The Wilbur Mansion boutique hotel opened in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in December 2022 with a cheerful beacon for the town. Inspired by co-owner Lynn Noble’s passion for “the power of a smile” (she gave a TEDx talk titled the same) is a 12-foot metal smiley face sculpture installed on the property grounds.
The Gothic Revival-style mansion, built in the 1860s, was home to Lehigh Valley Railroad President E.P. Wilbur and his family, and still retains some of its original ornate millwork and stained glass.
Each of the hotel’s nine guest rooms has its own unique features, from artfully preserved bathroom tile work to marble fireplaces, soaking tubs, a rainfall shower and views of Bethlehem’s SteelStacks and the Lehigh River. All include luxury cotton bedding, a TV, Keurig coffee maker, desk and sustainably sourced toiletries.
The Wilbur’s restaurant—open Wednesday through Sunday nights, and for Sunday brunch—features a seasonally inspired menu along with handcrafted cocktails. Don’t miss the mushroom risotto with Parmesan and fresh black Perigord truffle, a local favorite.
As Noble and her husband (and business partner) John oversaw the construction of the mansion’s adjacent event space on the site of an old Masonic temple, they learned from the local Audubon Society that the building’s chimney was an important nesting spot for swifts, a species of migratory birds. They revised construction plans to save the structure, and the swifts have continued to return, typically arriving in April to perform their swirling formations before diving into the chimney.
Given the Wilbur’s popularity as a wedding and event destination in warmer seasons, the winter months are ideal for a cozy weekend escape. Rates begin at $221.
201 Cherokee St., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 610-419-1101