12
July
2019
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15:33 PM
America/New_York

Why the Hershey Lodge is the Best Place to Stay in Hershey for Families

This post originally appeared on mommyknowswhatsbest.com

Learn all about the Hershey Lodge and why it is the best place to stay for families who are visiting Hershey, PA.

Why the Hershey Lodge is the Best Place to Stay for Families

Where to Stay in Hershey, PA

Are you and your family visiting The Sweetest Place on Earth, Hershey, PA? Going to have fun at Hersheypark? The Hershey Lodge is the best place to stay for families looking for fun!

During the Sweetest Welcome Blogger Program, I was given a tour of the Hershey Lodge and a two-night stay to experience it, but I have also been there with my family so I know first-hand all the great things you’ll find at the Lodge.

Fun fact: Did you know that the Hershey Lodge used to be called the Hershey Motor Lodge? #HersheyPA #HersheyLodgeCLICK TO TWEET

The Hershey Lodge is a great place to stay for families, especially for those with small children.

Hershey Lodge Packages

Before you book your stay, you should check out the Hershey Lodge packages. There are quite a few that can save you money!

 

With these packages you can get special offers, such as the Kids Stay, Play and Eat FREE Package where you can get FREE Breakfast and FREE Park admission for kids 17 and younger (available May-June).

When I stayed there with my family, we used the Hersheypark Package. It included tickets to Hersheypark, breakfast, admission to Hershey Gardens, and The Hershey Story. Plus, you get access to the indoor water park (more on that below!), free parking, shuttle service to and from Hershey Attractions, and more.

Hershey Gardens, Butterfly Atrium, The Hershey Story

Read about the rooms available down below.

BONUS TIP: As a guest of the Hershey Lodge, you have access to the Hersheypark Preview Plan!  The evening before your actual park visit, you can enter the park at least 4 1/2 hours before it closes (usually 3 1/2 hours for regular admission tickets). Show your tickets at the main entrance. It’s good from Memorial Day – Labor Day.

Hershey Lodge Perks 

There are quite a few perks for your family when you stay at the Hershey Lodge, including:

  • Character appearances. No need to leave the premises so that your kids can see and meet Hershey characters! The characters appear in the Lodge throughout the day and stop to take photos with guests. You can also get preferred pricing for Breakfast at the Park with the characters.

Hershey Character Appearances at Hershey Lodge : Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

  • Hersheypark ticket discounts. If you don’t choose a Hersheypark package, you can still get discounted tickets at the Lodge. ZooAmerica admission is included.
  • Hersheypark Sweet Access Pass. Lodge guests have the ability to get a Hersheypark Sweet Access Pass, which is an exclusive VIP experience.
  • Admission to local Hershey Attractions. You get admission to the Hershey Gardens with The Butterfly Atrium, The Hershey Story, and access to three golf courses.

 

  • Chocolate Bingo and S’mores Roasts. These are two of the activities available to families.
  • Premium waterfront Cabanas at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark. At the Lodge, you have the ability to rent premium cabanas at The Boardwalk.
  • Arcade, crafts, and games. There is an arcade and a family game room available for guests. There are also arts and crafts for kids on occasion.

Hershey Lodge Benefits

  • Fitness Center and Sports Complex. Guests can use the Fitness Center and the outdoor pool, basketball court, tennis court, and mini-golf.
  • AND MORE!

Check out the Free Resort Benefits and Activities Schedule for more information!

BONUS TIP: Have a birthday or anniversary coming up on your visit? Call ahead and ask about their Amenity Baskets that can be delivered to your room.

Baskets for Birthdays or Amenities

Ready to go? Here’s what to expect when you get there. 

Hershey Lodge Lobby

When you arrive at the Hershey Lodge, you need to take a moment to appreciate the lobby.

You may not consider a hotel lobby as something important, but the Hershey Lodge Lobby is pretty awesome.

Hershey Lodge Lobby

Just some views of the Hershey Lodge Lobby. There are more areas, but there were a lot of guests enjoying them and I didn’t want to disturb their experience.

Not only is it designed to give you the ultimate lodge feel, it is a great place to just hang out with the family after a long day or to relax and read a book before heading to bed for the night.

There are multiple seating areas, some of which surround the four-sided fireplace, which is lit all year long.

There is also the Lobby Bar where the adults can sit and enjoy some adult beverages.

Hershey Lodge Lobby Bar

Also, can you smell that? It smells like chocolate in there!

Hershey Lodge Kids Check In

The Hershey Lodge loves to see kids! Kids can get their own check-in when you arrive. They can sign the “Kids at Hershey Lodge” guest book, participate in a Hershey’s candy guessing game or other activity, and receive a little chocolate surprise.

Kids Check In at Hershey Lodge

When I was there in the Spring, there was an Easter Egg Hunt sign up there for the kids. There are other activities available depending on the season.

Also, kids can get a lanyard that can be personalized with their name and contact information, which might be helpful if they wander off on their own!

Hershey Lodge Rooms

After you check-in, you should be able to go to your room. You’ll notice the bright, well-lit hallways, which was part of a recent update. You’ll also notice that most of the rooms are spacious and updated, as part of an ongoing renovation project.

Hershey Lodge Rooms

There are 665 rooms, and multiple room options. There are Guest Rooms with chocolate themed room decor that can accommodate 2-6 people, depending on which room you choose. There are ADA Accessible Guest Rooms as well.

Guest Room at Hershey Lodge Photos

There are 16 Suites available, including a Bridal Suite, Bi-Level Suites, and more.

TIP: Traveling with multiple small kids? You might not need as big a room as you think. Call to make your reservations to get the right room for your family.

Guest Room at Hershey Lodge

When I visited with my family of 6, we had an outer room on the bottom floor that opened right to where our car was parked, which was super convenient for us. Our room was a double queen room, so there were two beds that comfortably fit our then 8, 6, and 3 year old in one bed, and my husband and I in another bed, while our 7 month old slept in a pack n’ play at the foot of one of the beds.

Hershey Lodge Restaurants

There’s no need to leave the Lodge in search of food or drinks, which is perfect if you’re there with your family. The Hershey Lodge has multiple on-site, family-friendly restaurants, including the Lobby Bar.

Within the Lobby are two of the restaurants: Fire & Grain and The Cocoa Beanery.

Fire & Grain is great for when you want re-imagined comfort foods in a warm and inviting setting. They are open for Breakfast and Dinner, and their menu changes seasonally.

For dinner, they have small plates (like Buffalo Chicken Meatballs), Flatbreads, Salads, Pasta, and full Entrees.

And if you visit, you must try their desserts! The favorite is usually the S’mores Jar, but I was given the chance to try the Limoncello Cake with Chambord Berries and the Morello Cherry with Pistachio Shortbread Cobbler the and they were amazing.

Both will be available on the menu soon!

The Cocoa Beanery has a coffee shop atmosphere and has pastries, desserts, coffees, sandwiches, salads, and more. There are also plenty of things to grab and go, giving you the opportunity to bring a snack back to your room or out in the Lobby.

Coffee Shop in the Hershey Lodge

Near the Gift Shop just outside the Lobby, you’ll find The Bear’s Den. Inside, you’ll find that the space is like being in a hockey rink, paying homage to the local team, the Hershey Bears. You can get lunch and dinner there, such as burgers, wings, melts, and alcoholic beverages for sports fans to enjoy while watching the game.

The Hershey Bears Restaurant The Bear's Den

Up on the second level of the Hershey Lodge is The Forebay. There you can enjoy seafood and steaks along with other items from their smokehouse.

The Hershey Grill is near the convention areas of The Hershey Lodge. There you can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner from seasonal menus that try creative flavor combinations and fresh foods.

S'mores French Toast at The Hershey Grill

Cocoa Cabana is located within Hershey Waterworks in the Lodge. There you can find sandwiches, salads, and soft serve ice cream, along with some fun adult beverages.

You can also order room service if you want food or drinks delivered to your room.

Hershey Lodge Indoor Water Park

One of the things my kids loved best about the Hershey Lodge was the indoor water park, Hershey Water Works.

Hershey Water Works Indoor Water Park at the Hershey Lodge

Inside is a wading pool for babies and toddlers, sand castle play area with water sprays, a larger pool with Reese’s Water Walk, Twizzlers Twists water slides, and more.

The best part for parents, aside from all the fun and the Cocoa Cabana, is that while it’s a pretty big space, it’s not so big that you would lose your kids as they hop around from area to area. And when you’re done, all you need to do is walk back to your room. No need to leave the Lodge!

Hershey Water Works Indoor Water Park

Hershey Lodge Shuttle Service

As mentioned above, one of the free benefits of staying at the Hershey Lodge is shuttle service to and from various Hershey locations.

Shuttle Service to Hersheypark

Shuttle service starts one hour before Hersheypark opens and stops one hour after Hersheypark closes. The shuttle runs every 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic in the area.

Hershey Lodge Staff

Last, but certainly not least, is the Hershey Lodge staff. Everyone is very friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and even if they don’t have an answer to your question, they’ll go out of their way to find the answer for you.

Would You Stay at the Hershey Lodge?

So, what do you think? Would you stay at the Hershey Lodge? Have you been there before? Leave a comment down below!

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