The Forbes rated ‘Four Star’ Hotel Hershey is situated in Hersheypark and is part of the Hershey Resorts complex that has been nominated as America’s leading family holiday venue by FamilyFun Magazine and Smart Money.
Opened by Milton Hershey in 1933, the Hershey Hotel is a testament to one man’s vision. In 1905, Hershey had opened his chocolate factory in Pennsylvania, but the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s meant that an increasing number of Americans were about to join the dole queue and were potentially facing ruin. Hershey took a gamble that if he could manage to keep the construction workers in his hometown in employment, then he would be able to take advantage of the competitive construction materials costs and help unemployed workers.
Humble beginnings
Hershey himself was an undereducated farm boy from Derry Township, Pennsylvania. Following the growth of his eponymous chocolate factory and earlier successes in the confectionary world, in 1909 he invested sizeable sums in the foundation of a local school, the Hershey Industrial School, now called the Milton Hershey School. It was this spirit of philanthropy that led Hershey to start his hotel construction. Milton Hershey’s life revolved around chocolate and the well being of the citizens of his local town; it is estimated that he employed 800 steelworkers, carpenters masons and other workers in the construction of the Hershey Hotel.
Based on the design of a Mediterranean hotel where both Mr and Mrs Hershey had once stayed, this palatial building dominates the skyline. The hotel cost $2m to build and its construction used materials intended to compliment its European architecture, which in some ways resembles an Italian palazzo.
Renovations
In 2008, the 286-bedroom hotel underwent a total refurbishment. The architects, Craig J Smith and Christina Romann of C2 Limited Design Associates, were appointed to revive the faded glories of the hotel at a cost of $67m. The first areas to undergo transformation were the palatial central reception; a specially designed stained glass ceiling was added to the area, as were many other modifications. Sticking closely to Milton Hershey’s concept of only employing local craftsmen on his building projects, C2 Limited used Pennsylvania based Amish carpenters for the woodwork.
This year, outstanding work on the Vice-presidential and the Presidential Suites will be completed, giving the hotel a contemporary feel for the 21st century. Commenting on both the project and Milton Hershey, Craig J Smith said, “He left a great hotel, but his vision and brand must move into the 21st century.”
Upon his death in 1947, Hershey left his wealth to the Milton Hershey School. This sum included profits from the Hershey entertainment complex, including Hotel Hershey.
