Accommodations at The Hotel Hershey were provided in order to facilitate this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions expressed are my own.
Last year my family visited Hersheypark. We spent a couple of days in the area and had a fantastic time. Hubby and I had even discussed that we’d had such a good time we were hard pressed to think of any reason to spend our days in the area exactly as we had. And then this year I visited Hershey, for a blogger event. It was then that the lightbulb in my head went off, letting me know one major thing that would have an impact on a trip such as my family had taken. That one thing? It’s the accommodations.
Don’t get me wrong. There was nothing at all wrong with the hotel where we stayed last year. But, it was off-property. Only after you have stayed on and off property can you appreciate the difference between the two.
The Hotel Hershey
Our first property tour was of The Hotel Hershey. This is also the hotel where our group stayed for two nights.
The original hotel was built in 1933 during The Great Depression. He’d gone on a building spree at the time, when others weren’t spending he was spending like mad. By building during the depression he was able to help keep members of the community employed. The Hershey Hotel has since undergone renovations and the property has 276 guest rooms and 48 cottages today.
The room that I stayed in was very comfortable. Big comfy bed, television, desk, free wifi, refrigerator, safe and coffee machine. I haven’t been to a ton of hotels that offer turndown service. The Hershey Hotel does. When I returned to my room one evening I found the curtain drawn, soft music playing, and chocolate left on a tray on the turned down bed. How sweet is that!
Aside from the lovely rooms, The Hotel Hershey has the spa, AKA my next home. Seriously. This place had everything! The spa opened in 2001 but demand for services became so high that they had to expand. The spa now encompasses three stories in the hotel. Something I found interesting – the majority of spa guests aren’t even guests of the hotel! That’s how impressive this place is.
As you walk through the spa facilities you will be treated to views of the reflecting pool, as well as Hershey’s lawns, gardens and the woods. The interior is so lovely, it’s more like a home then a business. A really giant home where I’d like to live. One area of the spa offers services such as manicures and pedicures. Another area offers facials and different massages. In a nearby building, reached by going through a short breezeway, there is a fitness center complete with gym and yoga room. The Spa is definitely the type of place where you can easily spend an entire day.
Now if spending a day you might get hungry. No need to leave the spa to eat. Heck, there’s not even a need to get dressed! The spa as its own restaurant, called The Oasis. The Oasis is only open to spa guests., who can go to the restaurant in their robes if they want. The ambiance in the Oasis is also relaxing. The lovely decor continues here, with a gorgeous mural right in the middle.
Our next property tour was of…
The Hershey Lodge
The Hershey Lodge is a real family place to stay. Everywhere you look you can see that the property is family friendly, right down to the special kids only check-in area in the front lobby. The building is decorated like, well, a lodge, with lots of wood, brick and stone throughout. There’s even a grizzly hidden in some of the stones! (Look at the collage below to see if you can find it.) The Hershey Lodge has its own restaurants right onsite.
We toured a typical guest room which I found to be clean and well-appointed.
And our final property tour was of…
Hersheypark Camping Resort
Hersheypark Camping Resort sits on 55 acres and it open year round. They have different types of campsites depending on your preference and needs – full hook-up, partial hook-up, and tent. Plus, they have camping cabins!
There’s a lot to do for fun besides make S’Mores. (Which of course you know you’ll do because it’s camping. And because it’s Hershey.) The Camping Resort has plenty of opportunity for outdoor fun including volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, swimming, outdoor movies and more. There’s even a recreation center onsite, which provides kids with organized activities.
I am not a fan of the camping on the ground type of camping. Hubby and my son love it. I’m more of what some call a “glamping” kind of girl. You know – air conditioning, television, kitchen, bathroom, internet and a bed. All of which I can enjoy while the menfolk are outdoors on the yucky ground. Hersheypark Camping Resort is exactly this type of place.
We checked out one of the deluxe cabins and it was really nice. The kitchen was stocked with pots, pans and the like. There was room for six to sleep. The cabin we toured had two sets of bunk beds and a regular double bed. It also had a couch in the living room where someone could sleep. (It wasn’t a pullout, I’m not sure why they didn’t opt to use one of those so they could accommodate an 8th person.) Basically for these cabins you bring your own linens and food and you’re good to go.
The biggest thing I noticed about the three Hershey resorts is the atmosphere. Each and every one of the three made you feel welcome. Almost like you were a member of the family. Every person I encountered was just so nice! Complimentary transportation is even available to the park, so you don’t need to get in your car, get out the GPS and go hunting for 15 minutes like we did last year. And, no need to find a parking space at the park! And there’s one more thing. The chocolate. Every where you turn there’s chocolate! The whole experience of staying on property was quite enjoyable, and I can see where it would help keep a family trip running smoothly.
Which of the three Hershey resorts do you think your family would enjoy staying at the most?
CONNECT
The Hotel Hershey website – The Hotel Hershey on Facebook
The Hershey Lodge website – The Hershey Lodge on Facebook
Hersheypark Camping Resort – Hersheypark Camping Resort on Facebook
All three of these places look amazing to stay at. If i had to pick one it would have to be the The Hotel Hershey.
I LOVE the cabin! It’s so rustic. It makes me feel like I should hide a Hershey bar under my pillow!
Put me in the lodge! It looks so comfortable, and it’s just the right level of rustic.
The Hotel Hershey looks just as divine as their candy bars! I’d love to stay in one of those amazing rooms.
Hershey Lodge looks like my kind of place. I almost went last year but then changed my mind last minute.
We are planning on going to Hershey this summer. I am so excited 🙂
We went to Hershey Park over the summer, it was amazing. We did not stay on grounds because we have a big family and could not stay in one room and could not afford 2 rooms. Looks like their accommodations are awesome!
I think the Hershey Camping resort would be a lot of fun, but most likely we’d probably stay at the hotel or Lodge.
These are all great places! I move that my parents live close enough to Hershey not have to stay there, but that there are so many great options should we choose to!
Now I’m upset I never went there when I lived closer. We would have had some great times!
The Lodge would be a lot of fun for our family. I want to visit here for sure!
I need to visit there! My husband tells me about how the town reeks of chocolate.
I would love to stay at the Hotel Hershey, but I think my husband and daughter would love the Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Thanks for this post! I am bookmarking it, as we are looking to visit here later this year!!!
My family would love to visit there! My daughter and I would really enjoy the Hotel Hershey, but my husband and son would really love the Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Really want to go there one day. It looks like a pretty cool place
I think I’d love to stay in the hotel or the lodge – it’s just beautiful at the lodge. Love that rustic yet pampering look!
I was just in Hershey the other day for a cheer leading competition and we were talking about going back for a few days. I am looking into this spa when I go.
I’ve never been to Pennsylvania but if my family and I ever go, we want to go to Hershey Park. This looks really relaxing!
Hi VALMG – Wow – I never knew there was a Hershey’s Park and the hotel looks fab, established in 1933 – my gosh! And the camp along with all the yummy surroundings and heritage – what a great time
You are surrounded by chocolate – does it really matter where you stay? 😉
Me, that luxury hotel but hubby the comfy campground–so compromise with the lodge maybe Or return yearly and take turns….
The spa!! Send me over to the spa with a fist full of chocolates! 😉
I would love to stay at the Hersey Inn and eat at the Oasis restaurant. I think y kids would get a kick out of staying at the lodge.
Hershey is on my bucket list. Love the look of the delux cabins – I am a fan of having a kitchen handy since my kids have special food needs. That spa looks amazing!
My family is going to Hotel Hershey this summer, it is our favorite!
OMG, I want to go back. It’s been so long!