The Hershey Bears are the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals and the winningest franchise in American Hockey League history — 13 Calder Cup championships since the team was founded in 1938. They play out of Giant Center in Hershey, PA, a 10,500-seat arena about 12.5 miles from Inn of the Dove, roughly a 16–20 minute drive.
If you’re searching for a Hershey Bears hockey hotel — somewhere close enough for an easy game night and private enough that the evening doesn’t end the second you leave the arena — this guide covers the season, the game-night logistics, and why Inn of the Dove is the stay couples keep coming back to.
Hershey Bears Hockey at Giant Center
The Bears’ regular season runs October through April, with playoff hockey extending into May in strong years. Giant Center holds about 10,500 fans, and Bears games are consistently among the best-attended in the AHL — this is a franchise with real history and a fan base that shows up.
Why a Bears Game Makes a Good Date Night
It’s fast, it’s loud, and it doesn’t require either of you to be a hockey expert to enjoy it. Tickets are easier to get and generally less expensive than an NHL game an hour-plus away in Philadelphia, the arena is small enough that every seat has a real view, and the atmosphere on a packed Friday or Saturday night is genuinely electric — especially for rivalry games against teams like the Lehigh Valley Phantoms or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Planning Tip: Check the Hershey Bears schedule before booking your suite. Weekend games, rivalry nights, and playoff dates fill our pool suites first — book 3–4 weeks ahead if you have a specific game in mind.
After the Final Horn — What’s Different About Coming Back Here
Most hotels near an arena mean a lobby full of other fans, thin walls, and noise in the hallway long after the game ends. Inn of the Dove is built differently — a small, adults-only property exclusively for couples. No children on the grounds at any time, no pets, and corridors that stay genuinely quiet because the whole property is designed around privacy, not occupancy.
You park once, drive 16 minutes to Giant Center, and come back to a suite that’s entirely yours — hot tub running, fireplace lit, nobody else’s night bleeding into yours.
The Suite You Come Back To
Every suite at Inn of the Dove includes a private jetted hot tub. Two suites add a private heated indoor pool. Most include a fireplace. For a Bears game night, these are the suites that go first:
Dove Swimming Pool Suite
Beach Swimming Pool Suite
Black and Gold Romantic Suite
Sweetheart Romantic Suite
See every option on the Rooms & Suites page.
Got Your Tickets? Lock In Your Suite Next
Pool suites and fireplace suites sell out fastest for weekend games and playoff hockey. Check your dates now — no obligation until you book.
How a Bears Game Night Works From Here
This is the version most couples actually follow for a Hershey Bears game:
3:00 PM — Check In
Standard check-in is 3:00 p.m. Settle in, use the hot tub if you want, and get ready without rushing. Free private parking is included for the whole stay.
5:30–6:00 PM — Drive to Giant Center
The drive takes 16–20 minutes under normal traffic. On-site parking runs $10–15 per vehicle — arrive 45–60 minutes before puck drop for weekend and rivalry games.
7:00 PM — Puck Drop
Most Bears games start at 7:00 p.m. and run roughly 2.5 hours including intermissions, finishing around 9:30–10:00 p.m.
Optional — Dinner Before or After
The Mill in Hershey is the best sit-down option near the arena — reserve ahead on game nights. For after the game, downtown Harrisburg is 12 minutes from the hotel with the strongest late-evening dining in the area.
10:00–10:30 PM — Return to the Suite
Front desk hours are Sunday–Thursday until 10 p.m. and Friday–Saturday until midnight. For games running later than expected, call ahead and we’ll set up self-check-in.
11:00 AM — Check Out (or Later)
Standard checkout is 11:00 a.m. Late checkout is available on request, subject to availability.
Add Something Special — Romance Packages
Pairing a Bears game with an anniversary, birthday, or celebration is easy to arrange in advance.
Add a package by calling 717-540-5540 or noting your preference when booking. Browse everything on the Packages page.
Practical Notes Before You Book
- Check-in: 3:00 p.m. / Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
- Cancellation policy: 48 hours for standard suites; 7 days for pool and theme suites.
- Parking: Free private parking included with every stay.
- Front desk hours: Sunday–Thursday 9 a.m.–10 p.m. · Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–midnight.
- Late arrival: Call ahead if your game runs past 10 p.m. on a weekday and we’ll set up self-check-in.
- Best rate guarantee: Booking directly through the hotel always gives you the best available rate.
For couples who want a private suite, in-room hot tub, and complete quiet after the game, Inn of the Dove remains the closest adults-only option to Giant Center. See our Hotel Near Giant Center Hershey PA guide or browse the full Things to Do Near Inn of the Dove hub.
