Are you looking for a Hershey’s Water Works and Hershey Lodge review? We’ve got you covered!
If you’re planning a getaway to Hershey and Hersheypark, you’ll want to stay at the Hershey Lodge!
It’s the perfect family-friendly hotel with an awesome indoor pool (practically a waterpark). And guests of the Hershey Lodge receive many awesome benefits, like extra hours at Hersheypark and FREE admission to some of the attractions in Hershey.
We loved our stay at the Hershey Lodge. We visited over a winter weekend, so it was extra fun for the kids to enjoy the Hershey’s Water Works pool.
Bottom line, we think the Hershey Lodge is worth staying at. It’s an upscale hotel with a family-friendly atmosphere. The rooms are beautifully decorated and very comfortable. And again, the pool is awesome!
If you want to know more about why we think it’s an awesome hotel, you’ll want to continue reading our Hershey Lodge review below!
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Hershey Lodge Review: 5 Reasons to Book Your Stay
1. Prime Location!
If you plan to visit many of the attractions in Hershey, PA, including Hersheypark, you can’t be the location of the Hershey Lodge.
The Hershey Lodge is a 10-minute drive to Hersheypark, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and also the Hershey Gardens. And the Hershey Story Museum is only 5 minutes away.
The Hershey Lodge is also conveniently located to shopping, like the Tanger Outlets, and other family-friendly activities, like Indian Echo Caverns.
2. The Rooms at Hershey Lodge
The Hershey Lodge exudes a type of class not usually found in your typical family-friendly hotels.
The dark wood and classic styling continue from the lobby into the guest rooms. Our kids were impressed at how fancy the rooms were!
And we all loved the unique details throughout the room that you’d only get a Hershey hotel.
At 329 square feet, the guest rooms are plenty big for a family of four.
The two queen beds offer plenty of sleeping space, and the desk and chair, as well as a sitting chair, allow family members places to spread out.
If you have a 5th family member, there are a few areas you could easily fit a pack’n’play or travel toddler air mattress.
There is also a small refrigerator in the room, perfect for holding snacks or chilling water bottles for your day at Hersheypark.
The details were my favorite part of the room. In addition to the Hershey Kisses on the nightstand as a welcome treat, we found Kisses in other unexpected places. Take note of the wallpaper in the bathroom. And don’t forget to look at the sheets on the bed!
If that isn’t enough chocolate for you, go ahead and use the provided toiletries. The shampoo, conditioner, and lotion ALL smell like chocolate! The kids loved shower time.
3. The Pool at Hershey Lodge aka Hershey’s Water Works!
One of the best reasons to stay at Hershey Lodge is the pool!
Known as Hershey’s Water Works, the pool at Hershey Lodge is more like a miniature indoor water park than your typical hotel pool.
The pool area is separated into five different sections. As you enter the facility, you will notice the zero-entry pool first.
This pool increases to about 2 feet deep and is perfect for little ones who want to splash around, but not worry about wearing a flotation device.
Across the “bridge” is the larger, deeper pool. Here the water depth ranges from 3.5 to 5 feet deep. Kids can play basketball, climb on the floating dolphins, and also try to cross the Reese’s Water Walk.
Next to the main pool is the whirlpool. The hot tub is limited to guests 14 and older, or you must be a “Jolly Rancher” and at least 60 inches tall.
The stairs to the Twizzler Twists, the two tube body slides, can be found next to the whirlpool. Kids and adults who meet the height requirements can ride down the slides!
To enjoy the Twizzler Twists, you must be at least 42 inches tall (or a Reese’s Cup if you’ve determined your child’s height at Hersheypark).
Lastly, there is the sandcastle, a splash and spray area that anyone from toddlers to big kids will enjoy.
Quick Tips and Things to Know About Hershey’s Water Works Pool
- Like all hotel pools, towels are provided while you are in the Water Works area. However, we recommend bringing your own towel. You may have a long walk back to your room, and you cannot remove the provided towels from the pool area.
- Did you forget your child’s floatie? Don’t worry! Hershey Lodge’s Water Works has flotation vests available in various sizes.
- There are two showers in the women’s restroom and about dozen or so lockers. (I didn’t get a chance to check the men’s room)
- The Water Works facility offers more than just, well, water fun! The building also has a gym, an arcade, and children’s activity area.
- Additionally, if you are hungry, there is a full snack stand inside Hershey’s Water Works pool. Anything from chicken fingers to salads, even drinks for mom and dad, the Cocoa Cabana makes it easy to take a break for lunch or dinner without leaving the pool area.
4. Awesome Perks for Staying at Hershey Lodge
There are many benefits of staying at the Hershey Lodge, and it’s not just the awesome pool!
One of the benefits of staying at the Hershey Lodge is the complimentary admission to both the Hershey Story Museum and the Hershey Gardens and Butterfly Atrium. Guests of the Lodge also receive special pricing on tickets to ZooAmerica.
These FREE benefits make it worth staying at Hershey Lodge any time of year. Especially since there is so many things to do in Hershey year-round.
Of course, Hersheypark is a big reason people visit during the summer months and during Christmastime. And guests of the Hershey Lodge receive some cool perks for that too!
If you stay at Hershey Lodge, you’ll receive extra time at Hersheypark.
Guests of the Lodge can enter Hersheypark an hour earlier than opening time on select dates throughout the summer. Hershey Lodge guests will also receive an extra hour on Hersheypark’s Preview Plan.
5. Hershey Lodge Food Options
You will not go hungry at the Hershey Lodge!
With many options to choose from, you are sure to find something that fits your family.
Fire & Grain is right off the main lobby. It’s a bit more upscale and offers classic meals like roasted chicken, Bolognese, and New York strip steak.
The Bear’s Den has is more relaxed with a sports bar atmosphere. This is where you’ll get your burgers, chicken sandwiches, and other tradition pub fare.
If you are looking for something fancier, try Revelry, a chophouse with an extensive wine and spirits selection!
For an easy breakfast or lunch, try Stacks! They even serve hot chocolate.
If that’s not enough options, there are plenty of great restaurants in Hershey to choose from.
Tips For Your Stay at the Hershey Lodge
Although we enjoyed our stay at the Hershey Lodge, there are few tips and things to know that would make any visit a little sweeter!
Hotel Size
The Hershey Lodge is HUGE. If you are staying in one of the outer sections of the hotel, it could take you 5-10 minutes to walk to the lobby and restaurants. Keep that in mind when making reservations and room requests.
Room Requests
Speaking of room requests, the amenities are scattered throughout the resort. No one section is better than the others; it just depends on what you would like to be closer to.
- For easy access to Hershey’s Water Works, request a room in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar sections.
- To easily access the outdoor pool, miniature golf, and basketball and tennis courts, request a room in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup section.
- For quicker access to the lobby and restaurants, request a room in the Hershey’s Kisses Tower or the York Peppermint Pattie and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar sections.
Best Time to Visit Hershey Lodge
As Hersheypark is extremely popular during the summer months, so is the Hershey Lodge. If you choose to stay over a weekend in the summer, expect the hotel, restaurants, and pools to be crowded.
Visitor Tip: If you’re checking in during the summer or over a holiday, pack a separate bag with your swimsuit and towel. You can enjoy the pools while you wait for your room!
However, if you are looking for a quiet time to visit, consider visiting during the off-season when Hersheypark is closed.
Our Overall Thoughts: Is Hershey Lodge Worth It?
After staying in many different hotels over our travels, we were impressed by the Hershey Lodge.
From the FREE chocolate bars at check-in to the comfortable rooms to the amazing pool, we would not hesitate to stay at the Hershey Lodge again!
I love that there are multiple restaurant options depending on what you and your family are in the mood for.
And its proximity to the Hershey attractions (and FREE transportation to Hersheypark and Chocolate World) just can’t be beaten. The next time your family is planning a vacation to Hershey, PA, consider staying at this beautiful hotel.
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