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When planning a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, finding the right hotel can make a huge difference in both your experience and your budget. With hotel prices near Hersheypark often climbing during peak season, many travelers look for an affordable option that still offers comfort, convenience, and family-friendly amenities.

During our recent Pennsylvania theme park road trip, we stayed at Hershey Inn & Suites and found it to be a solid value for visitors looking to stay close to the parks without paying premium resort prices.

In this detailed review, we’ll cover everything from the rooms and amenities to breakfast, parking, shuttle service, and whether we’d stay here again.

Quick Facts About Hershey Inn & Suites

• Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
• Free Parking
• Complimentary Breakfast
• Indoor Pool
• Fitness Center
• Arcade/Game Room
• Free Hersheypark Shuttle
• Brand New Guest Rooms
• Family-Friendly Property

If your primary goal is spending your days at Hersheypark and your evenings relaxing in a clean and comfortable hotel, Hershey Inn & Suites deserves consideration.

Location

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Hershey Inn & Suites is its location.

The hotel sits just minutes from major Hershey attractions, including:

• Hersheypark
• Hershey’s Chocolate World
• Hershey Gardens
• The Hershey Story Museum

Rather than dealing with parking at the park each day, guests can take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service. This is a major perk for families and helps offset the cost of staying off-property.

The location also provides easy access to restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores, making it easy to grab snacks and supplies during your stay.

Check-In Experience

Upon arrival, the hotel appeared well-maintained and welcoming.

The lobby provides a comfortable space for guests to relax, check in, or wait for transportation. While Hershey Inn & Suites isn’t a luxury property, the public spaces feel functional and family-friendly.

The staff were efficient during check-in, and having free parking directly at the hotel made arrival simple after a long day of driving.

For road-trippers like us, easy parking is a huge benefit. Not having to pay additional parking fees helps keep overall vacation costs down.

Check out our lobby tour here.

Our King Room

We stayed in a King Room, which was beautifully decorated.

The room immediately felt much more modern than many budget hotels in the area.

What We Liked

The updated design was the first thing we noticed.

Features included:

• Modern flooring
• Updated furniture
• Contemporary lighting
• Comfortable king bed
• Mini refrigerator
• Coffee station
• Workspace/table area
• Renovated bathroom

The room felt clean and fresh rather than outdated, which is often a concern when booking budget-friendly accommodations.

The king bed provided plenty of space to relax after long days spent walking around theme parks.

For travelers planning multiple park days, having a comfortable place to recover each night is extremely important.

Check out our room tour here. 

Bathroom

The bathroom was another pleasant surprise.

Many budget hotels still feature older tubs and dated fixtures, but our room included updated finishes and a modern walk-in shower.

The bathroom felt clean and functional, offering everything needed for a comfortable stay.

While it wasn’t luxurious, it certainly exceeded our expectations for a hotel in this price range.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is one of the most important factors when choosing a hotel, and Hershey Inn & Suites performed well in this category.

During our stay, we found:

• Clean bedding
• Clean bathroom surfaces
• Well-maintained flooring
• Tidy furniture
• No major maintenance concerns

Nothing ruins a vacation faster than arriving to find a dirty hotel room, so we were happy with the overall condition of the property.

Complimentary Breakfast

One of the most valuable perks offered by Hershey Inn & Suites is the complimentary breakfast.

With theme park food prices continuing to rise, free breakfast can provide meaningful savings for families.

Instead of purchasing breakfast each morning before heading to Hersheypark, guests can eat at the hotel and use that money elsewhere during their trip.

A complimentary breakfast is especially valuable for:

• Families with children
• Multi-day visitors
• Budget-conscious travelers
• Theme park enthusiasts trying to maximize value

Even modest breakfast offerings can save a family significant money over the course of a vacation.

Free Shuttle Service

The free Hersheypark shuttle may be one of the hotel’s best benefits.

Parking costs at theme parks add up quickly, and avoiding the hassle of driving into crowded lots can make the start and end of your day much easier.

Benefits of the shuttle include:

• Reduced transportation costs
• Less stress
• No need to navigate park traffic
• Convenient access to Hersheypark

For travelers who plan to spend most of their vacation at Hersheypark, this amenity adds considerable value.

Pool Area

Families traveling during the warmer months will appreciate the hotel’s indoor pool.

After spending an entire day riding roller coasters, a pool can be a great way to unwind.

The pool provides:

• Family entertainment
• Additional value
• Relaxation after park days
• A break from the crowds

Many children enjoy hotel pool time almost as much as the parks themselves, making this a welcome addition to the property.

Fitness Center

For guests who like to stay active while traveling, Hershey Inn & Suites also offers a fitness center.

While not extensive, having workout equipment available is convenient for:

• Business travelers
• Fitness-focused guests
• Longer stays
• Travelers maintaining exercise routines

Hotels in this price range don’t always include a gym, so this is another positive feature.

Arcade and Game Room

One unique amenity that families may appreciate is the arcade.

The arcade provides entertainment when:

• Weather impacts park plans
• Guests return early from the parks
• Families want evening activities
• Kids need additional entertainment

Having extra activities available onsite helps create a more complete vacation experience.

Value for Money

This is where Hershey Inn & Suites really shines.

When comparing nearby accommodations, travelers generally have three choices:

Premium Hershey Resorts

Properties such as The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge offer immersive Hershey experiences and premium amenities.

However, they often come with significantly higher nightly rates.

Mid-Range Chain Hotels

National hotel brands offer predictable experiences but may not include shuttle service or as many family-focused amenities.

Hershey Inn & Suites

Hershey Inn & Suites occupies an appealing middle ground by offering:

• Lower rates
• Free breakfast
• Free parking
• Shuttle service
• Updated rooms
• Family amenities

For travelers focused on maximizing their vacation budget, this combination can be very attractive.

Who Should Stay Here?

Great For

✔ Families visiting Hersheypark

✔ Road-trippers exploring Pennsylvania

✔ Budget-conscious travelers

✔ Weekend getaways

✔ Multi-park vacations

✔ Guests who prioritize value over luxury

May Not Be Ideal For

✘ Luxury travelers

✘ Couples seeking a high-end romantic resort

✘ Travelers wanting extensive resort amenities

If your goal is a comfortable, affordable base for exploring Hershey, this hotel works very well.

Comparing Hershey Inn & Suites to Hershey Lodge

During our Pennsylvania theme park road trip, we originally booked at Hershey Lodge.

While Hershey Lodge offers:

• Exclusive resort atmosphere
• Sweet Start access
• More dining options
• Larger pools
• Additional activities

It also comes with a much higher price tag.

For travelers trying to minimize costs while still enjoying Hersheypark, Hershey Inn & Suites can provide excellent value.

The savings from choosing Hershey Inn & Suites could potentially cover:

• Additional park tickets
• Dining expenses
• Souvenirs
• Future travel

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Recently renovated rooms
• Comfortable king bed
• Free breakfast
• Free parking
• Free Hersheypark shuttle
• Outdoor pool
• Fitness center
• Arcade
• Convenient location
• Good overall value

Cons

• Not a luxury property
• Fewer amenities than official Hershey resorts
• Limited onsite dining options
• Less immersive than staying at a Hershey-owned hotel

Would We Stay Here Again?

Yes.

For travelers looking for an affordable hotel near Hersheypark, Hershey Inn & Suites delivers strong value.

The combination of renovated rooms, free breakfast, free parking, shuttle service, pool, fitness center, and arcade creates a well-rounded experience that works particularly well for families and theme park enthusiasts.

While it doesn’t compete directly with premium Hershey resorts, it doesn’t need to. Instead, it succeeds by offering many of the conveniences travelers want at a much more approachable price point.

If you’re planning a Hersheypark vacation and want a clean, comfortable hotel without spending hundreds more per night on a resort property, Hershey Inn & Suites is worth considering.

For budget-conscious travelers visiting Hershey, Hershey Inn & Suites offers one of the best combinations of affordability, convenience, and family-friendly amenities in the area.