I was travelling to Lancaster to visit family and began my hotel search with hotels in walking vicinity of the Amtrak station. Lancaster Arts Hotel was closest (0.8 miles). However, I am a member of most the big hotel chains, and I first looked into staying at The Holiday Inn (0.9 miles) or Home2Suites by Hilton (1.1 miles). The Holiday Inn had some fairly poor reviews, and Home2Suites was a bit pricey for a Tuesday through Thursday stay. The Lancaster Arts reservation (during a winter sale) would be a little over $300 with free breakfast included. So, I took a chance and booked a room.
The first positive indicator came when I called the hotel, spoke to Addie (if I remember correctly), and she stated my family could park in the hotel garage for free while they were visiting me there. Parking was also complimentary for me as a guest (which was not applicable because I did not have a car). Free parking is unheard of at most hotels; usually, there is a fee.
The second perk were two free bottles of water in the room upon arrival. At most corporate hotel chains, you have to have a certain level of membership to get free bottled water. For example, Hyatt basic members don't get free bottled water. You have to become a Discoverist level member in order to get water at no charge.
I didn't realize until my family arrived how covenient the location was for them. I set out on a walk to the area of the Holiday Inn, and it was bustling. Lancaster Arts Hotel is in a quieter section of the city, nearer to Franklin & Marshall college. Certainly not as convenient for those who want to shop or would like a grocery store around the corner, but better for those travelers who are looking for a less hectic pace.
Speaking of quiet, I have to point out a strange clause in the hotel information sheet that was provided by the front desk representative. It stated that quiet hours for the hotel began at 10pm. I have never been to a hotel that enforced a quiet period overnight. I'm not certain how that is policed or what 'quiet' is defined as. I was in bed each night by 10pm; thus, it did not impact my stay. However, if you are staying in this hotel for a celebration (such as a wedding or bachelor party where guests revel into the wee hours), you may want to call the hotel first and inquire about this policy.
My room (317 if I recall correctly) was very nice. My only slight two disappointmets were the size of the television and the heat maxing out at 75 degrees. (A five star hotel for me has both a fifty inch television and a thermometer that will reach at least 80 degrees.) What made up for those two slight letdowns were a few unexpected amenities. Tarocco Sicilian Blood Orange Shampoo/Conditioner/Lotion. A magnifying mirror (always a sign of class in a hotel room). A plush velvet comforter hidden away in the cabinet that I pulled out and slept on top of. A ceiling heat lamp in the bathroom. I got a little chilly in the bedroom, but the heat lamp in the bathroom after a shower was perfection!
At night, my best advice is to NOT hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign. Usually, from the time I check into a hotel room, the DND sign is on the door. I forgot, and I'm glad I did. Sometime after 8pm, I heard a knock on my door. A hotel representative had a rose and two pieces of chocolate to give as complimentary gifts from the hotel. It was unexpected and wonderful! I pulled off the rose petals, put them in a cup in a refrigerator, and had them in both my oatmeal and coffee the next morning at breakfast.
As to breakfast, it was very pleasing and had elements of surprise such as breakfast quiche with feta cheese and sundried tomato. The oatmeal minibar had chocolate chips, and they paired well with the petals I had collected from the complimentary hotel rose.
Overall, the Lancaster Arts Hotel was remarkable in its ability to take the extras that other hotels offer at a charge and to blend them into their very reasonably priced rates at no fee!
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