I just returned from my first trip to Mechanicsburg, PA, where I stayed for three nights at the Holiday Inn – Harrisburg West per suggestions from my co-workers due to its convenience to the Navy facility – NAVICP. The hotel’s close proximity to NAVICP is probably it’s number one selling point. While the hotel’s lobby and dining areas are beautiful, the rooms are not. According to my co-workers who have been traveling to Mechanicsburg for a long time, this hotel was built in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. The hotel is in the old, more “motel” looking fashion where the rooms have access from outside instead an interior hallway.

I stayed in a room on the second story of the first building and though my room was a non-smoking room, it had an odd musty smell that persisted my whole stay. Even once I thought that I got used to the smell, I would wake up in the middle of the night just to be shocked at how strong the odor was again.

That being said, I paid $78 per night (government rate) for a non-smoking 2 double beds room. The room had a television with limited channels, but also had an iron (that leaked water when ironing), ironing board, hair dryer, and plenty of room to unpack and hang clothes. I believe that the rooms have free wireless Internet, but did not bring my laptop on this trip, so I can’t verify that. One of the best features for government guests is the $5 off coupons for breakfast, which can be used towards a continental breakfast or several items on the regular menu. The breakfast was yummy and the waitress was quick and friendly.

Other features of the hotel include indoor lap pool, outdoor swimming pool, a smallish workout room, and a children’s play set in the back. The out door swimming pool was closed while I was there due to the season and I did not try out the other features.

Overall, I would not stay at this hotel for personal travel where the cost would be more than the government rate. I just don’t think that the room that I stayed in was worth that. I have stayed in nicer, newer Holiday Inn Expresses that cost less per night and included a free Continental Breakfast and hot cinnamon rolls. This one just didn’t rate as high for me. I would stay here again on government travel for the convenience of the location since I would not be paying the bill anyhow.

While the desk clerks and restaurant waitresses were lovely, friendly and helpful (which is important!), the hotel turned out to be a 1950's era motel disguised by a front addition. With paper thin walls, ancient and in my case nonworking heat/ac the redecorated rooms open to the great outdoors rather than the much safer and more private interior corridors of more recent design. Unless you are getting a GREAT deal on cost, look for a newer hotel.

What a rip off!!! I paid over $120 for this room on hotels and when we arrived at the hotel, the same room was offered for $50. The concierge wouldn't honor that price at all. When we arrived at the rooms, the rooms smelt of god knows what. The bath tubs were really dirty, and the TVs didn't work properly. Nothing really worked properly.

Wasn't too pleased with this hotel from the min. We got there. Real motel like stucture 2 stories of rooms off long outdoor walk ways, that was ok, but when we went into the room, I was a little jigged out by the lack of upkeep and felt very unclean to me. It was cheap 89/night, so I stayed. Took the kids to the pool to swim, they had a good outdoor pool, but it was about 9pm, and it was dark. So we went in the indoor pool. Very toxic. My daughter jumped in and complained right away that the clorine was stinging her skin. They were only in the pool about 2 min and wanted to get out and go shower. I couldn't even breath. It was bad. So I went back to my room and called about finding another hotel for the next night as we were suppose to stay 2 nights. The other hotel at hershey park was double this price, but worth it not to stay here another night. I booked 8 different hotel rooms on our trip through the internet and priceline and this was the only one that was a disappointment. Too bad I have stayed at some great Holiday Inns before. They did have a bar and stuff that looked fun for young people, but as I was with my 13 and 10year olds, they weren't a plus for us. Don't go here.... really for the price I am sure that you could find something cleaner.