The Hotel Hershey, built in the 1930s, is a historical landmark, four-star hotel located on a hilltop overlooking Hershey, Pennsylvania. It has 232 guest rooms and 23,500 square feet (2,180 m2) of event space.
The Hotel Hershey's architectural style has Spanish and Italian influences, mosaic tiles and archways, and a villa-style balcony overlooking the twinkling lights of Hershey and the expanse of Hershey Gardens. Historic photographs and original artwork line the halls and decorate guest room walls, as well as the Iberian Lounge, which takes the guest back in time to dim, fireplace-lit cigar lounges.
During the Great Depression, Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company, faced with the challenge of either employing his town's construction workers or providing for their welfare, decided to build a hotel on Pat's Hill overlooking the town and his factory. Originally planned to be a recreation of the famous Heliopolis Hotel, construction plans changed and were delayed due to costs, the death of Hershey's wife, Catharine, and the outbreak of World War I. When construction began, the new plans drew on Mediterranean and Spanish influences.
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.
In 1934, a nine-hole golf course was added to the grounds and in 1961, an outdoor swimming pool was added.[1]
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