Historic Hotel Bethlehem Names Kelly Ronalds as General Manager; Bruce Haines Remains as Managing Partner

Jan. 30, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Historic Hotel Bethlehem is promoting Kelly Ronalds to General Manager as of Feb. 1. She will focus on national marketing that will bring guests to the hotel and the city, according to a hotel statement.

Bruce Haines will remain as Managing Partner.

Ronalds has worked at the hotel since 2010, most recently as Director of Room Sales and Guest Experience.

“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,” Haines said in the hotel’s press release.

Haines led day-to-day operations for the past five years, rebuilding the business after the COVID-19 pandemic. He oversaw the conversion of the Extended Stay Suites at 462 Main St., across from the hotel. As Managing Partner, he oversees the hotel’s financial and human-resources operations.

Before the pandemic, Dennis Costello was GM for 15 years. He retired in 2021.

Ronalds will be the first female general manager in 40 years. Elizabeth Elmslander was appointed GM in 1981, when Bethlehem Steel owned the hotel.

“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,” Ronalds said.

“Her destination marketing savvy is unmatched,” Haines said. “Kelly’s leadership has been instrumental in the hotel’s five consecutive USA Today #1 Best Hotel/Resort wins and in Bethlehem’s #1 Best Main Street victory.” 

Ronalds worked earlier at the Allentown Hilton, and for Discover Lehigh Valley. She joined the Historic Hotel Bethlehem in 2010 as director of sales. Ronalds is a Bethlehem resident, with two adult children and two grandsons.

The Historic Hotel Bethlehem is adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Moravian Bethlehem site. The hotel is just over a century old and has 125 guest rooms, two restaurants, two ballrooms and seven meeting rooms. It also has nine extended-stay suites, a conference center, shop, spa, Grand Joe’s Candy Shop and the Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor.

The hotel was closed in 1998 and could have been converted into housing for senior citizens or college students. Instead, the Christmas City LLC investor group was formed by Haines to acquire the hotel and keep it going.

During the time the hotel was closed, the viability of Bethlehem’s Historic Down was in doubt. The hotel is the anchor of downtown, particularly during the Christmas season. Its roster of famous guests includes Winston Church, John F. Kennedy, Jack Nicklaus and Billy Joel.

The hotel is affiliated with Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

See hotelbethlehem.com for more information.