Harrisburg Hershey Escape: Luxury & Comfort at Country Inn & Suites
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into the Harrisburg Hershey Escape: Luxury & Comfort at Country Inn & Suites. Forget those dry, corporate hotel reviews. I'm here to give you the REAL scoop, the messy truth, and the occasional existential crisis that comes with a week stuck indoors (well, mostly indoors).
First Impressions (and the Parking Situation – Always Important!)
Alright, so Country Inn & Suites. Expectations were…well, let’s say “cautiously optimistic.” You know the drill. But listen, the parking – Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site] – was a breeze. Score one for ease. And look, I usually judge a place by its parking. First impressions, you know? Getting in was pretty smooth, the Check-in/out [express] was decent. Though, I gotta say, I was hoping for a Doorman to make me feel extra fancy, but, hey, you can't win 'em all.
Accessibility: The Reality Check
Now, I confess, I don't personally need wheelchair accessibility. But as someone who travels with my elderly aunt sometimes, I did peep around and kept an eye out for Facilities for disabled guests. The website claims it's A-OK. Elevator? Check. So, that's good news! And, let's be real, Exterior corridor accessibility is a game changer for some. So, that's a plus.
The Room: My Humble Abode (and the Wi-Fi Drama)
The room, Available in all rooms, was… well, it was a room! Cleanish, with Air conditioning that actually worked (Praise the AC Gods!). Non-smoking – MAJOR win for this nicotine nazi. The Blackout curtains were clutch for daytime naps. Oh, the naps! They were glorious. The Internet access – wireless, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! promised the world. And… it delivered, most of the time. But I did suffer the occasional, heart-stopping, "Wi-Fi has dropped signal" anxiety attack when trying to catch up on deadlines. The Internet access – LAN was there as backup and saved my sanity.
Comfort & Amenities: The Good, the Meh, and the "Why Did I Bring This?"
Okay, let’s talk about the extras. The Alarm clock was loud (a little too loud) but effective. Bathrobes? YES! Bathtub? Double YES! (I love a long soak.) The Mirror could've been placed better, I swear I'm not getting any younger! They have Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Refrigerator (perfect for my late-night ice cream stash. Shh!), and, of course, the ever-present Hair dryer. The Slippers were a nice touch, but probably still in my suitcase. I forgot to use them. Dangit.
And, speaking of the Extra long bed, I did spend a glorious few hours catching up on things. It was incredibly comfortable.
The Spa/Relaxation Zone: A Confession and a Revelation
Now, here’s where things get interesting. They boast a Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Here’s my dirty secret: I didn't go. I KNOW. I'm supposed to be a reviewer! But I hate spas. I'm a sweaty, awkward person. However, I did eye the Pool with view and the Fitness center, Gym/fitness – and those I took advantage of. The pool looked inviting, and I got a decent workout. I'm still bitter I skipped out on the Massage.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Journey
Here's where the review got… well, interesting. The hotel had all the usual options: Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Restaurants and more. Let me say it this way, the Breakfast [buffet] wasn't gourmet, but it did the trick. It gave me the fuel I needed to start my day. And it's free. I'm not complaining. There's was something else that really caught my eye. The Poolside bar was right by the pool.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Germ-Fighting Fortress
In these covid days… well, let's just say I appreciate a clean place. And Country Inn & Suites seems to take it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment – it all sounds reassuring, right? I felt relatively safe, which is a huge weight off your shoulders these days.
Staff and Service: The Real Heroes
The staff seemed genuinely friendly. Always a plus. The Front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver when I locked myself out of my room (don't judge). Daily housekeeping was a godsend, especially after a day of too much internet and not enough sunlight. They were polite and efficient.
Things to Do and See: Harrisburg & Hershey's Delights
Okay, so this isn't technically part of the hotel, but it's worth a mention, right? Because, let's be real, you're not just going to sit in your room (hopefully). Harrisburg and Hershey are close enough for a bunch of fun. I spent one day at a nearby amusement park, which was a blast, and another day strolling downtown.
The Minor Details - The Nitty Gritty
Okay, so, the details that matter. Cashless payment service – handy. Doctor/nurse on call – peace of mind. Luggage storage – vital. Safety deposit boxes. Always good if I ever take anything of value. Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher – essential. I'm just glad the hotel had these just in case.
My Quirky Observations and Emotional Reactions (Let's Get Real!)
- I had a moment of existential dread staring at the desk. "Is this all there is?" (Spoiler alert: No. There's breakfast. Always breakfast.)
- The elevator music was…forgettable. Which is probably the point.
- I overpacked. Big surprise, I know. The Closet was underutilized.
- I was so happy to get away from my computer that I stayed glued to my phone. It's a vicious cycle, I tell you!
The Verdict: Harrisburg Hershey Escape: Luxury & Comfort at Country Inn & Suites. Is It Worth It?
Listen, this ain't the Four Seasons. But it's a solid choice that offers comfort, convenience, and a surprisingly decent breakfast buffet.
Here's my (Messy, Opinionated) Recommendation:
YES. If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and safe place to crash while exploring Harrisburg and Hershey, this is a good bet. It's not perfect, but it's a reliable place to stay.
Crafting Your Irresistible Offer (Let's Get Those Bookings!)
Subject: Stop Dreaming! Harrisburg Hershey Escape: Your Cozy Getaway Awaits!
Are you dreaming of a getaway? A place where you can actually relax (yes, really!)? Then escape to the Harrisburg Hershey Escape: Luxury & Comfort at Country Inn & Suites!
- Cozy Comfort: Imagine sinking into an Extra long bed after a long day of adventures! Enjoy those Blackout curtains for a perfect night's sleep.
- Stay Connected (or Disconnect!): Need to work? The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! has got your back. Need a brain break? You'll have the seating area.
- Relax and Recharge: Work up an appetite in our Fitness center or take a dip in the refreshing Swimming pool [outdoor]
- Foodie Fun: Start your day right with a delicious Breakfast [buffet].
Special Offer (for a limited time only!)
Book your stay at the Harrisburg Hershey Country Inn & Suites within the next week and receive:
- Free upgrade based on availability!
- Early check-in and late check-out!
- 20% off spa services! (Massage is AMAZING! Don't make my mistake!)
So, what are you waiting for? Book your Harrisburg Hershey Escape now! [Link to booking page]
(Don't wait! This offer ends [Date])
P.S. We have super-easy Car park [free of charge], so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time searching for parking! Daily disinfection in common areas is a perk that will give you peace of mind.
Owensboro's BEST Comfort Suites: Luxurious Stay, Unbeatable Price!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your slick, pre-packaged travelogue. This is my Harrisburg/Hershey West, PA adventure, brought to you live from the slightly-sticky armchair of Room 204 at the Country Inn & Suites. (Spoiler alert: the "free" breakfast is NOT free of disappointment.)
Day 1: Arrival and the Hershey Highs and Lows (Mostly Lows, if I'm being honest)
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Harrisburg International (MDT). The flight was delayed, naturally. My tiny chihuahua, Princess Fluffybutt, spent the entire flight plotting her escape from her carrier. Let's just say the airline staff loved us. (Mostly the "us" being me, running around in circles trying to appease the tiny tyrant.)
- 2:00 PM: Rental car procured. "Compact SUV"? More like "Slightly Used, Slightly Battered Wagon of Doom." The GPS lady sounded like she was perpetually bored, which, honestly, I could relate to by this point.
- 3:00 PM: Checked into Country Inn & Suites. Eh. It's… fine. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and desperation, but the desk clerk was friendly. That's a win, right? (Side note: Found a rogue Skittle under the bed. Am tempted to eat it, but my better angels are screaming at me.)
- 3:30 PM: Hershey Chocolate World. Oh boy. Prepare for the sensory overload of sugary dreams… or something like that? First of all, the crowds. Oh, the crowds. I swear, I saw a toddler attempt to wrestle a giant Hershey Kiss statue. The free chocolate sample at the end of the tour was… adequate. Let's just say it wasn't exactly Willy Wonka's factory. The 4D movie? Pretty underwhelming. Felt seasick. Don't recommend.
- 5:00 PM: Attempted to find parking at Hersheypark. Gave up. The parking situation is akin to the Hunger Games. I'm pretty sure I saw a woman in a minivan clawing her way to a spot. Decided to abandon ship and revisit the park tomorrow. Feeling a serious sugar low; need carbs.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a diner recommended by the hotel. (The name is lost in a haze of post-Hershey disappointment.) The burger was passable, the fries were lukewarm. The waitress, bless her heart, looked as though she'd seen things. We bonded over the existential dread of chain restaurants.
- 7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Now, for the real fun: the TV. They have everything except what i want to watch. After 40 minutes of flipping, the only decent program I could find was a rerun of a show about cats. So, here I am, eating leftover fries, watching a marathon of cat videos.
Day 2: Hershey, Attempt 2.0 (and a Whole Lotta Regret)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Don't. The "hot" items are lukewarm, the fruit looks like it's been sitting there since the Reagan administration, and the coffee tastes like dishwater with a hint of regret. (I did, however, manage to swipe three of those tiny cardboard bowls. Souvenir, maybe?)
- 9:30 AM: The Parking Gods smiled on me. Found a parking spot at Hersheypark. Am braced for battle.
- 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Hersheypark. Okay, it wasn’t all bad. Roller coasters are fun, sure. But the lines. The lines! I swear, I aged a decade waiting for that Comet ride. Also, the price of everything is astronomical. My wallet is sobbing. Got slightly sunburnt. Ate a funnel cake that was probably worth the calories. Spent an hour getting lost. Saw a child throw up. (Thankfully, not on me.) My feet are killing me.
- 4:30 PM: Hershey Gardens. Ah, sanity! A small oasis, at least. Beautiful rose gardens, butterflies, and a nice view of the whole mess I just escaped. It was short-lived, though. This one has the same issues as Chocolate World. The staff are great, but the amount of people and the over commercalisation isn't working for me.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a chain restaurant nearby. I cant even remember what it's called. The food was fine – which is the ultimate indictment, isn’t it? Inoffensive. Forgettable. I'm beginning to feel a distinct lack of… pizzazz in my dietary choices.
- 7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Feeling a combination of exhaustion and mild existential dread. The TV's still on.
- 8:00 PM: Contemplating the meaning of life while staring at the wallpaper. The wallpaper, mind you, is beige. Solid beige. The kind of beige that whispers, "You're not interesting enough to warrant actual decor."
- 9:00 PM: Packing. Wondering if I can get a refund on the Skittle under my bed.
Day 3: Escape and Epilogue
- 8:00 AM: Another breakfast. Just… no.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. Said goodbye to the desk clerk. He looked relieved. I don't blame him.
- 9:30 AM: Return Rental car.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at the Airport.
- 12:00 PM: Takeoff.
- 1:00 PM: Land.
- 1:30 PM: Home.
So, there you have it. My Hershey/Harrisburg adventure. Not perfect. Not Instagram-worthy. But real. I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation. And maybe a shrink. But hey, at least I got a story out of it, right? Maybe I'll frame that rogue Skittle. Or, you know, eat it. The temptation is real.
Chester, VA Getaway: Unwind at the Country Inn & Suites!
Harrisburg Hershey Getaway: Real Talk (Because Let's Be Honest, Travel Advertisements Lie) - FAQs
Okay, so you're thinking about a weekend in Harrisburg/Hershey, huh? Country Inn & Suites is on the radar? Listen, I've been there. I’ve wrestled with the mini-fridge, judged the continental breakfast, and probably over-tipped the poor cleaning lady. So I’m here to spill the beans, unfiltered. This isn't your brochure's version. Let's dive in...
Is Country Inn & Suites in Hershey... actually *in* Hershey? Because the website is vague.
Okay, this is crucial. Prepare yourselves (and maybe a GPS). No, not exactly. It's more like… *near* Hershey. Think of it as Hershey-adjacent. You’re looking at a solid 15-20 minute drive depending on traffic and your desperate need for chocolate (which, let's face it, will be *very* high). We learned this the hard way, sprinting out of the motel room to get to Hersheypark before the crowds. Pro tip: Google Maps is your friend. And pack snacks. And maybe a pillow to scream into if you hit one of those legendary Hershey traffic jams.
"Luxury & Comfort"? Does the room actually look like the photos? (or are they… lying?)
"Luxury" is... a strong word. Let's call it "clean and comfortable". The rooms are generally well-maintained, but let’s not expect chandeliers and caviar from the mini-bar (which, by the way, often features a pathetic selection of overpriced water and maybe, *maybe*, a lonely bag of peanuts). The pictures, however, are usually reasonably honest. The bed *was* comfy, I'll give them that – perfect for collapsing into after a day of rollercoasters and sugar rushes. But also, let's be real, I once found a rogue french fry under the bed. My fault for not looking first, of course.
The continental breakfast… is it worth braving? And what’s the coffee situation?
Ah, the Continental Breakfast. A cornerstone of budget travel. Alright, here's the brutal truth: expect the usual suspects. Dry waffles, questionable scrambled eggs (that somehow maintain a perfect, unnatural yellow hue), lukewarm coffee (it's a gamble whether it's brewed well or from a machine that hasn't been cleaned since Obama’s first term), and the ever-present, vaguely suspicious pastries. But… and this is a big but… sometimes, if you're lucky, they have good bagels. And bagels are everything. So, go. Lower your expectations. Grab a bagel. And caffeinate. You'll need it for Hersheypark. I once spilled orange juice all over my shirt there, I think the memories came creeping back.
Okay, but what *else* is there to do besides Hersheypark? I’m not made of money and caramel slides.
Excellent question! Because, let’s be honest, a weekend spent solely on the rollercoasters is *exhausting* (and expensive). You could hit up the Hershey Gardens – beautiful, if you're into that sort of thing (I am!). The Hershey Story Museum is actually pretty interesting for a dive into the history (Mr. Hershey was, let's face it, a genius). And Harrisburg itself has some cool stuff – the State Capitol building is gorgeous, and there are some quirky shops and restaurants downtown. We went to a local brewery one night, and that was a highlight! The beer was good, the people were friendly, and I didn’t have to wait in line for two hours. Highly recommend. Also, if you're a history buff (I am not), Gettysburg is a drive away and there's loads of things to see.
Pet-Friendly? I've heard conflicting reports.
Yeah, this one is kind of a crapshoot. Officially, they do seem to be pet-friendly at some locations, but I'd *strongly* recommend calling ahead and verifying. Don't just show up with Fido and expect a warm welcome; that's always a recipe for disaster (and a hefty pet fee). I once witnessed a tiny chihuahua create a miniature warzone in a hotel lobby. It was hilarious… for everyone except the chihuahua's owner and the front desk staff. Double-check the policy! Save yourself the stress.
Parking? Is it a nightmare?
Generally, no. Parking at Country Inn & Suites (at least the ones I’ve been to) is usually plentiful and free. That's one less thing to worry about, which is a win, especially after a long drive filled with kids yelling "Are we there yet?" twenty times. However, during peak season (Hersheypark is mobbed), it might be a little more packed. It's less a nightmare and more a minor inconvenience, so try to arrive early if possible.
The pool...is it a chlorinated swamp of despair?
Okay, let's talk pool. The pool at Country Inn & Suites…it's…adequate. It's usually clean enough, the water isn't *overly* chlorinated (you won't come out smelling like a public swimming pool, thankfully), and if you have kids, it's a lifesaver. But don't expect a luxurious spa experience. Think functional. Think a place to cool off after a day of sweating while standing in line for the Comet. There might be a few rogue pool noodles floating around. And possibly a screaming child. Embrace it.
Any horror stories? (Or, you know, things to seriously avoid?)
Okay, let me tell a story. I, for one, was not a fan of a certain room. The first time I stayed in one specific place, I ended up being next to the elevator, a non-stop chorus of "ding" echoing through the night. Seriously, it was like sleeping in a busy train station. I was livid! Avoid rooms near elevators at *all* costs. Also, one time I encountered a very enthusiastic (some might say overbearing) sales pitch at breakfast. Apparently, a timeshare was on the menu. Again, *avoid*. Also, triple-check your bill before you leave. They sometimes have a way of adding random charges… like a "convenience fee" for… breathing?
So… should I book it? Or run screaming?
