When a hotel becomes somewhere you actually look forward to returning to at the end of the day, that’s usually a good sign.
While filming our Happy Valley, Pennsylvania episode of Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine, my crew and I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn State College. This was a particularly enjoyable stay, with beautiful common areas, comfortable rooms, a restaurant we returned to frequently and a location that worked extremely well for exploring State College and the surrounding Happy Valley area.
My husband and I especially enjoyed spending time in the hotel’s intimate cocktail lounge. After a long day, having a beautiful place downstairs where we could sit together with a drink was one of those little luxuries that made the hotel feel like more than simply a place to sleep.
A Beautiful First Impression
The property made a lovely impression from the moment we arrived.
Bright flowers surrounded the entrance during our visit, and inside, the tiled entryway, overhead lighting and attractive common areas gave the hotel a polished but comfortable atmosphere.
I particularly liked that it didn’t feel overwhelmingly large. There were attractive places to sit and relax without the public areas feeling cavernous or impersonal.
Outside, the hotel also had a patio where guests could enjoy some fresh air, morning coffee or a drink at the end of the day.
Comfortable Rooms After Long Days Exploring
My room was clean, comfortable and thoughtfully arranged, with a work area that came in handy during the trip. I also had a beautiful view of the trees outside my window.
When we’re filming, hotel rooms quickly become much more than bedrooms. They’re where we’re charging equipment, answering emails, reviewing schedules, organizing clothes and preparing for another day. Having enough space to function comfortably makes a difference.
For leisure travelers, of course, the priorities may be different. But after a full day exploring Happy Valley, having a comfortable room to return to is something almost everyone can appreciate.
Dining at Mercato Mio
One of the biggest advantages of our stay was having Mercato Mio right inside the hotel.
We ate there frequently, which says considerably more than simply saying a hotel “has a restaurant.” When you’re staying somewhere for several nights, having a restaurant downstairs that you genuinely enjoy can become a wonderful part of the trip.
Mercato Mio serves Italian-inspired cuisine, and during our visit we enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Instead of automatically heading somewhere else every time we wanted dinner, we were perfectly happy staying right at the hotel.
I’ve written separately about our experience there, including more about the food:
Read: Mercato Mio: A Culinary Experience in State College, Pennsylvania
An Intimate Cocktail Lounge We Loved
The cocktail lounge was another favorite.
My husband and I loved its beautiful, intimate atmosphere, particularly in the evenings. After spending the day working and traveling throughout Happy Valley, we could simply come downstairs, find a comfortable spot and enjoy a cocktail together.
I think amenities like this are sometimes overlooked when choosing a hotel. A pool or fitness center may appear prominently on an amenities list, but a welcoming lounge, restaurant or outdoor space can end up being something you use far more often.
It certainly was for us.
A Few More Conveniences
The hotel had an indoor pool as well as a 24-hour convenience area where we could pick up snacks and drinks.
Our room also had a mini refrigerator, and reliable Wi-Fi was particularly important for us because work didn’t stop when we returned to the hotel.
These weren’t necessarily the things that made the property memorable, but they contributed to making it a comfortable place for a multi-night stay.
A Good Location for Exploring Happy Valley
The location also worked extremely well for our trip.
State College gave us a convenient base while we traveled throughout Happy Valley, and we could easily head out each morning for another day of exploring.
That’s an important distinction when choosing where to stay in this area. A visit to Happy Valley can take you beyond downtown State College and Penn State, so it’s worth thinking about your entire itinerary rather than choosing accommodations based on one attraction.
For us, the Hilton Garden Inn worked well because we could enjoy State College while still using it as our starting point for adventures throughout the region.
Who Might Enjoy Staying Here?
I’d consider this hotel for travelers who want something more than very basic accommodations but don’t necessarily need a full resort experience.
It could work particularly well for couples, Penn State visitors, business travelers and anyone planning several days of exploring Happy Valley. Having comfortable rooms, attractive common spaces and dining right downstairs makes it especially convenient for a multi-night visit.
During our stay, the staff was wonderful and consistently made us feel welcome.
But what I remember most is that we actually enjoyed being at the hotel.
There were evenings when going downstairs for dinner and a cocktail was exactly what we wanted to do. Sometimes that’s the difference between a hotel that simply serves its purpose and one that becomes an enjoyable part of the trip itself.
Explore More of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
We stayed in State College while filming our Happy Valley episode of Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine, but our travels took us throughout this beautiful part of Pennsylvania.
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