Step Into the Legacy of Our Founder at The Hotel Hershey

Nearly 100 years ago, history was made as The Hotel Hershey opened its doors for guests for the first time. Known as Milton S. Hershey’s crown jewel of the attractions and amenities he built, The Hotel Hershey blends timeless elegance with the spirit of our founder. From the resort's rich history and world-class dining to its luxurious spa and nearby attractions, guests can fully immerse themselves in the legacy of Mr. Hershey throughout their stay at the award-winning hotel in Hershey, Pa.

THE HISTORY

In 1933, Milton S. Hershey embarked on one of his most ambitious projects yet - the Great Building Campaign. Launched in the midst of The Great Depression, the project aimed to bolster the local economy and create new job opportunities for the Hershey community.

Building the hotel was always a dream for both Mr. Hershey and his wife, Catherine Hershey, so construction began atop Pat’s Hill as part of the exciting campaign. Starting in 1931 and employing nearly 800 steelworkers, masons, carpenters and other craftsmen, the 170-room, $2 million hotel was finished on May 23, 1933. The Hotel Hershey officially opened its doors for guests just four days later and was accompanied by a grand opening dance and dinner for over 400 guests.

INSPIRATION FROM MR. HERSHEY

Throughout his travels, Mr. Hershey had the luxury of staying at some of the finest hotels in the world which he used as inspiration for The Hotel Hershey. Initially, he had planned to replicate the beautiful Heliopolis Hotel in Cairo, Egypt per the wishes of his late wife. However, those plans were abandoned once contacting their architect and learning that the project would cost $5 million.

Mr. Hershey hired local architect and chief engineer D. Paul Witmer to lead the project, giving him a postcard from a hotel on the Mediterranean that he and his wife had stayed at as inspiration. He also instructed him to include a Spanish patio, tiled floors and a fountain, based on notes from his travels abroad, primarily from Cuba and Europe, that guests still enjoy today.

DINE LIKE MR. HERSHEY

While traveling for business, Mr. Hershey usually stayed and dined alone on his ventures. Often, he would be seated in the corner of a restaurant which he resented. Based on these prior experiences, Mr. Hershey worked with Witmer to design The Circular dining room. The world-class restaurant features a completely circular design so all guests could have a good table free of obstructions. To this day, The Circular welcomes guests for fresh new twists on iconic American cuisine for both breakfast and dinner and allows them to dine like Mr. Hershey.

Other dining options at The Hotel Hershey include Chef’s Market, Trevi 5, The Plaza Bar, Iberian Lounge, and the most recent addition, 1933 Restaurant & Tavern. Room service is also available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for guests to enjoy.

LATER ADDITIONS TO THE RESORT

Construction on The Hotel Hershey did not stop in 1933. Just one year later, a nine-hole golf course was added to the grounds for guests to enjoy during their stay. In 1935, a grand ballroom, named the Castilian Room, and a full-service bar and wine cellar were both added after being delayed by the Prohibition era. Other welcomed additions throughout the 20th century included conference rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and an entirely new wing opening 100 rooms.

In January 2001, one of the most luxurious experiences in Hershey opened its doors: The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. The 17,000 square foot spa provides zen and relaxation as guests indulge in uniquely Hershey treatments including the Whipped Cocoa Bath and Chocolate Fondue Wrap. The spa expanded into one of the largest resort spas in the nation at the end of 2003 and currently spans 40,000 square feet with 61 total treatment areas.

EXPERIENCES INCLUDED IN YOUR STAY

All guests at The Hotel Hershey are able to continue immersing themselves in our founder’s legacy outside of the resort. Enjoy complimentary admission to The Hershey Story on Chocolate Avenue to continue learning about Mr. Hershey’s life and the history of the town he created. Initially opened in 1933 by Mr. Hershey as the Hershey American Indian Museum, it included a collection of both Native American and Pennsylvania-German artifacts. The museum as we know it today reopened in 2009 and offers more than 30 stories about our founder and rotating exhibits about his history.

Guests can also enjoy the nearby stunning Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical display of 11 themed gardens and the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. The gardens were initially opened in 1937 as the Hershey Rose Garden and welcomed over 200,000 visitors in its first season. While visiting the conservatory, guests can enjoy more than 600 butterflies from around the world in the Butterfly Atrium, one of 25 year-round indoor tropical butterfly atriums in the U.S.

When you stay at The Hotel Hershey, you're not just booking a room; you're experiencing the legacy of the person who built Hershey from the ground up. Experience the history yourself and make your reservation on the resort’s website today! Thank you to our friends at Hershey Community Archives for providing the historic images contained throughout the story.