumental in attaining national recognition for the Hotel,” Bruce Haines, Owner and Hotel Managing Partner, states about Costello’s years of employment at the Hotel. “His steady hand at the helm throughout this period has transformed our iconic Hotel to its rightful position among this country’s finest Boutique Conference Center Hotels. I truly thank Dennis for his continued loyalty and dedication in accomplishing our mutual objectives during these 15 years.”
In 2008 the Hotel put out a press release seeking past employees who had worked at the Hotel and wanted to hear their stories. Dennis was quoted in that press release with the following, “The associates of the Hotel Bethlehem are what make this a special place to visit, it has been that way for decades, it only makes sense to go back and get some of those stories” says Mr. Costello in 2008. “Who better to tell the history of the hotel, than its staff.” In the last 15 years Dennis Costello has worked with hundreds of employees at the Hotel and has given each of them a story to continue to tell about their experience while working at Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
Brynn Levine, the Hotel’s Marketing Manager, has had the pleasure of working with Dennis Costello for almost 12 years now at Hotel Bethlehem. “Mr. Costello has been my General Manager for over the last decade and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor at the Hotel,” says Levine. “I started at the front desk of the Hotel and worked my way up, learning about the hospitality industry with his guidance.”
About Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Historic Hotel Bethlehem is located in Bethlehem, Pa. in the heart of a National Historic Landmark District. The Hotel is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. Experience world-class service, charming guest accommodations and award-winning cuisine, all on a site that has been warmly welcoming guests since 1741.
Learn more about Historic Hotel Bethlehem here.
