Luxury Near Hersheypark: Harrisburg Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel!
Luxury Near Hersheypark: Harrisburg Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel! (Or Just a Really Good Place to Crash After a Chocolate Overload?) - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, folks, buckle up. I'm about to dive headfirst into my stay at this… well, let's just call it "Harrisburg's Hidden Gem" (it's gotta go by something, right?) and tell you everything. No sugarcoating (unless we're talking Hershey's, in which case, sign me up). This is not a pristine brochure. This is the real, messy, hilarious (hopefully) truth.
First Impressions: Accessibility and Airport Shuttles (and My Misadventures)
Finding the place wasn't hard. The signs are decent, thankfully, because I'm directionally challenged. Seriously, I once got lost in a department store. Getting to the hotel from Harrisburg Airport (MDT) was a breeze – thanks to their handy, complimentary airport transfer! Okay, almost a breeze. See, I, in my infinite wisdom, managed to leave my phone in the airport. Cue the frantic scramble, delayed pick-up, and a delightful (and possibly judging) look from the driver. Oy vey. So, yeah, accessibility? Shuttle's good. My brain? Not so much. They totally have facilities for disabled guests, too, which is awesome. Elevator, the whole shebang. Always a plus.
The Vibe: Cleanliness, Safety, and That "Freshly Laundered" Smell
Okay, I'm a germaphobe. Sue me. So, the cleanliness? Excellent. And believe me, I was looking. They're clearly obsessed with it. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Sanitized everything? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Double-check. Hand sanitizer everywhere you turn. It was borderline obsessive… and I loved it. Knowing they'd disinfected between guests almost made me feel safe enough to stop wearing a mask in the hotel. Almost. I'd happily walk through a room that had just been through a professional-grade sanitizing service; it's a welcome touch. They also have a ton of features for your safety. They've got a 24-hour front desk, security, CCTV in common areas and the outside of the property, and smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
The Room: My Cozy Fortress (and My Disastrous Attempts at Romance)
My room? Ah, my sanctuary. Seriously, it was nice. And oh-so-welcoming. They clearly put a lot of effort in. Now, let's get down to the details:
- The Beds: Heavenly. Extra long and comfy. Blackout curtains that actually work (a rarity!), so you can sleep until noon if (and when) you need to.
- The Tech: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms (and I mean all rooms!). I needed to catch up on some work and the internet was solid and reliable. Internet ([LAN]), too, if you're old-school. There's also a laptop workspace, which was great! And all the necessary tech you expect, like sockets and a desk near the bed.
- The Bathroom: Clean, spacious, and those bathrobes. Pure luxury. Slippers? Yes, please. Mirror, lots of extras (scales, additional toilets! What a game changer!), and a shower you could actually move around in.
- The Extras: Fridge, mini-bar, coffee/tea maker (bliss!), desk with a desk lamp, safe box, alarm clock, and you can open the window. Plus, it was very quiet in my room — soundproof!
- My Romance Fail: I’d booked a couple's room thinking it would be romantic with a special proposal spot. The setup was perfect. I'd told the staff, they offered me some room decorations (didn't go for it, but the option was there). I'd planned on a special night with my significant other… Well, let's just say she had other plans and I spent the night alone. The room was still great, though!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Asian Breakfasts to Poolside Cocktails (and My Uncontrollable Cravings)
Okay, food. Important. First off, they have an excellent breakfast buffet. They also have some international cuisine. The breakfast was divine. They have an Asian breakfast if you're into that! The staff would also offer to bring it into your room (breakfast in room).
But here's where things got REALLY exciting: The Poolside Bar! Picture this: sun, a perfectly mixed margarita, and a view of the pool. It's a whole vibe. They have happy hour! Their restaurants have a variety of options from buffets to Asian cuisine. They also have a coffee shop and a snack bar. They even had a vegetarian restaurant. They offered alternative meal arrangements, too. It was such an amazing experience.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Delights, Fitness Fiascos, and Poolside Bliss (and My In-Spa Accident)
If you're looking to relax, you’re in luck. They really bring it with the spa offerings! I loved the fact they offer a spa/sauna. Sauna! Steamroom, yes please! And swimming pools are available! The outdoor one, especially, was gorgeous. I'm more of a "lounge by the pool with a cocktail" kind of person, but they do have a fitness center. It’s there, but I’m not sure I ever saw anyone use it.
- The Spa: This is where it gets fun. Body wrap? Body scrub? Foot bath? Yes, yes, and yes. Seriously, the massage was incredible. My masseuse could probably knit with my muscles, she was that good. Now, about my little accident… during the aromatherapy massage, I rolled (by accident, of course) off the massage table. I was mortified! But the staff was amazing, took it in stride, and I definitely didn't rate them down for my clumsiness.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "I Forgot My…"
They have everything! Concierge service, currency exchange, luggage storage, laundry service, dry cleaning…pretty much every convenience you could think of. There is a convenience store, too!
- The "I Forgot My…” Incident: I mentioned my phone fiasco earlier. I also almost left without my toothbrush (don’t judge), but luckily they had basic toiletries. They have a gift/souvenir shop if you need one, and they also have a doorman.
- Business Traveler Perks: They had a meeting/banquet facilities, meeting stationery, and even audio-visual equipment for special events. Xerox/fax services in the business center.
- For the Kids (and Your Sanity): They had babysitting services! (I don't need it, but it seems like a lifesaver). They call themselves family-friendly — and I feel they hold up to that promise.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It? (Absolutely!)
Look, there are no dealbreakers here. This place is a winner. From the cleanliness to the comfy rooms, from the delicious food to the spa bliss (and even my clumsy exploits), this hotel delivers. Yes, it might be a bit of a "secret," but it’s a secret everyone should know. I’d return in a heartbeat. Actually, start booking, because I'm already planning my next trip!
Unbelievable Deal! Wyndham Whitecourt (AB) - Book Your Stay NOW!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your pristine, robot-generated itinerary. This is my potentially disastrous, hopefully hilarious, and definitely imperfect plan for a stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Harrisburg Airport Hershey (PA). Let's see if I survive this…
The "Survive the Harrisburg Airport" Itinerary (aka, My Descent into Travel Madness)
Day 1: Arrival – The Airport Abyss and the Promise of La Quinta
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Touchdown Harrisburg. (If the plane actually lands on time, which, let's be honest, is a gamble I'm not particularly confident in.) My biggest concern is always the baggage carousel. Will my suitcase actually arrive? Will I be surrounded by frantic people grabbing at their luggage with that slightly desperate look in their eyes? I bet I'll be one of them. Pray for me, people. Pray.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Shuttle Serendipity (hopefully). Okay, fingers crossed the La Quinta shuttle is actually there when I need it, otherwise it's the dreaded airport taxi gamble. Taxi drivers, are they all the same? It's a conspiracy, I tell you! The only thing that's consistent about airport taxi rides is that they're expensive.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Check-in Chaos (pray for good energy). I'm that person who stumbles through registration. "Do you have any rooms… that aren't on the first floor? And, ideally, far from the elevator?" I'll need my travel-sized sanity pills for this. Plus, the free WiFi actually… works? That would be a minor miracle.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance and the Great Toilet Paper Hunt. Okay, gotta check the room. Always the same checklist: Cleanliness! Does the TV work? Is the bed remotely comfortable? And most importantly: Is there enough toilet paper? Don't judge, it's crucial. I'm convinced hotels are in a constant state of toilet paper rationing.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Unpacking, the Great Organizational Battle. The suitcase always seems to have a personal vendetta against me. Why does everything wrinkle during travel?! I swear, I've packed perfectly, meticulously, and yet it always ends up a sweaty, crumpled mess. It's also the time I discover I forgot something absolutely essential. Probably my toothbrush. Or my sanity. (I'm leaning towards the latter).
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinnertime Deliberation: Food, Glorious Food! My gut is rumbling and I have two options: 1. Order takeout, finding the best reviews and getting food, or 2. Order takeout, finding the closest places to pick up.
- Rambling Thought: Do I REALLY need to eat fast food tonight? I can always find a place to pick up some groceries, maybe a deli. Still, I want fried food. I need fried food.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Evening Escapism: Channel Surfing and the Deep Dive of the Hotel Room. Ah, the simple joys. I'll probably end up watching bad reality TV while eating my… (See dinner plan, above). There is something beautifully comforting about being completely unproductive in a hotel room. The best option would be to watch every episode of a show I've never seen or a nostalgic classic.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Wind-Down Rituals: My Evening Routine (don't judge). Shower, pajamas, brushing teeth…the works. My life at home may be a disaster, but my bedtime routine is a well-oiled machine. Unless, of course, the shower pressure is abysmal. Then we riot. (Just kidding…mostly.)
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Sleep…or Attempt To. Hoping for a comfortable bed and no noisy neighbors tonight. My hotel room is a sanctuary of rest. Though, if I’m jet-lagged, I might toss and turn all night, staring at the ceiling, and wondering what the heck I'm doing with my life.
Day 2: Hershey's Heaven and the Chocolate Coma
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: *Breakfast Bonanza (hopefully not). * Free continental breakfast? Bless the gods, or curse them. It's a gamble. Hard-boiled eggs that look like they've been sitting there since the Jurassic period? Stale bagels? Or, maybe, just maybe, a surprisingly decent waffle maker. I live for those waffle makers.
- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Making a plan for the day. I should head to Hershey Park. Even with the trip, it is possible to have free time.
- 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Drive to Hershey. I'll drive to Hershey Park. I'll make sure to bring everything I need.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The Chocolate Mecca: Arrival at Hershey Park. The anticipation! The sweet, sweet smell of chocolate in the air! I'm practically vibrating with excitement.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Hershey Park Madness. Roller coasters! Rides! I'll be screaming like a child. I hope I don't get sick.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at Hershey Park: So Many Choices! So much food to choose from. I have to eat the best.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: More Hershey Park. I'll try to visit the stores.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Drive back to the Hotel. I'll check to see if anything has changed.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Rest! I'll need a much-needed nap.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner. I'll look to see if anything has changed.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Relaxing. I'll rest and see what's on T.V.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Night Routine. I'll take a shower, brush my teeth, and put on my jammies.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Rest. I'll get to sleep.
Day 3: Departure – The Airport Encore (May God Have Mercy)
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast Redux. Waffles again? Please let there be waffles. And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Packing Panic. Trying to remember where I put everything. Did I forget anything? Probably. Acceptance is the first step, right?
- 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Check-out Charade. "Everything was fine," I'll say with a forced smile, even if the room looked like a tornado hit it.
- 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Shuttle Shuffle (again). Praying the shuttle is on time this time! I'm mentally preparing myself for the possibility of a taxi fiasco.
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Airport Anxiety (again). Security lines! The TSA! Will my liquids be confiscated? Will I get patted down? Will I somehow set off the metal detector? The suspense is killing me.
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: The Waiting Game. Waiting at the gate is a trial of patience. People-watching. Reading. Trying to avoid looking at the departure boards.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Flight to Glory (or at least, to wherever I'm going next). Fingers crossed. May the flight be on time. May my seatmate be quiet. May I actually sleep on the plane.
- 1:00 PM: Goodbye Harrisburg. I sure hope I get home safe.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary is a suggestion. It's a guideline. It's also highly subject to change based on my mood, the state of my caffeine levels, and how many times I get lost. Wish me luck. I'll need it. And if you happen to see a slightly frazzled person wandering around
Escape to Austin: The BEST Airport Hotel? (Residence Inn Review)
Luxury Near Hersheypark: Harrisburg Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel?! (Or Is It?) - FAQs
Okay, spill the tea! Is this "luxury" hotel *really* the real deal near Hershey? I mean, Harrisburg Airport... sounds a bit… sketchy, no?
Alright, alright, settle down, drama queen. Look, I'll be brutally honest: Harrisburg Airport isn't exactly known for its glitz and glam. My first thought? "Luxury? Near the airport? Sounds like a bait-and-switch." But curiosity, like a perfectly toasted pretzel, got the better of me (Hershey, you know?). I’m talking about a hotel that advertises itself as luxury.
Here's the deal. The *hotel* itself, it actually *is* pretty darn nice. We’re talking plush beds, seriously fluffy towels (I'm a towel snob, okay?), swanky décor, and a lobby that actually smells like... something GOOD. Not just generic hotel "clean." More like, "expensive candle" good. So, score one for perceived luxury. But... location, location, location! It's not *in* Hershey. It's a drive. A manageable one, but still...a drive. So, take the "near Hershey" with a grain of salt. Actually, grab a handful of those delicious Hershey's Kisses. You’ll need them.
What's the vibe? Is it all stuffy, formal, and judging? Because, frankly, I'm not really a "high society" kind of person.
Thank GOD it's not all stuffy! Honestly, that was a major fear of mine. Imagine paying a premium for the privilege of being glared at for wearing jeans? Nope. Thankfully, it’s more… relaxed luxury. Think polished, not pretentious. I saw people in everything from polos to (gasp!) actual HersheyPark t-shirts. They're after your business, not your wardrobe style.
There *are* certainly some people who look like they'd judge you for ordering room service in sweatpants (I’m looking at you, perfectly coiffed businesswoman in the lobby, and yes, I *was* wearing sweatpants… Judge me!). However, on the whole, the atmosphere is more “treat yourself and have fun” than “snobbish elite.” The staff were overwhelmingly friendly, helpful, and didn't bat an eye when I needed extra coffee at 6:30 am (because, let's face it, HersheyPark is exhausting!). But I swear… I needed about five cups to recover from the day's sugar rush and rollercoaster rides.
Let's talk food. Is the restaurant any good, or are we talking lukewarm buffet misery? Be honest! My stomach is already rumbling thinking about bad hotel food.
Okay, deep breaths. The restaurant... it's… decent. Not Michelin-star amazing, but definitely a step above lukewarm buffet purgatory. They *tried* to be fancy, I'll give them that. I had this really complicated dish with duck confit and… something else… and it was… well, it was edible. Could have used more seasoning, but it was pretty. Presentation is important, people! It's supposed to at least *look* good.
However, the breakfast buffet? That's where they truly shined. I am a serious breakfast person. Eggs cooked to order! (Important!) Fluffy pancakes! (YES!) Fresh fruit that *wasn't* looking sad and wilted! Oh, and the coffee? Actually drinkable. So, yeah, the restaurant itself is okay, but the breakfast? A game changer. Go for the morning buffet. Seriously. It'll fuel all those rollercoaster rides. I’d recommend eating breakfast like you're preparing for a marathon. A marathon of sugar highs and stomach drops. Which, let’s be honest, you are.
The pool! Tell me about the pool! Is it just a rectangular box of chlorine, or is it actually… relaxing?
Okay, the pool. The pool was a mixed bag. It’s *indoor*, which is fantastic if the weather isn’t cooperative (and let’s be honest, Pennsylvania weather is about as predictable as a chocolate fountain malfunction). It’s also, to my delight (and utter surprise) pretty good looking. Not just a rectangular chlorine box. It’s well-designed, with some pretty mosaics.
The problem? Kids! (I love kids, truly... but screaming kids and a relaxing pool experience don't exactly go hand in hand.) There were *a lot* of kids. Think cannonballs, splashing, and the general chaos that comes with a hotel pool near a major theme park. (But I told you, I’m just not a kid-friendly pool person.) I managed to find a relatively quiet corner, but if you're seeking serene tranquility, might want to try getting up super early or going back to the room. Or maybe just embrace the chaos and learn to enjoy the splashing. Either way, the pool is… functional. And that’s really all I can say.
What about the spa? I’m a sucker for a good massage after a day of walking… and eating ALL the chocolate!
Oh, the spa! Okay, THIS is where the "luxury" part *really* came through. I indulged. Completely and utterly indulged. I got a massage. A deep tissue massage. And it was… heavenly. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I almost fell asleep and snored a little.(Sorry, massage therapist!) The spa itself is gorgeous, all dim lighting, calming music, and delicious-smelling aromatherapy oils. It's a small indulgence, but a game changer after the rigors of HersheyPark.
Afterward, I sipped herbal tea in the relaxation lounge (don't judge me!), feeling like a completely different person. The spa is *absolutely* worth it, especially if you've been riding rollercoasters all day and your muscles are screaming in protest. If you only treat yourself to one thing at this hotel, make it the spa. You won't regret it. Just… book your appointment in advance. They get busy. Probably with people like me… needing to unkink their pretzel-shaped bodies.
Are there any downsides? Let's get real. Nothing is perfect.
Okay, let's be honest. Nothing's perfect, even with the amazing spa. The biggest downside is the location. It's not *in* Hershey. It's a drive. (I've said it before, I'll say it again.) Also, depending on the time of year, traffic around Hershey can be brutal. Just plan for it.
Also, the prices are… well, they’re luxury prices. It's not cheap. You’re paying for the experience, the quality, and of course, that spa (worth every penny, I'm telling you!). And honestly, because it's near the airport, the noise levels sometimes, though nothing overwhelming, are something you might have to be accustomed to. Occasionally. But hey, that's the sacrifice you make for relative convenience. So, weigh the pros and cons. The luxury is there, but it's not without its drawbacksPersonalized Stays
Post a Comment for "Luxury Near Hersheypark: Harrisburg Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel!"