The Spa at The Hotel Hershey has been a beloved destination for 25 years, earning its reputation as the iconic “Chocolate Spa.” ESa’s decades long partnership with The Hotel Hershey began with a hotel masterplan that included extensive renovations of the guestrooms, public spaces and meeting rooms. Upon completion of the hotel upgrades, our team embraced the opportunity to design a spa addition to the hotel, a three-level facility seamlessly integrated between the original 1933 hotel and a 1970s guestroom addition. This placement preserved the Mediterranean inspired architectural character of the original structure while framing views of the gardens, reflecting pools and Pennsylvania Blue Mountains.
The Spa at the Hotel Hershey’s interior design concept was inspired by the timeless elegance that is reflective of High Point Mansion, the home of chocolate magnate Milton Hershey and his wife, Catherine. The design team’s goal was to honor the aesthetics and comfort found in a well-appointed home constructed at the time High Point Mansion was built.
Rapid success led to an expansion four years after opening, almost double the size of the spa that now includes 40 treatment rooms, providing massage treatments, facial treatments, wet/body treatments, soaking experiences and a signature shower treatment, along with multiple steam rooms and a sauna. Spa guests can relax in any of the three relaxation lounges (social, quiet and silent) or enjoy a casual lunch in the spa’s oasis lounge. A full-service salon is also available offering manicure, pedicure, hair styling and make-up services. Completing the holistic wellness offerings are the indoor pool and fitness center, both of which were designed by ESa.
To commemorate The Spa at the Hotel Hershey’s 25th anniversary, our team was engaged to update the interior design of the spa to a lighter, more-modern aesthetic that will continue to meet and exceed today’s guest expectations. The design team imagined what finishes, fabrics and furnishings Milton and Catherine Hershey might select if High Point Mansion was constructed today. Preserving the original architectural detailing, new efficient lighting, furniture and fabrics were selected. The design team introduced a softer color palette, enhancing the sense of calm the guest experiences during their visit. The result is a subtle yet meaningful evolution: a renewed sense of serenity layered atop the spa’s beloved heritage.
Today, The Spa at The Hotel Hershey stands as a testament to intentional design, timeless character, and a long-term collaboration rooted in hospitality and wellness.
Photos: ©Jeremiah Hull
