For the second year, interior designer Anthony Sierra of Anthony Sierra Designs and his design partner Ty Cundey have created magic with their holiday decorations throughout the four-time “No. 1 Best Historic Hotel in the Nation,” the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

Sierra said planning and design begin immediately after the prior year’s decorations are put away. “When you consider planning, purchasing and putting up the décor, it’s about 1,000 man-hours,” Sierra said and that includes four days a week for four months just to build the physical designs.

“Everything is made, assembled, cut, wrapped, wired, zip tied and glued” on site Sierra said, who likens the process to decorating a palace. “There’s no space that is off limits to me.”

New this year is the navy, red and gold color theme for the two 15-foot-tall lobby trees. It’s reminiscent of the gilded age, according to Sierra, and includes blueberry sprays and blue hydrangeas. “It’s shockingly different,” he said.

Also new are lighted garlands on the balcony railings with large red bows. Nesting owls are featured on a tree and sprig-like decoration near the mezzanine elevator give it a “woodsy” appearance.

The 1741 on the Terrace Restaurant takes on a traditional southern design with the use of magnolia blossoms and pomanders, which are oranges studded with cloves. “We know people come here from everywhere,” Sierra said.

Joanne Haines, the Hotel Bethlehem’s director of retail operations said, “Anthony’s vision is stunning and creative.”

Sierra is a Bethlehem resident and founded Anthony Sierra Designs in 2024. He is a graduate of Parsons School of Design.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem

decoration facts, figures

35,000 lights

25 trees

dozens of wreaths

6 gold larger-than-life toy soldiers

1,000 man-hours to complete the project