Escape to Harrisburg: TownePlace Suites' Mechanicsburg Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Harrisburg: TownePlace Suites Mechanicsburg - My Chaotic, Surprisingly Delightful Staycation! (A Mostly Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is my experience with the TownePlace Suites in Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg – a place that promised an "oasis" and, well, delivered something a little more… chaotic. But in a good way, mostly. Let's dive in, shall we?
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Keywords: Harrisburg Hotels, Mechanicsburg Hotels, TownePlace Suites, Extended Stay Harrisburg, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Fitness Center, Breakfast, Reviews Harrisburg, Family Friendly Hotels, Pet Friendly Hotels (though they say not this time!)
Description: My REAL review of TownePlace Suites Mechanicsburg! Find out if this Harrisburg hotel truly lives up to its "oasis" claim, from its accessibility features to the breakfast buffet (and everything in between!). Honest opinions, quirky observations, and maybe a few complaints (because, let's be real…).
Arrival & Accessibility - A Mostly Smooth Ride (Literally)
First off, navigating to the hotel was a breeze. Parking? Abundant and FREE! Score one for free (Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]). Finding the entrance and maneuvering around in general was easy, which is HUGE for me because I occasionally need to use a wheelchair. The wheelchair accessibility was generally pretty good (Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible). The doors were automated, and the pathways wide; a definite plus. There were elevators (Elevator), making it a cinch to breeze through the property.
One hiccup? The lobby's a little… generic. Lots of beige. Lots of… well, not a whole lot of personality. But hey, I’m there to sleep, not be interior-design-impressed, right?
Internet & Tech Stuff (The Good and the "Ugh!")
Look, I'm a creature of the internet. I need my Wi-Fi. Thankfully, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a lifesaver (Internet access – wireless, Free Wi-Fi). It was also pretty good. Seriously, I got some serious work done; for better or for worse. I had to jump on a bunch of video calls, and the internet held up, bless it. (Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services).
Now the "Ugh!" factor: My room, however, came with a serious lack of outlets. I had to practically wrestle the mini-fridge plug to use it and charge my phone. (Socket near the bed) Modern amenities, people! Especially with the in-room Coffee/tea maker and all the entertainment (On-demand movies, Satellite/cable channels), you need to prepare for some power struggles.
Room Rundown: My Sanctuary (Sometimes) (Available in all rooms)
My suite (which felt more like a small apartment; really, it was generous (extra long bed)) was clean (important! Rooms sanitized between stays, Daily housekeeping), and well-equipped. Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? Double check (perfect for sleeping in after a long day). Coffee/tea maker? Yes! And the refrigerator was a godsend. (Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens)
There was plenty of space to spread out, and the desk was perfect for getting some work done. The sofa was comfy for lounging, and the separate shower/bathtub setup was luxurious. (Okay, slight exaggeration here: it was functional and clean and it did the job. No actual luxury).
This is where things got really messy though, in a good way. I LOVED the little touches, like the slippers and the complimentary water (Free bottled water). These are small things, but they add up. My absolute favourite thing? The blackout curtains!! I slept so well, it was heavenly and I forgot how easy it was to sleep in.
Food, Glorious Food… and Some Hiccups (Dining, drinking, and snacking)
The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it's what you expect from a free hotel breakfast. (Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant) The usual suspects were there: eggs, bacon, pastries (the pastries were meh), fruit, and waffles. I LOVE waffles. The waffle maker was the hero of the morning, and I may have had three. (Breakfast takeaway service)
There was also a Coffee shop in the lobby, which was convenient, but I’m a serious coffee snob, so I ventured out to find a decent brew. (Coffee/tea in restaurant).
The Snack bar was a godsend for those late-night cravings. (Snack bar) They have Bottled water available, and that’s always a win (Bottle of water).
But, and this is a big BUT, the food scene around the hotel is… not exactly gourmet. I ended up ordering from a nearby restaurant, and while the food was edible, it wasn't memorable. (Room service [24-hour])
Things to Do (Relaxation and… Stuff)
Okay, let's be honest, I'm not the biggest spa person. (Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom) But the Fitness center (Gym/fitness) was actually pretty decent. (Fitness center) It's small, but it had enough equipment to get in a good workout.
The Swimming pool [outdoor] (Swimming pool) looked inviting, but it was a little chilly during my stay. And I was too lazy, to visit (Pool with view).
Cleanliness & Safety (The Stuff You WANT to Know)
This is HUGE right now, so here's the skinny. The hotel seemed clean. (Cleanliness and safety) They had Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. (Hand sanitizer) I saw staff cleaning constantly. (Daily disinfection in common areas, Staff trained in safety protocol) They had Anti-viral cleaning products, used Professional-grade sanitizing services, and offered Room sanitization opt-out available; this all made me feel pretty safe. I appreciated the effort. (Hygiene certification, Safe dining setup)
Services & Conveniences (The Stuff You MIGHT Need)
The Concierge was helpful (Concierge). The front desk staffed 24-hour (Front desk [24-hour]), which is always comforting. There’s also a Convenience store if you forgot something. (Convenience store)
The Verdict: Worth the Stay?
Overall? Yeah, I'd recommend the TownePlace Suites in Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid, comfortable, and accessible option. It's a great base for exploring the area, especially if you are traveling in a wheelchair.
Final Thoughts (A Little Rambling, As Promised)
Look, this isn't the Ritz-Carlton. But it's a great place to lay your head; is clean and well-kept. The breakfast is fine. The room, especially the blackout curtains, makes you sleep well, and the Wi-Fi works. The staff are friendly. What more do you need? If you're looking for a hassle-free (and honestly, sometimes chaotic) escape, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. (Hotel chain)
Denver Airport Hotel: Gateway Park's BEST Kept Secret!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We're going on a road trip… well, mostly a hotel trip… to the TownePlace Suites Harrisburg West/Mechanicsburg! And believe me, I'm already vibrating with a mix of excitement and the low-grade anxiety that only comes from knowing you're about to spend quality time with your own brain. This itinerary? Consider it a rough draft of chaos, sprinkled with a hefty dose of "me."
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Snack Scramble
1:00 PM: Touchdown! Or, you know, arrive. Drove in. Mechanicsburg, here I am! Checked into the TownePlace Suites. Honestly, the lobby is… fine. Clean, predictable. That's the first thing that hits ya, isn't it? The relentless finesse of business hotels. No personality. Just… neutral. Like a beige cardigan. But hey, free coffee, so I’m not complaining too loudly.
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM: THE SNACK SCRAMBLE. Okay, this is critical. I'm a grazer. A nibbler. If I don't have a steady supply of salty, sweet, and preferably cheesy things, I will become… well, let's just say "unpleasant." Hit up the local grocery store (Giant, I think? One of those massive ones). Wandered the aisles, eyes wide with possibility and crippling indecision. Ended up with: a bag of cheddar & sour cream chips (essential), a questionable pre-made fruit salad (probably doomed), some hummus and carrots (attempting health, bless my heart), and a box of those little Hostess Ding Dongs (pure nostalgia, zero regrets). Let me tell you, the emotional rollercoaster of the snack selection alone could be its own mini-series.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack. Unwind. Pretend to be organized. This is where things tend to… devolve. I swear I could have two hours to look at myself in the mirror and stare at my hair, and I could still get distracted by Instagram. The room is a perfectly serviceable suite. Kitchenette. King-sized bed. The usual. Though I do find the lighting in these places to be universally unforgiving. Seriously, who decided that fluorescent bulbs were a good idea? It’s like a constant interrogation.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Debated between dining in the hotel kitchen (if there is one), or going out. I ended up ordering pizza from a local place. The pizza was pretty decent but a little too cheesy.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Netflix and Chill (alone, naturally). Binged a show I've been meaning to watch. Felt slightly guilty about neglecting the "business" part of the trip, but hey, balance, right? Or at least the illusion of it.
9:00 PM - Bedtime: Laying in bed. Read my book. Drank some of the water. Had to get up to the bathroom once. Trying hard to not think about the next day.
Day 2: The Hersheypark Attempt… And a Deep Dive into Room Service (sort of)
7:00 AM: Wake up. Drag myself out of bed. Curse the unforgiving hotel lighting once more. Did a few pushups. Feel proud of myself for 5 minutes.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Attempt at a healthy breakfast (read: semi-healthy). The hotel breakfast bar is… well, it exists. Cereal, some sad-looking fruit, and the questionable sausage patty. Managed to choke down a bowl of oatmeal while simultaneously plotting the rebellion of my own breakfast burrito. I can taste it already.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Head to HersheyPark! This was the big draw. The very reason I'm in this part of Pennsylvania! Well, that and the business thing. Which, honestly, takes a backseat to chocolate, doesn't it? And the drive from the hotel… it wasn't long, just… a little longer than advertised. Found myself gripping the steering wheel, convinced I was somehow headed the wrong way. Then, after all of that, I realized I’d forgotten my sunscreen. Ugh.
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Hersheypark. Okay, I'm just gonna say it: it’s… a lot. The sheer mass of the place is overwhelming. So many rollercoasters, so many screaming kids, so many people trying to sell you things you don't need. Rode a few rides, got dizzy, ate some ridiculously overpriced fudge. The chocolate was undeniably good, though. Had a Hershey kiss.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Drove back to the hotel. The drive back was slightly more efficient. I feel comfortable in the hotel by now.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Decided to try and order room service. But there isn’t any. So that sucks.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the television. The show I was watching was really good.
9:00 PM - Bedtime: Bedtime.
Day 3: Departure and the Bitter Sweet Goodbye
7:00 AM: Wake up. Check out. Pack. I feel like I've lived in this hotel for years. Goodbye, room. You've been… a room. The lighting issue still bugs me.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast, again. This time a little less forced. Enjoy my coffee and plan to get home.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Final stroll through the hotel. Trying to remember to take everything. I am terrible at checking out places.
10:00 AM: Drive home!
And there you have it! My messy, imperfect, snack-fueled, HersheyPark-adjacent adventure in Mechanicsburg. Don't judge me. We all have our own way of surviving. And hey, at least I made it back in one piece (mostly). The hotel was… well, it was a hotel. And that, my friends, is sometimes all you can ask for.
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Escape to Harrisburg: TownePlace Suites' Mechanicsburg Oasis Awaits! (But Let's Be Real...)
Okay, so... What *is* this "Oasis" exactly? Is it like, palm trees and a waterfall, or...?
Alright, let's cut the marketing fluff. "Oasis" might be a slight exaggeration. No, there aren't any singing dolphins or a giant waterslide. It's more like… a haven. A clean, well-maintained haven. Think comfy beds, decent breakfast (emphasis on "decent" - seriously, I'm still recovering from the questionable sausage), and generally, a place where you can actually *breathe* after battling Interstate 83 traffic. My first stay was...well, let's just say my GPS tried to kill me three times (seriously, that exit is a *nightmare*), and by the time I collapsed in the lobby, I was convinced I was hallucinating. But the friendly front desk person, bless their heart, actually *smiled* and didn't judge my road-weary, mascara-streaked face. That, my friends, is an oasis.
The location? Is it actually convenient, or am I doomed to drive a zillion miles for anything interesting?
Okay, location. This is where it gets interesting. Mechanicsburg is... well, Mechanicsburg. It's not exactly Times Square, but it's… strategically placed. You're close enough to Harrisburg and its attractions (Hershey Park, yay!), but far enough that you *might* get some peace and quiet. (Emphasis on *might*. The family with the screaming toddler in the next room… ugh, memories). There are plenty of chain restaurants (the horror, the horror!), which is handy if you're arriving late and hangry. But don't expect a vibrant nightlife. Unless "watching reruns of *Law & Order* in your PJs" counts. Which, honestly, sometimes it does.
Is the breakfast actually edible? I've had some hotel breakfast disasters...
The breakfast. Ah, the breakfast. Look, let's be realistic. Hotel breakfasts are generally a gamble. You might win the lottery and get fresh fruit, fluffy pancakes, and a chef who actually cares. Or… you might get what I experienced. (Sorry, but the sausage still haunts my dreams). They offer the standard fare: yogurt (always a safe bet), some sort of waffle maker (attempting to navigate that after zero hours of sleep), and the aforementioned questionable meat product. My advice? Lower your expectations, grab some coffee, and consider supplementing with the emergency granola bars you packed. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way. Seriously. That sausage...
The rooms... suite-style, huh? Are they actually spacious? Or just cleverly designed death traps?
Suites! Yes! This is a major plus for me, a chaotic-bag-wielding travel disaster. Generally, yes, they're spacious. You get a separate living area, a kitchenette (microwave, fridge – crucial for leftover pizza), which is fantastic. I'm a sucker for a good fridge. And the bedroom is... well, it's a bedroom. Clean sheets! A decent TV! The only real issue I've experienced? Noise. If you get a room near the elevator or the ice machine, it's like living in a… well, a hotel. So, request a room away from high-traffic areas. Unless you're a masochist. I'm not judging.
The pool. Is it actually swim-able? Or green and stagnant?
The pool! Okay, this is where I get *really* picky. I NEED a good pool. And the TownePlace Suites in Mechanicsburg? It's… decent. Clean enough. Not exactly the Pacific Ocean, but you can definitely take a plunge. It's indoor, which is a bonus if your visit takes place during one of Pennsylvania's lovely, perpetually-under-construction-weather seasons. I wouldn't describe it as "resort-worthy", but it's definitely swim-able. And hey, after a long day of driving or chasing sugar-crazed children, a quick dip is pure bliss. Just...maybe don't look *too* closely at the tile grout. You've been warned.
Is there a gym? Because, let's be honest, that's important for some of us to exist.
Yes, there's a gym. It's...small. Think: a treadmill, an elliptical, some weights. Don't expect a full-blown fitness center. I mean, it's functional if you need to burn off that questionable sausage (again, I can't let it go). I tried using it once. I managed about 10 minutes on the treadmill before I gave up and went back to the room to binge-watch TV. I was exhausted. I needed a nap. So, yes a gym, but if you're a serious gym rat, maybe bring your own equipment. Or, you know, just embrace the vacation and skip the workout. I'm a big fan of the latter.
What about the staff? Are they actually helpful and friendly? Or do they just look perpetually annoyed?
Okay, this is important. The staff is the saving grace. At least, that's been my experience. From my first road-weary visit, the staff I encountered were genuinely friendly and helpful. They're what truly make this place feel like a respite. It's not just smiles; it's actual helpfulness. Need extra towels? They're on it. Forgot something? They'll try to help. It's the little things, remember? And honestly, after the driving and the questionable sausage, the friendly staff is a huge relief. They deserve a raise, honestly.
Okay, spill the tea. What's the *worst* thing about staying here? Be honest!
Alright, let's get real. The worst thing? That the entire stay feels like it's *almost* perfect. The rooms are good, the staff is great, the pool is... well... a pool. But the Sausage... oh, THE SAUSAGE! (I told you I can't stop thinking about it!) But, honestly, the biggest drawback for me, is the noise. You're in a hotel. You're surrounded by people. The walls are a little thin. If your neighbor decides to have a late-night dance party to polka music, you're going to hear it. So, pack earplugs.Easy Hotel Hunt
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