This post has been freshly updated for 2023!
This post is chock full o' info but it's designed for easy reading with bold headings you can scroll through. Also be sure to read the comments after the post, as some of my followers have posted some great questions and advice there, too. No time to read? Pin the below image for later!
Now, on to The Hotel Hershey! It's quite majestic from the outside (and the inside, too).
Whenever I mention Hotel Hershey to someone, the first thing they say is, Oh, it's so expensive! And it is. But it's also awesome. And beautiful. I've been there Spring, Winter and Summer, so I've experienced a little bit of everything there. They sometimes offer deals on their website- mostly package deals, and rates vary based on which nights you stay (weekends are more expensive), so do your research for your best price! I also recommend calling to speak to a Hershey Hotel rep as opposed to just trying to book online.
Benefits to Staying at a Hershey Resort
First, why stay at a Hershey resort at all? I highly recommend staying at one of the Hershey hotels- either the Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge. I know it is more expensive, but I truly feel like you get the full 'park experience' if you stay at one of the park's hotels as opposed to its competitors. Other benefits of staying at one of the Hershey resorts include:
-shuttles to/from the Hershey properties (that means no paying for parking! Woot! And the shuttles drop you right at the entrance to the park)
-discounted park tickets (we've found that the hotels' discounts trump any coupons we can find), plus they sometimes offer an early access admission to the park as well as a preview day (check with hotel for details)
-packages that include free breakfasts and/or tickets (you can choose from a variety of packages)
-free admission to Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum
-Hershey characters walk around at various times for photo ops with guests.
-Both Hershey properties have beautiful pools (see more below)
-cabanas at Hersheypark Boardwalk are available first to property guests (if you are willing to shell out the buck$$ for them!). Non-guests can reserve them, too, but resort guests get reservation priority.
Hotel Hershey's Location
The Hotel Hershey is located on top of a hill overlooking Hershey Gardens and pretty much all of Hershey itself.
If you walk down the hill to the Gardens, you can view all of Hershey Park. During the winter time, you can see parts of Hershey Sweet Lights from different parts of the hotel (you can read my review of Hershey Sweet Lights here). The Hotel Hershey is a gorgeous, old hotel, rich in history and beauty. Its proximity to Hersheypark and Hershey Gardens is a huge plus for many guests. Hershey Lodge is a little bit further (approximately 15 minutes) from these attractions and some people do not care for the extra traveling distance (although it is only a few minutes - see my shuttle info below- that sometimes makes a big difference for families with small children who don't want to waste time traveling on shuttle buses).
Check-In
Check-in has always been fast, easy and friendly for us. They give you a choice of a free Hershey's milk or dark chocolate bar (which I tend to eat immediately). At the Lodge they gave us a free bar, too, but not a choice of milk or dark (just milk!). Hershey Lodge has more of a kid-focused check-in. There is a kids' check-in desk at The Lodge that is much more inviting for little ones (colorful, clearly labeled, etc) than the one at The Hotel Hershey. The kids' check-in desk at the Hotel Hershey is nothing exciting, in my personal opinion. Both kid check-in desks at both hotels are not open at all hours. They open specific hours during the day, so sometimes you check in yourself and those kid desks are closed. They usually offer a place for the kids to sign in, and maybe give them a lanyard and a chance to win some chocolate with a guessing game or coloring sheet.
The Grounds and Activities
I didn't write too much about the grounds of Hershey Lodge because, in my opinion, there wasn't much to see. But here, you can spend some time walking around and see some beautiful sights. As I mentioned before, Hershey Gardens is at the foot of its entrance.
If you walk behind the hotel you'll find beautifully manicured decorative gardens and lawns, as well as giant koi ponds that ducks like to visit.
They have a kids' club with playground area (The Hershey Lodge has a playground area near their pool, too) and an amazingly awesome outdoor pool (but more on that later). The grounds are just beautiful. But I said that already, didn't I?
Harvest restaurant sits in its own building near the pool, and beyond that, even more!
The Hotel Hershey Woodside Cottages are behind Harvest, and you can read all about our stay at the cottages here. There are also tennis courts, volleyball courts and more lie beyond that. All peaceful, quiet, well-manicured. The fire pits for s'mores roasting sit behind Harvest, with cozy rocking chairs to chill out in. I was a little bummed that the Hotel Hershey charges you for s'mores packets. It's $5.00 to make 4 s'mores (as of the publication date of this entry). We thought it would've been nice if the Hotel included a voucher with your stay, good for one free s'mores roast kit. But, alas, this is not the case!
You'll also find a putting green behind Harvest (kind of like miniature golf or a small golf course). Once again, there is an added fee to play (which is NOT true of Hershey Lodge- miniature golf there is free if you are a guest of the hotel). On the weekends in the summer, they offer 'glow golf!'
The Hotel Hershey also offers plenty of activities for purchase. You can try out their Falconry experience (the falcon master himself will sometimes visit the fountain area of the hotel with his Golden Eagle if you want to meet it in person), Segway Tours, Golf, or their Outfitters experience. Check out their full list of recreation activities here. There are also nature and hiking trails (thankfully, those are free) and their beautiful fitness center.
There is a small arcade/game room located in the side of the Harvest Restaurant (accessible from outside the restaurant). My son LOVED the fact that you could win prizes here. The machines generate tickets which you cash in at a completely self-automated machine for prizes. How's that for high tech?
There was an adult game room across from it with pool tables, too. Or you could always explore the hotel. Look how cool this fountain area is!
The Hershey characters also roam the hotel at various times for photo ops. This is an awesome plus because you don't have to compete with the crowds at the park to get a photo!
The Rooms at Hotel Hershey
We've stayed in both the west wing and the main lobby building of Hotel Hershey. The rooms are always beautiful. Newly updated, sparkling clean, spacious. I love the personal touches from the cleaning staff. Most of the rooms are on the small side since it's a historically older hotel.
The bath amenities at Hotel Hershey are amazing, too (Hershey Lodge also has chocolate toiletries, like cocoa scrub soaps and shampoos, but they are slightly different at Hotel Hershey). You can purchase them in the lobby shops if you enjoy them that much.
They also leave an amazingly soft robe for you to use (which you can purchase if you can't bear to part with it).
There is an indoor pool and an outdoor pool at Hotel Hershey. You can reserve a room that leads right out to the indoor pool, if that's something you desire. Like any other indoor pool at a hotel, know that it can get quite crowded if the weather is bad! There is an adult-only swimming hour, I think in the early morning, if you want some alone time without kids.
You can rent a cabana here for a sum, and poolside bar service is always available for all patrons.
Beyond the main pool there is an adults only pool, as well (you can guess that I didn't get to use that one, being the Jersey Momma and everything).
You can spend all day in this pool and then some. Relaxing, comfortable, fun- I can't say enough good things about it! NOTE, Hershey Lodge recently built what appears to be an equally awesome pool area, complete with Twizzlers themed water slide! I haven't visited it yet so I can't say for sure, but this could give Hotel Hershey a run for its money, since this was always one of the distinguishing factors between the two hotels. Hershey Lodge's new pool area opened in May of 2016.
MORE NOTES ABOUT THE HOTEL HERSHEY OUTDOOR POOL: If you happen to visit Hotel Hershey during a busy month, the outdoor pool can get quite crowded. It might be difficult to secure a lounge chair or umbrella when this happens. Be sure to arrive early or know that you can rent a cabana if you have the cash! Last year they were actually taking 'seat reservations' at the pool entrance to ensure that everyone had a seat. I can't vouch for that being something they do all the time, though.
Dining at Hotel Hershey
The Hotel Hershey has five restaurants (as well as an outdoor poolside menu):
-Chef's Market (a quick serve shop serving coffee, breakfast, sandwiches and beverages)
-Trevi 5 (an italian restaurant with outstanding thin crust pizza)
-The Iberian Lounge (not quite as kid-friendly, a bar atmosphere serving food and drinks)
-Harvest (the restaurant outside the hotel serving local fare and farm fresh food)
-The Circular (which boasts an outstanding breakfast buffet, or try their Hershey Kiss shaped waffles with chocolate butter-YUM!).
Shopping at The Hotel Hershey
There are four shops at The Hotel Hershey (and one is a Lilly Pulitzer signature store). You can find them all listed here. I'm a souvenir shopper, so I LOVE this about the hotel. If you have some leisure time, it's nice to sneak down to the lobby and check out the shops. It's one of my favorite things to do if I get a moment to myself. The Lodge has one souvenir shop, which suited my husband and son just fine. My only gripe is that they do tend to close a little on the early side. Some of them also open later in the morning, depending on the season. So be sure to check each shop hour carefully at the time of your visit.
The Spa at Hotel Hershey
Would you believe in all of my visits to the hotel, I have never been to their world famous chocolate spa? Yes, -insert tiny violin playing here- I have toured it, peeked in, read all about it, watched documentaries about it, but never used it myself! I have friends who have gone and they say it's amazing. I'll have to take their word for it.
To see more of the spa area and a complete insider tour of Hotel Hershey, check out my post, 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Hotel Hershey.
Shuttles and Transportation at Hotel Hershey
As I've said before, one of the best things about staying at the Hershey hotels is their transportation system. Shuttles run constantly throughout the day and into the night. They literally take you right up to the entrance of Hersheypark/Chocolate World. The shuttles are air-conditioned and comfortable. You can bring your strollers and they will pack them inside the bus for you. Talk about easy on, easy off! You can read a little bit about my trip to Chocolate World at Christmas time by clicking here.
The shuttle ride to the park from the Hotel Hershey (and back) is significantly shorter than the ride from the Lodge to the park. Hotel Hershey sits right above the park and is a quick drive up the hill, whereas the drive to the Lodge can take more than ten to fifteen minutes, depending upon traffic and season. This might not seem like a big deal, but when you are tired and hot, or toting little ones around, sometimes you just want to get back to that hotel ASAP! It's also nice if you want to take a "quick" trip down to Chocolate World to do some last minute shopping at night, like my mom did. She was there and back in less than an hour.
Check with the front desk about which shuttles to take and when. There are cars available through concierge to take you other places in Hershey, as well.
Off-season the shuttle schedules vary, so always ask ahead about when to catch your ride.
Other Jersey Momma Tips
*Guests of the Hershey hotels receive perks at Hersheypark. Check with concierge at check-in, since guests may be able to have early access to the park or can select a free preview of the park after a certain hour. On our last visit we were able to preview the park for free after 6:30pm, then use our regular ticket the next day, too (even though we purchased tickets for just one day). It was almost like being able to visit the park twice for one price! You also can't beat the hotel's discounted Hersheypark ticket rate. Their discount trumps most others!
*I cringe when I hear people say, "Hershey Lodge is more family friendly." I don't think this is true for every family. We actually prefer the Hotel over the Lodge- it all depends on what you are looking for. Some guests love the Lodge for its funky indoor pool/playground, mini golf area and cuter check-in. Some love the Hotel for its gorgeous outdoor pool, high quality service and elegance. Both are family friendly, both cater to kids, both offer activities and games for children. Read my detailed reviews and see which is right for you.
*I once visited the Hotel Hershey off-season, in April. Hersheypark was not yet open for the season, but lucky me, a private group had rented the park out for the weekend, thereby entitling hotel guests to visit the park as well. I will never forget the sheer excitement of this, and how empty the park was, and how amazing it felt to ride the roller coasters practically all alone!
*You can also read my review of Hershey at Christmas: Candy Lane (part one) and my review of Hershey at Christmas: Hershey Sweet Lights (part two).
Do you have questions or comments about the Hershey resorts? Feel free to leave them in the comments section below, and be sure to check out other visitors' comments. It's great to hear honest opinions, isn't it?
This post is chock full o' info but it's designed for easy reading with bold headings you can scroll through. Also be sure to read the comments after the post, as some of my followers have posted some great questions and advice there, too. No time to read? Pin the below image for later!
Part 1 of my blog series was a review of Hershey Lodge. If you haven't read that yet, be sure to check it out here: The Hotel Hershey vs. The Hershey Lodge - Which to Choose? (part 1) And just a reminder, I was NOT compensated in any way to write this review, not even a media rate- nada, nothing, zilch! It's just from me, to you. Got it? And I can't make the choice for you- ultimately I love both Hershey properties (they each have their good points), but hopefully you can read my reviews and the details can help you decide which hotel is best for you.
Whenever I mention Hotel Hershey to someone, the first thing they say is, Oh, it's so expensive! And it is. But it's also awesome. And beautiful. I've been there Spring, Winter and Summer, so I've experienced a little bit of everything there. They sometimes offer deals on their website- mostly package deals, and rates vary based on which nights you stay (weekends are more expensive), so do your research for your best price! I also recommend calling to speak to a Hershey Hotel rep as opposed to just trying to book online.
Benefits to Staying at a Hershey Resort
First, why stay at a Hershey resort at all? I highly recommend staying at one of the Hershey hotels- either the Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge. I know it is more expensive, but I truly feel like you get the full 'park experience' if you stay at one of the park's hotels as opposed to its competitors. Other benefits of staying at one of the Hershey resorts include:
-shuttles to/from the Hershey properties (that means no paying for parking! Woot! And the shuttles drop you right at the entrance to the park)
-discounted park tickets (we've found that the hotels' discounts trump any coupons we can find), plus they sometimes offer an early access admission to the park as well as a preview day (check with hotel for details)
-packages that include free breakfasts and/or tickets (you can choose from a variety of packages)
-free admission to Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum
-Hershey characters walk around at various times for photo ops with guests.
-Both Hershey properties have beautiful pools (see more below)
-cabanas at Hersheypark Boardwalk are available first to property guests (if you are willing to shell out the buck$$ for them!). Non-guests can reserve them, too, but resort guests get reservation priority.
The Hotel Hershey is located on top of a hill overlooking Hershey Gardens and pretty much all of Hershey itself.
If you walk down the hill to the Gardens, you can view all of Hershey Park. During the winter time, you can see parts of Hershey Sweet Lights from different parts of the hotel (you can read my review of Hershey Sweet Lights here). The Hotel Hershey is a gorgeous, old hotel, rich in history and beauty. Its proximity to Hersheypark and Hershey Gardens is a huge plus for many guests. Hershey Lodge is a little bit further (approximately 15 minutes) from these attractions and some people do not care for the extra traveling distance (although it is only a few minutes - see my shuttle info below- that sometimes makes a big difference for families with small children who don't want to waste time traveling on shuttle buses).
Check-In
Check-in has always been fast, easy and friendly for us. They give you a choice of a free Hershey's milk or dark chocolate bar (which I tend to eat immediately). At the Lodge they gave us a free bar, too, but not a choice of milk or dark (just milk!). Hershey Lodge has more of a kid-focused check-in. There is a kids' check-in desk at The Lodge that is much more inviting for little ones (colorful, clearly labeled, etc) than the one at The Hotel Hershey. The kids' check-in desk at the Hotel Hershey is nothing exciting, in my personal opinion. Both kid check-in desks at both hotels are not open at all hours. They open specific hours during the day, so sometimes you check in yourself and those kid desks are closed. They usually offer a place for the kids to sign in, and maybe give them a lanyard and a chance to win some chocolate with a guessing game or coloring sheet.
The Grounds and Activities
I didn't write too much about the grounds of Hershey Lodge because, in my opinion, there wasn't much to see. But here, you can spend some time walking around and see some beautiful sights. As I mentioned before, Hershey Gardens is at the foot of its entrance.
If you walk behind the hotel you'll find beautifully manicured decorative gardens and lawns, as well as giant koi ponds that ducks like to visit.
Head down the stone staircase and you'll find a giant patio area where they have evening activities and Chocolate Bingo.
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| Bean bag toss, hula hoops, etc. are set up for the kids (Harvest restaurant in background) |
They have a kids' club with playground area (The Hershey Lodge has a playground area near their pool, too) and an amazingly awesome outdoor pool (but more on that later). The grounds are just beautiful. But I said that already, didn't I?
Harvest restaurant sits in its own building near the pool, and beyond that, even more!
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| Harvest restaurant at The Hotel Hershey |
The Hotel Hershey Woodside Cottages are behind Harvest, and you can read all about our stay at the cottages here. There are also tennis courts, volleyball courts and more lie beyond that. All peaceful, quiet, well-manicured. The fire pits for s'mores roasting sit behind Harvest, with cozy rocking chairs to chill out in. I was a little bummed that the Hotel Hershey charges you for s'mores packets. It's $5.00 to make 4 s'mores (as of the publication date of this entry). We thought it would've been nice if the Hotel included a voucher with your stay, good for one free s'mores roast kit. But, alas, this is not the case!
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| If you look above Mr. Jersey Momma's head, you'll see Jersey Grammy's marshmallow completely on fire! |
You'll also find a putting green behind Harvest (kind of like miniature golf or a small golf course). Once again, there is an added fee to play (which is NOT true of Hershey Lodge- miniature golf there is free if you are a guest of the hotel). On the weekends in the summer, they offer 'glow golf!'
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| The mini putting course for kids at The Hotel Hershey |
The Hotel Hershey also offers plenty of activities for purchase. You can try out their Falconry experience (the falcon master himself will sometimes visit the fountain area of the hotel with his Golden Eagle if you want to meet it in person), Segway Tours, Golf, or their Outfitters experience. Check out their full list of recreation activities here. There are also nature and hiking trails (thankfully, those are free) and their beautiful fitness center.
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| The Golden Eagle visits from the Falconry Experience |
There is a small arcade/game room located in the side of the Harvest Restaurant (accessible from outside the restaurant). My son LOVED the fact that you could win prizes here. The machines generate tickets which you cash in at a completely self-automated machine for prizes. How's that for high tech?
There was an adult game room across from it with pool tables, too. Or you could always explore the hotel. Look how cool this fountain area is!
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| It's fun to explore the Hotel Hershey itself. Tours are available through concierge, too. |
The Hershey characters also roam the hotel at various times for photo ops. This is an awesome plus because you don't have to compete with the crowds at the park to get a photo!
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| Meeting Reese in the Hotel Hershey lobby! I assure you that I do have hair, even though I look bald in this photo... |
The Rooms at Hotel Hershey
We've stayed in both the west wing and the main lobby building of Hotel Hershey. The rooms are always beautiful. Newly updated, sparkling clean, spacious. I love the personal touches from the cleaning staff. Most of the rooms are on the small side since it's a historically older hotel.
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| Hershey Hotel bathroom, west wing |
They leave Hershey Kisses by your bed and little fact cards about Milton Hershey or quotes from the man himself.
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| (Look at how they folded The Jersey Momma's Boy's blankies!) |
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| A room in the west wing of the Hotel Hershey, two queen beds (can we remove those coats for the picture, please? Geez!) |
The rooms in the main lobby building have a bit of a different layout. The west wing rooms have an entry hallway (see above photo), whereas the rooms we've stayed at in the main building do not.
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| Hotel Hershey bathroom, main lobby building |
The view from our main lobby room was beautiful. This view was from a room that faced the back of the building (from the third floor).
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| The view from our room in the 300's- overlooking the koi ponds, pool, etc. |
The bath amenities at Hotel Hershey are amazing, too (Hershey Lodge also has chocolate toiletries, like cocoa scrub soaps and shampoos, but they are slightly different at Hotel Hershey). You can purchase them in the lobby shops if you enjoy them that much.
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| Chocolate mandarin toiletries from the spa at the Hotel Hershey |
They also leave an amazingly soft robe for you to use (which you can purchase if you can't bear to part with it).
Pools at Hotel Hershey
There is an indoor pool and an outdoor pool at Hotel Hershey. You can reserve a room that leads right out to the indoor pool, if that's something you desire. Like any other indoor pool at a hotel, know that it can get quite crowded if the weather is bad! There is an adult-only swimming hour, I think in the early morning, if you want some alone time without kids.
The outdoor pool is incredible. It boasts a GIANT waterslide for kids Reeses height and up (Hersheypark bases their rides on a height system- kids 42" and taller are considered Reeses).
It has zero entry, fountains, and a mushroom water umbrella. Towards the deep end there are water "cannons" for the kids to play with (like water guns mounted on the side of the pool)
Beyond the main pool there is an adults only pool, as well (you can guess that I didn't get to use that one, being the Jersey Momma and everything).
There is a large locker room with attendants to help you as needed (towels and shower area provided). There is also a locker room at Hershey Lodge but it is smaller.
In my humble opinion, this incredible pool is one of the main draws of Hotel Hershey. This is a 5-star pool and is part of what you pay for with your room rate.
**FYI my gorgeous food and drink pics from The Hotel Hershey are outdated! They no longer serve drinks in fancy cups like this and their food service is more of a walk-up option instead of a waitstaff taking your order and serving you. I miss the way it used to be with actual waitstaff coming to your chair and taking your order, but I don't know if the Hotel has any plans to return to this method in the future. C'mon, Hotel Hershey! It’s what Milton would have wanted!
**FYI my gorgeous food and drink pics from The Hotel Hershey are outdated! They no longer serve drinks in fancy cups like this and their food service is more of a walk-up option instead of a waitstaff taking your order and serving you. I miss the way it used to be with actual waitstaff coming to your chair and taking your order, but I don't know if the Hotel has any plans to return to this method in the future. C'mon, Hotel Hershey! It’s what Milton would have wanted!
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MORE NOTES ABOUT THE HOTEL HERSHEY OUTDOOR POOL: If you happen to visit Hotel Hershey during a busy month, the outdoor pool can get quite crowded. It might be difficult to secure a lounge chair or umbrella when this happens. Be sure to arrive early or know that you can rent a cabana if you have the cash! Last year they were actually taking 'seat reservations' at the pool entrance to ensure that everyone had a seat. I can't vouch for that being something they do all the time, though.
Dining at Hotel Hershey
The Hotel Hershey has five restaurants (as well as an outdoor poolside menu):
-Chef's Market (a quick serve shop serving coffee, breakfast, sandwiches and beverages)
-Trevi 5 (an italian restaurant with outstanding thin crust pizza)
-The Iberian Lounge (not quite as kid-friendly, a bar atmosphere serving food and drinks)
-Harvest (the restaurant outside the hotel serving local fare and farm fresh food)
-The Circular (which boasts an outstanding breakfast buffet, or try their Hershey Kiss shaped waffles with chocolate butter-YUM!).
FYI: check dining hours carefully. Not all of the hotel's restaurants are open every day or for every meal. Some require reservations and they can be pretty strict about it if you don't have one.
I've eaten at all of these restaurants. Trevi is actually my favorite, followed by breakfast at The Circular. If you don't want their expensive buffet, know that you can order from a menu if you just ask. Kid menus are always available (at all of their restaurants), as well as coloring sheets, crayons and cute Hershey themed cups for them to drink out of.
I've eaten at all of these restaurants. Trevi is actually my favorite, followed by breakfast at The Circular. If you don't want their expensive buffet, know that you can order from a menu if you just ask. Kid menus are always available (at all of their restaurants), as well as coloring sheets, crayons and cute Hershey themed cups for them to drink out of.
(outside view of The Circular- see it? It's circular! lol)
Shopping at The Hotel Hershey
There are four shops at The Hotel Hershey (and one is a Lilly Pulitzer signature store). You can find them all listed here. I'm a souvenir shopper, so I LOVE this about the hotel. If you have some leisure time, it's nice to sneak down to the lobby and check out the shops. It's one of my favorite things to do if I get a moment to myself. The Lodge has one souvenir shop, which suited my husband and son just fine. My only gripe is that they do tend to close a little on the early side. Some of them also open later in the morning, depending on the season. So be sure to check each shop hour carefully at the time of your visit.
Would you believe in all of my visits to the hotel, I have never been to their world famous chocolate spa? Yes, -insert tiny violin playing here- I have toured it, peeked in, read all about it, watched documentaries about it, but never used it myself! I have friends who have gone and they say it's amazing. I'll have to take their word for it.
To see more of the spa area and a complete insider tour of Hotel Hershey, check out my post, 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Hotel Hershey.
Shuttles and Transportation at Hotel Hershey
As I've said before, one of the best things about staying at the Hershey hotels is their transportation system. Shuttles run constantly throughout the day and into the night. They literally take you right up to the entrance of Hersheypark/Chocolate World. The shuttles are air-conditioned and comfortable. You can bring your strollers and they will pack them inside the bus for you. Talk about easy on, easy off! You can read a little bit about my trip to Chocolate World at Christmas time by clicking here.
The shuttle ride to the park from the Hotel Hershey (and back) is significantly shorter than the ride from the Lodge to the park. Hotel Hershey sits right above the park and is a quick drive up the hill, whereas the drive to the Lodge can take more than ten to fifteen minutes, depending upon traffic and season. This might not seem like a big deal, but when you are tired and hot, or toting little ones around, sometimes you just want to get back to that hotel ASAP! It's also nice if you want to take a "quick" trip down to Chocolate World to do some last minute shopping at night, like my mom did. She was there and back in less than an hour.
Check with the front desk about which shuttles to take and when. There are cars available through concierge to take you other places in Hershey, as well.
Off-season the shuttle schedules vary, so always ask ahead about when to catch your ride.
Other Jersey Momma Tips
*Guests of the Hershey hotels receive perks at Hersheypark. Check with concierge at check-in, since guests may be able to have early access to the park or can select a free preview of the park after a certain hour. On our last visit we were able to preview the park for free after 6:30pm, then use our regular ticket the next day, too (even though we purchased tickets for just one day). It was almost like being able to visit the park twice for one price! You also can't beat the hotel's discounted Hersheypark ticket rate. Their discount trumps most others!
*I cringe when I hear people say, "Hershey Lodge is more family friendly." I don't think this is true for every family. We actually prefer the Hotel over the Lodge- it all depends on what you are looking for. Some guests love the Lodge for its funky indoor pool/playground, mini golf area and cuter check-in. Some love the Hotel for its gorgeous outdoor pool, high quality service and elegance. Both are family friendly, both cater to kids, both offer activities and games for children. Read my detailed reviews and see which is right for you.
*I once visited the Hotel Hershey off-season, in April. Hersheypark was not yet open for the season, but lucky me, a private group had rented the park out for the weekend, thereby entitling hotel guests to visit the park as well. I will never forget the sheer excitement of this, and how empty the park was, and how amazing it felt to ride the roller coasters practically all alone!
*You can also read my review of Hershey at Christmas: Candy Lane (part one) and my review of Hershey at Christmas: Hershey Sweet Lights (part two).
Do you have questions or comments about the Hershey resorts? Feel free to leave them in the comments section below, and be sure to check out other visitors' comments. It's great to hear honest opinions, isn't it?
awesome!! so want to visit there!!! hope you don't mind if I post a special "Chocolate Day" article I wrote too :) http://www.zujava.com/a-cocoa-lover-s-dream-chocolate-day
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who just returned from Hershey and is in the process of posting her pics. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNot at all! Chocolate fans of the world, unite! lol
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so fun!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to check out Part 1 in my two part series, comparing the Hershey Hotel and the Hershey Lodge!
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful, you have to visit someday!
DeleteThis looks like an amazing hotel. I would love to visit some day, as I am a huge Chocoholic! All the Hershey bars and activities are my dream vacation. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to visit! Wow-it looks so beautiful and like a lot of fun! I've never been to Hershey (or Pennsylvania for that matter), but Ive always wanted to go!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking your readers on your adventure! The grounds and rooms and overall ambiance at this hotel is GORGEOUS. Loved how you included the activities! Off to read part 1 now. But it's going to be hard to top the hotel. The pool area, beautiful! Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel!
DeleteI just discovered your blog and have found it extremely helpful! I will be visiting Hershey the second week in April for the Hershey 10K race and plan to stay at the Hotel Hershey. Are the grounds just as beautiful in early Spring or does everything still look pretty dead from winter? Also, are whirlpool tubs standard at the Hotel or only in certain suites? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Fairytales and Fitness! Thanks for stopping by! The Hotel Hershey is still beautiful in April! The grounds are always beautifully kept, no matter what the season. Hershey Gardens is also gorgeous in the Spring. I have some photos of the gardens from April in this post so you can get an idea of what you'll see even around the hotel at that time: http://bit.ly/2aCO2HS Also, I can't recall our rooms at the Hotel Hershey ever having whirlpool tubs. They might be available in suites or in the woodside cottages. We will be visiting again this month, so I can find out first hand for you! Either way, the spa in the hotel most likely has them, and the indoor pool area definitely has a whirlpool/hot tub for adults. I'll let you know what I find out when I'm there!
DeleteThanks! Have a a great time during your next visit! I'll be following you on IG so I can see your pics!
DeleteThanks!!! I did find out that the Hershey Hotel Woodside Cottages all have whirlpool tubs. Might be worth looking into if you're willing to spend some extra bucks! We'll be staying at the cottages this Fall so stay tuned for pics! The indoor pool at Hotel Hershey has a whirlpool/hot tub that you can use, too, which would be really nice in April!
DeleteI just booked here. On the email is says, "Resort casual is recommended throughout The Hotel Hershey." Was this your experience?
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia! Yes, I would say that is the case, although I think they also understand their guests are using the pool and visiting a theme park. You can still wear shorts and t-shirts, but I would not recommend cut-offs, tube tops, or walking through the hotel in your bathing suit (cover-ups, sundresses, robes, etc. are best!) I wore t-shirts and denim shorts on my way to the theme parks and I did not feel out of place or uncomfortable.
Deletethe only single time we can take a vacation in the year is Thanksgiving. Budget $600 for 5 days max including gas to drive, where we stay, everthing. Typically we just go to State Park cabin and not do a whole lot. Chill. Lol. This year I'm planning on Hershey. 3 kids age 3,5,7. Looks like no way to stay more than one night with the prices of everything there!!!😞 maybe skip this year and save up even more! But thank u so much for the detailed experience and advice!!!
ReplyDeleteHi there and thanks for your comment! If you are on a strict budget, then yes, I agree, it would be difficult to do more than two nights for a family of three. Although there are packages and deals you can look into for the Hershey Lodge (which would be significantly less expensive that the Hotel Hershey). They also offer AAA discounts. If you are on a budget you can also consider some of the other hotels in the area. I have had friends stay in some of the other local hotels and they enjoyed it, so it all depends on what you're looking for and what you're willing to tolerate! We are partial to the Hershey resorts but I think we've become spoiled after all these years. And when we go, we do not usually stay more than two nights. Hershey does have a campground, so if you have an RV or were interested, that's another route you could pursue! I don't know much about the cabins or camping, but I have friends who love it! Hope that helps.
DeleteHi and thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of taking my two daughters (age 12 and 14) to the hershey hotel for two nights during the February recess…….is this a dumb idea because it is February ?
Lillian
Hi Lillian! Thanks for visiting and commenting! I don't think this is a dumb idea at all! If you can afford it, go for it! The park is not usually open this time of year, but Hershey Gardens (even the new butterfly atrium), Hershey Story Museum, ZooAmerica and Chocolate World are all open, so there is plenty to do! Hershey Hotel also hosts "Chocolate Covered February" every year, where they offer special chocolate themed activities and specials. The outdoor pool will be closed but you can still use the indoor pool and spa facilities (maybe pedicures with the girls would be nice!). I think it would be fun to go in February!
DeleteHi- Thanks so much for your comprehensive and oh-so-helpful reviews! I'm thinking about a family visit with a 6 yo and a 2 yo. Would you suggest a two night stay or one night would be ok too? We'd be coming from NYC. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteHi CP! Thanks for your comment! If you are trying to fit in the park, Chocolate World and other attractions, I would recommend more than one night. You could do it in one night but you do tend to feel rushed that way, especially if you want to enjoy indoor/outdoor pool with your kiddos at your hotel. I hope that helps!
DeleteI am organizing a small weekend away for my sons 2nd birthday, in April. Paw Patrol is performing at the Hershey Theater. Would you say The Hershey Hotel is a more mature setting for kids and the Lodge is good for both older and younger kids? The Hershey Hotel looks awesome for my son when he is a little older. Given I am going in April I am thinking of the Lodge for the indoor pool for my son. Personally, I'd rather stay at the hotel but it's about my son, right? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Bridget! Thanks for commenting. Yes, these are the choices we have to make as mommas! lol If your son is just turning 2, I would say he'd enjoy the Lodge much more, since it has an awesome indoor pool. When he gets a little older or if you go in the summer, then you might want to consider the hotel! Either way, both resorts offer packages for the Spring so be sure to check those out! I think they have a Springtime in the Park package and an Easter package. Have fun!! Paw Patrol sounds like a blast, too!!
DeleteHi Bridget. We always stay at the Lodge but want to try the Hotel; however the price is 2x more as we are a family of 5 and will need 2 rooms. Do you think is worth to pay the difference to stay at the hotel. My kids are 12 to 17.
ReplyDeleteHi Tatiana, What time of year are you going? It might be worth it if you're going at a time when you can enjoy Hotel Hershey's outdoor pool and the convenience/proximity to Hersheypark and Chocolate World. It's definitely pricier than the Lodge and there's not too much getting around that. But if it's still winter or spring, you might want to stick with the Lodge because they have a pretty fun indoor swim area, even for teenagers!
DeleteHi Bridget. I actually made a reservation today for 3 nights in July; 2 nights with the play and breakfast and one night with AAA discount. When I got my invoice the night with AAA is $300 less than package. Making my calculation I think I'm overpaying for the breakfast. I might modify and pay breakfast as it goes. It the buffet something amazing? May be trying one day will be enough?
ReplyDeleteThe buffet at the Lodge is nothing much. Also, I reversed a suite with 2 queens a a parlor that as per reservations there aren't pictures online Do you these suites?
Hi Tatiana! My name is actually Debbie (I think Bridget is one of the readers who commented above). Thanks for your comments and questions! The buffet at Hotel Hershey IS pretty great, but I am not a huge buffet lover myself so I often skip it and stick to the regular menu. If you have teenagers who eat a lot, the buffet might be worthwhile for them. The Circular (the restaurant at HH) can be pricey so the included breakfast is probably a good deal. You can also view The Circular's entire breakfast menu (along with prices) online, so that might help you calculate the value of the package you got and see if ordering from the menu (instead of the buffet) would be a better deal. You can view the menu here: http://www.thehotelhershey.com/dining/the-circular.php (click on breakfast menu on that page). I have never stayed in one of the suites. I tried to tour them the last time I visited but they were booked. Is it the Catherine Hershey suite or the nostalgia suite? If so, they do have a few photos of them online here: http://www.thehotelhershey.com/accommodations/suites.php (although I think the photos are of the King nostalgia suite). I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. We are actually headed there again in a few weeks. -Debbie (The Jersey Momma)
DeleteI’m taking my daughter and mother to Hershey in August and came across your blog. What a plethora of information!!! Thank you for sharing all this info. It has really helped me decide where to stay and what to do. I can’t thank you enough. ♥️👍🏻
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that means so much to me! Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. I hope you have an AMAZING trip!!
DeleteThis info was so helpful. Thank you! I've decided to book stay at Hotel Hershey with my family (includes 5 year old and 2 yr old twins), but visit the indoor water park at the Lodge - I was there when it first opened and I know that at this candy waterpark, kids will have a total blast! I'll find out how that works and if there'll be charges for this. Hopefully not.....
ReplyDeleteHi there! I am so happy you found this info helpful! When do you plan to visit? Because The Hotel Hershey has an amazing outdoor pool that is even great for the little ones (zero entry, fountains, etc). I am not sure if they will let you use the Water Works at the Lodge if you are staying at The Hotel. I would call ahead to find out but I have heard that is not something they usually allow!
DeleteWow your blog is AMAZING!!!! I'm so glad I found you, can't tell you how much I learned from your posts. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteWe're planning on going to Hershey end of August, beginning of September. 4 adults and 3 kids under 9. I was leaning towards booking the hotel Hershey, they have rooms that are poolside. What is your recommendation, are those decent rooms. Wanting to splurge a bit for the family (the children are our grandkids). Are there other rooms in the hotel you recommend?? Really appreciate your expertise.
Hi there! Thank you so much for the compliment, you made my day! We've stayed in so many rooms at the Hotel now (not just the west wing) and we have yet to have a bad experience. We have never stayed in a poolside room (for those reading this- the Hotel offers rooms next to the indoor swimming pool, literally you walk out and the pool is there) so I can't give you an honest opinion about those. Have you looked into the Woodside Cottages? That's also a thought for a large group or family- might be fun! I have a post about them, too, if you check my Hershey PA tab above. If the Woodside Cottages aren't for you, look into getting rooms that connect or definitely near each other. It's more fun that way for sure. I hope that helps a little! If you can splurge, it's also AMAZING to rent a cabana by the outdoor pool. You'd have your own space with your own mini fridge and everything.
DeleteThank you so much!!! I actually did read your post on the cottages earlier! Lol I think the thing that deterred me was that it was not at the hotel and it was a lot of walking. I think for our first visit, maybe staying in the hotel is better? Thanks again, we're leaning towards the poolside rooms since the kids would probably love that. Thanks for all the help!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! And yes, you're right, there is a little bit of walking involved if you stay in the cottages. I especially missed being able to run downstairs to the gift shops when we stayed there. lol I know if I were a kid I would love the poolside rooms, too. I hope you have a great trip!
DeleteThank you! After reading both parts I am confident in my choice for the Hotel
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help! I hope you enjoy it!
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