Few hotels give out chocolate bars upon check-in and that's just one of the many touches that make Hotel Hershey stand out. While the hotel certainly attracts plenty of families, it's also a really beautiful and elegant accommodation for couples. As a member of the Historic Hotels of America, a AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Four-Star property, mom and dad will appreciate the grandeur and the kids will love all the fun.

Hotel guests also get many perks including free admission into Hershey Gardens (my boys loved the butterfly garden and I loved the beautiful array of colorful roses) and free admission to The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue. One of the biggest benefits of staying at the hotel, I felt, was the free shuttle back and forth to Hersheypark, which was quick, easy and enjoyable. Guests at the hotel also get priority early entry into the park before the crowds descend.

Sleep

There are a number of different room categories, but your first decision will be whether to stay in the main hotel building or in the Woodside Cottages, a short walk from the main building. For my family of four, the cottage was ideal. The room was very spacious with two queen beds, a large closet, a nook-area that was the perfect place to put the crib, a full desk, dresser and flat-screen TV. There was also a small refrigerator. The bathroom was equally as spacious with an oversize bathtub, perfect for my nightly soaks, a separate shower area with a rainforest shower head, a double vanity and an additional TV (for those who prefer to catch up on their shows during their bath).

We stayed in the Hickory cottage, which was the last cottage in the row, and found it be nicely peaceful and quiet. We walked to the outdoor pool, shuttle bus stop to Hersheypark and the main lodge--all located a short distance away. The rooms at the cottage are larger in size than the standard hotel rooms and afford a bit more privacy. Each cottage room has a private outdoor terrace, perfect for ordering room service and taking in the views of the surrounding nature.

There are 276 rooms and suites, with 228 located in the main building and 48 rooms in the Woodside Cottages.

Eat

There are several restaurants at the Hotel Hershey and which means there are price-points and taste preferences to suit a variety of needs. We ate at the Circular Dining Room for breakfast and dinner and simply loved the experience. It's the fanciest of the restaurants at Hotel Hershey and I was worried how my two young boys would do, but the staff was extremely accommodating and the food delicious. I highly recommend starting the day with the breakfast buffet. There are two omelet stations (so the wait is minimal) and an array of fruits, rolls, cereals, meats, cheeses, potatoes, pancakes, waffles and more. Both of my kids were in heaven and my husband and I were relieved to find so many options for both kids and adults.

Dinner at the Circular Dining Room is an elegant four-star experience. Cuisine options included salmon and steak for adults and pasta and grilled chicken for kids. The views of the sunset from the large bay windows were simply stunning. The food matched the atmosphere and ambiance. Again, the staff was very accommodating to our children, seating us away from other tables and bringing crayons and snacks to keep the boys happy until their food arrived.

The Harvest restaurant, located next to the outdoor pool, is also quite popular. It's a friendly, casual restaurant with American cuisine, and is quite child-friendly. Trevi 5 is a tasty Italian eatery that has a number of small-dish appetizers, perfect for sharing and plenty of pasta and fish options for the main course. Cocoa Beanery is ideal for a quick bite--sandwiches, salads, pastries and desserts--or a cup of specialty coffee.

Play and Relax

Affectionately known as the Chocolate Spa, The Spa At The Hotel Hershey combines relaxation with wonderful scents and views. The 40,000-square-foot spa was bustling when I was there and my therapist told me treatments book up pretty quickly, so it's best to book ahead. I had the cocoa massage and the smell of chocolate and the deep, soothing strokes instantly put me in a relaxed, happy state of mind.

In addition to chocolate treatments (Chocolate Fondue Wrap; Cocoa Facial Experience; Whipped Cocoa Bath), the hotel also offers treatments that pay homage to Cuba (Mojito Sugar Scrub; Noche Azul Soak), where Hershey sugar mills and plantations once stood.

The three-story spa offers beautiful views of the formal gardens and reflecting pools. There were several different relaxation rooms and an outdoor terrace, too. I especially loved the yummy treats offered: an array of muffins (chocolate, of course, plus, banana-nut and cranberry), Hershey kisses, plus a variety of teas, hot chocolate, coffee and water.

Soothing music, plenty of magazines, and an elegant atmosphere made this a place I could easily have spent many hours, pre and post service.

Since we visited in the summer, we spent most of our time at the outdoor pool, which features a zero-grade entry, perfect for small children. My boys loved playing in the splash fountains, swimming under the mushroom, and floating through the expansive pool area. There were ample beach chairs and umbrellas throughout the pool deck. They also have poolside cabanas, too. For adults, there's an infinity pool for guests 18 and older. There's also a great cafe with yummy snacks and drinks, located in the pool area.

Other outdoor recreation includes basketball courts, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, tennis and sand volleyball. There's a year-round outdoor skating rink, bicycle rental, hiking trails, falconry and 63 holes of golf in the Hershey Golf Collection.

In short, you won't be bored.

What was especially nice about Hersheypark for our family was the kiddie rides, over 20 scattered throughout the park. My kids loved the mini carousel, the swing, the monorail, the kiss tower and the small trains, planes and automobiles. Plus, since we visited on hot, summer day, the Boardwalk at Hersheypark was the perfect respite. There are nine water-based attractions, many targeting younger kids. Also, the Hersheypark admission price includes ZooAmerica, which is a nice, manageable zoo experience that showcases 200 animals.
(Reviewed 2/26/2013)
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Hotel Hershey is located in central Pennsylvania. It's three hours from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia, 90 minutes from Baltimore and 2.5 hours from Washington DC.
100 Hotel Road, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033 USA
Reservations: (800) 437-7439
Web site: Hotel Hershey