The Hershey Lodge is king of the hill in this company town. However, although the Hershey Lodge provides lively facilities for groups and conventioneers, this midsize Mediterranean resort is the best option for individuals and travelers in search of more intimate surroundings, evocative guest rooms and attentive service. For chocoholics, the spa's new amenity roster now includes cocoa scrubs and the extravagant chocolate baths that will dazzle sybarites who relish their memories of Calistoga mud baths.
Perched atop a rise overlooking English gardens and reflecting ponds, the five-story 1933 Spanish-style villa is now part of The Historic Trust. Its Seville bloodlines are most apparent in the lovely facade with its bell tower and hand-troweled walls. The newly carpeted lobby is a bit quirky, but the Tiffany-style glass, mosaic-tiled floors and frescos lend sophistication to the room.
Hershey bars are dispensed to all upon arrival. The Circular Dining Room serves all meals and overlooks the gardens. Its atmosphere is formal despite the buffet, with jackets required at dinner. The more casual Mediterranean-style Fountain Cafe, decorated with colorful murals, has panoramic views of town and a child-friendly menu. The golf-club restaurant turns out salads and sandwiches.
A second-level grand courtyard looks like a stage set for Don Quixote, with Spanish tiling, carved wooden balustrades, a tiled fountain, faux-adobe walls and a huge veranda with countryside views. The lounge showcases weekend entertainment and features an inviting fireplace and Moorish paintings.
In addition to the nine-hole golf course on-site (open April through November), four nearby 
courses welcome guests. The three-story full-service spa and fitness center is a top-notch facility with an ever-growing list of health and beauty treatments, and professional trainers are available in the gym. Chocolate and its by-products are the basis of many of the spa treatments offered in the 17 treatment rooms. The state-of-the-art fitness center includes cardiovascular and weight equipment, a sauna, whirlpools, indoor and outdoor pools, and a number of classes. Other recreational facilities include tennis, basketball and bocce courts, nature trails, a ropes course and lawn bowling. Meeting capacity is 700 in the main ballroom, with smaller gatherings accommodated in eight meeting rooms. Parking is free. Pets are not allowed.
Accommodations are not as evocative as the public areas, but a sunny Mediterranean character prevails in warm, earthy color schemes, Provencal-style furniture and tile accents. 
All rooms come with dining tables, TVs, phones with data ports, and varied bed arrangements with boldly patterned spreads and drapes. High-speed Internet access is in all rooms, and new beds and carpeting are in a number of rooms. Overall, maintenance is very good. The combination baths are fitted with polished granite vanities. Third-floor suites display 1930s style and include extras such as robes, newspapers and 24-hour room service. Odd-numbered rooms facing the back provide bucolic garden views.
Admission to the Hershey Gardens and Museum helps to compensate for the high rates here. This hotel offers a more refined, romantic experience than the mass-market Lodge does.