White Rose Motel - Hershey, PA

[piglet33]

I went to Hershey Park and Dutch Wonderland last weekend and had a great time. I have read some posts on this board about what a nice place the White Rose Motel in Hershey is to stay. I made reservations for last weekend and for December since we like to go to Christmas in Candylane. I got a rate of $75 for Saturday and $65 for Sunday. The room was small but very clean. This was fine since we spent the entire day at the parks and then just slept and showered in the room. Well, the sleeping part was fine. The showering on the other hand was not. The water temperature fluctuated from warm to extremely hot to freezing cold. I normally take cool showers, but the cold temp was too cold. The worst was when I was trying to give my 2 1/2 year old daughter a shower (couldn't give her a batch because it's not a tub -- only a shower) and the water got hot and then cold. The poor kid was afraid to go in the shower the next day.

When I checked out, I told them I wanted to cancel my ressie for December. The woman at the desk didn't even question why I wanted to cancel. She just said ok. I asked if she wanted to know why and was told no not really, because it doesn't matter since that room will be booked anyway. I thought wow, now this is supposed to be a family operated motel and here is someone who doesn't seem to care about her customers.

I think I'll go back to the Hershey Lodge and spend the extra money. At least there, we didn't have any of these problems. Guess, it's right when you say You Get What You Pay For.

Anyway, I just wanted to give people a heads up about this place so the same thing doesn't happen to you that happened to us.

 

[WDWendy]

Thanks for the review!

 

[TNKBELL]

I just had to tell you that I stayed there about 12 years ago. I agree with your review. I wasn't impressed either. Even as cheap as I am I would want much nicer accomodations! Hope your trip was great even inspite of The White Rose. Hershey Lodge sounds wonderful!!

 

[Magalex]

We went last June 2004 and had no problems with the motel. Actually for myself, DH and at the time 3 1/2 yr old DS it was perfect for a short trip to Hershey park. The room was extremely clean. It is not a luxury motel but to be out all day it was nice. I liked the micro/frig. My DH and DS enjoyed the small pool. My DH commented that the clerk at the front desk was very nice to give helpful advice about other area attractions/directions. It wouldn't be a place for a long stay. But on a budget and 2 day trip to the park it is nice.

Magalex

 

[piglet33]

We went last June 2004 and had no problems with the motel. Actually for myself, DH and at the time 3 1/2 yr old DS it was perfect for a short trip to Hershey park. The room was extremely clean. It is not a luxury motel but to be out all day it was nice. I liked the micro/frig. My DH and DS enjoyed the small pool. My DH commented that the clerk at the front desk was very nice to give helpful advice about other area attractions/directions. It wouldn't be a place for a long stay. But on a budget and 2 day trip to the park it is nice.

Magalex

So you didn't have any problems with the water temp in the shower? We stayed there for two days and had this problem both days and at different times of the day.

I agree that the place was extremely clean, but my issue is with the fluctuating water temps, which is definitely a big problem. There was also a note that said not to use a hair dryer and the microwave at the same time or you'll blow a fuse.

 

[Magalex]

To Piglet33

I don't remember any thing about the shower/water temp. changes. I would agree that maybe during the winter months one of the Hershey Hotels would be better. Also I think it would add to the festivies of the season. I am interested in one year visiting Hershey during Christmas. I read the park is all decorated. What are the activites in the park? Are there other events around the grounds?

Magalex

 

[piglet33]

There is nothing like Hershey at Christmas. We've gone for the past two years and had a blast. There are a lot of rides open that you can get a wristband or pay as you go with tickets - there is no entrance fee so if you don't ride any rides and just want to look at the Christmas displays, it's totally free. They even sell special Christmas t-shirts and sweatshirts inside the park for Christmas Candylane.

We stayed at the Hershey Lodge the first time last year and it was beautiful. The whole place was decorated and reminded me of the Wilderness Lodge inside. It's kind of rustic. There are big comfy chairs in the lobby that we sat in near the Christmas tree and they played Christmas music. The coffee café was great. We even went and checked out the Hershey Hotel. That is someplace that I definitely can't afford.

They also have something called Sweet Lights where you pay I think $10 per car and drive through wooded areas that are all decorated with lights and displays. I think I read that it's over 2 miles.

They also have a Breakfast with Santa at the hotels and at the Tudor Grill. We did the one at Tudor Grill. Santa & Mrs. Claus and the Hershey characters were there. They brought food to your table. The food wasn't that great, but I didn't expect it to be. We paid for the experience, but I don't think I'd do that again. I don't know about the breakfasts with Santa as the hotels since we didn't do that.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to answer them.

Reneé

 

[poohbear2]

WOW.. we had a great stay. But that was about 5 years ago. We were there during 4th of July weekend, a last minute trip. Sorry to hear about your troubles.

 

[CheapMom]

Thanks for the review- A big thumbs up for the Hershey Lodge- we stayed there a few weeks ago and really liked it. One nice thing to know about Hershey Lodge is you get free admission to Hershey Gardens and Hershey museum.

 

[disneycrazed139]

I almost booked a stay at the White Rose because it was so highly rated in the discount category according to tripadvisor which is personal reports. It gets very good reviews on service, location, cleanliness, etc.

I might still try it though. Clean is most important to me. I like a hot shower, but if I go in the summer I might not mind a cool one so much. Thanks for the heads up though! I definitely won't try it in the winter time!

BTW--Hershey Lodge was recently renovated and, yes, it has a wilderness lodge like feel to it. However, there are some negatives (I have been twice)

1) understaffed generally. In every restaurant we went to, the service was just so-so because there were never enough people working.
2) The organized games were disappointing--staff wasn't that entertaining or enthusiastic.
3) Pool area was sort of dirty/unimpressive compared to photos
4) Expense. This place is outrageously overpriced. At more than 200/room now. I think it's outrageous. It has some indoor corridor rooms, but lots of outdoor corridor, motel like rooms. It is just not all that. Plus, I found the children to be out of control.

However, it does have the free Disney-like shuttles to the park, and it is "themed" to chocolate, making it a nice northeastern location Disneyesque option.

However, I would NEVER compare the place or its service to Disney in any way. It is just NOT. I felt a little ripped off here. Next time we go, we are going to try a little B&B.

BTW-if you do get out to Hershey, take a 15 minute ride out to the local cavern--not to be missed! I believe it is called Indian Echo Caverns.

 

[Donnask8pro]

I go every year to The Lodge in Aug. This year I switched my reservation to The Hilton. Friends have stayed there and said it was better and more reasonable than The Lodge. I always had an outside room at The Lodge but 1 yr I had a room on the back side and it smelled of mildew. I moved immediately. Food is good though..

 

[piglet33]

I might still try it though. Clean is most important to me. I like a hot shower, but if I go in the summer I might not mind a cool one so much. Thanks for the heads up though! I definitely won't try it in the winter time!

I don't want to try to change your mind about staying here. I take cool showers all the time even in winter, but this was not a cool shower it was HOT and ICE COLD and sometimes warm, but mostly not. It was one of those cold showers that actually hurt when you're taking them, and since the shower stall is so small, there is no getting out of the way of the water. It hits you no matter what.

I hope no one else has these problems, but I just wanted to clairify things. Maybe you'll have a different experience when you stay there.

 

[CheapMom]

Disneycrazed- I would have a different opinion if I paid $200 for the Lodge. IMO- it would not be worth it at all. I didn't have any problems as far as it being understaffed though.

 

[Magalex]

To Piglet33

Thanks for info about Hershey at Christmas. I will look into the Lodge. I also checked out the Spinners Inn Website too. I remembered it looked like a nice family owned motel. The website looks very professional.
I did asked my DH last night if he remember anything about the shower temps at the White Rose. He said no we didn't encounter any of those problems. He said he remembered we did have a full bathtub and gave our DS a bath. He did agree with you that it was odd about the clerk's response about your Dec. cancellation.

Thanks for getting me all excited about Christmas time in Hershey maybe it will make me miss WDW less
Magalex
POP 4/22-4/30 2005

 

[Halle]

I can't believe the White Rose Motel is still around. I lived in Hershey 25 years and had a co-worker who's Mom worked there! It was known to be an extremely clean motel back then, I can't helput wonder if the same family owns it.

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

It's not right in Hershey, it's in Lancaster but a great place to stay is Willow Valley Resort. It has a neat pool with a water park.

 

[welovedis]

Willow Valley Resort is really nice, but the rates are pretty expensive there too. We stayed there and the rates were $195+tax/night in mid-July-this is the room only not the package. Very pretty area, nice accomodations, but for about that price we could have stayed at a Hershey hotel.

 

[piglet33]

I just checked Tripadvisor.com about other hotels in Hershey. I found the White Rose Motel and decided I wanted to read what was said. I was surprised when I found someone else that had the same problem with the water temp that I did and that was in October, 2004. I wonder if it depends on the room location for this problem. We were on the first floor in room #2 (two doors down from the office).

Anyway, I've been finding a lot of info about the hotels in Hershey from Tripadvisor.com. I was thinking about the Country Inn and Suites, but the reviews weren't great so that's out. Now I'm checking out the Springhill Suites by Marriott. The reviews on Tripadvisor.com were very good, but I'm still checking it out. Even though it's more money, I'm still thinking of the Hershey Lodge.

 

[welovedis]

We've also stayed at the Hampton Inn Harrisburg/Grantville/Hershey which is NOT the one on Chocolate Avenue. It is less than 10 mins from the park and really easy to get to. We found it to be very clean, spacious rooms and decent continental breakfast in the morning.
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=HARGHHX

The one drawback was a super strong chlorine smell on the first floor right near the pool and in the pool area. I did laundry down there one night and couldn't believe how strongly it smelled. If we stayed there again I'd be sure we got another room away from the pool area or on the top floor. What we also liked was that every room had a fridge and a microwave.

I've also heard from our neighbors that they liked the Holiday Inn Harrisburg I-81 (which is across the highway from the Hampton Inn) and would stay there again. IIRC they are more expensive than the Hampton, here's the link to their site:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/grvpa?irs=null

GL with finding a nice play to stay.

There was also

 

[Desnik]

We love going to Hershey Park and try to go every year. We either stay at the lodge, in a tower room. Or at the Hilton Garden Inn. We have stayed at the Hilton numerous times since it opened. We love it! Great clean rooms, friendly staff. The hotel is really nice and the rooms have the micro and fridge in it. It is usually very reasonably priced. The summer is always more expensive. We wouldn't even consider staying anywhere else other than these 2 places. When we stay at the lodge we always ask and get a tower room. It's the main section of the hotel. Also they give employees of my husbands company a discount. Just ask if there is any for your company when you call. May and early June we find is a great time to go b/c the hotel rates are cheaper, less crowded, but the parks are still open. We are dying to try it for the holidays, maybe this year!

To the OP:
I also like reading the reviews on tripadvisor.com. Really a great site. We found a place to stay at Cape May by the reviews there and were not disappointed. Sorry you had a crummy stay at the White Rose. Personally, I don't care how much we save, I will not stay at motels. I guess I'm a resort snob!!!LOL