Lancaster Marriott Penn Square: Your Luxurious Lancaster Escape Awaits!
Lancaster Marriott Penn Square: My Luxurious Lancaster Getaway… Mostly! (A Review That Might Actually Help You)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – and the coffee, the soup, and probably a bit of lukewarm tap water – on the Lancaster Marriott Penn Square. This ain't your average hotel review, honey. This is lived experience, complete with the good, the bad, and the "wait, did that just happen?" moments.
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- Title: Lancaster Marriott Penn Square Review: Is It Worth The Hype?
- Keywords: Lancaster Marriott, Penn Square, Lancaster PA, Hotel Review, Luxury Hotel, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Business Travel, Family Friendly, Reviews, Pennsylvania, Things to do in Lancaster, Best Hotels Lancaster.
- Description: A candid and detailed review of the Lancaster Marriott Penn Square, covering everything from accessibility and amenities to dining and cleanliness. Includes personal anecdotes and honest opinions – find out if this Lancaster escape is the right choice for you!
Let's start with the good news, shall we? Because honestly, there is a lot to love. The "luxurious escape" part? They're not kidding. The lobby is… well, it's impressive. Gleaming marble, a chandelier that probably cost more than my car, and a general aura of "you’re doing alright, kid." I mean, I felt almost important walking through there, which is a rare feeling for a person who mostly wears yoga pants and eats cereal for dinner.
Accessibility: Kudos Where It's Due!
Okay, MAJOR props to Marriott on accessibility. A big, fat, gold star. I wasn't specifically needing access, but I did check out their spiel because, let's be honest, it's important. The website is clear, the elevators are plentiful, and the ramps are, well, ramp-y. They've clearly thought about wheelchair access throughout the property, from the lobby to the restaurants. Now, if only other hotels would pay attention!
Rooms: Comfortably Swanky
The rooms themselves? Pretty darn nice. I'm talking blackout curtains (bliss!), a super comfy bed (I think I need the same mattress), and a decent view (depending on your floor - try to get high!). The air conditioning? Worked like a charm – vital in the Pennsylvania summer. And the free Wi-Fi? YES! Thank the gods for free Wi-Fi. I even had a little desk area, which, for me, constituted a home office (because I'm a freelancer and live on my laptop). The rooms are clean (major points) and I'm told sanitized between stays. A welcome relief.
The Amenities! Oh, The Amenities! (And A Few Minor Gripes)
- Things to do, ways to relax: Okay, the spa is a must-do. I treated myself to a massage (an absolute necessity after a long drive) and drifted into a semi-conscious state of pure bliss. They also have: a pool with a view (outdoor!), a gym/fitness center, and a steamroom. Loved it all!
- Fitness Center: Okay, confession time. I intended to hit the fitness center. Like, really, really intended to. I even packed my workout clothes. But between the amazing bed, the alluring spa, and the general feeling of being pampered, let’s just say my workout gear mostly stayed folded in the closet. It looked well equipped, though, for the fitness inclined.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: This is where things get… interesting. The on-site restaurants sounded fabulous. Restaurants: The restaurants were pretty standard hotel fare. Breakfast at the buffet was decent but pretty standard. Coffee/tea in the restaurant was good, but the coffee shop wasn’t my favorite. Happy hour was fun. The bars were well-stocked, drinks a little overpriced. There was a poolside bar which was very nice. A nice selection of desserts in the restaurant. I did love the soup in the restaurant. The food was okay.
- Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, HUGE brownie points for their efforts here. They're doing all the right things – anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer stations everywhere, safe dining setups. They are rooms sanitized between stays, which made me feel safe. They also have individually wrapped food options. This shows they really are taking it seriously.
- Services and Conveniences: The little things matter, right? Daily housekeeping was great, the concierge was helpful, and having a convenience store on-site was clutch for late-night snack attacks. Elevator access was nice.
- For the kids: I didn't have kids with me, but the place seems pretty kid-friendly.
The Quirky Bits & The Slightly Less Shiny Moments
Alright, let’s get real. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses. Here are a few… observations:
- The Internet: The Wi-Fi in the rooms was great! The Internet [LAN] wasn't really needed, but the Internet service was appreciated. However, sometimes the signal in the public areas was a little… patchy. I blame the ghosts of Pennsylvania past trying to hog the bandwidth.
- The Soundproofing… Mostly: My room was generally very quiet (thank you, soundproof rooms!), but I did happen to be next to a very enthusiastic group of people celebrating something on one of the lower floors. It got loud. Eventually, I had to use the telephone in the bathroom to call reception, and it was solved.
- That Damn Breakfast Buffet: It was okay. But it’s a buffet. Its fine, but could be better. Not much in the way of an “Asian breakfast”. Not a bad Western breakfast, though. Didn’t use breakfast takeaway service.
- Getting Around: The Car park [on-site] was a bit of a free-for-all. I didn't use the Airport transfer (it was a road trip, baby!), and the Bicycle parking looked a bit lonely.
Worth the Hype? The Verdict
Overall? Absolutely, yes. The Lancaster Marriott Penn Square is a solid choice for a luxurious getaway. Is it perfect? Nah, no hotel is. But the pros (the comfy rooms, the amazing spa, the great accessibility, and the cleanliness!) far outweigh the minor cons (the iffy Wi-Fi and sometimes-loud hallway sounds).
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Especially if I could snag that same mattress. And maybe this time, I’ll actually hit the gym. (Maybe…)
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars. Highly Recommended.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream LA Beach Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, 'cause we're diving headfirst into a Lancaster Marriott adventure! This isn't your perfectly polished travel brochure; this is the raw, slightly-burnt-toast-of-a-trip report.
Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square: My Chaotic Odyssey (aka The Weekend I Tried to Be Fancy)
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic
1:00 PM: Arrival & "Where Did My Brain Go?" Ugh, travel. I swear, the second I step out of my apartment, all common sense evaporates. Arrived at the Marriott after a surprisingly smooth drive (miracle!), only to realize I'd left my phone charger back home. Cue frantic internal screaming. Found the front desk, and the lovely person there actually lent me a charger, a beacon of hope in a sea of forgotten essentials. Thank you, kind stranger!
1:30 PM: Room Revelation & Existential Dread Okay, room's decent. King bed, view of… a parking garage. Sigh. Did I mention I'm a travel snob in a budget-friendly kinda way? I was hoping for something with a bit more "romance," but, hey, at least it's a bed. I unpacked, which consisted of me throwing my clothes onto the suitcase's surface (the closet is miles away). I might as well get out of here before I fall into a self-pity vortex.
2:30 PM: Lunch That Wasn’t - & The Search For Coffee Apparently, the hotel restaurant is a no-go. I did a quick scan and felt my stomach sink. Overly formal for my taste. Fine. I'll find sustenance elsewhere. Found a coffee shop around the square, the smell of freshly brewed caffeine and slightly burnt pastry, making the entire experience a tad more bearable. Honestly, the coffee was the best part of my day.
3:30 PM: Wandering the Square & the Phantom of a Postcard So, Penn Square. It's… a square. With a fountain. And a lot of pigeons. I'm not sure what I was expecting, a secret portal to Narnia? But it did bring back a memory of my grandpa. He had been to Lancaster and sent me a postcard of a church with a funny drawing that he had made. He's gone now, but for a second, I felt like I was holding his hand again, smiling.
5:00 PM: The Room & The Great Netflix Binge Okay, I'm exhausted. All the walking and emotions have hit me like a freight train. I gave up on having a "cultural experience" for the day. I did some work, and turned on Netflix. Found a documentary about cats. It was perfect.
7:00 PM: Dinner Disaster (Sort Of) Went to the restaurant across the street. The server was friendly, but the food was… edible. Nothing to write home about. I ordered a burger and some fries (the only time I'll eat at this place). At least the beer was cold! I might have to go back to the coffee-shop for another pastry.
9:00 PM: Bedtime & The Crumbling of My Dreams I crawled into bed. My mind was racing, and I started to think about all the cool things I hadn’t done this trip. I hate when vacations don’t go as planned, its a never ending cycle! I tried to watch a movie…but I fell asleep.
Day 2: Culture & Catastrophes
8:00 AM: Rise & Shine (…ish). Coffee Makes Everything Better. Okay, I woke up. I needed to get out of the room. I don't know why, but I always get a "cabin fever" kind of feeling at hotels. Coffee was my salvation.
9:00 AM: The Lancaster Central Market: Sensory Overload! Okay, THIS was something. The Lancaster Central Market. A complete and total assault on my senses. The smells! The colors! The people! I bought a loaf of artisanal bread, and I seriously considered buying a whole wheel of cheese. I regret not buying more. The best part was this stall selling what were obviously homemade, enormous whoopie pies. I bought two, one for now, one for later.
10:00 AM: Amish Country Misadventures I decided to take a short drive and check out some Amish country. I found the experience… well, complicated. It’s beautiful, the rolling green hills, the horse-drawn buggies, the picturesque farms. But I felt like an outsider, a gawking tourist. I bought some delicious jam and a hand-woven placemat but left feeling a little conflicted.
1:00 PM: Lunch & the Great Whoopie Pie Incident Back at the hotel (because I'm a creature of habit, apparently). Pulled out my whoopie pie, took a giant bite, chocolate cream filling everywhere! Disaster!
2:00 PM: The Arts Scene… That Wasn't… I had good intentions! Some kind of art gallery, anything artsy. Failed. I found the gallery and it was closed, so I started walking around. I ended up trying to buy a coffee, but the line was too long.
4:00 PM: Pre-Dinner Nap & the Joy of Doing Nothing I needed a nap. I also needed to watch more cat documentaries. Success!
7:00 PM: Dinner 2.0: More Coffee & a Better Perspective I went back to the coffee shop, had some more coffee, and bought a pastry. I sat at the counter and just looked at the street. I realized I was letting the little things ruin my trip. I decided to focus on being present. And the coffee was really good.
9:00 PM: One Last Stroll & a Bittersweet Farewell I walked around the Square one last time. The fountain looked beautiful. Found a pretty little flower shop. The whole trip was nice, and I knew I'd be leaving tomorrow.
Day 3: Departure & the Aftermath
9:00 AM: A Last Breakfast & The Phone Charger Miracle! Final breakfast, and you know what? The hotel had decent breakfast this time. Got my charger back! A happy ending!
10:00 AM: Checkout & the Dread of Reality Packed, checked out. Back to real life!
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy, imperfect, and full of minor catastrophes. But, I loved it. It wasn't what I planned, but sometimes, the best experiences are the ones you don't see coming. Like the Central Market, the coffee shop, and the simple joy of doing nothing. Will I go back to Lancaster? Absolutely. Will I plan better next time? Probably not. But I wouldn't trade this chaotic adventure for anything.
Escape to Niles, OH: Your Perfect Days Inn Awaits!
So, The Lancaster Marriott Penn Square... Is it REALLY as fancy as the website makes it sound?
Okay, *deep breath*. Let's be real. Yeah, it's pretty fancy. Like, "hold-the-door-for-me-and-bring-me-a-complimentary-cucumber-water" fancy. The lobby alone? Gleaming marble, chandeliers that could house a small family, and enough space to stage a low-key ballroom dance-off. (I may or may not have mentally choreographed a routine while waiting for my room. Don't judge.) But here's the thing: fancy can be intimidating. I remember the first time I walked in, feeling all awkward and underdressed in my slightly-worn jeans. (Pro tip: pack a nicer pair. Or don't! No one really *cares*, it's Lancaster, not Monaco.) The staff, though? Surprisingly down-to-earth. They actually *smiled* at me. Not that plastic, overly-sweet hotel smile, but a genuine, "welcome, hope you have a great stay" kind of smile. Huge relief, honestly. Because I was expecting to trip over my nerves and a stray luggage cart, and that didn't happen! Mostly...
What's the deal with the location? Right in Penn Square, right? Is that... good?
Oh, Penn Square. That's the beating heart of Lancaster, for sure. And yeah, the Marriott's smack-dab in the middle of it. Advantage: EVERYTHING. Seriously, you step outside and you're practically *in* all the action. Restaurants, shops, the market... it's all right there. No Ubering required (unless you are a coward!). Disadvantage: the noise, occasionally. Early morning delivery trucks can wake you up if you're a light sleeper. And on weekends, the square gets *busy*. But hey, that's the price you pay for being in the thick of things. Plus, think of all the people-watching opportunities! I spent a solid hour one afternoon just camped out on a bench, observing life. It was... fascinating. Also, a little weird, I admit. I might have needed a nap after that.
Are the rooms actually *nice*? Like, actually nice, not just hotel-nice?
Okay, room confession time. I'm a sucker for a good hotel room. And the Marriott's rooms? Solid. Really solid. Comfy beds (that's priority number one, people!), decent-sized bathrooms (not those tiny airplane-style ones – THANK GOODNESS!), and usually a decent view. I've stayed in a few different room types, and I've never been *disappointed*. One time, though... (and here's where it gets messy) ... I got a room facing the back. And the "view" was basically the back of a parking garage. Ugh. Total buzzkill. I called down, and they switched me, thankfully. But it just goes to show: sometimes, you draw the short straw. Don't be afraid to ask for a different room! It's your hard-earned money, you're allowed to be picky! And that initial view almost ruined my whole stay and made me feel so, so grumpy.
The restaurant situation...how is it? Are the food options actually worth it?
Okay, let's talk food. The Marriott has a couple of options, and I've tried them all. The main restaurant, the one that serves breakfast, lunch, *and* dinner? It's... good. Not life-changing, but good. I'm a big breakfast person, and their buffet is pretty decent. Omelet station? Yes, please! Also, they do a nice Bloody Mary, which is essential for a proper vacation, in my opinion. The bar? That's where things get interesting. Great place for a pre-dinner cocktail, and the bar snacks are usually pretty solid. I once had a *fantastic* burger there; the kind that makes you moan with pleasure. The kind you dream about for weeks afterward. Actually, scratch that. I'm still dreaming about that burger. Like, I might need to go back *just* for the burger. Seriously, it was *that* good. (And the fries? Oh, the fries!) Oh, and the service was on point. The bartender, this guy named Mark, was a total pro and put up with my indecisiveness. Hero.
What about the gym and pool? Do they have them? Are they decent?
Yes, yes, and... meh. They DO have a gym and a pool. The gym is your standard hotel gym – a few treadmills, some weights, the usual suspects. It's fine. You'll get your workout in if you're dedicated (which, let's be honest, I'm not always). The pool? It's indoors, which is a plus if it's raining or freezing outside. It's not huge, but it's clean and well-maintained. I've used it a couple of times. Once, there was a kid cannonballing in with such enthusiasm that I almost jumped out of my skin. Cute, but definitely not conducive to a relaxing swim. Another time, I was the only one there. Pure bliss! So, it's a mixed bag, really. Expect kids, expect some chlorine smell, but it's good to have it available if you really need it.
Is there parking? And is it a nightmare?
Yes, there's parking, thankfully. The Marriott has its own parking garage. It's convenient, right there under the hotel. But...and it's a big but... it can get *expensive*. Also, on busy weekends or during events, it can fill up quickly. Prepare for some potential circling! Or, ya know, park a block or two away (that's my go-to). It's free! You gotta find it, and some streets have limited hours for parking, so pay attention!
Overall, would you recommend the Lancaster Marriott Penn Square?
Honestly? Yeah, I do. Despite the occasional parking woes, the slightly-noisy-at-times location, and the back-of-the-parking-garage room viewing experience... I'd go back. The pros (location, comfy beds, that burger!) definitely outweigh the cons. It's a solid choice for a stay in Lancaster. It's got that balance of luxury and accessibility. Just go in with realistic expectations, pack a nice pair of shoes, and be prepared to hunt for that perfect parking spot. Oh, and DEFINITELY order the burger. You won't regret it. And if you find yourself dreaming of it later? You're welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go book a room. For the burger, obviously.
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