Reimagining Historic Luxury: The Bellevue’s Sales Transformation Story

The Bellevue Hotel is more than a boutique property—it’s a living landmark. Located in the heart of Philadelphia on Broad Street, it embodies the city’s Gilded Age grandeur while offering a thoroughly modern luxury experience.

With just 184 guest rooms and over 30,000 square feet of historic meeting space, The Bellevue blends iconic architecture with vibrant city access. From exploring nearby cultural institutions on the Avenue of the Arts to enjoying their partnership with premier Sporting Club next door, the hotel serves as a timeless backdrop for guests to celebrate Philly in style.

Leading its post-restoration renaissance is Director of Sales Tom Peters. A seasoned hospitality veteran with experience across Hyatt and Marriott brands nationwide, Tom began his sales career at The Bellevue Hotel. Returning over a decade later, he brings both a personal connection and strategic vision to elevate the hotel’s sales story in a new luxury chapter.

Situation

The Bellevue’s restoration was more than a facelift—reopened in late 2024 after a full-year closure, the hotel is transitioning to the position of Philadelphia’s top-ranked luxury hotel, according to TripAdvisor, and number two overall ranked hotel in Philadelphia.

But change brings challenges: former clients wrestle with higher rates, and new luxury prospects need to be won from scratch. In this highly competitive reentry, Tom’s goal was clear: maximize visibility, win back market share, and make every square foot count. For him, the ideal clientele mix would be made of 30% group business and 70% transient, and they are working toward that.

Unlike most hotels, The Bellevue has a unique business offer: with only 184 guest rooms and over 30,000 square feet of event space, it presents far more meeting capacity than its boutique size suggests. This unique ratio allows the sales team to capture high-value, space-intensive group business that other properties often turn away.

Process

Tom first used Visiting Media’s TrueTour™ while managing sales at Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis—and was instantly converted. When he returned to The Bellevue, one of his first moves was to advocate for Visiting Media. Luckily, budget season aligned with his arrival, and Highgate—the hotel’s management company—was already on board. Together, they pushed the investment through the pre-opening budget, just in time for relaunch.

It’s the best selling tool I’ve ever had in my arsenal. I love it! When I came to The Bellevue, I knew I needed it for this hotel.

Results

Now with SalesHub™, TrueTour’s next-gen evolution, Tom and the team are transforming how they showcase The Bellevue. One of his favorite features? The embedded measurement system on the digital twins. “It’s a game changer,” he says.

We can finally show the exact square footage, ceiling heights—even odd room dimensions—that are critical for planners to understand, especially in our uniquely shaped historic spaces.

The results speak volumes:

Double the Response Rate

Since integrating SalesHub, Tom and his team have seen a dramatic shift in lead engagement. “Our response rate has literally doubled.”

When a planner can immediately click into the space, walk around, and visualize their event—without digging through floor plans—it changes the dynamic.

By embedding immersive links directly into proposals, the team eliminates guesswork and keeps the focus on what matters most: the guest experience. It’s a frictionless way to move prospects from consideration to decision, fast.

Unmatched Content Engagement

Beyond response rates, the Bellevue team is seeing unprecedented interaction with their digital assets. “Engagement is through the roof,” according to him.

Before, we’d send a proposal and just hope for a reply. Now, we almost always hear back.

Whether it’s admiration for the hotel’s restored elegance or follow-up questions sparked by the virtual walkthroughs, prospects are connecting with the content—and by extension, the brand—on a deeper level.

Faster Event Decisions

The impact has been especially powerful in the social events segment. Brides and grooms, for example, no longer feel the need to visit in person to evaluate the space. “I send them a link, they click through the suite and the ballroom, and they’re done,” says Tom. “They’ve seen everything they need to feel confident.”

By showcasing not just the main venues but also prep spaces and guest suites, SalesHub accelerates timelines and reduces the need for repeat tours—giving couples a seamless, elevated planning experience.

Unlocking Alternative Spaces

One unexpected win has been how SalesHub enables upselling and space reallocation. “Sometimes a planner clicks into the Grand Ballroom, then wanders through the tour and discovers the Rose Garden.”

Instead of walking away because one room didn’t fit, they found something even better.

This ability to virtually explore every space in detail gives clients a sense of control and flexibility, helping the sales team say “yes” more often.

Elevated Sales Calls

SalesHub has also transformed the way the team conducts virtual sales presentations. “I’ve done Team calls where I share my screen, pull up the tool, and walk them through every step, it’s not just a conversation—it’s a complete visual experience.” Whether planning a conference or a farewell brunch, clients now see the layout in real time. For Tom, it’s about more than aesthetics.

It’s not just showing the space—it’s putting a face on the name. It’s elevated.

Summary

For Tom and The Bellevue, SalesHub isn’t just a sales tool—it’s a strategic asset. It’s helped the hotel redefine its digital presence, speed up the sales cycle, and make the most of its restored grandeur. As Tom puts it, “We don’t lose business anymore—we win confidence.”

The Bellevue Hotel Quick Overlook

• Segment: Luxury
• Management Company: Highgate
• Space: 184 rooms | 30,000 sq. ft. meeting space
• Facts: increased open rates, unmatched content engagement and elevated sales calls with SalesHub.