Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield

First opened in 1956, this hotel has been owned and operated by the same family -- the Witts -- which is now in its third generation. It prides itself on offering a "personalized family touch"  not often seen in value chain hotels. Given its location, the hotel draws tourists, mainly families, and serious history buffs. Civil War aficionados often gather in the funky Reliance Mine Saloon to discuss the historic war and its turning point battle at Gettysburg. The inviting lobby has three separate sitting areas, including a cluster of sofas and armchairs facing a brick fireplace. A TV rests along one wall, and Civil War-themed art decorates the quiet, blue-carpeted space. The Victorian-era breakfast cottage, decorated with vintage photographs and traditional floral-patterned wallpaper, can get crowded during high season when guests converge on it, but its multiple rooms and ample seating arrangements accommodates the influx of diners without feeling too overcrowded.

The hotel's location is its biggest draw for many guests. It abuts the historic district, and is within walking distance of most of the major sights, including the Soldiers’ National Soldiers Cemetery (a six-minute walk) and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Memorial (a 15-minute walk). The historic Dobbin House and Jennie Wade House are five to eight minutes away on foot. The Gettysburg Heritage Center is across the street, and the Lincoln Train Museum is down the road, and several restaurants and shops are within a two- to four-minute walk. The main entrance to the Gettysburg National Military Park is a three-minute drive, and the Eisenhower National Historic Site is six minutes away by car. Gettysburg College and Harrisburg Area Community College are both about a five-minute drive from the hotel, and the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg is a seven-minute drive.  Approximate drives times to regional airports include York (38 minutes), Harrisburg (55 minutes), and Baltimore (90 minutes). 

Color schemes can vary, but all of the 109 rooms at the Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield have light-gold wallpaper and two blue upholstered armchairs. Furniture is traditional -- and many would say dated --  and includes dressers, headboards, desks, and nightstands. Bedspreads are either solid gold or kelly green, with matching bed skirts. Carpeting is deep crimson, kelly green, or dark blue, which makes the rooms a tad dark. Rooms are clean, quiet, and spacious,  and beds have Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses. Some rooms have large granite or acrylic vanities placed outside the bathrooms, while others have the same vanities inside those bathrooms. Either way, the vanities are well lit with large mirrors. Family Rooms with three double beds can sleep up to seven. Bathrooms are where the hotel shows its age, with basic beige floor tile and acrylic shower/tub inserts, although some King Rooms come with two-person whirlpool tubs. All rooms have coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and many have microwaves and mini-fridges. Room categories include King, Queen, Two-Queen, and Double-Double. The King Suite has a living room and a double Murphy bed.  Some rooms face the adjacent battlefield, and others face the street or overlook the outdoor pool. Be aware that there is no elevator to the second-floor rooms. 

The Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield has several freebies that add to its value, plus a few unexpected playful extras. The free hot breakfast buffet includes eggs, make-your-own waffles, and sausages, along with cereal, pastries, and fresh fruit, and it's served in a Victorian-era cottage (circa1880). Coffee is available all day in the lobby, which has a  microwave that guests can use. Snacks and drinks can also be purchased from vending machines. The Reliance Mine Saloon features an old mine decor with artifacts, tools, and photos, including a vintage front door. The hotel gift shop sells Saloon gear and other Gettysburg mementos. The hotel has an indoor pool and whirlpool, plus a seasonal outdoor pool. When the outdoor pool is open, the indoor pool is closed. The on-site putting green is popular with guests, and the hotel supplies putters and golf balls. The hotel has a small, limited fitness center with only three pieces of equipment -- a treadmill, an exercise bike, and a weight-training machine. The lobby business center has one computer station with Internet access. Guests can use the hotel’s printer, copy machine, and fax as well, and meeting spaces are available.  Free parking, including for buses and trucks, is available. Staff can help arrange tours and other activities. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.