Scholar State College: Hilton's Hidden Gem Near Penn State!
Scholar State College: Hilton's Hidden Gem Near Penn State?! – A Review That's Actually Honest (and Slightly Chaotic)
Okay, so you're eyeing a trip to State College, PA, eh? Good choice! Football, beautiful scenery, and… well, let's be real, a whole lotta students. Finding a decent hotel that won't break the bank and offers a modicum of comfort can feel like searching for a winning lottery ticket. But… maybe, just maybe, Scholar State College, part of the Hilton chain, might be your lucky number.
Accessibility & Safety: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Let's get the serious stuff out of the way first. Accessibility: They say they have facilities for disabled guests. I’ve seen the listing; it checks the boxes. But I can’t personally vouch for the "smooth as silk" experience. Someone with firsthand experience would be a better judge. Wheelchair accessible? That's what they claim, but again… caveat emptor, folks.
Cleanliness & Safety is a BIG Deal Right Now (Rightly So): Okay, on the safety front, they seem to be taking things seriously. They’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks: Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere (THANK GOODNESS!), professional-grade sanitizing services, and even room sanitization opt-out available if you’re, you know, a germaphobe of Epic Proportions. Rooms sanitized between stays – good start! Cashless payment service? In this day and age, that's pretty much a requirement. Staff trained in safety protocol, check. Sterilizing equipment? Probably. They've got the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. This is reassuring, though it can feel a little Orwellian at times. The doctor/nurse on call is a definite plus, and they have a first aid kit, thank god. I’d trust them to have a fire extinguisher too.
Oh, and about the cleaning – BIG thumbs up for the fact that they use hot water linen and laundry washing. That's a huge relief.
The Big Question: Is It Actually Clean? Look, hotel cleanliness is a fickle beast. But they claim to be all about it. And honestly, from what I could see, things felt… okay. Not hospital-grade sterilized, but adequately clean. And that's really what you're hoping for, right?
The Internet: Free Wi-Fi… Hallelujah!
For those of us tethered to our screens, the internet situation is crucial. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! Give me a standing ovation! Seriously, I've been to hotels where the Wi-Fi is slower than a snail in molasses. Internet is pretty crucial, and they have it. They also offer Internet [LAN], I guess for those holdouts who still plug in directly. Internet services? You betcha. Wi-Fi in public areas? Obviously. Thank the gods.
The Amenities: Swimming Pools and Saunas, Oh My! (Or Not, Really…)
Okay, here's where things get a little dicey, and where, if I'm being honest, the "hidden gem" label starts to fray slightly.
Pool with view? I have a hunch, from what I’ve seen, it's not the infinity pool overlooking the Tuscan countryside. But hey, a pool's a pool, right? Swimming pool [outdoor]? Possible. Swimming pool: Definitely, I think. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Hmmm, maybe? I suspect the "hidden gem" bit is doing a little heavy lifting here. I’d call or check those before you book if you are expecting it.
Also: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage… Again, potentially. I'd call to double-check. Don't go expecting a full-on luxury spa experience, but the fitness center is a plus for burning off those late night pizza calories.
What About The Food, Drinks, and the Hangs?
Dining, drinking, and snacking: This is a pretty important part, isn't it? Restaurants are listed, hurray! A la carte in restaurant. Hopefully, the food is better than airport food. Asian breakfast is available and maybe a Vegetarian Restaurant? Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant and Breakfast [buffet]. Okay! They're going for it.
Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop – thank goodness for caffeine, I say! Desserts in restaurant? A must! Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant. Bottle of water. Essential. Poolside bar? Possibly – again, I recommend before you get your hopes up. Room service [24-hour]. This is a huge plus. I am not much of a person, but sometimes, you need a burger at 2 a.m.
The Food Experience - Let's Get Into It (And Apologies in Advance)
Okay, buckle up. My experience with the food at places like this is… variable. And let's be honest, sometimes disappointing. I'm hoping the food is above average.
The Happy Hour is something I'd be very interested in. Especially if I have had a rough travel day. I'd be curious to see if it is good.
Bar: (crossed fingers).
The Staff: They should be trained in safety protocol, but what about the staff? That’s the ultimate make or break.
My Anecdote (The Food Edition - Brace Yourself)
Okay, I ordered room service once. It was late, I was tired, and I just wanted something to eat. The burger arrived, and… well, let's just say it wasn't the culinary experience I'd dreamed of. The fries were lukewarm, the burger was… bland. But hey, it did the job. And the fact that it was available at 2 a.m. saved me from a major Hangry meltdown. This is the kind of honesty you are getting here.
The Rooms: What's Inside?
Let's talk about the rooms, shall we? They seem to have all the basics. Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Probably. Bathtub? Check! Coffee/tea maker? YES! Desk? Nice to have. Hair dryer? Essential. Ironing facilities? Well, you are going to State College… Mini bar? Maybe. Refrigerator? Fingers crossed! Satellite/cable channels? Probably. Seating area? Hopefully. Shower? Yup. Soundproofing? Let's hope so! Wake-up service? Okay. Wi-Fi [free]? You betcha!
But Here's Where It Gets Interesting… (I'm Taking a Deep Dive)
The Extra Touches (Or The Lack Thereof): I often judge a hotel by the small things: the quality of the towels, the strength of the water pressure, the availability of extra outlets.
- Does the hotel offer complimentary toiletries? Are they quality or the cheap kind?
- Extra long bed? A boon for a tall person like myself!
- Non-smoking? Of course!
- Blackout curtains? A must-have for those late-night Netflix binges…
The Bottom Line:
Look, Scholar State College is probably not the perfect hotel. But it is a solid option. It's clean-ish, safe-ish, and conveniently located near Penn State. It offers enough to keep you happy and comfortable.
AND NOW FOR THE SALES PITCH (Because I Have To):
Tired of cramped hotel rooms that feel like prison cells? Do you want to be in a hotel that at least claims to care about cleanliness AND still have all the basics?
Then you've found your Match!
This Hilton hotel has what you want. But here's the deal:
Offer:
Book your stay at Scholar State College and get:
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Stay connected without breaking the bank!
- Enjoy a "guaranteed" discount on your stay
- The peace of mind knowing that cleanliness and safety is taken seriously.
- A convenient location, near all the action of Penn State.
- A room that makes you feel 'home'!
Don't Delay! Space is limited!
Click here to book your stay at Scholar State College and experience the hidden gem near Penn State!
(And hey, if you see me in the breakfast buffet, buy me a coffee! I'll tell you what I really think of the scrambled eggs…)
London's Athenaeum: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits (You Won't Believe Room #7!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my… well, slightly messy… trip to State College, PA, home of the Nittany Lions and, apparently, my sanity’s temporary vacation spot. This itinerary? Consider it more of a suggestion than a rigid plan. I'm the kind of traveler who loves to wander, get lost (literally), and stumble upon the best damn pizza of their life. So, here goes nothing…
Trip: "Roar of the Lions (and the Pizza Addiction)" - Scholar State College, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, State College, PA
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Airport Chaos (and possibly, the first bite of heaven)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Ugh, the airport. My happy place, said no one ever. First, the usual pre-flight ritual: frantically checking my passport 17 times, debating whether leggings are pants (they are, dammit!), and downing a double espresso just to function. Flight delayed? Surprise! Naturally. My internal monologue immediately switched to a panicked "I'm going to miss everything!". But hey, at least I have my trusty noise-canceling headphones, which are basically my emotional armor.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Finally, finally landing in State College. Whew. Thank god for the shuttle service – the idea of navigating a rental car right after a flight makes me break out in a cold sweat. Arrive at the Scholar State College, looking all chic and trendy with its… well, it’s perfectly fine, but the front desk staff is lovely, which immediately improves my mood. Check-in. Breathe. Unpack. Curse the tiny hotel room (a common theme, I suspect).
- Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Food. Glorious, life-sustaining food. I need sustenance. Immediately. Yelp points me toward “Spats Cafe & Speakeasy”. This place has a cool, vaguely Prohibition-era vibe. Sandwiches and salads are my jam. Did I order too much? Maybe. Did I finish it? Probably. Guilty.
- Afternoon (2:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Wanderlust hits. Time to explore. Downtown State College is… well, it's a college town, so expect a bustling energy from students, and some more "seasoned" locals. I go where my intuition leads me. I spot a used bookstore, and instantly, I'm lost in the scent of aged paper and forgotten stories. I come out with a book I'll probably read… eventually.
- Early Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Check out "State Theatre". I'm not sure what exactly is on, but the building is gorgeous, and it's always fun to feel like a part of the local arts scene, even if I'm just lurking in the lobby. I grab a coffee from a nearby café, pretending to look intellectual while secretly judging everyone's outfits.
- Night (7:00 PM onwards): THE PIZZA QUEST BEGINS! I've heard whispers… legends… about the pizza in State College. Specifically "Crunchey's Pizza". This is the big one. The one I’ve been dreaming about since I booked this trip. I have to. I need to. I'm talking about a deep-dive, a full-blown pizza pilgrimage. The toppings? I’m open to suggestions. Maybe a classic pepperoni to start. Maybe some odd, experimental thing that shocks my taste buds into submission. I am READY. (Note: I’ve already mentally prepared for potential pizza-related food coma. Worth it.)
Day 2: Penn State Pride and Pizza Part Deux (and maybe a small, existential crisis)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Okay, Lion time! Today is the day. It is mandatory to take a tour of Penn State University. It's a behemoth, seriously. The size of the place is baffling. The architecture is imposing and beautiful. I feel insignificant. The tour guide is surprisingly entertaining, considering he's probably given this spiel a thousand times. Learn about the history, gawk at the stadium. It's impressive, alright. Maybe I should apply to study here… Nah, too old for homework at my age.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Time for some nourishment. I wander through the area near campus and decide to grab a quick bite at a student-friendly place. I get a sandwich, it's good, but nothing to write home about.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): More exploring! Walk around the Arboretum at Penn State. It's stunning, a total contrast to all the brick and mortar. I get lost in thought and maybe even consider writing poetry about the beauty of nature. (I probably won't actually write any poetry.)
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Shopping time! Head to a local boutique to buy some souvenirs.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): PIZZA, ROUND TWO! I'm thinking "Brother's Pizza" tonight. I've heard good things. This pizza adventure is becoming a commitment. I might just order a whole second pizza and eat it alone in my room. No judgement. The pizza's gonna be my friend. Maybe.
Day 3: Farewell Pizza, and the Reality of Leaving (and a whole lot of wishing I could stay)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Pack. Grumble about how quickly the trip went. Stare wistfully out the window.
- Brunch (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Okay, I'm treating myself to a proper brunch. I find a place with delicious eggs and bacon. A final delicious meal before heading home.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): One last walk around. I stroll through the downtown area, trying to soak it all in one last time.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Quick lunch. Something light, because I fully anticipate overeating again during my travels.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Head to the airport. The anxieties return: the airport delays, passport checks, long queues for security… Ugh.
- Early Evening (3:00 PM onwards): The long flight home. Reflect on the trip. Did I overeat pizza? Almost certainly. Did I get lost a few times? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Without a doubt. Already planning my return to State College, because more pizza needs to be consumed. And maybe… just maybe… I'll actually write that poetry.
The End (for now… until the pizza craving hits again)
Escape to Comfort: Red Roof Inn Kenly - Your I-95 Oasis!
Scholar State College: Hilton's Hidden Gem? (Look, I'm Just Being Honest Here)
Okay, so... what *is* Scholar State College? Like, is it *actually* hidden?
Alright, so here’s the deal: Scholar State College is essentially a cutesy, almost-pretentious name for, uh, *State College*, Pennsylvania. It’s a college town. And yes, it's *near* Penn State. Very near. Like, you can almost smell the overpriced textbooks kind of near. But hidden? Nah. It's the opposite. It's a town that screams "College Town!!!" in neon lights. And I say that with all the love and exasperation of someone who's spent a significant portion of their life there.
It's got your standard college-town staples: a ton of bars (hello, Pickles! And the Phyrst... oh god, the Phyrst...), overpriced pizza that you'll happily devour at 2 AM, and a general air of youthful chaos. “Hidden” implies a secret. There's *nothing* secret about it. Everyone knows about State College. Especially during football season. Dear god, the football season. (We'll get to that later… trust me.)
Is it a good place to live? Like, a *real* good place?
Well, that’s a loaded question! It depends… are you a college student looking for cheap(ish) rent and plentiful partying opportunities? Then absolutely, YES! You'll love it (or at least tolerate it). The apartments are… well, they're student apartments. Let's just say the "luxury" aspect is sometimes… *overstated*. I once lived in a place where the heat was either a raging inferno or nonexistent. There was no in-between. And the roaches? Let’s just say they were… *persistent*. (Shudders.)
Are you a young professional looking to… I don’t know, *grow*? Maybe… maybe not. The job market can be a little limited outside of the university. It’s a *small* town, remember? You'll probably find yourself making friends with people who are *always* going back to the same bar. Still, the community isn't bad. It's… close-knit. You might feel like you're in a fishbowl, but it's not (usually) a *bad* fishbowl.
For someone who wants a quiet, normal life? You might not like it that much. There's *always* something going on. Always people everywhere. It’s a constant thrum of energy (or, depending on your mood, a constant source of noise and annoyance). It also isn't very diverse. But the food scene does have some good options.
What about food? Are there any good restaurants? Tell me about the food!
Okay, YES! Finally, something I can get *excited* about! State College has a surprising number of good restaurants, considering its size. You *have* to try “Spats.” (Don't worry about how that's spelled. Everyone spells it differently). It's a local institution. The food is consistently good, the atmosphere is lively, and it's always packed, but in a good way (usually). Prepare to wait in line if you go on a weekend lunch.
For a quick bite, The Corner Room is a classic. It's right on the corner (duh!), classic American stuff. The people are nice, and the food's good. If you're feeling fancy, there are a few upscale options too but they tend to be on the expensive side.
And, of course, pizza. Oh, the pizza. You have your "late night, greasy, delicious" pizza joints (like Gumby's... *shudders and smiles*). And then there's the "actually-pretty-decent" pizza places. Finding your favorite is a rite of passage. I once spent an entire week solely dedicated to finding the *perfect* slice. I may not be a scholar, but I am a pizza connoisseur.
Is it safe? I'm kind of a worrier.
Generally, yes, State College is a safe place. Crime rates are relatively low compared to some other cities. The police presence is high, especially on game days (think *massive* crowds). But, let's be real... it's a college town. So, you know, common sense applies. Don't walk alone at night drunk, don't leave valuables in your car, and be aware of your surroundings.
There WILL be drunk students stumbling around at 3 AM. That's just... a given. And when that happens, you can get a little… *awkward*. But generally? You should be fine. Just don't be stupid.
What's the deal with Penn State football? Is it *really* as crazy as everyone says?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! The Penn State football experience is… an *experience*. It's a religious event. Tailgating starts days in advance. People paint themselves blue and white. The entire town *transforms*. During game weekends, the population of State College roughly doubles. Traffic becomes a nightmare. Everything is more expensive (especially lodging… yikes.)
The energy is electric. The roar of the crowd at Beaver Stadium is deafening. It's… intense. Like, “I need earplugs and a therapist” kind of intense. Even if you're not a huge football fan (and I’m not!), you can't help but get swept up in it. It’s a phenomenon. A beautiful, terrifying, glorious phenomenon. I once saw a guy build an entire… I'm not even sure what it was… out of beer cans. True story. And he was *proud* of it.
So, yes. It *is* as crazy as everyone says. And you'll either love it or hate it. And even if you hate it, you'll probably still secretly enjoy parts of it.
Just… make sure you book your accommodation *very* early. Or… consider leaving town entirely. (But don't tell anyone I said that…)
Anything else I should know? Any hidden gems *besides* the bars and restaurants?
Okay, listen up, here's the real inside scoop: State College has a surprisingly vibrant arts scene. There are always concerts, plays, and art exhibits happening. Penn State's campus is beautiful, with its arboretum and gardens, and the campus itself is great to wander. You can see some weird and wonderful stuff going on.
There are some really good hiking trails nearby. The scenery is beautiful. It's a nice escape from the… well, the chaos. (And I’m always looking for an escape!) And don't forget the festivals. There's a ton of activity year-round. But I'm sure you will find the hidden gems yourself when you visit.
Basically, State College is what you make of it. It has its quirks, its flawsBook Hotels Now
