Hershey's Hidden Gem: Comfort Inn Pine Grove I-81 Review!
Alright, alright, settle in folks, because we're diving headfirst into the Hershey's Hidden Gem, AKA the Comfort Inn Pine Grove, right off I-81. And let me tell you, after a long, winding road trip (aren't they all?), this place was… well, let's just say it was an experience. Buckle up, because this ain't gonna be your polished, corporate jargon review. This is the gritty, honest truth.
First impressions, and the whole "Accessibility" Bit (and some personal baggage):
Okay, so, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate a place that gets accessibility. My Aunt Mildred, bless her heart, uses a walker, and that is a whole new level of understanding. And from what I saw, the Comfort Inn Pine Grove tried. There were ramps, and elevators galore. Now, did I see a sign saying "Wheelchair accessible rooms"? Nope. So, that needs fine tuning. But overall, it felt like they were making an effort, which is more than you can say for some places. You know, the ones that think a couple of stairs are a feature, not a barrier. Kudos for trying. Accessibility Score: 7/10 (Room for improvement on specifics, but genuine effort appreciated)
Pre-Arrival Shenanigans (aka, Booking and Expectations):
Booking was a… well, it was a booking. You know how it is. Website, click, confirm. I wasn’t expecting the Ritz, especially for a roadside motel. I was hoping for clean, quiet, and maybe, just maybe, a decent cup of instant coffee. And that's where the adventure began…
Rooms & Creature Comforts – Did They Deliver?
Okay, room details, the bread and butter of any good hotel.
- Air Conditioning? Yep, and thankfully so. It was a scorcher that day.
- Blackout Curtains? Thank the sweet baby Jesus, YES. I, along with many people can NOT sleep in the light.
- Bed? Ah, the bed. It was… there. It was comfortable enough for a solo traveler. The extra-long bed was indeed long.
- Internet? Free Wi-Fi! Sweet victory. I’m always shocked when hotels charge for Wi-Fi!
- Bathroom? Your basic motel bathroom situation. Nothing to inspire poetry, but functional. Water pressure was decent, though.
- Amenities? The usual suspects: a small TV, a fridge, a coffee maker. Honestly, that coffee maker was lifesaver for a caffeine addict like me, although, I couldn’t find Coffee/tea in restaurant, and complimentary tea didn’t come.
Room-specific observations:
- The Carpeting: It was….there. Might have seen better days. Bit of a stain here, a little wear and tear there. Realistically, it could be done better, but it's not a problem.
- The View: The view? Uh, let’s just say it wasn’t scenic. The parking lot, the highway, and another hotel.
- Oh, Oh! and the Soundproofing: Let’s talk about the soundproofing for a bit, or should I say the lack thereof. I could hear everything. The truck rumbling, the screaming kids (that was kind of fun, to be honest), the guy in the next room clearly having a good time.
- Overall Room Score: 6.5/10 (Decent, but not mind-blowing. Soundproofing REALLY needs an upgrade.)
Things to Do (or Not Do) at the Comfort Inn Pine Grove:
Let’s be honest, this isn't exactly a resort. But there were the basic amenities: a swimming pool, a fitness center (which I didn't use, because, you know, vacation), and free parking.
- Fitness Center: No idea. Did not go. I did see the pictures, and it looked…. functional.
- Swimming Pool (Outdoor): Ah, the pool. It was… green. Okay, maybe not green green, but the water looked a little cloudy. And a bit cold for my liking. I think it could have used a good bit of cleaning.
- Other random "things to do": There wasn't a lot beyond the basics. This is a place to crash, not to vacation.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – The Foodie Rundown:
Okay, this is where things got a little… interesting. The hotel had a "buffet in restaurant" and an "Asian breakfast," I wish I had gotten the opportunity to test that! I did see a Snack bar, a convenience store, and a bar.
- Breakfast: So, I did go for the breakfast buffet. It was basic. The typical continental spread situation. Cereal, yogurt, some sad-looking pastries, hard-boiled eggs, and of course, the ever-present waffle maker.
- Coffee: Okay, the coffee was… bad. Really bad. Instant coffee in the room was a vast improvement.
Dining Score: 3/10 (Basic. Could be way better.)
Cleanliness & Safety – Did I Feel Safe?
This is a big one for me. I'm a germaphobe. I’m always checking for cleanliness.
- Room Sanitization: I did see signs about their cleaning protocols, and I think the room was cleaned properly.
- Other safety bits: There were smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and the lobby security looked pretty robust.
Safety Score: 8/10 (Felt safe, but keep those expectations in check.)
Staff & Service – The Human Factor:
The staff were polite, helpful, and friendly. At least, the people I met. They were all about going through the motions.
Staff/Service Score: 7/10 (Polite and professional.)
Location, Getting Around, and the Practicalities:
Right off I-81, perfect for travelers. There’s free parking, and you can get to some basic fast-food joints nearby.
The Verdict: The Good, The Bad, and the… Meh:
Alright, so here's the honest truth. The Comfort Inn Pine Grove is not fancy. It's not luxurious. It is a functional place to rest your head on a road trip.
Pros:
- Convenient location, right off the highway.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Free parking.
- Safe feeling.
- Relatively cheap.
Cons:
- Soundproofing needs work.
- Breakfast is basic.
- Not much to do at the hotel.
Overall, Would I Recommend It?
If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful place to crash for a night while driving through, yes. If you're looking for a vacation destination, go elsewhere. Overall Rating: 6.5/10 (Solid for a road trip stopover.)
Now, for the Juicy Persuasion: The "BOOK NOW" Blitz!
Tired of cookie-cutter hotels that feel like a corporate wasteland? Craving a convenient, no-frills stopover on I-81?
Then Hershey’s Hidden Gem, the Comfort Inn Pine Grove, is calling your name!
Here's why you should click that "Book Now" button:
- Location, Location, Location: Skip the endless detours! Right off I-81, you’ll be back on the road in a flash.
- Budget-Friendly Bliss: Get a comfortable night’s sleep without breaking the bank.
- Free Wi-Fi: Stream your favorite shows, catch up on emails, or just browse the web.
- Clean and Safe: Relax in knowing that you’re in a well-maintained, secure environment.
- A base camp for the journey: Whether you’re driving through Pennsylvania, or exploring the area, the Comfort Inn lets you be ready for your next day.
Don't wait! Book your room at the Comfort Inn Pine Grove today and experience a road trip pitstop that’s… well, it’s something!
(Click Here to Book Now!)
Escape to Paradise: Lakeside Luxury Awaits at Mackinaw City's Comfort Inn!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is a survival guide – a messy, honest, and probably caffeinated account of my planned adventure at the Comfort Inn Pine Grove (I-81 Hershey Area - don't tell me they really call it that? Sounds like a car commercial!) in Pine Grove, PA. We're gonna do this thing, or at least try to.
Day 1: Arrival (and the Quest for Coffee - a Saga)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrival & Check-In: (Or, the Great Lobby Ambush)
- Okay, let's be real, the drive up I-81? Brutal. Trucks, endless stretches of highway, and this nagging fear that my GPS will decide to take me on a scenic tour of coal mines. I swear I saw a tumbleweed. In Pennsylvania.
- The Comfort Inn? Standard. Beige, predictable… and hopefully, with decent AC. My luggage? Probably a disaster zone of crumpled clothes. I’m more a “pack-and-pray” kind of traveler. Pray for no wrinkles, mostly.
- The first order of business? Finding the front desk. And then, the real test - coffee. God, I need coffee. My survival hinges on it. Prayed to God, it's not the pre-made stuff, the stuff that tastes like old dishwater…
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Unpacking (and the Battle Against the Dreaded Hotel "Closet")
- Unpacking. Ugh. The bane of every traveler's existence. I'm pretty sure I'm physically incapable of folding things neatly, so my suitcase just explodes.
- The hotel closet… will it have enough hangers? Will they be those weird, wire ones that try to eat your clothes? These are the real questions, people.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Local reconnaissance (aka, the desperate search for a good meal)
- Okay, now for the real quest begins: hunger. The hotel, no doubt, has vending machines. And I bet they're equipped with the usual suspects (popcorn and overpriced chips). Time to venture out. Yelp and Google reviews are my allies here. I'm hoping for something… not chain-y? A local diner with character? A hidden gem that everyone knows about except me? (Praying for a good meatloaf.)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Relax and Refresh
- A shower, maybe? Try to get some of that highway grime off. Put on some decent clothes and try to look human.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Diner Dinner and People Watching (or, the Art of the Booth)
- Okay, so I found this cute local diner. I'm going to post about it at some point on my social media. I am going to be brave and sit in the booth in the back. The booth is the perfect vantage point for people-watching, right? I'll probably order something that's quintessentially diner. Like, I don't know, a patty melt?
- The goal? To become a temporary local. Soak up the atmosphere. Listen to the chatter. Pretend I know what's going on. Actually, I kinda love this whole thing.
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Unwinding & Pre-Sleep Ritual
- Back at the hotel. Time for a bit of mindless TV. Real Housewives? Some true crime? Depends on my mood. The remote control battle begins. I have to pick my poison.
- Wind down with a book. Or maybe just stare at the ceiling for a while, contemplating the meaning of life. Or the lack thereof. Whatever.
Day 2: Hershey (and the Sweetest Breakdown)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The Breakfast Dilemma (or, the Buffet's Deadly Embrace)
- Free continental breakfast. The horror. Okay, let's be honest, I'm terrified. Waffles? Cold eggs? Questionable fruit salad? This is where my coffee dependence will be truly tested. I'll bring my own stash. You never know.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Hershey Bound
- Gassing up the rental car. Or, if I get really lazy, using a rideshare. (Don't judge.) Time to head to Hershey Park. This is the entire reason I'm here.
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Hershey Park! (The Chocolate-Coated Chaos)
- Okay, let's go all-in on Hershey. Riding the roller coasters. Eating everything. Getting my picture taken with the big Hershey Kiss statue. Maybe even finding a chocolate bar that I've never seen before! This is where the childhood nostalgia gets to me.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Break
- Food, food, food! I need to find a snack bar. I need a Hershey bar. I need to eat the park food. It's the only way to survive… This is the real deal. No healthy choices today.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: More Park Mania (or, the Ride That Broke Me)
- Riding every ride! Every. Single. One. That's my goal. I'm going to ride the "Laff Trakk" and "Skyrush". Oh god, I think I'm going to die…
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Souvenir Shopping (or, the Art of the Impulse Buy)
- Let's do some shopping! Key chains? Candy? T-shirts? I need a "Hersheypark" t-shirt. I have to. I may grab a box of chocolate. Don't ask. Just let me indulge.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner at Hershey's (or, the Gastronomic Chocolate Overload)
- I MUST find a restaurant in Hershey that involves chocolate. Chocolate-covered fries? Chocolate-infused pizza? My stomach is ready and waiting! If it doesn't exist, I'll have to make it myself.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Return to Comfort Inn
- The drive back to the hotel. If I'm not falling asleep at the wheel, I'm doing it wrong.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Post-Hershey Meltdown (and Chocolate Coma)
- Shower, collapsing on the bed, and a thorough review of all the photos/videos I took. I'll probably eat some chocolate. Lots of chocolate. This is the payoff, people. The sweet, sweet payoff.
Day 3: Departure (and the Bitter Truth)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast (the second, and last, time)
- Prayers that it's been restocked.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check Out
- Making sure I have all my stuff. Do a quick scan of the room. Last sweep of the room.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The Long Drive Home!
- Goodbye, Pennsylvania! It's been real (and, mostly, chocolatey).
That's it! Wish me luck. I'll need it.
Escape to Greendale: Your Dream Stay Awaits at Comfort Inn & Suites!
Hershey's Hidden Gem: Comfort Inn Pine Grove I-81 - A Truly Unfiltered Review (and Some Rambling)
Okay, So "Hidden Gem"? Really? Comfort Inn? After All These Years???
Alright, alright, settle down, internet. Yes. *Yes.* Comfort Inn. Pine Grove. I-81. I know, it sounds like the least exciting sentence ever uttered. But hear me out. I'm not saying it's *the* hidden gem of the century, mind you. It's not like you're stumbling into a secret speakeasy with award-winning cocktails. However… for the price, and considering the proximity to Hershey (duh!), it's surprisingly… decent. And sometimes, "decent" is a freaking MIRACLE when you're road-tripping with a sugar-crazed toddler. Don't expect the Ritz, but expect… well, less despair than you might anticipate.
The Breakfast. The Ultimate Hotel Litmus Test. Spill the Beans! (or the Scrambled Eggs…)
Okay, the breakfast. Brace yourselves. It's… a breakfast. Let's be honest. It's not Michelin-star material. You've got the usual suspects: cereal, those weird, suspiciously-shaped pastries (with probably too much sugar), questionable yogurt, and the eternal hotel coffee. The scrambled eggs? Okay, I’ll be brutally honest: Sometimes they're…fine. Sometimes they taste suspiciously like they came from a powdered egg packet that has been re-hydrated by the tears of a thousand weary travelers. The sausages are… let's just say they exist. But here’s the thing: it's *free*. And when you're trying to wrangle a kid who’s convinced he’s allergic to sleep and needs to ingest every single sugar-coated donut in the vicinity, free is a beautiful word. It's fuel! It's sustenance! It's… better than nothing. Which, let's face it, is the only benchmark that *really* matters at 7 AM when you're already questioning all your life choices.
About those rooms... Any nasty surprises? Bedbugs? Ghosts of Chocolate Lovers Past?
Alright, real talk. No bedbugs (thank god). No ghosts, at least not that *I* encountered. Though, thinking about it, if a ghost *did* haunt a Comfort Inn near Hershey, it’d probably be the ghost of someone who loved Reese's Peanut Butter Cups just a *little* too much and suffered a tragic… well, let's leave it at that.
The rooms themselves are…clean. Not sparkling, surgically-scrubbed clean, but clean enough. You know the drill: slightly dated decor, a slightly wonky TV remote, and that faint, lingering aroma of… something. Air freshener? Cleaning product? Existential dread? Who knows! (Probably a combination of the first two.) But the beds? surprisingly comfy. After a long day of navigating Hershey Park with a toddler who believes the world is a giant jungle gym, a comfy bed is pure gold. My only real complaint? The lighting. It’s like they intentionally designed it to make you look like you’re auditioning for a horror movie. But hey, that just adds to the charm, right? (Right?)
Location, Location, Location! Is this actually near Hershey Park? How far are we really talking?
Okay, the location is actually a HUGE win. It's right off I-81, which is super convenient for getting in and out. Hershey Park? Not *right* next door (obviously, that would be a different level of magical), but a manageable drive. Think… 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic. Which, let's be honest, is practically *walking distance* after you've spent a day wrestling crowds and sugar-addicted children. The beauty of this? You can escape the madness of Hershey and retreat to a (relatively) quiet room without having to empty your bank account on a resort hotel. It's a strategic move, people. A strategic move. Plus, you're close to a bunch of chain restaurants. Because sometimes, you just need a familiar burger and fries. (Don't judge me.)
What about the Staff? Are they friendly? Or are they just… surviving?
The staff? Honestly, they're the unsung heroes of this whole experience. They're friendly. They're helpful. They seem to understand, on a fundamental level, the particular brand of exhaustion that comes with traveling with small humans. I remember once, my toddler decided to stage a full-blown meltdown in the lobby because he didn’t get the exact blue lollipop he wanted. The front desk clerk, bless her heart, not only remained unfazed but actually produced a replacement lollipop (the “correct” color, naturally) from… somewhere. She was a lifesaver! They are what truly makes this place the best.
Don’t expect five-star butler service (this *is* a Comfort Inn, after all), but the staff generally goes above and beyond. They're the unsung heroes of the travel world; they're always friendly and helpful, never acting as though they would rather be anywhere else, and probably are, but they handle it with grace. That always makes me feel better about staying there.
Now, for the Imperfections! (Because nothing is perfect, let's be real.) What were the downsides?
Okay, the downsides. Let's rip off this band-aid. First, the noise. It's near the highway, so you're going to hear some traffic. It's not a deafening roar, but if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. Secondly, and this is a minor quibble, the elevator is… slow. Like, glacial. Be prepared to wait. Or, if you're feeling ambitious and your room isn't on the 12th floor, take the stairs. Finally, Parking can be a bit tight, especially if you arrive late at night.
The Pool! Was the Pool… a swimming pool? Or a Petri dish of Doom?
The pool… oh, the pool. This is where things get *interesting*. Let me preface this by saying I'm not a germaphobe. I'm all about embracing life's little imperfections. But... the pool area, at least during my last visit, felt a little… neglected. The water *looked* clear, I'll give them that. But the surrounding area? Let's just say the tile grout could use aRooms And Vibes
