mansion with antiques and big breakfasts
has warm and cozy rooms and suites, some
with fireplaces and one with a full kitchen.
It’s perched at the top of College Hill, a block
from the campus of Lafayette College and with
several restaurants in easy walking distance.
Bethlehem 5
4 Hotel Bethlehem Hotel^ $$
(%800-607-2384; http://www.hotelbethlehem.com;
437 Main St; r from $149; aW) Centrally
located and embodying a more regal and grand
moment in the town’s history, this is the place
to stay in Bethlehem. While the room decor
is hardly fashionable or stylish, the bedding
is plush and rooms come with every modern
amenity. There’s an elegant restaurant as well
as a bar with live jazz.
Philadelphia 7
5 Cuba Libre Caribbean^ $$
(%215-627-0666; http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.
com; 10 S 2nd St; dinner $15-24; h11:30am-
11pm Mon-Fri, from 10:30am Sat & Sun) Colonial
America couldn’t feel further away at this
festive, multistoried Cuban eatery and rum bar.
The creative, inspired menu includes Cuban
sandwiches, guava-spiced BBQ, and savory
black beans and salads tossed with smoked fish.
5 Farmicia Organic $$
(%215-627-6274; 15 S 3rd St; mains $10-29;
h11:30am-3pm & 5:30-10pm Tue-Fri, 8:30am-
3pm & 5:30-11pm Sat & Sun) Dedicated to simply
crafted, local and organic foods, the meals at
this BYOB spot – including an organic Angus
burger with caramelized onions, and Alaskan
salmon with roasted beets and lentils – are
creative and soul satisfying. Vegetarians are
well cared for, with a variety of tofu, pasta
and veggie-and-grain plates to choose from.
Weekend brunch rocks, too.4 Rittenhouse 1715 Hotel $$$
(%215-546-6500; http://www.rittenhouse1715.com;
1715 Rittenhouse Sq; r $249-305, ste $309-699;
aW) Just steps from Rittenhouse Sq, this
is an elegant, top-notch choice. Housed in
a 1911 mansion and infused with old-world
sophistication, it’s brimming with modern
amenities – iPod docking stations, plasma TVs
and rain showerheads. The friendly and efficient
staff is also worth noting.4 Society Hill Hotel Hotel $$
(%215-925-1919; [email protected]; 301
Chestnut St; hcheck in at 3pm) Philly’s smallest
hotel has a European atmosphere and friendly
staff, and is right near Independence Park. Its very
small but quaint rooms feature brass beds and
private baths, and the first floor of the place is a
congenial bar and restaurant.NEW.JERSEY.&.PENNSYLVANIA.TRIPS.9
.BUCKS COUNTY & AROUND