The Hotel Hershey
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox hotel
| name = The Hotel Hershey
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image = File:HotelHersheyFountainLobby.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = The Original Fountain Lobby
| map_type =
| map_alt =
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| architectural_style = Spanish Colonial Revival
| address = 100 Hotel Rd
| location_city = Hershey, Pennsylvania
| location_country =
| coordinates = {{coord|40.2998|-76.6596|region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}
| opened_date = 1933
| owner = Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
| known_for =
| hotel_chain =
| affiliation =
| number_of_rooms = 276
| number_of_suites =
| number_of_restaurants = 3
| number_of_bars = 1
| facilities =
| rooms =
| website = https://www.thehotelhershey.com/
}}
The Hotel Hershey is a historic resort hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Established in 1933, it is a historical landmark but was recently downgraded to a Forbes three-star hotel (under General Manager Bill Hendrix) after a decades-long history of being renowned as a four-star hotel. The once luxurious hotel is located on a hilltop overlooking Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area. It was inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, since 1991.{{Cite web |title=Hotel History - The Hotel Hershey® |url=https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/the-hotel-hershey/history.php |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Historic Hotels of America |language=en}} It has 276 guest rooms and {{convert|23500|sqft|m2}} of event space.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
The hotel's architectural style is Spanish Colonial revival, including mosaic tiles and archways, and a villa-style balcony overlooking Hershey and Hershey Gardens. Historic photographs and original artwork line the halls and decorate guest room walls, as well as the Iberian Lounge, which is designed to resemble dim, fireplace-lit cigar lounges of the past.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
History
During the Great Depression, Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company, planned for the hotel to be a recreation of the famous Heliopolis Palace Hotel, construction plans changed and were delayed due to costs and the death of Hershey's wife, Catherine.{{cite news |title=Hershey Community Thrives With Building Boom and Higher Company Dividend |newspaper=The Evening News |location=Harrisburg, PA |date=December 22, 1931 |page=11 }} When construction began, the new plans drew on Mediterranean and Spanish influences.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
Construction began in 1931 and the hotel was completed on May 23, 1932. The effort employed as many as 800 workers. The bill for the hotel was around $2 million. The Hotel officially opened on May 26, 1933. Generating income by then was not the main goal of the project. Being the height of the Great Depression, Hershey was attempting to help the people of the city by creating jobs.{{cite news |title=New Hershey Hotel Will Be Formally Opened Tonight With Dinner for 400 |newspaper=The Evening News |location=Harrisburg, PA |date=May 26, 1933 |page=13 }}{{{Better source needed|date=September 2021}}
In 1934, a nine-hole golf course was added to the grounds and in 1961, an outdoor swimming pool was added.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehotelhershey.com/about/history.php|title=History | the Hotel Hershey}} In 1977, a new 100 room wing was added to the hotel along with a new indoor pool and fitness center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hersheyarchives.org/resources/search-results.aspx?Type=Search&Text=hotel+hershey&StartYear=1977|title=Hershey Community Archives {{!}} Search Results|website=www.hersheyarchives.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-09}} In 2001, a full service spa called "[https://blueridgeblonde.com/hotel-hershey-spa-to-relax/ The Spa At The Hotel Hershey]" was added. The spa offered treatments featuring chocolate, including: chocolate wraps, chocolate baths, chocolate lotion and scrubs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-04-tr-33083-story.html|title=A Spa Lover's Sweet Dream|last=JAFFE|first=JODY|date=2001-03-04|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-08-09|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}} In 2009, The Hotel Hershey completed work on a $67 million expansion and renovation project which included a redesigned exterior and lobby.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hotelbusiness.com/hotel-hershey-reveals-67m-expansion/|title=Hotel Hershey Reveals $67M Expansion {{!}} Hotel Business|date=2009-05-18|work=Hotel Business|access-date=2018-08-09|language=en-US}}
References
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External links
- {{official website|https://www.thehotelhershey.com/}}
- [http://hersheyarchives.org Hershey Community Archives website]
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/26307193@N02/sets/72157621627182099/ Historic Hotel Hershey photographs]
{{Hershey}}
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Category:Buildings and structures in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Category:Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Category:Hershey, Pennsylvania
Category:Hotels in Pennsylvania
Category:1933 establishments in Pennsylvania
Category:Hotels established in 1933