The Hotel Hershey Holiday Guide 2026
What You Should Know For A Luxury 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, Pa., the resort is known for its refined elegance, signature service and abundant amenities and is a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond Award for 45 consecutive years. 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 prepare for a visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth.
YOUR ARRIVAL
From the moment you arrive at The Hotel Hershey, you'll experience the sweetest kind of hospitality you can only find in Hershey, Pa., starting right at check-in. Here are a few things to know for your arrival.
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 for each guest 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.
Download the HersheyResorts App
We recommend downloading the HersheyResorts app for real-time navigation throughout the Hotel, details on restaurants, resort amenities and more on the go. The HersheyResorts app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
Activities & Recreation
Once you're checked in, take advantage of all the activities and recreation available across the resort. On select dates, The Hotel Hershey offers family-friendly activities for guests including s'mores roasts, movie nights, chocolate bingo, Hershey Character appearances, crafts and more.
Guests staying Thanksgiving weekend won't want to miss the Hotel’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the Plaza from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. 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 and an indoor arcade.
The Villas At The Hotel Hershey
The Villas offer guests an elevated luxury accommodation experience with refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities. In Summer 2024, The Villas doubled in size bringing guests a total of 19 Villas and 98 sleeping rooms. Amenities include access to an exclusive Villas Concierge Lounge, daily Hersheypark tickets and a One-Day Fast Track per person for Christmas Candylane on park operating days. The Villas 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
- Holiday activities and exclusive Santa appearances just for Villas guests
Exclusive Hersheypark Benefits during Christmas Candylane
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the best amusement park for the holidays. The event brings guests more than 5 million lights, the most lights of any amusement park in the state, and one of the only places in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s live reindeer - including Rudolph! Plus, enjoy a unique blend of thrilling and family-friendly rides (weather permitting), photos with Santa, holiday shopping, signature hot chocolate creations and other sweet treats. Learn more about all of the festivities here.
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 Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed Christmas Day). View hours here.
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 the East Course at Hershey Country Club weather permitting, preferred pricing to ZooAmerica, and complimentary admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.
- ZooAmerica is open daily for guests to visit animals native to the North American region, many of which are more active once the temperatures begin to drop. Explore the numerous habitats of this 11-acre wildlife park and be greeted by animals such as bears, wolves, big cats, snakes 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. 20 through Jan. 3 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days), don't miss the annual Christmas Tree Showcase featuring trees uniquely decorated by local florists. The annual holiday tree display also features a car from Hersheypark’s Comet roller coaster, pulled by Comet, the reindeer, and a stunning 14-foot poinsettia tree - perfect for holiday photo opportunities!
- 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. Ahead of the anticipated release of the HERSHEY movie by Angel Studios, a special new exhibit, The Making of the Hershey Movie, takes guests behind the scenes of the making of the film. Through original costumes, authentic movie props and interactive experiences, the exhibit explores the many creative elements of motion picture production. Additional paid experiences are also available, including the Chocolate Lab, where you can try your hand at chocolate pouring and decorating.
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.
1933 Restaurant & Tavern
Make sure to check out The Hotel Hershey's newest restaurant, 1933 Restaurant & Tavern. Here, guests can feast on an approachable steakhouse menu and elevated pub fare with bold flavors. Plus, enjoy unique signature cocktails and curated draught beers on tap, as well as a brunch menu that’s served every Sunday. View menu.
Other dining options at The Hotel Hershey include:
- The Circular, The Hotel Hershey's flagship restaurant
- 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 the newly-opened Hershey Social 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. Note: A Hersheypark ticket is not required.
Holiday Dining Events
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 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 28 through Dec. 20.
The price for this all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is $56 for children and $68 for adults. Reservations are required and available only for overnight guests of The Hotel Hershey. Please call 855-338-7126 to reserve a table - this fan-favorite event will sell out!Â
Sunday Brunch At The Circular
Visit The Circular every Sunday in December for an indulgent Sunday Brunch Buffet from 12-2:30 p.m.! Pricing for the all-you-can-eat brunch is $70 for adults (13+), $30 for youth (9-12) and $21 for children (3-8); 2 and under are free. Reservations are highly recommended. Call 717-534-8800 for availability.
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. This fall and holiday season, guests can also indulge in a seasonal 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.
Bring Home A Sweet Souvenir
After a sweet getaway, you will 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, such as Hershey's chocolate, apparel, accessories and more. The Shops are also the perfect place to get your holiday shopping done, featuring brands including lululemon, Vuori, Lilly Pulitzer and more. Gift bags, baskets and shipping are available for in-store purchase.
Holiday Resort Packages
On select dates starting Nov. 13, Hotel guests can book holiday resort packages to ring in the season. Book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night packages and get deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets, breakfast and more.