Perched atop a hill overlooking town (including, most prominently, Hersheypark), The Hotel Hershey sits on 300 acres of formal gardens, fountains and reflecting pools. Like the rest of the property, these lush grounds are groomed to mint condition, belying the fact that the resort dates back to 1933, the vision of chocolate magnate Milton Hershey.
But you'll feel Mr. Hershey’s legacy throughout the property's many amenities, from the chocolate bar you receive at check-in (your choice, milk or dark) to the Hershey’s Kisses on your pillow at evening turndown.
Recreational opportunities abound, including 45 holes of golf; six miles of nature trails; basketball, volleyball and tennis courts; a cabana-ringed pool; and a fitness center. For a post-activity treat, visit the hotel’s The Spa at Hershey; it’s a wonderfully sinful place with signature treatments like whipped-cocoa baths and chocolate-fondue wraps.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey envisioned a hotel based on their world travels. You’ll see this connection immediately at the Hotel Hershey with its Mediterranean-inspired green roof, Spanish tile floors and open terraces.
- No matter which side your room faces, the hotel’s perch atop Pat’s Hill gives it a stellar, sweeping view of Hershey and the surrounding countryside.
- Most visitors to Hershey come seeking chocolate, and the hotel’s location and affiliation with the factory, amusement park and other attractions make planning a snap.
- From on-site shops to turndown service to, of course, the amazing dessert menu at the Four-Star Circular Dining Room, the hotel embraces its cocoa-covered history and shares it with you. Those with a sweet tooth will find pure sugary bliss here through endless chocolate.
- While there’s no debating this is a luxury hotel, the welcoming ambiance and planned activities for younger guests (think summertime bonfires and s’mores) allow families to find an upscale hotel with balance.
Things to Know
- The luxury Pennsylvania hotel completed its grand expansion in 2009, adding $67 million worth of amenities in honor of its 75th anniversary. New features include the Grand Veranda and an outdoor pool complex.
- The hotel refurbished all the guest rooms in the main building in May 2012.
- When you stay at the Hotel Hershey, you will have free access to Hershey Gardens, 23 acres filled with a rose garden with more than 5,600 blooms and a Japanese garden with reflecting pond, sequoias and Japanise maples. You’ll also have entry into Hershey Story, a museum about a real-life Willy Wonka, Milton Hershey.
- Another perk of staying at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel is the Hershey Resorts Advantage program, which gives you discounted tickets and early entry to Hersheypark and priority access to renting a cabana at the Boardwalk at Hersheypark.
The Rooms
- The rooms at The Hotel Hershey are elegantly and tastefully appointed. Being an older property — it opened in 1933 — the luxury Pennsylvania hotel has traditional guest rooms that are a bit on the snug side.
- If you need to spread out at The Hotel Hershey, try to snatch up one of the small number of suites. The premium king suites feature a large bedroom with a king-sized bed, as well as a seating area with a pull-out sofa bed, a parlor, two bathrooms and a small terrace.
- Another option is to stay in the Milton S. Hershey Suite or the Catherine Hershey Suite. The Catherine Hershey Suite is perfect if you’re bringing the whole family to the Four-Star hotel.
- The bathrooms at this Four-Star hotel are well-appointed with marble tile, a pedestal sink, and a combination tub and shower with a curved shower bar for extra space.
- The same goes for suite bathrooms, although the spacious Milton S. Hershey Suite does have a bathroom with double sinks. Inside the Woodside Cottages, the bathrooms are much larger, with a separate shower and soaking tub.
For The Kids
- The Hotel Hershey provides a daily schedule of events and activities through its Cocoa Clubhouse. Located to the rear of the main building by the pool complex, the clubhouse welcomes guests ages five through teens.
- Kids can stop in to sample the activities, such a tennis, crafts or making their own ice cream, or they can make a day of it by attending a full- or half-day program of fun, which includes lunch and time in the Four-Star hotel's pool complex.
- The Clubhouse also offers an evening program so parents can squeeze in a night out on their own. Hotel events like the Hershey character meet-and-greets and movie nights also appeal to younger guests.
Getting There
The Hotel Hershey
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