Hershey's Sweetest Stay: TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey Review
Hershey's Sweetest Stay: TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey Review - Messy, Honest, and Totally Human
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the chocolate-covered beans on my stay at TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs – this is going to be raw, unfiltered, and probably a little chaotic, just like my life.
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- Meta Description: My honest (and messy) review of TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey! From the surprisingly comfy beds to the slightly-too-early breakfast, find out if this hotel is the sweet escape you're looking for. Plus, insights on accessibility, family fun, and Hershey-sized expectations!
The Arrival: A Chocolate-Smeared Welcome, Sort Of
First things first, I'm not gonna lie. The anticipation of this trip was bigger than a king-sized Hershey bar. We were headed to Hersheypark, and the idea of a sweet escape, post-rollercoaster mayhem, had me practically drooling.
The accessibility was the first thing I checked out. I’m happy to report they seemed to have thought things through. The front door wasn't a struggle - automatic! (Thank the gods, right?). And there was definitely an elevator, which, when you're lugging luggage and kids, is a beautiful thing. I did see some facilities for disabled guests and I will assume they accommodated guests for different levels of need, but I didn't get to see the rooms.
Checking in, a little tired and already envisioning a giant Reese's cup, went smoothly enough. They had contactless check-in/out, which is always a plus these days. I liked that. The staff was, you know, friendly enough. Not overly enthusiastic, but hey, it was a Tuesday afternoon, so I get it – we’re all just trying to survive the day.
The Room: Comfort, Chaos, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
We got to our room, and the first thing I did was fling myself on the bed. And you know what? It was actually pretty comfy! That's a win. The extra-long bed (or at least it felt that way) was a godsend. We had a non-smoking room, which is a must, and the blackout curtains were fantastic. Seriously, those things are magic. Helped me sleep the sleep of the just.
The Wi-Fi [free] was also a major win. And the free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was the actual cherry on top. Because, let's be real, who doesn't need WiFi when you are travelling?
There was a seating area, which was great for me, but it turned into a disaster zone of snacks and discarded toys within about 20 minutes. Thanks, kids. We also had a mini bar – which, sadly, only contained bottled water and a sad little fridge. I secretly wanted it to be stocked with a mountain of Hershey's Kisses.
The desk was…functional. I attempted to get some work done but gave up after about 10 minutes. My brain had officially checked out. Thanks, Hershey!
And the coffee/tea maker? Well, let's just say it wasn't the best. I’m a coffee snob, so I was not prepared. They provided some coffee and tea but…ugh. It's a minor complaint, but a decent cup of coffee can make or break a morning. I was in search of the elusive coffee.
The Kitchen: We Made Do
The refrigerator was a good size, we were able to set up our snacks and drinks. The microwave was great for making quick meals or reheating leftovers after a long day. It's not the most glamorous kitchen, but it really does the trick.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe-ish (Mostly)
Okay, let’s talk COVID. I’m always on edge these days. The hotel seemed to be attempting to take precautions. They had hand sanitizer everywhere. I appreciated that. They offered room sanitization opt-out available, so they were certainly catering to all levels of comfort.
They claimed to use anti-viral cleaning products. I guess. And the staff were wearing masks consistently, and I saw them cleaning actively. They also had a system for daily disinfection in common areas. I mean…I saw them wiping things down, so I assume they were serious. So… safety-ish.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Debacle and the Poolside Bar (Minus the Pools)
Here's where things got a little…discombobulated.
The breakfast buffet was included, and I was pumped. Free food! Score! But it opened early…I am NOT a morning person. I’m talking painfully early. It was open at something like 6:30 AM, and my kids were like, "Mom, we're still tired." The buffet itself wasn’t exactly gourmet, but it had the usual suspects: some fruit, yogurt, waffles, cereal. I'm not gonna lie, those waffles were my saving grace. And they had breakfast takeaway service, which was clutch for those days when we just couldn't.
And if that didn't work, they had a convenience store!
They also had a poolside bar, (I assume) which was great on the menu but, unfortunately, there weren’t any pools open when we were there (early spring, I think). Huge bummer. I was picturing myself sipping a cocktail poolside.
There was also a coffee shop, and the coffee was good, but not amazing.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Fitness, Sauna, Maybe a Spa (If You're Into It)
They had a fitness center and a sauna, which is great if you like that sort of thing ( I do). The gym/fitness room was pretty basic. It had your treadmills, your weights, your elliptical machines. I didn't actually use it. I had the best intentions, but I was on vacation. Let's be real. I do need a massage, but I didn't get one.
For the Kids: A Mixed Bag of Fun (Mostly)
TownePlace Suites is definitely targeting families. They had family/child friendly facilities, which is a good start. There's lots of space in the spacious apartments.
Services and Conveniences: Elevators, Luggage and More!
I’m all about convenience when I’m on vacation. I was happy to see a laundry service available. The elevator was a necessity! The luggage storage was excellent because we had a lot of luggage.
The Verdict: Worth the Sweetness or Simply a Sugar Rush?
Overall, TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey is a solid choice. It’s not the lap of luxury, but it’s clean, comfortable, and family-friendly. Yeah, the coffee could be better, and the breakfast could be more convenient, but the beds are comfy, the staff is trying, and the location is perfect for a Hershey adventure.
The Good:
- Comfy beds! (Seriously, those mattresses are a win.)
- Free Wi-Fi (that's a must!)
- Accessibility seems good.
- Family-friendly.
- Convenient location to Hersheypark.
- Decent price.
The Not-So-Good:
- The early breakfast.
- The so-so coffee.
- Poolside bars aren't a poolside experience.
Would I stay again? Probably. Because the price and location are right and I will go back to Hershey, for sure (and maybe even get a chance to swim). Just pack your own coffee, and you're golden!
Final Score: 7.5 out of 10 Hershey Kisses (would be higher if the coffee was better!)
LA Grand Hotel: Downtown LA's Hidden Gem (Luxury Awaits!)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. This is the unvarnished truth of a Harrisburg-Hershey adventure, complete with spilled coffee, existential crises in the parking lot, and a whole lotta chocolate-induced euphoria. We're staying at the TownePlace Suites in Harrisburg-Hershey. Why? Well, convenience, mostly. And free breakfast. Don't judge.
Day 1: Arrival, Unpacking, and the Great Carb Load
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). Let's be honest, airports are a special kind of hell. Always delayed, always crowded, and the air smells distinctly of despair and reheated pretzels. My flight was five minutes late, I kid you not, five minutes! This is already a sign of things to come I can feel it.
- (Rambling Time): Finding the rental car agency was a whole odyssey. Signs are intentionally baffling, I swear. I finally found it, and the rental agent, bless her heart, seemed as confused as I was about the car's features. "So, uh… you just… push this button… I think?" She said, cheerfully. "And the radio… it's… digital." Digital like a whole new language!
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey. The lobby is… beige. Beige and functional. But hey, free breakfast! The room is a decent size, and the kitchenette gives me a delusional sense of control over my life.
- 2:30 PM: Unpack. Okay, not really. More like, shove everything into a general area. Clothes, laptop, emergency stash of chocolate (priorities, people!).
- 3:00 PM: Snack time! That's when you realize, the first day is all about laying the groundwork. No grand adventures yet, just survival. Grabbed a microwaveable burrito. Probably the worst decision of the day.
- 3:30 PM: Deep dive into the internet. Research, map, plan, stress. Repeat.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at a "local" diner, which turned out to be a chain. The fries were okay, but the server seemed genuinely sad. Maybe she knows something I don't.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Sit in what I'm convinced is an oversized, under-lit, hotel room, and think about the meaning of life. Try not to get lost in internet black hole. Fail.
- 8:30 PM: Fall asleep.
Day 2: Chocolate Heaven… and Existential Dread
- 7:00 AM: Free Breakfast. The coffee is… watery. But there's a waffle maker, and that's enough to make you forget anything else in life, right? Right.
- (Emotional Moment): I saw a dad and his kid eating waffles, and I got hit with this wave of nostalgia. I miss the ease of being a kid, the simple joy of a waffle. Ugh.
- 8:00 AM: Head to Hershey's Chocolate World. Okay, this is the big one. The one I've been dreaming about. My inner child is screaming with joy.
- (Sensory Overload): The Hershey's store… it's a candy explosion, a glorification of sugar in all its forms. I can smell the chocolate before I even see it!
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Hershey's Chocolate Tour. You know what's funny? The tour itself is a little cheesy. They tell you the whole history of how chocolate is made, but honestly, I was more concerned with the candy.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Hershey's. It was a burger and fries. Mediocre. My expectations were a bit too high for a theme park, I guess. Though by this time my stomach was already full of chocolate, it didn't matter.
- 1:00 PM: Chocolate World Shopping Spree. Bag of Hershey Kisses? Check. Giant Reese's peanut butter cup? Check. Fudge? Triple check. This is what dreams are made of.
- 2:00 PM: Hershey Gardens. Okay, this part was actually lovely. Flowers, butterflies, a quiet spot to breathe and feel like I'm not a complete sugar addict.
- 3:00 PM: More chocolate. It's never enough, is it?
- (Quirky Observation): The way some tourists walked around Hershey's, the smiles, the giddy expressions, they were high on joy. Or maybe just the sugar.
- 4:00 PM: Head back to the hotel, with a slight sugar rush and an overwhelming feeling of… emptiness? Maybe I need a different perspective, something to balance out all this sweetness.
- 5:00 PM: Gym? Nah, I'll save that for tomorrow.
- 6:00 PM: Order Chinese food from a local restaurant. The sweet and sour chicken helps calm my nerves after all the chocolate!
- 7:00 PM: Watch a movie.
- 8:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: History, Coffee, and the Long Road Home (And Possibly a Breakdown)
- 7:00 AM: Free Breakfast. Watery coffee, but I have a new plan: I'm adding the hotel's hot chocolate to the coffee. It's a bold move, but I think it'll be a game changer.
- 8:00 AM: Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol. It's a beautiful building. I feel like I should know something important, but my brain is fried from the sugar. It's still impressive though.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Tour the state capital. Really impressive. This is where the rules are made, right?
- 10:00 AM: Look around Harrisburg.
- 11:00 AM: Grab a coffee from a local coffee shop. Needed something to clean my gut and give me a good brain boost.
- 12:00 PM: The trip home. The long, boring trip home. The radio's on.
- 1:00 PM: Stop for gas. And a bathroom break. And a moment to stare at the sky and wonder if I should just keep going and never go back.
- (Emotional Crisis): A woman just stared me down, asking if I was okay. Am I okay? Honestly, I don't know anymore. This travel is a blur of sugar, history, and fleeting moments of existential dread.
- 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM: Arrive home. Get groceries, and fall asleep at 6 PM.
So, there you have it. A messy, imperfect, and probably sugar-fueled account of my Harrisburg-Hershey adventure. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't always pretty. But it was real. And that's all that matters, right? Right?
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So, What's the Deal with Hershey's Sweetest Stay at the TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey? Is it Actually Sweet?
Now, the suites themselves. Spacious. I *loved* that. With a teenager and a seven-year-old, room to breathe is a luxury. The kitchenette? Genius. Because, let's get real, feeding those bottomless pits gets expensive. You got a fridge, microwave, and all the basics. Breakfast wasn't bad either, the usual continental fare, but the fresh fruit was a nice touch. Fueling up before the rollercoasters? Sold.
Speaking of the Suites, Were They Actually *Clean* Clean? Or Just "Looks Clean from a Distance" Clean?
What About the Breakfast Buffet? Was it a Decent Way to Start the Day?
How's the Pool? Because a Pool is Crucial. ESPECIALLY in Hershey.
What About the Staff? Were They Helpful? Or Just Going Through the Motions?
So, Would You Actually Recommend the TownePlace Suites Harrisburg Hershey, Overall?
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