Escape to Sharon: Hermitage's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Sharon: Hermitage's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits! - A Totally Unfiltered Review (with SEO!)
Okay, folks, let’s be honest. Finding a truly hidden gem in the hotel world feels like stumbling upon a unicorn wearing a tiny sombrero. But can Escape to Sharon actually deliver? I mean, come on, the name alone… "Escape to Sharon"? Sounds like my aunt's retirement plan. Let’s dive in and find out if this Hermitage hideaway lives up to the hype, and if it's actually worth escaping to.
First Impressions & Accessibility – (Or, My Battle with the Automatic Doors)
Right off the bat, the promise of "Escape" made me think I'd roll up to a secluded paradise. Nope. It's accessible, alright. Finding it was a breeze, parking was free (score!), and that's a massive shout-out in a world where parking fees alone could bankrupt you.
- Accessibility: The basics are covered. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests. Good. However, navigating the automatic doors was a minor comedy of errors for me. I'm not even disabled, and I had to wrestle one – I'm picturing myself as some sort of door-opening gladiator. Access – check. Seamless experience? Not always.
- CCTV: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property. Okay, I feel reasonably safe. Maybe a Security [24-hour] person could give me a hand with the doors.
The Room – My Temporary Fortress (and the Missing Slippers Saga)
Okay, the room. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor. It's all there, the basic comforts. My Window that opens, which is crucial for a bit of fresh air when air conditioning feels like a polar vortex. I'm also looking for the perfect angle for the Internet access – wireless.
- On-site internet: Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free] - praise the WiFi gods, I can finally catch up on my TikTok addiction.
- Missing Slippers: Now the room quality, there were Slippers promised in my room, which I couldn't find anywhere. I wanted those slippers, it was supposed to be relaxing, and no slippers meant a slightly less relaxing experience. That's a minus one point on the cozy scale.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – Food Glorious Food (And a Few Minor Hiccups)
- Restaurants: There are Restaurants! Hooray! They have International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, and a Vegetarian restaurant! What a selection!
- Breakfast: Oh, the breakfast. I'm a sucker for Breakfast [buffet]. Breakfast service was decent, with a Coffee/tea in restaurant setup was a welcome touch. It included many of the basics but nothing super fancy. The egg station, though, was… interesting. The chef looked like he was battling a small, angry omelet demon. Still, the Asian breakfast provided a nice little pick-me-up to start the day.
- Missing Desserts: Coffee shop, and Desserts in restaurant. This didn't happen. This was a major letdown for my sweet tooth.
- Bar: The Bar was reasonably well-stocked, and the margaritas were… well, let's just say they were safe. Not award-winning, but they did the trick after a long day of… you know… escaping.
- Other options: Room service [24-hour]. A la carte in restaurant, Bottle of water, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant. This is a pretty good offering.
Pampering & Relaxation – Spa Day Dreams (and the Questionable Bath Bomb)
- Spa: Spa, Spa/sauna. The Fitness center looked well-equipped, but let's be real, I was there to chill. Sauna, Steamroom, and Swimming pool were the name of the game.
- Pool with view: Yeah, the pool was Swimming pool [outdoor], overlooking something… trees, probably. The only problem was the sun loungers - or the lack of them. I did finally manage to snag one. The other issue was the Body wrap they offered, it turned out to be a giant wet sheet with a questionable scent.
- Massage: Okay, the Massage, I was a bit skeptical, but it was amazing. The masseuse, a tiny woman with hands of steel, worked out knots I didn’t even know I had. This alone might be worth the price of admission.
Cleanliness & Safety – Germ-Free Zone (Mostly)
- Cleanliness is king: This place is serious about hygiene. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol. I felt genuinely safe. A big thumbs-up.
- Missing Details Hygiene certification. It's good.
Services & Conveniences – The Little Things (and the Lack of a Conviction Store)
- Services and conveniences: They had everything you could want: Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes.
- Missing details: Convenience store. Nope. No late-night snacks, no emergency toothbrush. Big miss.
For the Kids – Family Fun (or Not?)
- Family/child friendly: There were a few Kids facilities, and a Babysitting service.
Getting Around – Navigating the Real World (and My Awkward Airport Transfer)
- Getting Around: The hotel offers Airport transfer (which was on time, thank goodness). Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service. So, the basic bases are covered.
In conclusion… The Verdict? (My Unvarnished Opinion)
Escape to Sharon is not a five-star, perfectly polished experience. It's got its quirks, its imperfections, and that slightly-off scent from the body wrap. But here’s the thing: it’s genuinely trying. The friendly staff were always helpful, the spa was generally excellent, and there was a certain charm to the whole place. It delivers on the basics while throwing in some unexpected delights. It’s not pretentious, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you want. It's a good starting point.
SEO Keywords Alert!
- Hotel in Hermitage: Yes, this is a hotel in Hermitage!
- Spa hotel Hermitage: Yes, they have a spa.
- Wheelchair accessible hotel Hermitage: Yes, pretty accessible.
- Free parking hotel Hermitage: Parking is free.
- Restaurant hotel Hermitage: They've got restaurants!
- Romantic getaway Hermitage: It could be, depending on the room and your partner's tolerance for slightly quirky hotels.
My Crazy Offer (Because, Honestly, You Should Try It)
Book Your Escape to Sharon Adventure Now!
Tired of the same old boring hotel routine? Yearning for a getaway that's both relaxing and a little bit… unexpected? Book your stay at Escape to Sharon: Hermitage's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits! during [Mention a specific timeframe or promotion period] and get:
- A FREE upgrade* (based on availability) - because who doesn't love a bigger bed?
- A complimentary glass of wine at the bar – to toast to your escape from the ordinary.
- A small discount at the spa – because you deserve that massage (trust me).
- A complimentary breakfast – The breakfast will be ready!
Don't expect perfection, embrace the adventure! Book your stay now at [link to hotel website] and discover if Escape to Sharon is your next hidden gem! It's time to escape!
Escape to Paradise: Slovenia's Hidden Mountain Hut!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a journey… not geographically, mind you, but of pure, unadulterated, HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS in Sharon-Hermitage, Pennsylvania awesomeness (or, you know, the charmingly flawed version thereof). This ain't your meticulously planned, color-coded travel guide. This is real life, people. Brace yourselves.
The Slightly-Off-Kilter Hermitage Holiday Inn Express Itinerary: Operation "Survive the Bed & Breakfast While Pretending to be a Jetsetter"
(Day 1: Arrival - or, the Moment I Realize My Life is Now a Brochure)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Land in Pittsburgh. Okay, fine, I landed in PIT, but it was more like a gentle bump. Jet lag already kicking in. Gotta grab a rental car. "Compact SUV," I requested. They gave me a… a golf cart on steroids (okay, a smaller SUV, but still. Not ideal for the Pennsylvania countryside. Never been to Pennsylvania before. This is exciting! And by "exciting," I mean, "deeply unsettling").
- 2:30 PM: The Drive. Ugh. I should've booked that first class upgrade. The drive is longer than I expect. I spend an hour listening to my audiobook. I realize I forgot to grab snacks. My stomach growls. That is going to be a problem. I mentally chastise myself.
- 4:00 PM: Arrive at the HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL & SUITES SHARON-HERMITAGE By IHG. You know that feeling when you walk into a hotel and it's… exactly as you expected? That's the one. Clean, slightly beige… blessedly air-conditioned. Check-in: smooth. The lady at the desk has the kind of Midwestern charm that makes you want to hug her and then immediately leave her alone.
- 4:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. My room! Surprisingly spacious. The TV is… big. The bed… okay, this is important. The bed is the MOST important thing. It had to be. The pillows? They're the kind that either swallow you whole or offer zero support. Pray for the latter. I test the bed for structural integrity. A resounding “Yay!” Okay, unpack. Sort of. Throw suitcase on bed. Done.
- 5:00 PM: First "Crisis": The dreaded snack situation. I need sustenance. I scope out the local options. "Giant Eagle" is the only name on this list. I want to eat. I'm starving. I need food! I go to Giant Eagle.
- 6:00 PM: Giant Eagle Adventure. This is not, I repeat, NOT what I expected. I get overwhelmed by choice. I end up with cheese… a lot of cheese. Plus those little plastic "convenience" containers of pre-cut fruit that, let's be honest, always taste a little… off. I buy three kinds of cheese. I feel like I've won.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Cheese. Fruit. The local news. A bizarre report about a rogue raccoon. I feel… content. And slightly gassy. (Cheese, people, cheese!). I channel-surf and find an infomercial for a… I forget – but it involved a lot of yelling and questionable products.
- 9:00 PM: Early Night. Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Goodnight, sweet Prince. Or, you know, goodnight to this perfectly standard Holiday Inn Express room.
(Day 2: The "Getting to Know You" Tour and the Quest for Coffee)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Blame the jet-lagged body. The breakfast bar! It’s time to go!
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast. The "complimentary" breakfast. The holy grail! Waffles, eggs (scrambled, of course), various pastries that looked… vaguely alarming. Coffee. The coffee is the most important thing. The coffee is the only important thing. It tastes like slightly tinted water. I gulp down a big glass of that coffee.
- 8:00 AM: "Exploring" Sharon-Hermitage. What's there to see, you may ask? Me too! Google Maps yields… a lot of strip malls. I get lost. Very lost. I see a car wash. I consider becoming a car wash enthusiast, but the thought passes.
- 9:00 AM: Retail Therapy (or, The Desperate Pursuit of Actual Coffee). I find a local coffee shop. It’s… cute. It is also bustling. I order a latte. It’s heavenly. Pure caffeinated bliss. I sit and watch the locals. They seem… happy.
- 10:00 AM: The Pennsylvania Farm Show, if you have time. I was told it was "The greatest show on Earth" – a bit over the top.
- 11:00 AM: The Outlet Malls. An absolute nightmare of consumerism, but hey, you gotta spend that travel budget somehow, right? I end up buying a pair of socks. Good socks, though.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Subway. I'm not proud of this.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Read, nap. Avoid thinking about how much laundry I have to do when I get home.
- 6:00 PM: Finding Dinner. This turns into a quest. "Italian" is chosen in another strip mall. It's fine. Mediocre, really. But the breadsticks are warm. And I'm hungry. So it works.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the hotel. I watch more TV! I scroll through my social media. I'm so tired. Why am I so tired?
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Thank God for the bed. Tomorrow will be another day.
(Day 3: The Departure - Leaving with a Sigh and a Promise to Return… Eventually)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Coffee. The usual.
- 8:00 AM: Pack. Dread.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. The kind woman at the desk smiles at me. I smile back. We share a silent acknowledgment of the shared humanity of existence.
- 9:30 AM: The Drive. That golf cart on steroids is waiting for me. I have a few hours before my flight. I decide to stop by the local antique shop.
- 10:00 AM: Antique Shop. I find nothing. But I enjoy looking.
- 12:00 PM: Airport. The final checkpoint.
- 1:00 PM: The Flight. Goodbye Pennsylvania. You were… interesting. I vow to return, someday. Maybe.
- 4:00 PM: Back Home. The laundry beckons. But first, a nap. Then, the memories. The slightly beige hotel, the cheese, the slightly-off but still enjoyable adventure.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't even particularly memorable in the grand scheme of things. But it was real. It was mine. And sometimes, that's all you need. Plus, those socks were a good purchase, right? Definitely.
Alexandria's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Magic of the Alexandrian!
Escape to Sharon: You've Got Questions, I've Got Answers (Mostly)
So, what *is* this "Escape to Sharon" place everyone's raving about? Sounds a bit... dramatic.
Alright, alright, settle down, drama queen. Escape to Sharon is basically this little hidden hotel tucked away in Hermitage. Think cozy, not crazy. I mean, it *does* sound like a romance novel title, doesn't it? "Escape to Sharon: Healed by a Hot Tub and Honey-Glazed Ham." Just kidding! (Mostly.) It's supposedly this "gem," remember? I went. I saw. I ate. I... well, you get the idea. Let me just say, the "escape" part is accurate. From my life, at least. Which, admittedly, needed a good escape.
Is it actually *hidden* hidden? 'Cause I'm terrible with directions.
Okay, here's the deal. It's *relatively* hidden. Like, not in a bat cave with a secret handshake kind of hidden. You won't need Indiana Jones skills. But my GPS, bless its little digital heart, did try to send me down a farmer's field at one point. Twice. So, print out the directions. Seriously. And if you see a cow? You're probably close. They're probably judging you, too, judging the direction I was taking, and my overall driving skills which, let's be honest, are suspect.
The website looks... quaint. Is it all florals and doilies? Because I'm allergic to both.
Ah, the website. It's got that "charming, small-town bed and breakfast" vibe, right? Think... slightly dusty. Look, yes, there are *some* florals. But the doilies? Surprisingly minimal. Thank goodness. Crisis averted. The place itself has a more... eclectic charm. Like, imagine your quirky aunt's house, but actually clean. Okay, maybe not *spotless*, but generally well-maintained. My room had a great view, and I couldn't spot any doilies. That's a win in my book. Floral... well, I'll let you find your own triggers.
What about the food? I live to eat. (And complain.)
Okay, food is *important*. And I'm a connoisseur of complain- I mean, a discerning diner. Breakfast was included. And it was... good. Not Michelin-star good. Okay, the first day was spectacular, fresh fruit and just heavenly bacon, seriously. The second day was a little less inspired. But, there wasn't a single item I genuinely disliked. Let's just say it's a solid "above average" breakfast. Dinner? That's where things get interesting. They have a restaurant on site. I had the steak. Juicy, tender... I moaned. I think the waitress was a little concerned. I still got a giggle out, that's important. Worth it? Absolutely. (Just maybe skip the loud moaning if you're not the exhibitionist type.)
Is it kid-friendly? I have, like, three small whirlwind tornadoes disguised as children.
Hmmm ... kid-friendly? Well, that depends on your definition of "kid-friendly." I saw a few families. There's a pool. And a big yard. Lots of space to run around. But it's not like a Disney resort. You might have to, you know, actually *parent*. And the other guests, they're there for peace and quiet. So, if your whirlwinds can be, shall we say, *contained*, then maybe. If not, maybe find a place with a dedicated splash pad. You've got a right to have a great time, as do the other guests.
The hot tub... tell me about the hot tub.
Oooooh, the hot tub. Okay, buckle up. This is where the "escape" part really kicks in. First, it's outside. Which is delightful, even in (slightly) chilly weather. Okay, I might have nearly frozen my backside getting out, but it was worth it. The stars! The silence! (Mostly.) I went at night. It was magical. I spent a solid hour just... *existing*. Seriously, if you're stressed, go to the hot tub. It's better than therapy. Almost. Except... the jets. They were a little... *enthusiastic*. Like, borderline aggressive. One second I was peacefully contemplating the universe, the next my internal organs were doing the cha-cha. But hey, it was fun! Different? Yes. Good? Mostly. Would I go back? Absolutely. Just maybe wear a swimsuit that can handle a little jostling.
Did you find any *actual* problems? The world isn't perfect, you know.
Okay, fine. I'll admit it. There were a few tiny things. The Wi-Fi was a tad spotty. Like, sometimes you'd connect, sometimes you wouldn't. Which, honestly, was kind of a blessing in disguise. Forced digital detox? Yes, please! The coffee maker in my room looked like it had seen better days. I'M KIDDING. I didn't even try making coffee in the room. I went straight to the breakfast bar with the good stuff. I'm impatient like that. Also, parking... could get a *little* crowded. But really, those are minor quibbles. Nothing that ruined the overall experience. And hey, nobody's perfect. Except maybe that chef who made the steak. Seriously, I'm still dreaming about that.
