The Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge are great accommodation options for your Hersheypark visit, but which is the best resort for you? Let’s dive into comparing the two to help you decide which is the best fit for your trip to Hersheypark.
Staying on-site when visiting a theme park is always a good idea and a visit to Hersheypark is no different. With shuttle to the parks and early admission perks you may want to consider a stay at a Hershey resort for your next trip.
Hersheypark is an amusement park located at the sweetest place on Earth, the town of Hershey, PA. It has over 14 roller coasters, family friendly attractions, and a water park.
It is a popular destination for families, especially in the summer. Staying on-site at one of the official Hersheypark resorts can be a big advantage to beat the summer crowds.
The Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge are great options for families. Both of these resorts offer early entry into the park as well as on-site transportation but they have distinct differences that you would want to consider for a visit.
Hersheypark also has Hersheypark campgrounds for families looking to camp during their visit. In May 2026 they will be opening an all new Hershey resort: Hershey Inn & Suites. This will be a budget friendly spot for families to stay during their Hersheypark trip.
Today I want to compare the two main hotels, with a bit of commentary about the Camping Resort and the Hershey Inn & Suites, to help you choose the best option for your stay. If you are at the start of your Hershey vacation planning read my complete guide to visiting Hersheypark.
No Time to Read: Quick Hershey Resort Comparison
Hershey Lodge:
-most family friendly, which often means busiest resort
-indoor water park
-mid-range nightly pricing, summer rates starting at $297.00/night
Hershey Hotel:
-most upscale resort, family friendly but this is a luxury resort
-outdoor pool and recreation spaces, villa rentals for more space
-high end pricing, summer rates start at $499.00/night
Hershey Camping Resort:
-more relaxed setting
-cabins, RV & Tent sites, outdoor pool and daily activities
-nightly rates start at $199.00/night for cabins
Hershey Inn & Suites:
-mid-range hotel, family suites with bunk beds
-indoor pool, arcade
-mid pricing, summer rates start at $249.00/night
**Summer rates are higher than fall/winter rates and are in high demand. Expect them to sell out quickly and be priced high.
Hershey Lodge vs Hotel Hershey
The most popular resorts at Hersheypark are the Hershey Lodge and the Hotel Hershey. I want to go into a more detailed comparison of the two because it my opinion they are the best options. I will share a little about the other two resorts later in the post.
Hershey Lodge
The Hershey Lodge has a cozy lodge style feel. There is a fireplace welcoming guests into the lobby as the smell of chocolate fills the air.
This resort is a moderate level resort that has an on-site water park and caters to families of all ages. This hotel has all the amenities for families with kids making it a great choice for your visit.
This is a very large resort and at times they host conventions at the resort. This can make it busier during your stay. You can check with the resort during booking for more information on this.
The Hotel Hershey
The Hotel Hershey is a massive estate that dates back to when Milton Hershey would stay at the resort. It is a luxury hotel but is also kid friendly.
The Hotel Hershey has kept up it’s historical features and classic charm making an absolutely stunning place to stay. The courtyard and outdoor sitting areas make this resort perfect for guests looking for an upscale hotel experience.
One of the areas we loved to explore was the outdoor gardens. This is a great place to let your kids get their energy out. There is also a playground nearby.
Cost & Value of the Resorts
The Hotel Hershey is the pricier of the two. It is a 4-star resort and the price does reflect that.
I compared a Tuesday night in the summer for a family of four to give you an idea of what the cost would be to stay at the Hershey Hotel vs. Hershey Lodge.
The Hershey Lodge hotel room is $449.00/night and the Hotel Hershey is $699.00/night for a two queen bed standard room. Summer months will be the most expensive time to visit Hersheypark.
If you want to save on nightly rates consider a September-December visit. Many of the attractions are open and you can plan a visit during one of the popular seasonal events like Dark Nights(Halloween at Hersheypark) or Christmas Candylane.
Perks of Staying at a Hersheypark Resort
Many families may wonder if it is worth it to stay on-site at Hersheypark when nearby hotels are usually less expensive. Hersheypark guests receive on-site perks and amenities that may make it worth the extra cost.
Both hotels are within a short drive to Hersheypark and downtown Hershey attractions. The Hotel Hershey overlooks Hersheypark but is not walking distance.
Both locations are convenient during your visit and shouldn’t make a significant impact on your decision.
Perks for On-Site Hersheypark Resorts Guests:
- Front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort guest drop-off location
- 1-hour early access with Sweet Start.
- Up to 3 extra evening hours with Preview Plan, available from Memorial Day – Labor Day
- FREE Chocolate at check-in for the whole family
- FREE admission to Hershey Gardens, including the Butterfly Atrium (Excludes Hershey Campground. Discount available.)
- FREE admission to The Hershey Story Museum Experience (Excludes Hershey Campground. Discount available.)
- Access to 3 award-winning golf courses
- Preferred pricing to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
- Best price on Hersheypark tickets
- Fitness center
Room Comparison
The Hershey Lodge guest rooms have been recently renovated. They have subtle hints of Hershey kisses in the décor.
The Hershey Hotel rooms live up to the luxury hotel standards with classic historical charm. The Hershey Hotel also offers Woodside cottages and Villas to guests.
The resorts both have queen beds in their standard rooms. There are also rooms with King beds and pull-out sofas.
Pools
There may not be a clear winner when it comes to pools at the Hershey Lodge or Hershey Hotel. They both have great pool options depending on the season you visit.
The Hershey Lodge has Hershey’s Water Works an indoor water park that has slides and spray playgrounds. They also have a standard outdoor pool. Depending on the season you visit the indoor water park may be a huge perk.
The Hotel Hershey offers a standard indoor pool complex to use year round. There is also an indoor hot tub. The outdoor pool at the Hotel Hershey has water slides and kiddie spray area.
Hershey Entertainment and Activities
Hershey Lodge offers different amenities and kids activities daily. One of the fun activities is the Kid’s Check-In. Kids check-in and receive a free lanyard and participate in fun activities.
You can also play Bingo, Roast S’mores, see Hershey Characters, and Animal Encounters with ZooAmerica. There is a family game room, arcade, basketball court, tennis court, and mini golf course.
The Hotel Hershey has a Kid’s Club, the Cocoa Clubhouse. This is a “drop-off” club and is an additional cost. Families can play at the tennis and basketball courts as well as go kayaking at the Hotel Hershey.
There are also Hiking trails, Hershey Outfitters rope course, Falconry, Disc Golf and Segway tours. Guests can meet characters in the lobby, roast s’mores, and participate in seasonal events through the year at both resorts.
Dining at the Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge
The Hotel Hershey has on-site dining at The Circular, Harvest, Trevi 5, Iberian Lounge, Chef’s Market, and Poolside. The restaurants on-site are upscale and prices will reflect that.
The Hershey Lodge has Stacks, Revelry, The Bear’s Den, Fire & Grain, Cocoa Beanery, and Cocoa Café.
The Circular at the Hotel Hershey is our pick for breakfast. This breakfast buffet is one of our favorites. The selection of pastries and other breakfast options is top notch. You do not have to be staying at the Hotel to dine at the Circular.
The on-site restaurants are family friendly and have options to make most families happy. Both resorts offer room service.
Luxury at Hersheypark
The Hershey Hotel is home to the luxury spa: The Spa at the Hotel Hershey. Reservations are recommended and they offer numerous spa treatments and specialty services. The gardens are also very relaxing to walk around and can be a nice afternoon escape from the busy park.
The Hershey Lodge is not exactly relaxing. The rooms are comfortable and cozy but the resort itself has a much busier vibe. It hosts conferences and you may also be staying with large traveling sports groups.
Both resorts are welcoming but if you are looking for luxury you may want to check out The Hotel Hershey.
What About the other Hershey Resorts
There are two other resorts at Hersheypark: The Hersheypark Camping Resorts and the Hershey Inn & Suites.
We had an amazing stay at the camping resort during a winter visit and I love having the space to stretch out. If you have an RV or tent or you just enjoy having more outdoor space this may be a great choice for you. Read my full review of the Hersheypark Camping Resort.
The Hershey Inn & Suites is new for 2026 and we haven’t had a chance to visit for a full review. From what I have seen it appears to be a mid-range hotel that offers family suites with bunk beds. It is not as large as the other resorts but will still offer the same benefits like shuttle bus to the park and early admission.
My Review of the Resorts
When comparing the Hershey Lodge vs. Hershey Hotel you need to consider amenities that are important to your family. Each family is different and has different priorities.
To help you choose the best hotel option decide on the most important things for your family trip.
For us I have stayed multiple times at both. I really love exploring The Hotel Hershey. The gardens and different rooms around the hotel are really interesting to check out.
The Hershey Lodge is great when we are spending more time at Hersheypark and less time at the resort. It offers a lower price point and enough amenities for our family.
I also like staying at The Hershey Lodge during spring, fall, or winter to take advantage of the indoor water park.
As you can see you can’t go wrong with your choice. It just depends on what type of Hershey vacation you are looking for.
The Hershey Lodge and Hershey Hotel are both fantastic choices for your family giving you an awesome start to your Hersheypark vacation.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.