Philadelphia’s Bellevue Hotel Hosts Historic Hotels of America Reception
The event’s venue is the only Philadelphia hotel on the National Register of Historical Places and was awarded the distinction in 1977.
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
Philadelphia’s iconic Bellevue Hotel (also included on the Historic Hotels of America registry) hosted 14 other such accommodations winners from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for what was billed as a Philadelphia and Media Marketplace Luncheon.
How does a single location, specifically the Bellevue’s 12th floor’s conservatory, fit ’em all in? Simple: these 15 lodging gems located across the country sent their very best representatives along with the necessary items to create alluring table scapes filled with theme-related décor, pamphlets and other literature along with freebie mementos for attending media folk. In doing so, it resembled an authentic check-in (so-to-speak) at the hotels’ actual locations. I was transported (of sorts) to Maine, New York, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia and other states without ever leaving Philadelphia, returning home in time to feed my cats sans having to arrange for a sitter.
Essentially, the speed-dating model was employed to introduce participating hotels’ offerings by getting the word out to a larger audience through social and other media exposure. “Come one, come all … explore us and our cities” could’ve been the reception’s mantra. The purpose and mission of such hotels is to “promote cultural and heritage travel to prestigious historic treasures.” Here are just a few of these treasures that intrigued and enticed us:
Lord Baltimore Hotel (1928) Baltimore, Maryland
Portland Regency Hotel & Spa (1895) Portland, Maine
The Nittany Lion Inn (1940) State College, Pennsylvania
The Redbury New York (1903) New York, New York
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City (1911) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
We began the morning with a coffee reception, including an array of fresh and tempting breakfast foods. Thirty minutes later, we were escorted to tables and informed how to navigate the fifteen-minute interval exchanges. Green-lighted, we were off to the races, jockeying for seats and mini-interviews before changing up … much like that chair game in which a group circles chairs and must find a seat when the accompanying music stops. The representatives were eager to sell us on their products (read: establishments) and offer wares. If our prep work lacked specific questions at stop watch-like start times, we could listen attentively to the enthusiastic presentations while taking notes. I collected business cards of the hotels I particularly want to visit in the future. This speedo-like operation went on for approximately an hour and was followed by the gourmet luncheon portion of the program.
As to be expected with a reputation that precedes itself, the Bellevue Hotel delivered a luncheon to rave about. And wax ecstatic we did. In between bites of the sumptuous repast, we introduced ourselves to our table mates and discussed our various experiences with the hoteliers. Historic Hotels hosts included Executive Director Lawrence P. Horowitz, Director of Sales and Development Michael P. DiRienzo and Director Kate Anthony, Group Sales Preferred Hotels & Resorts Mid-Atlantic US. On hand was Senior Manager Heather C. Taylor, Marketing and Communications, welcoming we media and providing commentary at the podium. Bellevue Hotel principals also took to the microphone to speak as well as to award raffle-based gifts.
As many Philadelphians and visitors to Center City already know, the Bellevue Hotel property houses XIX (NINETEEN), its “modern seasonal restaurant” located on the 19th floor and can boast one of the most breathtaking views of the Philly skyline. Farm-to-table ingredients make the cuisine stand out, and the specialty cocktails are especially creative. Don’t miss this gem within a gem. And remember during your travels to hop planes, trains and automobiles in pursuit of the others mentioned here. Experience the real deals in more than 15-minute intervals!
For further information and more photographs of the Historic Hotels of America, visit historichotels.org
I’ve got this thing for chandeliers; this one at the Bellevue is a beaut.
Of course there’s a conservatory at the elegant Bellevue Hotel.
Time to vicariously experience “prestigious historic treasures.”
The Bellevue Hotel’s conservatory shows off one of its many attributes in this stunner of a fountain.
Attendees and hotel representatives mosey in and help themselves to breakfast refreshments while meeting and greeting.
Media invitees hear welcome remarks and learn we’re about to begin speed dating-like interaction with Historic Hotels’ reps.
The Bellevue Hotel (1904) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Each of the Historic Hotels table scapes were location and individually themed.
The Don CeSar (1928) St. Pete Beach, Florida
Jekyll Island Club Resort (1887) Jekyll Island, Georgia
The Inn at Leola Village, Est. 1867 – Leola, Pennsylvania, The Glasbern Country Inn and The Hotel Warner reppin’ the Lehigh Valley and West Chester, Pennsylvania
Hotel DuPont (1913) Wilmington, Delaware
Hotels are clearly big business; there’s much information to exchange in 15-minute intervals.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem (1922) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Returning to our tables, we review printed material collected during the whirlwind of meet and greets.
Lovely greens’ combo as luncheon starter is always a winner. The light application of dressing married perfectly.
With all of the running between tables, I needed the protein from this delish dish.
There’s one in every crowd … a king, that is. Some are more obvious than others.
And the winners are … there are always winners when generous hospitality abounds.
Ending an exceptional luncheon on a sweet note with a delightfully swirled and creamy concoction.
