Harrisburg Hershey Getaway: Your Perfect Residence Inn Stay (PA)
Harrisburg Hershey Getaway: My Not-So-Perfect, Totally Real Residence Inn Adventure
Okay, so Harrisburg. Hershey. Chocolate. Promises of sweet, sweet relaxation. My expectations? High. My reality? Well, let's just say it was a rollercoaster of deliciousness, minor annoyances, and enough free Wi-Fi to keep me perpetually glued to TikTok. This is my honest takedown of the Residence Inn, Pennsylvania, and trust me, it ain't all sunshine and Hershey Kisses.
First off, let's talk accessibility. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate a place that thinks about everyone. The website promised wheelchair accessibility, and from what I saw, it seemed legit. Wide hallways, ramps where necessary, and the usual stuff. Kudos on that front, Residence Inn. Feels good to know they're trying.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I actually didn't clock any specifically labeled "accessible" restaurants, but the dining areas seemed generally navigable. This is where the cracks in my memory start to show – it's all a blur of waffles and coffee, I swear!
Internet Access: Ah, sweet, sweet Internet. I practically lived off the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! It was seriously a godsend. I had a million little projects I was supposed to be working on, and being able to hop online anytime, anywhere was a life saver. No annoying passwords or login pages. Pure, unadulterated digital bliss. Internet [LAN] was a thing, too, I think, but let's be honest – who's plugging in a cable these days? Internet services were readily available, you know, if you needed to actually, you know, get work done.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: This is where things get…complicated. The promise of a Spa? Oh, yes, that was on the radar. But the actual experience? Well, let’s get to it.
The Pool: Look, let's be honest: hotel pools are never as glamorous in reality as they look in the pictures. This Swimming pool [outdoor] was fine. Clean, chlorine-y, and full of kids splashing. It was nice to take a dip after a long day, but the "pool with a view" they advertised? Nope. Just another pool.
The Fitness Center: I did see a Gym/fitness center. It was small, but it had the basics. Treadmills, some weights, the usual suspects. I lasted about 15 minutes. Honestly, I'm on vacation! My workout regime took a hit in the process and it was fine.
The Spa (or lack of it): Okay, this is where my inner Karen almost surfaced. I’d seen the hotel had a listed Spa with Sauna, maybe even a Steamroom? I couldn't find it! Turns out, it was a very basic setup, and the "spa" was more of a glorified massage room. I was expecting something more. You know, a full-blown pampering experience! So, no Body scrub, no Body wrap. Just a slightly disappointing, let's-not-talk-about-it kind of experience. I even skipped a Foot bath, I was so annoyed. I wanted a Massage, but frankly, I didn't trust the place enough.
Oh the Small Little Spa: Okay, I'll admit, the spa was good and the masseuse was great, it's just the whole thing made me feel like I was over-idealizing everything. I wanted luxury, I got functional. I'm a spoiled brat, basically!
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, big props here. In a post-pandemic world (or, let's be honest, an ongoing pandemic world), safety is paramount. The Residence Inn pulled out all the stops. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Room sanitization between stays were all evident. The staff wore masks (which, side note, some wore them better than others), there was Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the whole atmosphere felt clean and secure. I even noticed Professional-grade sanitizing services and Sterilizing equipment. They even had Individually-wrapped food options for breakfast. Top marks. They made me feel safe, and that’s important.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Oh, the food! The Breakfast [buffet] was a highlight. Waffles! Sausages! Yogurt! The usual fare, but it's what I crave in a hotel. The Breakfast service was efficient, and the staff kept things moving. Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop were abundant, which is always a plus in my book. The Restaurants were fairly standard, but the Snack bar was a welcome treat…especially after I felt that I'd missed on Spa experiences.
- The A la carte in restaurant was lacking. I was looking forward to a great experience but it never happened.
- The Desserts in restaurant were not great. I thought there would be some good options but it never happened.
Services and Conveniences: Okay, so this is where the Residence Inn really shines. Air conditioning in both public areas and my room? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. Cash withdrawal at the front desk? Check. The Convenience store was a lifesaver for late-night snacks. The Elevator was fast and efficient (important when you're impatient like me). The front desk staff were always available and super friendly. Laundry service and Ironing service? They had it all. This hotel really thought of everything.
Available in all rooms: Now, let's talk about my actual room. It was a suite, and a pretty decent one at that. Air conditioning (again, because summer in Pennsylvania is brutal), an Alarm clock, Bathrobes, a Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping. You get the idea. All the usual suspects. The Desk was perfect for my laptop. The Hair dryer was functional, unlike some I’ve seen in my travels. The Internet access – wireless was amazing. The Refrigerator was a necessity for keeping my water and snacks cold. Satellite/cable channels kept me entertained when I was just relaxing in the room. The Wi-Fi [free], as I've mentioned, was a godsend, and the Window that opens was a pleasant touch.
For the kids: I don't have kids, but I saw plenty of families here. There were definitely Family/child friendly amenities, but I didn't see any specifics.
Getting around: The Car park [free of charge] was a definite plus, as was the easy access to main roads. Taxi service was readily available too.
Final Verdict: The Harrisburg Hershey Residence Inn is a solid, reliable choice. It's not the lap of luxury, but it's clean, comfortable, and offers a lot of convenience. The free Wi-Fi and the breakfast buffet are definite wins. Just manage your expectations when it comes to the spa and you’ll be fine. I'd stay there again. And hey, at least I survived my getaway with my sanity (mostly) intact!
Meta-Data:
- Title: Harrisburg Hershey Getaway: My Not-So-Perfect, Totally Real Residence Inn Adventure (PA)
- Keywords: Harrisburg, Hershey, Residence Inn, Pennsylvania, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Travel, Vacation
- Description: Honest and humorous review of the Residence Inn in Harrisburg, PA, near Hershey. Discussing amenities, accessibility, cleanliness, and the overall experience. Includes personal anecdotes and a critical eye.
- Author: A Very Honest Traveler
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, corporate-approved travel itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. My Residence Inn escapade in Harrisburg/Hershey, Pennsylvania, as seen through the bleary eyes of yours truly.
Residence Inn by Marriott Harrisburg Hershey - The Diary of a Slightly Disorganized Traveler (That's Me!)
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Caffeine. May the Coffee Gods Have Mercy.
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at Harrisburg International Airport. Okay, let's be honest, "international" is generous. It's…compact. But hey, it has baggage claim, and that's all that matters after a flight where the guy next to me snored like a chainsaw.
- 1:30 PM: Rental car pickup. Pray for me. I'm geographically challenged PLUS I haven't seen a stick-shift in YEARS. Wish me luck navigating… the other side of the road?
- 2:30 PM: Arrival at the Residence Inn. My inner monologue: "Oh, it's…beige. Beige-y nice. Comfortable. Needs coffee. Desperately." Checked in smoothly, thank heavens. The front desk lady was ridiculously cheerful. I suspect she's been trained to be this happy, but I appreciate her unwavering optimism.
- 3:00 PM: Room exploration. (Standard stuff – microwave, fridge, the sacred coffee maker). My immediate project? COFFEE. The in-room stuff was bleak. Like, seriously, I think it was brewed in a swamp. Need. Better. Coffee. Must. FIND.
- 3:30 PM: Failed coffee hunt #1. Google Maps led me astray. Ended up in a strip mall that felt like a portal to 1998. No decent coffee. Just a sad-looking Subway. Depressed.
- 4:15 PM: Coffee Victory!! Found a local place, "The Bean Scene." Life… restored. Ordered a cappuccino. Watched the world go by while I sipped the perfect cup of coffee. Pure bliss. This coffee was my reason for living, honestly.
- 5:00 PM: A swim in the pool. Yes, it's indoor. Yes, I judged, but it was lovely.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. I always get a salad and a burger, so imagine my surprise when they were out of salad and I fell onto pizza. Never the less, the company and the pizza was good.
- 8:00 PM: Stumbled back to the room, brain fried from the travel. Watched some truly awful reality TV. Regretted the TV choices, but comfort is key, right?
Day 2: Hershey, Chocolate, and a Bit of Meltdown (Sort Of).
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the Residence Inn. The free breakfast situation was… serviceable. Waffles! Bacon! Omelet station! This is the kind of breakfast that could be a game-changer.
- 9:00 AM: Hershey Park! So, I had visions. Visions of perfect chocolate, thrilling rides, and a general state of sugary, euphoric bliss. The reality? A MASSIVE line at the gate. Already feeling the first tendrils of a "hangry" monster.
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Hershey Park Assault. We did manage to ride some rides, though. The "Great Bear". Awesome. "Fahrenheit" was terrifying, but exhilarating. The lines, though… they were a test of my patience and my ability to not shove small children.
- 1:00 PM: Chocolate. I am not going to lie, I went to the factory. The smell was amazing. The samples were… well, there were many. I bought the "giant Hershey's kisses" because I am nothing if not predictable.
- 2:00 PM: The Chocolate Spa. (OKAY, this was the saving grace of the day.) You know you are in for a treat when the massage is with heated cacao. It was the most amazing, relaxing treatment ever. It's the closest thing to heaven.
- 4:00 PM: Still in Hershey. I walked around the town, taking pictures and just reveling in the atmosphere.
- 6:00 PM: Late Dinner: The local food scene was really good.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I don't know if I've ever been so tired.
Day 3: A Bit of History, a Little Bit of Regret, and Departures.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast redux. Waffles again! (Don't judge me. I'm on vacation.)
- 10:00 AM: I wanted to visit the State Capital! The architecture was beautiful - it was like a little piece of Washington here.
- 12:00 PM: Errands and heading back home. The drive was easy.
- 1:00 PM: The flight home.
- 2:00 PM: Back home.
Final Thoughts:
Pennsylvania, you weird, wonderful state. I came, I saw, I ate a metric ton of chocolate. The Residence Inn was a comfortable base camp, even if I spent way too much money on coffee. Hershey Park was a mixed bag of fun and frustration. The Chocolate Spa? Pure, unadulterated bliss. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing a book, a flask of coffee, and a whole lot of patience. And maybe some noise-canceling headphones for the flight. Just in case.
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Harrisburg Hershey Getaway: Your "Perfect" Residence Inn Stay (PA) – Let's Get Real!
Okay, first things first…Is this *really* the perfect getaway? I mean, *perfect* is a BIG word…
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. "Perfect"? Let's just say, if "perfect" involves a little bit of chaos, a dash of questionable decision-making (on your part, obviously), and a healthy dose of "well, that was certainly an experience," then, YES, this COULD be your perfect getaway. The Residence Inn Harrisburg Hershey? It's… a place. It's a perfectly *functional* place. But perfect? Nah. But the *experience*? Potentially epic, depending on your tolerance for… well, life. (And how much chocolate you consume.)
What about the location? Is it actually *convenient* for all the Hershey stuff?
Convenient? Mostly. It's like, a reasonable drive. I mean, you're not going to need a Sherpa or a yak. It's not *right* on the doorstep of Hershey Park, mind you. You *will* need a car. And traffic. Oh, the traffic. My last trip – and this is a TRUTH – I swear someone invented a new level of gridlock after my GPS told me “5 minutes.” Five minutes, turned into like, a 20-minute ordeal of stop-and-go torture. I even considered abandoning the car, throwing open the doors and sprinting towards a Giant Pretzel. (Didn’t, but the thought was *strong*.) But yeah, location-wise, it's close enough. Just factor in extra time, and maybe, just maybe, pack a snack (specifically, pretzels and chocolate. Coincidence? I think not.)
The rooms – do they have that *annoying* hotel vibe, or are they decent?
Rooms. Here's the thing. Residence Inns are *usually* pretty good in the room department. Suites, right? So, expect a little more space than a shoebox. The kitchenette thing? Useful. Unless you’re like me and your culinary skills peak at “making instant coffee” (which, let's be honest, I sometimes manage to mess up). The decor? Don't expect cutting-edge design. Think… *comfortably generic*. Clean, generally. Until you drop a handful of mini-Reese's cups under the bed. Then, well, you're on your own. (And if you *do* find a rogue, ancient Reese's cup, consider it a hidden Hershey treasure.)
Breakfast? Is it the usual sad hotel continental breakfast situation?
Breakfast. Okay, this is where things get interesting. It's *technically* free… which is always a good thing. But… the buffet line. The sheer *volume* of slightly-stale-but-edible options. Scrambled eggs that may or may not be made of actual hen-related things. The waffle maker. Oh, the waffle maker. Expect a queue, and expect the kind of waffle that's crispy around the edges – and then turns into a soggy, flavorless pancake in the middle. But hey! There's usually a decent selection of coffee. And, crucially, in the name of Hershey goodness? Sometimes, there are Hershey's Kisses! That *almost* makes up for everything, doesn't it? Almost. (Look, the waffle maker *once* delivered a decent waffle, but that might have been divine intervention.)
What about the *pool*? Is it a fun pool, a depressing pool, or what?
The pool. Ah, the pool. This is where my memory gets, well, a little blurry. Not from the chlorine – although that *did* attempt to eat my contact lenses once. The pool is…fine. It's a pool. Usually indoors, which is a plus in the unpredictable Pennsylvania weather. The vibe? Think families. Kids splashing. The occasional inflatable duck or unicorn. It’s not the Four Seasons, obviously. But if you're up for a quick dip, a bit of splashing, and maybe a near-miss with a rogue pool noodle? Then, yeah, it works. Just make sure you bring your own towel. And your sense of humor. You'll need it. One tip: Avoid the pool after the kids from the soccer tournament invade...trust me.
Is it *good* for families? (Because, you know… Hershey.)
Families? Absolutely. Hershey IS built for families. Residence Inns? They're perfect for families! Because: More space, more room for all the chocolate-induced meltdowns, more room for the kid's toys that will definitely get jammed between the bed and the wall, and you can hide from your family in a separate room. The suites are a life-saver. The kitchenettes are handy (even if, again, you're a culinary disaster). And the proximity to Hershey Park? Well, let the sugar rush begin!
Okay, *one thing* that *really* annoyed you about this Residence Inn. Spill!
(Deep breath.) OKAY. FINE. ONE THING. The elevators. Or, more accurately, THE ELEVATOR. I swear, there was *only one* working elevator on my last stay. And it was… slow. PAINFULLY slow. I spent a significant portion of my trip WAITING for that elevator. Sometimes, I considered walking to the third floor...and then I looked at the stairwell, and it felt...like a quest to the summit of Everest. The elevator situation was a true test of patience. It felt like a conspiracy. Like the hotel knew about the Hershey chocolate and was purposefully making us move slowly, just to savor the anticipation. It was torture. Pure, unadulterated elevator torture. (And, the worst part? One time, the elevator doors OPENED with no one inside. Just mocking me.)
Would you… *recommend* it? Seriously?
Okay, so. Would I recommend it? Yeah. I would. Despite the slow elevators, the occasionally suspect breakfast, and the… *overall* level of perfectly average-ness. Why? Because it's a decent base camp for chocolate-fueled adventures. Because it's relatively clean. Because the suites offer a little bit of breathing room. Because, at the end of the day, you're in Hershey, Pennsylvania. You're surrounded by chocolate, roller coasters, and the promise of sugary bliss. And honestly? That kind of joy, that kind of pure, unadulterated Hershey-happiness? That’s worth a lot. Even if you have to wait an eternity for an elevator. So, go. Go and eat all theRest Nest Hotels
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