When you’re planning a trip to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, you may want to spend your travel budget on everything there is to experience rather than on an elaborate hotel room. During our time filming Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine in the area, we stayed at the Super 8 by Wyndham State College for one evening, which gave us a simple and convenient place to come back to after some very long days exploring.
This isn’t a luxury hotel, and it doesn’t need to be. For travelers looking for an affordable place to stay near Penn State and State College, its appeal is much more practical: comfortable accommodations, a convenient location and easy access to the surrounding area.
A Simple, Comfortable Stay in State College
One of the first things I noticed when we arrived was that the hotel felt brighter and more updated than I had expected. The lobby was welcoming, and the common areas had a casual atmosphere that seemed particularly well suited to a college town.
We’d occasionally see students quietly studying at tables and in seating areas, which was a reminder that we were staying right in the heart of Penn State country.
There were complimentary coffee and tea available, along with fresh apples during our visit. Those may seem like small details, but after spending hours on the road or returning from a long day out, sometimes the simplest conveniences are the ones you appreciate.
What Our Rooms Were Like
Our rooms were straightforward, clean and comfortable, with a modern, uncluttered design. We had desks where we could work, storage for our belongings and plenty of natural light.
For us, that simplicity worked.
When we’re traveling for the series, we can spend most of the day away from the hotel. By the time we return, what matters most is having somewhere comfortable to shower, organize everything for the following day, get some work done and finally sleep.
The rooms provided exactly that kind of environment.
Breakfast Before Heading Out
The hotel also offered a complimentary continental breakfast during our stay, which made mornings easier before we headed out for another day of filming.
I always appreciate having breakfast available at a hotel when I have a busy day ahead. Even when you’re traveling purely for vacation, being able to grab something before heading out can save both time and money.
Of course, breakfast offerings and other hotel amenities can change, so check what’s currently included when making your travel plans.
The Unexpected Benefit of Having an IHOP Next Door
One of the funniest conveniences of our stay had nothing to do with the hotel itself.
There was an IHOP just steps away.
That became particularly useful after filming late into the evening. On more than one occasion, we could simply walk over for a very late meal instead of getting back into the car and searching for someplace to eat.
And I can tell you that hot pancakes taste particularly good after an exhausting day of television production!
It’s one of those little location details that wouldn’t necessarily determine where I’d stay, but once you’re there, you’re very happy to have it.
A Practical Location for Exploring Happy Valley
The bigger advantage of staying in State College is having a central base for exploring more of Happy Valley.
Our travels through the region took us well beyond downtown State College as we discovered caves, historic sites, local food, music and some wonderfully unexpected Pennsylvania experiences. We spent our days out exploring, which made having a straightforward hotel to return to especially practical.
For travelers planning a similar trip, think about what you actually want from your accommodations. If the hotel itself is part of your vacation experience, you may want something with more amenities. If your priority is getting out and seeing Happy Valley, a simpler hotel can make a lot of sense.
Who Is This Type of Hotel Best For?
I’d consider this kind of stay particularly well suited to road trippers, Penn State visitors, families watching their travel budget and travelers who expect to spend most of their time exploring rather than at their hotel.
It can also make sense for a longer itinerary when you’re trying to keep accommodation costs under control. Saving money on some nights can leave more of your travel budget available for meals, attractions and experiences.
The important thing is knowing what you’re booking. This was a basic hotel, but during our visit it was clean, comfortable and convenient, and the staff treated us very well.
Explore More of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
State College was our home base while filming our Happy Valley episode of Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine, but there is much more to this part of Pennsylvania than Penn State.
From going underground at Penn’s Cave to exploring the history of Boalsburg, we found plenty of reasons to get out of the hotel and experience the destination.
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