The Hotel Hershey Holiday Guide 2024
Everything You Need To Know For A Sweet Holiday Stay In Hershey, PA
Opened by chocolatier Milton S. Hershey in 1933, The Hotel Hershey is a one-of-a-kind destination with rich history. Situated high atop the town of Hershey, the resort is known for its refined elegance, signature service and abundant amenities and is a recipient of the Forbes Four-Star Award and the AAA Four-Diamond Award. And it's even more beautiful during the holiday season!
Planning a holiday stay? We can't wait to welcome you! Here's a guide to everything you need to know to help you prepare for a sweet visit this holiday season in The Sweetest Place On Earth.
YOUR ARRIVAL
From the moment you arrive at The Hotel Hershey, you'll experience the kind of hospitality you can only find in The Sweetest Place On Earth starting with check-in. Here are a few things to know for your arrival.
The Sweetest Check-In
Did you know that each stay at The Hotel Hershey begins with chocolate at check-in? You'll receive a full-size Hershey's bar to start your getaway in the sweetest way. Check-in is after 4 p.m., and check-out is before 12 p.m.
Amenities
Please view our guest room amenities and services.
Activities & Recreation
Once you're checked in, take advantage of the activities and recreation available across the resort. On select dates, The Hotel Hershey offers family-friendly activities for guests ranging from s'mores roasts to chocolate bingo to Hershey Character appearances, crafts and more.
Guests staying Thanksgiving weekend won't want to miss the Hotel’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Harvest Plaza from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The event includes hot cocoa and cookies, live music, holiday carnival games and a tree lighting with the Hershey Characters at 8 p.m. Activity schedules are posted online in advance for your planning purposes, or you can pick up a schedule at check-in.
Guests can also take advantage of recreation on property, including an indoor pool complex, 5.5 miles of hiking trails, daily fitness classes, disc golf, and an outdoor sports complex featuring basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, horseshoes, Spikeball, bocce ball, shuffleboard and cornhole.
The Villas - New this Winter
For the first time this holiday season, The Villas offer guests an elevated luxury accommodation experience with 48 reimagined rooms, refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities. Amenities include access to an all-new exclusive Concierge Lounge, daily Hersheypark tickets and a One-Day Fast Track per person. The Concierge Lounge can be accessed with a Villa room key from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and includes:
- Continental breakfast
- Snacks and fountain drinks
- Evening hors d’oeuvres with beer and wine plus desserts
- Exclusive Hershey character appearances and s’mores roasts
View a full schedule for the Villas Concierge Lounge here.
Additional enhanced amenities offered exclusively for Villa guests include:
- Exclusive check-in
- Dedicated Concierge at the Villas Lounge to assist guests with any requests
- Access to make preferred spa and dining reservations at The Hotel Hershey
- Door-to-door transportation to other Hershey properties
Exclusive Hersheypark Benefits during Christmas Candylane
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the best amusement park for the holidays and the only place in the Northeast where guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa's reindeer, including Rudolph. The seasonal event also features more than 5 million twinkling lights (the most in Pennsylvania), including a dazzling NOEL light show with more than 250,000 dancing lights synchronized to Christmas music; a unique blend of thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides, weather permitting; photos with Santa; holiday shopping; signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats; and more.
If you're planning a visit to Hersheypark during your stay, be sure to take advantage of all of the perks that come with being a guest of one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark! All guests of The Hotel Hershey receive the below FREE Resort Benefits:
- Extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan
- Preview Plan: Resort guests enjoy up to 2.5 extra evening hours the night before their full-day visit. Simply, present your ticket at the main entrance and enjoy a fun-filled evening.
- FREE front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark
- Best price on Hersheypark tickets
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open on select dates from Nov. 15, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025, with daily operations starting Dec. 12 (closed Christmas Day). View hours here.
Hershey Sweet Lights
Just outside Hersheypark is the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction. Hershey Sweet Lights begins Nov. 15-17 and then is open nightly from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1, 2025; hours vary.
From the comfort of their cars, guests can enjoy two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays, such as The 12 Days of Christmas, an Enchanted Forest and Hersheypark rides.
New for 2024, Hershey Sweet Lights features three custom Hershey-themed displays depicting Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid coaster, Jolly Rancher Remix coaster and Hershey Bears hockey, as well as an all-new region inspired by the Northern Lights. Guests can also enjoy a new arrival experience with festive food and retail bundles for purchase, enhancements to the Victorian Village portion of the attraction, and a new Candy Cane Forest exit boasting uplit trees and light displays.
More Free Resort Benefits
Make sure to save some time in your itinerary for a visit to some other area attractions throughout Hershey. All guests of The Hotel Hershey receive additional FREE Resort Benefits, including access to two award-winning golf courses at Hershey Country Club, preferred pricing to ZooAmerica, and complimentary admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.
- ZooAmerica is open daily (with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) for guests to visit over 200 animals native to the North American region. Explore the numerous habitats of this 11-acre wildlife park and be greeted by animals such as bears, wolves, alligators, big cats, snakes, otters and many more. Note: Entrance to ZooAmerica is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark only when entered via the Hersheypark bridge during Park hours.
- Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre walk-through botanical display garden that offers 11 themed gardens and a Children’s Garden with chocolate-scented, named and colored flora. During your visit, be sure to check out the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which includes a year-round indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium featuring 600 butterflies from around the world. Plus, from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas), don't miss the annual Christmas Tree Showcase featuring trees uniquely decorated by local florists.
- The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, invites guests to learn all about the life and legacy of our founder Milton S. Hershey, the town he created and the lives he touched. Additional paid experiences are also available, including the Chocolate Lab, where you can try your hand at chocolate pouring and decorating.
For more things to do in Hershey, visit HersheyPA.com.
Dining
Guests of The Hotel Hershey can find seasonal menus at a variety of restaurants on property ranging from grab-and-go to fine dining. Reservations are accepted at select locations. Visit TheHotelHershey.com/Dining for hours and more info. Options include:
- The Circular, The Hotel Hershey's flagship restaurant
- Harvest, serving farm-to-fork American cuisine
- Trevi 5, a modern Italian grill
- Iberian Lounge, serving lite fare and signature cocktails
- Chef's Market, an all-day café serving coffee, chef-prepared food and decadent chocolate treats on-the-go
Other options around town include Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar and Devon Seafood + Steak in downtown Hershey and The Chocolatier – a full-service restaurant, bar and patio open year-round in Hershey's Chocolatetown at Hersheypark. The restaurant features a Fun to Table menu showcasing classic family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate and is now accepting reservations. Note: A Hersheypark ticket is not required.
For more information about dining offerings in Hershey, visit DiningInHershey.com.
Breakfast With Santa
Guests staying overnight at The Hotel Hershey can celebrate the holidays with Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy a breakfast buffet in the beautifully decorated Fountain Lobby and get your family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 30 through Dec. 22.
The price for this all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is $50 for children and $62 for adults. Reservations are required. Please call 855-338-7126 to reserve a table.
Schedule A Spa Treatment
During your getaway, make time for some sweet relaxation at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. Affectionately known as the Chocolate Spa, the spa is famous for its signature chocolate treatments, such as a Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Fondue Wrap and Cocoa Massage. However, this fall and holiday season, guests can also indulge in a collection of decadent pumpkin-inspired treatments through Nov. 30 and peppermint mocha and peppermint hot chocolate treatments starting Dec. 1. Call 844-330-1797 to book your appointment.
Adventure Explorations
Book a unique adventure experience during your holiday getaway, such as rock climbing, winter hiking, sporting clays and more, with Adventure Explorations. Cost varies for each activity and includes all gear, expert guides, snacks, water and safety equipment. Reservations can be made online at AdventureExplorations.com, by calling or texting 888-238-3975, or by visiting the Outfitters Building in Harvest Plaza.
Bring Home A Sweet Souvenir
After a sweet getaway, you may want to take a piece of Hershey home with you to help you remember your visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth. So, don't forget to stop inside The Shops At The Hotel Hershey for souvenirs and holiday gifts, such as Hershey's chocolate, apparel, accessories and more. Gift bags, baskets, and shipping are available for in-store purchase.
