Lancaster County, Pennsylvania--better known to many as Pennsylvania Dutch Country--is a perfect place to start your trip to central or southeastern Pennsylvania. Just 30 miles from both Hershey and Philadelphia, the area boasts worthwhile activities and attractions. In one day you can sample shoofly pie, see horse-drawn buggies on local roads and shop for bargains in places as varied as Amish furniture stores and major outlet malls. US-30, known also as Lincoln Highway, runs through the heart of the area with dozens of hotel accommodations for visitors.
For visitors looking for a resort feel to their stay, the Lancaster Host might be a good option. The hotel is home to an 18-hole golf course that has hosted several professional events. Other recreational amenities at the resort include mini golf, a pool area with beach volleyball court, a jogging trail and kids' activity room. Rooms range from standard double-doubles to two-room family suites with a separate bedroom. The resort also hosts weddings and special events. Several packages include meals or attraction tickets with your stay.
Nothing says Pennsylvania Dutch Country like ... Canada? Nevertheless, the appropriately white and red Canadiana Motor Inn has welcomed guests to Lancaster for more than four decades. This is a classic roadside motel of family road trips gone by. One- and two-bed rooms are available, and a pool area provides customers with a way to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
Two pools and a variety of room and suite configurations make this a good choice for families, especially when Dutch Wonderland amusement park is just next door. The Continental Inn's standard rooms have one king or two double beds; most rooms are non-smoking. Suites can accommodate larger groups or families; they have an additional living room with two sleeper sofas. A bridal suite is also available for couples on a romantic country getaway. The onsite restaurant, La Fleur, serves breakfast and dinner.
Visitors to Lancaster will find a special hotel experience at the Fulton. Named for the inventor of the steamboat (Robert Fulton, who hails from the area), this hotel is an actual steamboat, now landlocked. The inn is also a full-service hotel, however, with Victorian and nautical-inspired décor, an onsite restaurant, heated indoor pool and free W-iFi. Rooms are appropriately called cabins, with a variety of configurations including king, queen, and/or bunk beds. Cabins with private balconies are available.
