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 an 18-hole putting course; nearly six miles of hiking trails; basketball, sand volleyball and tennis courts; a cabana-ringed outdoor pool complex; a fitness center and access to two award-winning golf courses at Hershey Country Club. For a post-activity treat, visit the hotel’s Recommended The Spa At The Hotel Hershey; it’s a wonderfully sinful place with signature treatments like a Whipped Cocoa Bath and Chocolate Fondue Wrap.
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 onsite shops to turndown service to, of course, the amazing dessert menu at The Circular, 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 hotel renovated all the guest rooms in the main building in 2017 and 2018.
When you stay at The Hotel Hershey, you will receive complimentary admission to Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre walk-through botanical display garden. It offers 11 themed gardens, including more than 30,000 tulips (spring); more than 5,000 roses (summer); and a Children’s Garden with chocolate-scented flora. The Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory includes a year-round indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium. Featuring 600 of the winged insects from around the world, it’s one of only 25 year-round indoor tropical butterfly atriums in the U.S.
- You’ll also receive admission to The Hershey Story Museum, which honors and preserves the life and legacy of Milton S. Hershey as well as the town he created.
- Another bonus of staying at the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel is the free resort benefits, included for all guests at this Official Resort of Hersheypark. The perks include the best price on Hersheypark tickets, complimentary parking, free extra evening and morning hours to enjoy the park, and more.
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 rooms feature a large bedroom with a king-sized bed, as well as a seating area with a pull-out sofa bed and sitting area.
- Another option is to stay in the Milton Hershey Suite or the Catherine Hershey Suite. The Catherine Hershey Suite is perfect if you’re bringing the whole family to the Recommended hotel.
- The bathrooms at this Recommended hotel are well-appointed with marble tile and a combination tub and shower with a curved shower bar for extra space. The same goes for suite bathrooms, although the spacious Milton 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.
The Woodside Cottages are the premier accommodations at The Hotel Hershey. Stay in a king or double-queen room with world-class bathrooms featuring a rainforest showerhead and soaking tub with a flat-screen TV. Small groups and families may reserve an entire four- or six-bedroom cottage, which includes access to a multi-functional Great Room with cathedral ceilings, a fireplace, microwave and wet bar with a refrigerator.
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 kids ages five through teens.
- Children can enjoy activities such as making tie-dye shirts and additional arts and crafts. Parents can choose to make a day of it for their kids by registering for a full- or half-day program of fun, which includes lunch and time in the Recommended 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 also appeal to younger guests.
Amenities
24-hour room service 
Bar
Fitness classes
Golf
Gym
House car
Indoor pool
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Tennis
Getting There
Stories
