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The main bar at The Hotel Hershey is the Iberian Lounge, which features hardwood paneling, plush seating and a grand fireplace. It has a famous eerie portrait painting above the bar that is said to follow you as you move throughout the space. Take a seat at the bar, keep an eye on the painting, and order beer, wine, a classic cocktail or one of the many scotches. You can keep with the theme of the Four-Star hotel and try one of the chocolate-infused specialties, like the Death by Chocolate Martini. There’s also the farm-to-table restaurant Harvest, which is home to a large bar area with a similar menu, including additional on-draft beers. The cozy spot has a fireplace as well as an adults-only game room with shuffleboard, vide games and pool for a little tipsy fun. There’s a small bar within Trevi 5, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, and drinks are also available poolside.

It wouldn’t be an evening in Hershey without a sweet ending, and The Hotel Hershey will certainly send you off into sweet slumber. In addition to the traditional turndown service and room cleaning, the pillows on each bed are sprinkled with those little iconic Hershey’s Kisses. You’ll also find a listing of the next day’s events and activities, including a list of stores and restaurants that will be open and what hours each will keep. If you purchased a package from the Four-Star hotel, your turndown service might also include rose petals or late-night snacks, though we’re partial to the Kisses.

Thanks to its location atop Pat’s Hill in Hershey, Pa., nearly all rooms at The Hotel Hershey boast sweeping views. The rooms situated at the front of the building overlook the Grand Veranda, Hershey Gardens across the street, Hershey park and the downtown area below. In the back of the hotel, the rooms look out over the formal gardens, the pool complex, the Woodside Cottages and miles of tree-covered hills. The one exception is the group of rooms in the West Tower that open directly onto the atrium, in which the indoor pool is located; so if you’d prefer an outdoor view, be sure to avoid these rooms. The Woodside Cottages are at street level and look out onto the surrounding wooded area or, in the case of those at the front of the building, the street.

If you need to spread out at The Hotel Hershey, try to snatch up one of the small number of suites. The premium king suites feature a large bedroom with a king-sized bed, as well as a seating area with a pull-out sofa bed, a parlor, two bathrooms and a small terrace. Double queen suites offer the same features, but with a slightly smaller bedroom area and two queen-sized beds instead of the king. Mainly situated in the West Tower, these suites have all been recently renovated and feature neutral color palettes and more modern linens and fabrics. Another option is to stay in the Milton S. Hershey Suite or the Catherine Hershey Suite. The Catherine Hershey Suite is perfect if you’re bringing the whole family. It has two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a dining area, living space, office area and even a terrace with a seating area. You’ll find the same rooms in the Milton S. Hershey Suite, along with an additional extra-large parlor and wrap-around terrace.

All rooms at The Hotel Hershey come with a small writing desk and chair for you to pound out your work. The desks will easily accommodate a standard notepad or laptop, but probably not much more. If you’re going to need more space to get your work done, use the business service center that sits off the Fountain Lobby by the meeting rooms. The space there features a series of large, executive-style wood desks and leather swivel chairs that are designed to handle heavier, more serious workloads. The business center also has desktop computers, a copier machine, a fax machine and other electronics that may come in handy if you need to tackle a big project during your vacation at the Four-Star hotel.

There is a slew of reception venues and menu options that The Hotel Hershey provides to couples — it’s enough to make a wedding planner dizzy. But whether you are throwing a large wedding or small, intimate one, you can count on the average cost per plate for a wedding to be between $160 and $180. Prices do start at $80 per plate, so there is room to custom-create a menu that’s in-line with what you want for your big day.

Although The Hotel Hershey may seem like a good place to bring along your family’s pet, the Four-Star hotel does not allow them on the property. (Service animals, on the other hand, are allowed. Please inform the hotel staff when making a reservation that you will be checking in with a service animal). For those that don’t want to leave pets at home, the concierge can easily connect you with recommended pet sitting services in the area.

The Hotel Hershey is home to three full-service restaurants, plus a number of other dining options. The signature restaurant at the Four-Star hotel is the Circular Dining Room. This Four-Star restaurant, which serves contemporary American fare, was a vision of Milton Hershey. He didn’t want anyone to be forced to sit in an abandoned corner, so he decided on a circular-shaped room design with views for every table. Across the hall is Trevi 5, a newer Italian-themed spot; and outside the main building is Harvest. This rustic American restaurant follows the farm-to-table concept, meaning all ingredients are sourced from within 100 miles of the hotel. You can also dine in the library-inspired Iberian Lounge, poolside and, of course, through the 24-hour room service.

When you need to work off all the chocolate you have no doubt devoured, head to The Hotel Hershey’s small gym. It’s on the ground floor of the West Tower, adjacent to the indoor pool and spa area. Once inside, you’ll find both cardio and strength-training machines, including treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and free weights. The space also features televisions for entertainment during your workout. Group fitness classes are held periodically throughout the day here — if you’d like to attend one, just check with the receptionist at the lock room entrance for the schedule. Note, you must be 16 years of age to use the gym.

The best time of year to visit The Hotel Hershey depends on your personal tastes. If you’re looking to take advantage of the Hershey area’s numerous family-friendly attractions, such as Hershey park and Hershey’s Chocolate World, you’ll typically find the summer ideal, thanks to warmer weather. The summer is also when the hotel has the most flexible hours and hosts the majority of its special events. If the outside attractions do nothing for you, then try heading to the Four-Star hotel during the winter season. This time of year provides a much more laid-back and less-crowded setting at the hotel, giving you free rein at the spa, restaurants and attractions.

The main bar at The Hotel Hershey is the Iberian Lounge, which features hardwood paneling, plush seating and a grand fireplace. It has a famous eerie portrait painting above the bar that is said to follow you as you move throughout the space. Take a seat at the bar, keep an eye on the painting, and order beer, wine, a classic cocktail or one of the many scotches. You can keep with the theme of the Four-Star hotel and try one of the chocolate-infused specialties, like the Death by Chocolate Martini. There’s also the farm-to-table restaurant Harvest, which is home to a large bar area with a similar menu, including additional on-draft beers. The cozy spot has a fireplace as well as an adults-only game room with shuffleboard, vide games and pool for a little tipsy fun. There’s a small bar within Trevi 5, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, and drinks are also available poolside.

The best rooms at The Hotel Hershey depend on your personal tastes. If you are looking for a bit more space and privacy, then you’ll enjoy the rooms in the Woodside Cottages. They feature newer appointments and larger floor plans than many of the guest rooms in the main building, albeit for a slightly higher price. These rooms are also great if you are traveling with a group, as you can each rent one of the bedrooms and then share the cottage’s central living spaces. However, if you prefer being close to the action, opt for a room in the West Tower of the main building, which was renovated in the spring of 2011 and is just steps from restaurants, the spa, the pool and more.

You’ll find all of the special amenities in your room at The Hotel Hershey that are typical of Four-Star hotels: flat-screen television, DVD player, alarm clock with iPod/iPhone docking station, free basic Wi-Fi, refrigerator, coffeemaker and daily newspaper. One of the amenities you won’t find elsewhere is the Spa at Hershey’s exclusive and signature line of cocoa-scented toiletries that come stocked in the bathrooms. If there’s an essential item that’s not in your room, contact guest services to see if it can help you out. It often has some of the less-used items, such as nail polish remover, emery boards, humidifiers and heating pads, squirreled away for guest requests.

Thanks to its location atop Pat’s Hill in Hershey, Pa., nearly all rooms at The Hotel Hershey boast sweeping views. The rooms situated at the front of the building overlook the Grand Veranda, Hershey Gardens across the street, Hershey park and the downtown area below. In the back of the hotel, the rooms look out over the formal gardens, the pool complex, the Woodside Cottages and miles of tree-covered hills. The one exception is the group of rooms in the West Tower that open directly onto the atrium, in which the indoor pool is located; so if you’d prefer an outdoor view, be sure to avoid these rooms. The Woodside Cottages are at street level and look out onto the surrounding wooded area or, in the case of those at the front of the building, the street.

Inside your guest room at The Hotel Hershey, you’ll find petite bathrooms, as was standard back when the hotel opened in 1933. But the bathrooms are well-appointed with marble tile, a pedestal sink, and a combination tub and shower with a curved shower bar for extra space. The same goes for suite bathrooms, although the spacious Milton S. Hershey Suite does have a bathroom with double sinks. Inside the Woodside Cottages, the bathrooms are much larger, with a separate shower and soaking tub. You can even watch some TV while you primp there, since these bathrooms come with flat-screen televisions.

All rooms at The Hotel Hershey come with a small writing desk and chair for you to pound out your work. The desks will easily accommodate a standard notepad or laptop, but probably not much more. If you’re going to need more space to get your work done, use the business service center that sits off the Fountain Lobby by the meeting rooms. The space there features a series of large, executive-style wood desks and leather swivel chairs that are designed to handle heavier, more serious workloads. The business center also has desktop computers, a copier machine, a fax machine and other electronics that may come in handy if you need to tackle a big project during your vacation at the Four-Star hotel.

If you need to spread out at The Hotel Hershey, try to snatch up one of the small number of suites. The premium king suites feature a large bedroom with a king-sized bed, as well as a seating area with a pull-out sofa bed, a parlor, two bathrooms and a small terrace. Double queen suites offer the same features, but with a slightly smaller bedroom area and two queen-sized beds instead of the king. Mainly situated in the West Tower, these suites have all been recently renovated and feature neutral color palettes and more modern linens and fabrics. Another option is to stay in the Milton S. Hershey Suite or the Catherine Hershey Suite. The Catherine Hershey Suite is perfect if you’re bringing the whole family. It has two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a dining area, living space, office area and even a terrace with a seating area. You’ll find the same rooms in the Milton S. Hershey Suite, along with an additional extra-large parlor and wrap-around terrace.

The rooms at The Hotel Hershey are elegantly and tastefully appointed. Being an older property — it opened in 1933 — the Four-Star Pennsylvania hotel has traditional guestrooms that are a bit on the snug side. Rooms in the West Tower were updated in May 2011 with a modern color scheme of neutrals. But the décor pops with touches like faux reptile skin wallpaper, embroidered bed linens and dark wood furniture. The remaining rooms are scheduled to receive the same treatments by the summer of 2012. Currently, these older models sport more tropics-inspired fabrics on the beds and windows and warmer colors. All rooms include a large TV console for extra storage, nightstands, a workspace and a small seating area.

All the rooms at The Hotel Hershey come equipped with technology like flat-screen televisions, DVD players, and alarm clocks with built-in iPod/iPhone docking stations. The Woodside Cottages have the added perk of bathroom-installed televisions so you can watch your favorite show while you bathe in the soaking tub. If you’re looking for more gadgets, head to the game room that’s off the bar at Harvest, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant in its own building behind the formal gardens. There, you’ll find video games in addition to the more old-school bar favorites like pool and shuffleboard.

The contents of your suitcase should depend on the time of year, but there are a few essentials we recommend no matter when you visit The Hotel Hershey. Here’s what to start packing now:

1. A swimsuit. Take advantage of the Four-Star hotel’s two pools. The more tranquil choice is the indoor pool and hot tub by the spa in the West Tower. For a more raucous pool party, head to the outdoor pool complex. It features an adult infinity pool, a whirlpool, a family pool, water slides and a kids’ spray area.

2. An upscale outfit. The dress code in the hotel’s Circular Dining Room is resort casual, so if you want to dig into the roasted lobster at the Four-Star restaurant, bring the appropriate attire. Guys, this means slacks and a collared shirt; women can throw on a casual dress or pants and a blouse.

3. Comfortable sneakers. You’re likely in Hershey to explore the 110 acres of Hersheypark, which is less than a mile from the hotel. Though you’ll also need those walking shoes to check out the Hershey Story, a museum dedicated to candy man Milton Hershey, and Hershey Gardens, 23 acres of pure beauty. Bonus: Hotel guests get free entry to both attractions.

4. An outdoorsy outfit. The hotel is perched on a hill with a view of the Central Pennsylvania countryside. Get a closer look and tackle the hiking and walking trails surrounding the property.

5. An extra bag. You can’t walk out of Hershey without chocolate for the trip home (and then some). Visit the shops to load up on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kisses and five-pound bricks of Hershey’s famous chocolate bars.

Free wireless Internet access is available to guests and visitors to The Hotel Hershey. The connection is basic, allowing you to check your email, update your Facebook status and surf the Web via laptops, tablets or smartphones. If you’re a techie who needs a faster connection to download large files or view detailed content like videos, you can upgrade your connection for a small fee. This can be done directly through the log-in screen that appears when the Four-Star hotel’s free Wi-Fi network is selected on your device. If your laptop does not have the ability to connect wirelessly, the front desk can provide you with an access card.

You have two parking options if you’re driving to The Hotel Hershey. Self-parking is available at the front of the Four-Star hotel and also in front of each of the Woodside Cottages. The parking lot at the front of the hotel is tiered and includes a series of walkways and staircases, so it may not be the best choice if you have trouble walking or climbing. Valet parking is available — just pull up the main drive under the veranda, and stop at the covered entry to the main check-in lobby. Both parking options are complimentary if you’re staying at the Hershey hotel.

There are two pools for you to splash around in at The Hotel Hershey. The indoor pool is by the spa in the West Tower and includes a hot tub. However, the real action takes place at the outdoor pool complex. This bustling summertime area was added in 2009 as part of a grand expansion. It features an adult infinity pool, a whirlpool, a family pool, water slides and a kids’ spray area. Don’t feel like getting wet? Rent one of the 14 cabanas that line this area. They’re a nice escape from the summer sun, and feature ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators stocked with water and a even snack baskets.

The Hotel Hershey offers a variety of planned activities, especially during the busy summer months. Events at the Four-Star hotel include live music on the front veranda, beach party barbecues by the outdoor pool, family movie nights, and activities for kids and teens at the Cocoa Clubhouse — all of which help add family fun to your stay (and keep your little ones occupied). Falconry demonstrations and Segway tours take place in the wooded areas surrounding the hotel and add a bit of the unexpected. With so much going on, it’s a convenient perk that the activitiy schedule is posted in the hotel and distributed to each guest room daily at turndown. The hard part is deciding which activities to join — do you give your best Saturday Night Live Falconer impression a go or learn to ride a Segway like Gob in Arrested Development?

The Hotel Hershey manages to feel both sublimely elegant and endlessly friendly. Here are five ways to describe its unique and endearing style:

1. Mediterranean. The design of the hotel is based on a small retreat Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey visited in the Mediterranean. You’ll see the villa-like feel in the details, like the Spanish tile floors, open terraces and Mediterranean-inspired green roof.

2. Updated. The guestroom décor in the West Tower were updated in May 2011 and feature a contemporary scheme of neutrals with faux reptile skin wallpaper, embroidered bed linens and dark wood furniture. The rest of the rooms are scheduled to receive the same treatments by the summer of 2012.

3. Expansive. Not only are the grounds of this resort large and necessary of exploration, but so are the suites. In particular, the Milton S. Hershey Suite, which has two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a dining area, living space, office area and a stunner of a wrap-around terrace.

4. Tricked-out. The Recreation Complex at The Hotel Hershey has everything you’d expect of a Four-Star resort and then some. The highlights? A basketball court, croquet, Bocce ball courts, sand volleyball, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard and two tennis courts.

5. Circular. When Milton Hershey designed the Circular Dining Room, his goal was to avoid any and all corners, lest a guest feel shoved aside. This eatery delivers on that promise and then some with views of the hotel’s formal gardens and reflecting pond.

It wouldn’t be an evening in Hershey without a sweet ending, and The Hotel Hershey will certainly send you off into sweet slumber. In addition to the traditional turndown service and room cleaning, the pillows on each bed are sprinkled with those little iconic Hershey’s Kisses. You’ll also find a listing of the next day’s events and activities, including a list of stores and restaurants that will be open and what hours each will keep. If you purchased a package from the Four-Star hotel, your turndown service might also include rose petals or late-night snacks, though we’re partial to the Kisses.

With its special blend of whimsy and elegance, The Hotel Hershey successfully toes the delicate line between family resort and luxury hotel. It’s one of the reasons we love the Four-Star hotel. Here are several more:

1. The architecture. Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey envisioned a hotel based on their world travels. You’ll see this connection immediately at the Hotel Hershey with its Mediterranean-inspired green roof, Spanish tile floors and open terraces. The whole scene is an unexpected warm breeze among the green hills of Central Pennsylvania.

2. The view. No matter which side your room faces, the hotel’s perch atop Pat’s Hill gives it a stellar, sweeping view of Hershey and the surrounding countryside.

3. The convenience. Most visitors to Hershey come seeking chocolate, and the hotel’s location and affiliation with the factory, amusement park and other attractions make planning a snap.

4. The chocolate. From in-hotel shops to turndown service to, of course, the amazing dessert menu at the Four-Star Circular Dining Room, the hotel embraces its cocoa-covered history and shares it with you. Those with a sweet tooth will find pure sugary bliss here.

5. The family feel. While there’s no debating this is a luxury hotel, the welcoming ambiance and planned activities for younger guests (think summertime bonfires and s’mores) allow families to find an upscale hotel with balance.

The Hotel Hershey’s design style was the vision of founders Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey. The original design of the Four-Star hotel was inspired by a hotel in Cairo, Egypt, but the eventual outcome was based off a small hotel the Hersheys had visited in the Mediterranean. Other influences include Spanish, Cuban and Moroccan architecture. You see it in the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired green roof, Spanish tile floors and open terraces. Expansions completed over the years have touched the hotel’s meeting rooms, additional guest space and the Spa at Hershey; but all new add-ons have attempted to keep the original villa’s integrity alive. The interior appointments of the hotel are being updated to meet the needs of today’s travelers. The West Tower guestrooms were renovated in early 2011, and the remainder of the rooms are scheduled to undergo the same upgrades by the summer of 2012.

Filled with history and the personal spirit of its founders, Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey, The Hotel Hershey is an interesting place. Here are five things worth knowing:

1. The hotel is inspired by places that Milton Hershey visited during his years starting the famous chocolate company, including Egypt, the Mediterranean and Cuba. You see influences of his around-the-world adventures in the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired green roof, Spanish tile floors and open terraces.

2. The hotel completed its grand expansion in 2009, adding $67 million worth of amenities in honor of its 75th anniversary. New features include the Grand Veranda and an outdoor pool complex.

3. The hotel is refurbishing all the guest rooms in the main building. Rooms in the West Tower are complete, while those in the remainder of the building are schedule to be revamped by May 2012.

4. When you stay at the Hotel Hershey, you will have free access to Hershey Gardens, 23 acres filled with a rose garden with more than 5,600 blooms and a Japanese garden with reflecting pond, sequoias and Japanise maples. You’ll also have entry into Hershey Story, a museum about a real-life Willy Wonka, Milton Hershey.

5. Another perk of staying at the Four-Star hotel is the Hershey Resorts Advantage program, which gives you discounted tickets and early entry to Hersheypark and priority access to renting a cabana at the Boardwalk at Hersheypark.

The Hotel Hershey is about 15 minutes from the Harrisburg International Airport. You’ll have no trouble getting to the Four-Star hotel from the airport, as the hotel runs a shuttle bus there for a small fee. Snag your spot on the shuttle by calling the hotel in advance and booking through the concierge. If you prefer to drive yourself, six car rental companies have offices at the airport. Or let the hotel concierge do all of the work — he’ll have a car reserved for you with at least 24 hours’ notice.

Unlike other Four-Star hotels, The Hotel Hershey takes on the seemingly difficult task of being both a luxury hotel and a family-friendly resort. Founded by chocolate king Milton Hershey in the 1930s as a high-end destination, the Four-Star hotel retains the Old World glamour and elegance Hershey envisioned. However, as the Hershey area has become a family destination thanks to its amusement park and other chocolate-filled attractions, the hotel has found ways to welcome its younger guests and balance its formality with a casual feel. The hotel strives for elegance without pretense and caters to the chocolate-loving kiddies with amenities like a large pool area with water slides and summertime s’mores bonfires.

The average price of a room at The Hotel Hershey varies depending on the season and the type of room you request. Prices peak during the popular “Sweet Summer” season, which runs from May to early September. During this time, you can rent traditional rooms within the hotel for about $400 per night, while rooms in the new cottages adjacent to the main building go for about $525. During the holiday season, September through December, traditional rooms run about $319 and cottage rooms go for $440. A variety of packages are also available for visitors looking to pair their stay with spa visits, rounds of golf or special meals in its Four-Star Circular Dining Room.

If you have to cancel your reservation and miss out on a sweet-filled stay at The Hotel Hershey, you must do so within three days of your scheduled check-in date. You have to put down a deposit — 11 percent of the room charge, which equals the tax on the room — on your credit card when you book a room at the Four-Star hotel. But if you cancel in the appropriate amount of time, you will receive a full refund of the deposit. If you cancel your stay after this time, you will forfeit that money.

The Hotel Hershey is located on Hotel Road in the chocolate-loving city of Hershey, Pa., a few minutes’ drive from both I-81 and I-76. The Four-Star hotel sits at the top of a hill that overlooks popular Hershey park (families stay at the hotel for its proximity to the park), buildings of the Milton Hershey School and the downtown Hershey area. Located in the farmlands of Central Pennsylvania, Hershey is about a half hour from Harrisburg, an hour and a half from Philadelphia and Baltimore, and two hours from New York City.