Maybe this stretches the definition of "Hersheypark-related" but Hershey Entertainment and Resorts is looking to build a new 130-room hotel in the new Hershey West End planned community:
For those unaware, HE&R already operates The Hotel Hershey, the Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort in town. This would be more modern than those other offerings (Hotel opened in 1933 and the Lodge in 1967), likely carry the same kind of branding/vacation packages, and feature a shuttle stop to Hersheypark.
Just for point of reference for anyone who doesn’t know the area, this is closer to Hummelstown, about 3.5 miles from the Giant Center/Hersheypark.
I know a lot of locals have long hoped they would develop the land around the old airport landing strip at the base of the hill from Hotel Hershey and do a walkway over to the park, but it looks like they are working to continue to develop this plot of land zoned for mixed use development.
I know a lot of locals have long hoped they would develop the land around the old airport landing strip at the base of the hill from Hotel Hershey and do a walkway over to the park, but it looks like they are working to continue to develop this plot of land zoned for mixed use development.
Here are the overflow parking areas in green and the big blue section that was the old airstrip, for visualization purposes. This is used when there are events that overlap with Hersheypark's operating schedule, like concerts, Antique Auto, RV show, etc
I wish they'd build garages on some of the existing surface lots - this would also lessen the need to do pedestrian crossings on Hersheypark Drive at Resort Rd or Park Blvd. Which slow down traffic and create huge delays at the lights. This would also open up spaces for more resorts, which they could really keep adding. I met some Carowinds employees last year at Wildcat's Revenge who said Hershey had "the largest parking lot they ever saw," but truthfully it's not the most well-managed space and 2-3 garages could really make an impact on parking. (On that map, "Hersheypark Parking" 1-2-3 should probnably be garages, if I had my way, leaving plenty of surface parking left).
Something like Cabana Bay or the Graduate Hotels would be cool with some googie/mid-century modern/retro touches- since the other hotels are not really "Hershey" themed. Maybe have a "Reese's Tower" or "Goodbar Wing" that uses oversized candy decor on the outside, like the Disney All-Star resorts? They could also work in Hersheypark touches to that as well - something that the other resorts do not lean in to enough.
Going back to that map above, some of that land is in a flood plain with Swatara creek, so I'm not sure if they could build there without bringing in a ton of fill to grade the land up and create large stormwater retention ponds. They also use the flat field behind the hillside for Sweet Lights, although it remains to be seen how long that will be around since it has not change substantially in years. If they can build back there, I'd actually recommend building Employee Dorms, but I'll leave that rant for another time.
It's official: Hershey Inn & Suites is coming in 2026. 130 rooms and 7 suites, plus transportation to and from Hersheypark, and early entry to the park. Joins the rest of the official Hersheypark resorts, like The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort.
It's official: Hershey Inn & Suites is coming in 2026. 130 rooms and 7 suites, plus transportation to and from Hersheypark, and early entry to the park. Joins the rest of the official Hersheypark resorts, like The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort.
When I first saw this pic I thought they were buying a hotel locally and rebranding it, but the more I read its a new hotel, so why design it like every other modern chain hotel in existence. They should have done more with it.
I always prefer more character too, but honestly, this looks like it will be a budget-level property and, for that, I don't mind a basic economy approach. If they deliver competitive prices, clean rooms, reasonably comfortable beds, transportation to the park, and maybe a Hershey bar left on the pillow, I think they will have checked every box they need to.
When I first saw this pic I thought they were buying a hotel locally and rebranding it, but the more I read its a new hotel, so why design it like every other modern chain hotel in existence. They should have done more with it.
Yeah, it's also nearby the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and going in what will eventually be a master-planned residential community. So I wasn't expecting it to be super-themed or anything. It doesn't even look like it will have an outdoor pool?
Still don’t know if this is anything beyond utility work right now. It’s really hard to get a good look without riding Candymonium and I don’t think the park will say anything for a while.
On Opening Day, there's some construction equipment back behind Candymonium that's still visible, but not seeing any real signs of further construction yet. Over in the removal thread, I posted more photos of what looks like a project for the Boardwalk/Tidal Force's removal - maybe it's taking priorty?
While not exactly related to the hotel itself, the development around the "Hershey West End" development around the new hotel is now being headed by the Milton Hershey School instead of the Trust. The former concept art may no longer apply for the surrounding area, although the article mentions more green space and some commercial is staying put, with the property no longer looking for apartment rentals and housing overall dropped by 50%.
This project stalled out for some time now, so hopefully they can get a move on construction soon. We're coming up on the 10 year anniversary of the announcement of this project in October and there's not much to show for it.
We'll see if any of this comes to life, as this is some of the more recent concept art:
With next year being the 120th anniversary of the park's opening, if there was a major ride planned, we would've heard rumblings about it by now, right?
With next year being the 120th anniversary of the park's opening, if there was a major ride planned, we would've heard rumblings about it by now, right?
There’s still utility work that has stalled out around Park Blvd and the back of Candymonium. Hard to gauge if there’s even been much progress for weeks (For that matter, construction has been slow-going on the new bridge on Laudermilch Rd near Tröegs, too, held up by Norfolk Southern).
