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The Grand Expansion At The Hotel Hershey Is Awarded LEED Silver Certification


The Hotel Hershey has received LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for its Grand Expansion, a $67 million project that was unveiled in 2009. The Hotel Hershey is the only hotel in Pennsylvania to earn this distinction. The project was announced in 2008 as the Hotel marked its 75th anniversary. The Expansion included the introduction of 10 Cottages that house the Hotel’s most premium room offerings; construction of a new restaurant; the addition of a recreation campus that features a full aquatic facility, ice-skating rink and a variety of other offerings; improvements to the front exterior to allow for a more satisfying sense of arrival; renovation of the check-in lobby; and the addition of seven boutique shops.



The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices. It uses a rating system that recognizes projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.



Specifically noted within this distinction were Harvest, the Hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, and its 10 guest cottages. Elements of The Grand Expansion that were recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council include the use of recycled materials in overall construction; the employment of geothermal heating and cooling methods; and the implementation of eco paving and rain gardens, which allow rainwater to be re-used. The Hotel Hershey is one of America’s landmark hotels. Built in 1933 by Milton S. Hershey as part of his “Great Building Campaign,” which was designed to keep townspeople working during the Great Depression, the property features a Mediterranean design and offers panoramic vistas, state-of-the-art amenities and The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. On a hilltop overlooking the town of Hershey, the Hotel features majestic formal gardens, fountains, reflecting pools and terraces. The property is a member of Historic Hotels of America and the “Green” Hotels Association.



Hershey, Pennsylvania, is known the world over as The Sweetest Place On Earth. A year-round destination, Hershey is located in central Pennsylvania, three hours from New York City, 90 minutes from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and two hours from Washington. For additional information, call (800) HERSHEY (800-437-7439) or visit the destination’s website at www.HersheyPA.com.
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