Are you visiting Hersheypark and comparing Hershey Lodge vs. the Hotel Hershey? I have stayed at both and am sharing all the details to decide which Hershey resort is the best choice for your family.
Hersheypark is an amusement park located at the sweetest place on Earth, the town of Hershey, PA. It has over 14 roller coasters, family friendly attractions, and a water park.
There are two main hotels at Hersheypark to consider when visiting. They are The Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge. Both of these resorts offer perks that include early entry into the park as well as on-site transportation.
Hersheypark also has an on-site campgrounds for families looking to camp during their visit.
Whether this is your first time to Hersheypark or you have visited before staying on-site can be a great addition to your vacation.
Families that want to stay on-site at one of the official resorts of Hersheypark have three choices. The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort.
The Camping resort offers log cabin accommodations, tent spaces, and RV spaces. Learn more in this article about Hersheypark Camping Resort.
For this post I am sharing the pros and cons to both Hershey properties and help you decide what Hershey resort is the best choice for your visit to Hersheypark.
For full reviews of each check out these articles: Hershey Water Works and Hershey Lodge Review and 7 Reasons to Stay at the Hotel Hershey with Kids.
Perks of Staying at a Hersheypark Resort
Why would you stay at a Hersheypark Resort?
Many families may wonder if it is worth it to stay on-site at Hersheypark. Hersheypark is fun for guests of all ages and their on-site properties are great too!
There are a few perks that all the Hersheypark Resorts have that you should know.
- Front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort guest drop-off location
- 1- hour early access including all-new coaster, Candymonium with Sweet Start, available during the Summer season
- Up to 4.5 extra evening hours with Preview Plan, available from Memorial Day – Labor Day
- FREE Chocolate at check-in for the whole family
- FREE admission to Hershey Gardens, including the Butterfly Atrium (Excludes Hershey Campground. Discount available.)
- FREE admission to The Hershey Story Museum Experience (Excludes Hershey Campground. Discount available.)
- Access to 3 award-winning golf courses
- Preferred pricing to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
- Best price on Hersheypark tickets
- Complimentary Self-Parking
These Hersheypark on-site perks are available to all guests staying at the resorts. They make staying on-site worth it for some families.
The Campgrounds are excluded from a few perks, and not the best option for families looking to stay at a hotel.
If you want to stay on-site at Hershey, at a hotel, your options come down to the Hershey Lodge or Hotel Hershey.
Hershey Lodge vs. Hershey Hotel: Best Choice for Your Family
When comparing the Hershey Lodge vs. Hershey Hotel you need to consider amenities that are important to your family. These are the most important things families look for when making accommodations.
Style and Ambiance of the Resorts
The Hotel Hershey is a massive estate that dates back to when Milton Hershey would stay at the resort. It is one of the nicest historic hotels I have ever stayed in.
It has kept up it’s historical features and classic charm making this the luxury hotel on property. It is absolutely stunning. The courtyard and outdoor sitting areas make this resort perfect for guests looking for an upscale hotel experience.
One of the areas we loved to explore was the outdoor gardens. This is a great place to let your kids get their energy out. There is also a playground nearby.
The Hershey Lodge has a cozy lodge style feel. There is a fireplace welcoming guests into the lobby as the smell of chocolate fills the air.
This resort is a moderate level resort that has an on-site water park and caters to families of all ages. This hotel has all the amenities for families with kids making it a great choice for your visit.
This is a very large resort and at times they host conventions at the resort. This can make it busier during your stay. You can check with the resort during booking for more information on this.
Price Comparison of Hershey Hotel and Hershey Lodge
The Hotel Hershey is the pricier of the two. It is a 4-star resort and the price does reflect that. I compared a Tuesday night in the summer for a family of four to give you an idea of what the cost would be to stay at the Hershey Hotel vs. Hershey Lodge.
The Hershey Lodge hotel room is $299/night and the Hotel Hershey is $399/night. These are for standard rooms. For rooms that fit larger families the price will go up or you may need to book adjoining rooms.
Room Comparison
The Hershey Lodge guest rooms have been recently renovated. They have subtle hints of Hershey kisses in the décor.
The Hershey Hotel rooms live up to the luxury hotel standards with classic historical charm. The Hershey Hotel also offers Woodside cottages to guests.
The resorts both have queen beds in their standard rooms. There are also rooms with King beds and pull-out sofas.
Pools at the Hersheypark Resorts
There may not be a clear winner when it comes to pools at the Hershey Lodge or Hershey Hotel. They both have great pool options depending on the season you visit.
The Hershey Lodge has Hershey’s Water Works an indoor water park that has slides and spray playgrounds. They also have a standard outdoor pool. Depending on the season you visit the indoor water park may be a huge perk.
The Hotel Hershey offers a standard indoor pool complex to use year round. There is also an indoor hot tub. The outdoor pool at the Hotel Hershey has water slides and kiddie spray area.
Convenience to the Park
The Hotel Hershey is located across the street from Hersheypark offering views of the park to guests. The Hershey Lodge is a few miles away. Both locations are convenient during your visit and shouldn’t make a significant impact on your decision.
Dining at the Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge
The Hotel Hershey has on-site dining at The Circular, Harvest, Trevi 5, Iberian Lounge, Chef’s Market, and Poolside. Chef’s Market will be an all-day café opening soon at the hotel. The restaurants on-site are upscale and prices will reflect that.
The Circular is our pick for breakfast during your stay at the Hotel Hershey. This breakfast buffet is one of our favorites. The selection of pastries and other breakfast options is top notch. You do not have to be staying at the Hotel to dine at the Circular.
The Hershey Lodge has the Hershey Grill, Revelry, The Bear’s Den, Fire & Grain, Cocoa Beanery, and Cocoa Café. These restaurants are family friendly and have options to make most families happy.
Hershey Entertainment and Activities
Hershey Lodge offers different amenities and kids activities daily. One of the fun activities is the Kid’s Check-In. This lets the kids check-in and receive a free lanyard and participate in fun activities.
You can also play Bingo, Roast S’mores, see Hershey Characters, and Animal Encounters with ZooAmerica. There is a family game room, arcade, basketball court, tennis court, and mini golf course.
The Hershey Hotel has a Kid’s Club that you can drop your kids at. This is offered at an additional cost. There is also Hiking trails, Hershey Outfitters rope course, Falconry, Disc Golf and Segway tours.
The Hershey Hotel also has the Spa that offers numerous spa treatments and specialty services. Guests can meet characters, play bingo, roast s’mores, and participate in seasonal events through the year.
As you can see you can’t go wrong with your choice. The Hershey Lodge and Hershey Hotel are both fantastic choices for your family giving you an awesome start to your Hersheypark vacation.
