Doubletree Resort by Hilton Hotel Lancaster is located near the oldest Amish communities in the country. Plus, there’s endless unique attractions to see and do in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania Known as Amish Country
The first time I visited Amish Country in Lancaster, I was a child and overwhelmed with questions, especially about the Amish children and their wardrobe. In fact, I came home from that trip with girl and boy Amish dolls that stood up with a removable small plastic base that latched on to their Amish boots. If you’ve never visited Amish Country, Amish is a religion and the Amish people live their daily lives without modern amenities, as their ancestors did 300+ years ago.
It’s hard to imagine that I had not been back to Lancaster since I was 10 years old until now that I’m … old-er. And to tell you the truth, I was just as amazed throughout this 3-night trip as the first time I visited, yet with a heightened appreciation for the traditional aspects still practiced today.
There are many things to do in Amish Country including the Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park and other attractions. Lancaster is the ideal destination for a family-friendly getaway or business trip.
A few notes: Lancaster is a very safe area. Don’t take photos of Amish people’s faces without permission. It’s against the religious beliefs of the Amish to have photos taken of their faces.
Lured By a “Warm Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookie”
Call it Double Tree hotel nostalgia or perhaps an obsessive sweet tooth for the free warm Doubletree cookie at check in, but we immediately booked the Double Tree Resort By Hilton Hotel in Lancaster. We’ve always appreciated the reliable Hilton reputation, home-style comfort, warm hospitality, and affordable nightly rate.
Located in the Willow Valley section of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the hotel on Willow Street Pike is a three mile drive from downtown Lancaster, 15 minutes from Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad, and just 20 minutes from The Amish Farm.
There are three airports that you can fly into but each would require driving or a car service to get to the hotel: Lancaster Airport (9 miles), Harrisburg International Airport (36 miles), and Philadelphia International Airport (69 miles). You can also take Amtrak to the Lancaster City Amtrak station.
Doubletree Rooms and Suites
This Doubletree was an impressive resort-style hotel that surrounded a relaxing courtyard area for guests to enjoy. The grounds were well maintained and from what we were told, there were 180+ renovated accommodations from standard rooms to suites, some with terraces that overlook the onsite golf course.
We had a spacious yet standard King room that was modernly decorated. The room was quiet and we slept well thanks to the overlapped blackout curtains that created the perfect darkened sleep atmosphere. The hotel’s “Sweet Dreams by Doubletree” bed and fluffy pillows added to the comfortable surroundings.
We appreciated the complimentary Wi-Fi, desk workspace, and flat-screen TV with streaming. Of course, there were additional typical hotel amenities that we took advantage of like the hotel’s hair dryer, free toiletries, coffee maker, and fridge. Accessible and pet friendly rooms are also available.
The Hotel Food Turned Out to Be Our Favorite Amenity
There we were two golfers staying at a hotel with a beautiful golf course and we did not bring our golf clubs on this trip. There was also a very nice indoor pool with an adorable water playground for kids plus an arcade that makes this hotel a great choice for traveling families.
So while we did not take advantage of those Hilton amenities, we did appreciate the free parking, state of the art fitness center, and most especially, the delicious onsite food offerings.
MADE Bistro & Bar
We ate at the MADE Bistro hot breakfast buffet and the variety of food was incredible. It was not free but it was well worth the cost. For breakfast, the waffles and omelets were perfectly made and we were so full that we skipped lunch. Even the coffee was good!
At dinner, we ordered the Braised Short Ribs, so tender we could cut the meat with a fork. The Lemon Drop Cocktail and the Hibiscus Cosmo were the perfect beverages to complement our meals. The service was consistently attentive to our needs as well.
Suite Shop
The Suite Shop at the hotel sells grab and go types of quick snacks, drinks, and lunch options 24 hours a day in addition to travel necessities. It’s conveniently located in the lobby near the front desk.
Doubletree Room Service
We were grateful for the room service amenity so we could enjoy dinner in our room on night three, the long day we spent at the Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park. Ordering room service was a real treat. The Bistro Smash Burgers that we ordered were delicious as expected because the food came directly from the hotel’s MADE Bistro & Bar.
Willow Valley Golf Course Restaurant and Bar
Although we didn’t golf, we did visit the Cafe 24 Hundred restaurant and outdoor terrace lounge at the hotel’s onsite golf course. The Willow Valley Golf Course Restaurant and Bar features nice views of the golf course that spans 35 acres.
Things We Did in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is as unique and historical as I remembered from decades ago. Fun, family-friendly activities good for visitors of all ages, made our three day visit something special. The Amish community and picturesque rolling hill landscapes makes Lancaster a must-visit Pennsylvania destination.
Below are a few activities we squeezed into our visit.
Amish Country
From delicious food to Amish sightseeing, it turned out to be multiple action-packed days to appreciate the Amish people and their way of life. From a horse-drawn Amish buggy ride through the Amish countryside and a fascinating tour through Amish farms, I found myself getting choked up at the simpleness of this type of living.
The local farmers market sells the freshest baked goods, cheeses, home-grown produce, and fun Lancaster County gifts like pottery. I wanted to buy everything to bring back home!
Kitchen Kettle Village is part of Amish Country, an adorable area with 40+ shops, restaurants, and a hotel. I highly recommend that you purchase the homemade jams, jellies, fudge and pretzels. There are also Amish pickles, beets, and sauces that you can watch them prepare.
Turkey Hill Experience is Not a Turkey Farm
If you love ice cream, you must visit the Turkey Hill Experience, where you can learn the brand’s history and try many different ice cream flavors, even some new flavors not yet in stores. You can also taste iced tea samples, milk a cow, and create your own ice cream flavor in the Taste Lab.
Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster is a popular amusement park that will take up at least one day of your visit to Lancaster. There are 30+ rides including roller coasters, bumper cars, slides, a sky ride, and variety shows.
In the Exploration Island area of Dutch Wonderland, there are at least 20 life-like dinosaurs on Prehistoric Path. You can also hop aboard a gondola cruise around the island and dig for fossils at Dino Dig.
One note: Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the always-changing Pennsylvania weather conditions. It’s a lot of walking but helped us burn off some calories from the delicious food we had eaten during our Lancaster visit.
All Aboard! Lancaster is a Playground For Train Enthusiasts of All Ages
The Strasburg Rail Road, America’s oldest operating railroad, is a scenic 45-minute train ride through beautiful Amish farm country. It was fun choosing among the five steam trains to ride.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania showcases the history of Pennsylvania railroads and trains from around the country. From locomotives and rail cars to interactive exhibits and special events, we enjoyed seeing 100+ historic trains.
Takeaways/Final Thoughts
- Don’t miss the famous “warm Doubletree cookies” at check in
- Food at the MADE Bistro & Bar was better than most hotel food
- Hotel is clean and well maintained, staff is friendly
- Willow Valley Golf Course is onsite with a bar and restaurant
- Best family friendly hotel: Indoor pool with water playground for kids
- Parking is available for free
- Pet-friendly rooms available (fees apply)
- Great for business meetings, conferences, and social events
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.