I have to admit that I was a bit worried about staying at the luxurious Carnegie Inn and Spa in State College, PA because it’s a AAA 4-diamond award winner and I was worried it would be hoity-toity. I adore luxury properties (who wouldn’t?) but the air of pretentiousness that sometimes goes with them… not so much.
However, I couldn’t have been more wrong about the Carnegie Inn and Spa.
The lovely and cozy boutique hotel with its twenty rooms and two king suites was staffed by the warmest, friendliest Penn State student the evening I checked in, and I felt at home immediately.
She was so gracious in escorting me to my room and made sure I had everything I needed before leaving me with a gift bag of chocolate chip cookies and bottled water. Hotel snacks are so appreciated!
My jaw dropped when I opened the door to my home for the next two days because the Carnegie Inn and Spa was kind enough to host me with the king suite experience. The suite was positively palatial with a sitting room and TV, small kitchen, eating area, work space and desk, king-size bed with another large screen TV, walk-in closet and bathroom suite with shower, sunken tub and double sinks.
The decor was Victorian in style and made me feel as if I was in a European countryside estate, and each of the rooms had beautiful Oriental rugs and artwork. It was all very grand!
The spacious suite was lined with windows overlooking the beautiful property and flooding the room with light in the daytime, and the bathroom (with separate soaking tub and shower) was large enough for dancing.
And as you’d expect, the king bed was plush and oh, so comfy. I fell asleep in a near instant!
In the morning, I made my way to the dining room where breakfast is served daily. (Breakfast is included with a stay, and I’m talking about a fresh, made to order breakfast from a menu of gourmet options.)
I ordered the fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. The presentation was nearly as fabulous as the breakfast itself.
On my second morning, I chose the slightly heartier and equally satisfying nested eggs.
By the way, lunch and dinner are available in the dining room as well, but not included in the room price. The convenience of having a meal just steps away from your guest room is ideal, and if I hadn’t stopped to eat just before checking in, I would have happily tucked in for dinner.
There are also lots of sitting areas and cozy spots where people are encouraged to sit, relax and enjoy conversation. It’s a wonderfully inviting place to stay in State College!
One of my favorite things about the Carnegie Inn and Spa (other than the hospitality, impeccably clean rooms, ultra comfy furnishings and delicious free breakfast) was that it was located just minutes from Penn State, but it was tucked away in a quiet, serene neighborhood overlooking a golf course making it the perfect escape. It was the most inviting luxury boutique hotel I’ve ever had the pleasure to stay at, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
If you’re in Happy Valley or visiting Penn State, make a point to stop overnight and stay at the Carnegie Inn and Spa in State College, PA.
Carnegie Inn and Spa
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Be sure to check out Lincoln Caverns while in the area!
Comments & Reviews
Oh wow! I could go for a few days there. A little spa action sounds like just the thing.
It looks unassuming from the outside but the rooms and common areas was so nice and comfortable. I don’t get there often but will keep it in mind for the possible trip.
If I am in the area, I will DEFINITELY stop by! I am always down for a spa day!
Sounds just like the place I need to go! Who wouldn’t want to take a few days for some spa action?
You had me at luxurious escape, but the Carnegie Inn and Spa truly looks amazing. I love the vintage Victorian decor and the food seems wonderful too.
This place looks very rich in taste! I would love to stay there by myself to get away from things to unwind. Those meals look delish too!
Such a lovely resort! I haven’t been to State College in years, but I remember there being a lot to do in the area. The food looks amazing!
Looks like a nice inn and spa. I am sure the massage is great here! Heard a lot of good things about this one.
I’m with you on that hoity toity thing. I enjoy luxury but, it feels like I don’t fit in sometimes. This sounds like such an awesome place!
OMG! I love that place! I really need a vacation there! It’s so relaxing!
That definitely looks like a fun place to visit. I love any kind of resort and spa because they do an amazing job spoiling you as their guest.
So lovely you had a wonderful visit! Several years ago, having visited Carnegie Inn multiple times over several years for lunches and dinners while I was in the State College area for meetings of a Board of Directors I served on, I stopped for lunch with a friend of mine in tow. This friend was driving us in a 2003 Mustang and although he certainly did not look educated or well off, he was both. There is no need to provide details, and we were nothing but polite, but I will not forget the dismissive attitude of the staff. We left without ordering lunch, and I have not been back since. Purely an emotional reaction on my part. I am sure Carnegie Inn has not missed my business, but it reminds me that any encounter can be important and consequential.