Notes from the host
Big Fun
Quirky and retro and different and definitely not a corporate hotel. It's clean and fun and centrally-located in the Harrisburg/Hershey Central PA area.
**Please read over the entire description before reserving; just so nothing is missed. It's a unique property and not like a hotel. I want everyone to have a great experience with only pleasant surprises. The description tries really hard to answer all questions, but please ask ahead of time if something isn't covered**
It used to be the town bank, and has open space and plenty of indoor room. It was the town bank for over 60 years and now it's been renovated to be my home. It can host anything from a couple's weekend to small events such as family reunions. I rent it out when I'm out of town so it's all yours if you reserve it. It's my home some of the time, so it's got most comforts and amenities
It's five minutes from downtown Harrisburg and a little over 20 minutes to HersheyPark area (about 11 miles). Two miles from the Farm Show. It's 3 miles from I-83 and I-81.
The town of Penbrook isn't fancy and the main street you'll often use and where the house is located is not exactly picturesque. It's a blue-collar kind of town and not wealthy, but it's quite safe, and centrally-located. The town itself is small and more of a throughway. It's not touristy.
The building is decorated and furnished in my personal taste, which is Americana-retro, mid-century vintage fun. All of the modern touches are there, including top-notch Internet and electronics. Please be aware that this is not a hotel or resort. It's my part-time home and decorated in my own personal style.
Hopefully you'll agree that it's cool, fun, and a positive and uplifting vibe. It's got a lot of open space and it's decorated in my personal style and of course that might not be for everyone. So please check out the pictures and feel free to ask any questions before booking.
You are welcome to use the musical instruments, play the games, and enjoy anything in the house. Feel free to eat the snacks, cook, use the spices, or have a beer (and nothing wrong with leaving a beer either). It's a fully-furnished home and you're welcome to use it as such.
This is my home much of the time and it's well-stocked. I don't have fancy tastes, but it's certainly clean and has plenty of linens, many extra blankets, tons of pillows, and more. I like a comfortable home!
There are a lot of old-school board games, puzzles, card games, and more. I try to bring the place back to the age when people spent quality time together rather than everyone retreating to their rooms and play on the phone. (not that there isn't good wi-fi there too)
It's got a lot of space inside (my buddies and I even throw football to each other inside.....not saying you should do that, but you could ;) However, I want to make sure everyone has an accurate description. There is virtually no outdoor space. It used to be a bank and banks don't need yards. There is just enough green area where your doggy could use the restroom, so to speak, but there isn't much in the way of "hanging out" space outside.
The unique house is basically "in town". It's about five minutes from downtown Harrisburg in Penbrook. Penbrook is a calm town; it's not fancy but it has its charms. A lot of people drive through Penbrook during morning and afternoon rush-hour because it has a main road. But other than the "commuting" hours it's a fairly quiet town. But again, the town itself is not upscale or fancy; but it's certainly safe and centrally-located.
There is a parking lot that is part of this property that has room for up to 15 vehicles. It's just across the street about 50' from the house. There is usually on-street parking as well that's even closer to the house.
My house is big inside and centrally-located but it has very little green area. There are parks nearby though. It's a spacious, safe, fun place with a positive vibe inside with lots of indoor space and room to spread out. Many guests say the pictures don't do it justice and that it's more impressive in person.
There is a good local pizza shop right across the street and you can walk to the 7/11. Plenty of restaurants and shopping are minutes away and you can be along the river in Harrisburg or at City Island to watch professional baseball in 10 minutes. Hersheypark is less than 20 minutes away.
There is a well-stocked bar that has room for around 5-10 people. The bar is on the honor system and please feel free to leave something behind ;)
There are my music instruments that I leave out for all to enjoy. (guitars, stand-up bass, drums) I totally understand that once in a while something gets broken: picture falls off a wall, guitar string breaks, etc., but please let me know. Otherwise it might be a while before I notice, especially with drum-sticks or guitar strings.
*Please be clear that the number of guests includes anyone who is visiting even if they are not expected to spend the night. The rate is based somewhat on the number of guests. It's not just the number who would be spending the night. I'm not opposed to larger groups, but please be open about the estimated number of guests and the occasion for the visit. *
There is a parking lot that is part of this property as well that can park up to a dozen or more vehicles. The parking lot is about 50 feet from the house and across a one-way alley. There is also on-street parking and usually at least a couple of spots right along the building. You can load/unload right in front of the building on the main road (Walnut Street) just feet from the entrance.
Please feel free to ask any questions you like before booking! It's better to ask ahead of time to avoid anyone unfulfilled expectations. Also, it might be helpful if you have a large group to have several of the adults in the group read over this description. The last thing I'd want is someone to have something completely different in mind and be surprised when they arrive.
I realize sometimes the person booking the reservation may have different tastes and preferences than the rest of their party. So please ask all adults to read this profile/description before your stay. I just want to make sure expectations are more than met. This is a fun and unique property, but if someone is expecting the kind of home that Martha Stewart stays at, they might not appreciate the quirkiness.
Events such as small wedding receptions, family reunions, or company get-togethers are welcome. However, parties for locals just having a party for the sake of partying are not allowed. Unfortunately the only problem guests have been 20'something locals who just want to party. Most events are welcome as long as they are accurately described at the time of the reservation request. Please just ask if you're not sure. Please be clear that the number of guests visiting needs to be included on your reservation request.
This site doesn't do a great job at labelling the rates and fees. There are reasons the rate varies depending on the number of guests. For example: a married couple wanting a weekend alone is far different from 20 guys having a bachelor party. The wear and tear, resources used, and possible extra clean-up all costs a lot more. But if the rate is the same for 20 people it would be too expensive for couples or a small family.
I am pretty reasonable about guest charges. For example, if you're staying three days and want to have a small get-together for a few hours on just one of the days, I'm not expecting you to pay for each guest for three days. Unfortunately the website doesn't make some of those nuances easy to tackle. Just message me ahead of time with any questions.
The Covid times and too many guests abusing the "group events" have put a damper on larger groups. I'm not opposed to them but I do expect anyone submitting a reservation to be up-front about their intentions. ....hopefully that seems reasonable to all.
I don't charge a cleaning fee and most of the time there is no security deposit. In fact the only "fee" charged is for pets. Any other fees or taxes are charged by the website and the local and state government......I don't receive any of that.
*About pets: Make sure pets are listed in the reservation request and the fee paid. I love animals and I don't want to say "no pets". However, I now realize why some owners don't accept them. Most dogs do bark as soon as the owners leave, whether the owners believe that or not, lol. Most dogs do shed more when they have stress. They do sometimes make a "mess" inside. Worst of all would be the possibility of fleas. Please be 100% sure your pet was recently treated before arriving. The limit on number of pets is two; but that doesn't mean exceptions can't be made, but I think an additional fee would be fair and please inquire first. ....I really don't like having rules, but the pets have sometimes been more difficult than one might expect.* (There is very limited green at the building area for pets, but parks are nearby)
I do my best to be a super chill host and I'm happy to help with special requests.
You'd be reserving the entire home for your family or friends. Single rooms aren't available to rent.
The "Main Street" of Penbrook that you'll take into town isn't much to look at. Unfortunately I can't make the immediate area around the house prettier, lol, but the town itself is safe and laid-back.
Feel free to ask for area recommendations; Central PA is a wonderful area with a lot to offer!
*please do read the whole description before reserving; also please ask at least one other adult read it over as well......look at the pics and read the reviews; just so you have a really good idea of what you can look forward to during your visit.....please ask any questions you like :)
