The Hotel Bethlehem's 'Room With A Boo'

hotelchatter - Four ghosts have reportedly taken up residence at the historic Hotel Bethlehem but instead of conducting exorcisms or ghost evictions, the hotel has embraced these "guests" by offering up a special hotel room that's supposed to witness all the paranormal activity.

So who's haunting this place? The most well-known guest during the days of the Eagle Hotel, Hotel Bethlehem's predecessor, was May Yohe. The actress/singer was born in the hotel, which her grandpa owned, in April 1866. As a child, Yohe would sing and dance for guests in the lobby.

Even though she ended up performing in Europe in her later life and subsequently married and left Lord Francis Clinton (the owner of the Hope Diamond), Yohe was supposedly most happiest in life at The Eagle. So she may have chose to return there in the afterlife as people say they hear her singing in the lobby.

And randomly, she's been seen chilling in the exercise room. Ghosts need to work on their fitness, who knew?

The oldest guest, Francis "Daddy" Thomas, has been spotted in the hotel's boiler room. Back in the day, Thomas served as the town tour guide, tending to visitors. He died in April 1822, but it's said that he stays in the hotel to continue his work of welcoming tourists, though if he came to wish us a how-do-you-do, we'd book it outta there.

In the Eagle days, its owners, the Moravian Church, weren't happy with the landlords, Mr. and Mrs. Brong. The Mr. constantly got drunk with the guests and the Mrs. had a predilection for running around without shoes or stockings—scandalous, we know. So the church booted the couple, but some kitchen staff and restaurant diners report seeing a woman in period clothing walking around sans shoes.

If you're a ghost hunter, stay in room 932 on the ninth floor. The hotel calls it a "Room with a Boo" for all the paranormal activity that happens there, including sightings of things in the mirror, lamps flashing and the bathroom wallpaper turning pink. One couple stayed in the room and were woken by a man standing over them asking, "Why are you in my room?" and when they put on the light, he disappeared.

The room, a popular request, costs about $199 a night. And if you're not a believer, 932 offers another perk: the top-floor executive suite has a prime location with a view of Bethlehem's famous illuminated star that hangs above the city year-round.
____________________

THE HOTEL BETHLEHEM HAUNTINGS

The Hotel Bethlehem is built on a historic site that dates back to the beginning of the town, back in 1741. Guests and staff at this historic hotel have experienced quite a few strange happenings over the years, but the hotel only recently officially embraced its possibly haunted nature.

The Haunting:

Guests and staff report seeing apparitions, shadows and unexplained reflections in mirrors and glass. Staff have reported hearing their names called when no one is there, being tapped on the shoulder, and seeing pens drop on the front desk from nowhere. Staff have also reported vacuums turning on and moving across the floor, even when they were not plugged in. The ghosts are generally believed to be from the Victorian and Colonial eras.

Who's Haunting the Hotel Bethlehem?:

A little girl who appears in one of the windows is believed to be May Yohe, who grew up in the hotel. She later became a well-known actress and singer in the 1890s. May went on to fame and fortune; she was a well-known actress and singer in the 1890s, and married a man wealthy enough to own the Hope diamond, which she occasionally wore. Her adult life, however, was marked with scandal and broken hearts, and it was believed that her childhood at Hotel Bethlehem was her happiest time.

Other Hauntings:

One unknown woman appears in period dress in the kitchen and dining room. Spooked guests have occasionally asked to leave early because they saw an apparition in their rooms. One engineer avoids the subbasement because of his experiences.

Hotel Bethlehem History:

Hotel Bethlehem was built in 1920 on the site of the Eagle Hotel which was demolished so the new owner, Bethlehem Steel with tycoon Charles Schwab at its helm, could build an elegant inn for clients. The Eagle Hotel, owned by the Moravian Church, was constructed on the site of Bethlehem’s first house.

The hotel changed ownership three more times. The present owners did extensive renovating to restore it to original splendor and offers an elegant atmosphere, superior hospitality and gourmet dining.

Hotel Bethlehem is one of only 213 hotels and resorts that are members of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Ghosts of Hotel Bethlehem

* Francis “Daddy” Thomas: Daddy, known for his kindness and humor, welcomed and attended to visitors who came to the town. His ghost has been sighted in the boiler room.
* Mrs. Brong: She and her husband were innkeepers of the Eagle Hotel until 1833 when the Moravian Church fired them. Mr. Brong had a habit of getting so intoxicated that he had to be put on a bench when he could no longer sit. She, except for a then shocking habit of greeting guests barefoot, was a good hostess. Staff and guests have seen her ghost in the restaurant and kitchen, dressed in attire of the 1800s, but stockingless and shoeless.
* Mary “May” Yohe: She danced and sang for the hotel guests in the lobby. The Moravians sent her to Paris to be taught operatic art. By 1888, she was one of the best known stars of the stage. May was also known for her romances. During the 1890s, she went to England and met Lord Francis Clinton Hope. They fell in love and married. He owned a magnificent blue diamond, named for the family, said to be cursed. She often wore the gem. May left him for an American soldier, who later left her. People have heard her ghost singing. The player piano in the lounge frequently plays on its own. May’s specter has been witnessed in the exercise room on the third floor and in the lobby.

Hotel Bethlehem's Haunted Room 932

* A couple reported seeing a man in an undershirt and boxer shorts standing at the foot of their bed. He vanished when the light was turned on. They immediately checked out!
* Another couple woke to find a man standing by the bed. He asked why were they in his room. He also vanished when the light was turned on.
* Other guests saw the bathroom wallpaper turn pink, papers fly off the desk and lights blink. There are photos of the room in which orbs appear.
* EVP has been recorded. A voice proclaimed the bathroom was beautiful. One said she was Mary. Another claimed to be locked in the closet. Someone said percipients should look out of the window.

Paranormal Miscellany in Hotel Bethlehem

* Guests in ninth floor rooms reported the shower turning itself off or the water flow varying. The plumbing is not faulty.
* The third floor has cold spots and unaccountable breezes.
* A guest felt the presence of a sad girl about three years old, dressed in white peering through the mezzanine’s railing. Others heard a child playing in halls and sighted a young girl dressed in white.
* Another guest heard somone call her name, but when she looked to see who it was, no one was there.

Sources:
hotels.about.com
ghosts-hauntings.suite101.com
www.historichotels.org
www.hotelbethlehem.com

Looking For A Great Gift Idea?

Have you had a close encounter or witnessed something unusual? Send us an email

Please help support
'Phantoms and Monsters'
Thanks!