Lancaster Host R&GC
Lancaster, PA
1964, Designer Unknown
Championship 6849, 70.8, 124, 71
White 6144, 69.5, 120
Directions: Rt. 30 East to Lancaster, pass Rockvale outlets, top of hill on L (past Dutch Wonderland is too far)
Fees: ~$53 ($25 walking Wknd?)
Fat Guy Review: I stayed here over Christmas weekend one year in the early 'Otts'. Admittedly, I didn't get much more than a drive-by look at the golf course. The hotel is spacious with a massive lobby with a fireplace, plus outdoor and indoor pools, and a hot tub. The hallways are a little worn, the rooms were nice enough. My mom seemed to think the rooms were a little worn as well but they seemed OK to me. You can tell they make their bank on conventions. Decent value for the price of the room.
Best Bar Nearby: The hotel has a very nice lounge in the lobby with sitting areas, TVs, and a private room with a pool table.
Remember, this is Amish country, so expect to see more horse & buggies than hoppin' nightlife. A few exceptions I've seen advertised include live music haven Club Chameleon (some shows 18 & over, 223 N Water St, www.clubchameleon.com), Doc Holliday's (Harrisburg Pike across from F&M College, 717-397-3811), or The Village Nightclub (205 N Christian, www.thevillagenightclub.com) has been around since 1953, featuring the area's best bands and theme nights such as a recent stint of "Frozen T-Shirt Fridays".
The only Gentlemen's clubs anywhere near this Amish country stronghold are the infamous Al's Diamond Cabaret (www.alsdiamondcabaret.com, 1810 N 5th St, Reading; 222 N. Reading, look for junction 12, do not exit for 222 N Allentown, stay straight, expressway will merge directly into 12 E, 2 mi to 5th St exit, L onto 5th, 2nd light on R), or Cashmere Social Club (4645 E Prospect Rd, York, 717-757-6982, I-83 Exit 18 Rt 124 E, 6 mi on L; OR Rt. 30 to Mt Zion Rd exit, Rt 24 S for 2 mi, Rt 124 E, 4 mi on L).
Where To Grub: Lancaster Hosts' restaurant had good food, I had a steak. Good breakfasts too, try the Eggs Benedict. Chain restaurant options abound including Cracker Barrel, Fuddrucker's, Boardwalk Seafood, and Applebee's nearby.
Further Distractions: The hotel is right smack in between 2 major Lancaster outlet malls, and right across the street from Dutch Wonderland amusement park which also has a water park. Nearby Strasburg Railroad is fun for the family. Take a short ride on an old steam locomotive train, then take in the minature rail display. The Branson-esque American Music Theater was recommended by friends as having quality shows.
Golfcouse.com Review: This course's fairways vary in thickness of tree lines and width. The greens are undulating and medium-sized. It has lakes coming into play several times. The terrain is flat and easy to walk
Avg Golfcourse.com Player Rating: 3.4/5.0. "Best value in the area on walking weekend fees, great conditions, lightning fast greens, on par with Gettysburg, Dauphin, and Bridges... Course drains superbly, good 3 day weekend prices for stay-n-play... Better conditions than many area upscale courses.... Great condition, suprising value... Lots of trees out there, traps were good... Great course from the tips, a couple fun water carriers, small greens require shot shaping, overall a good test. No ranger though, the pace is dog slow... Staff doesn't care at all, merchandise stinks, treated rudely, weeds in the middle of bunkers, mud patches on greens. This was a good course 10 years ago."
Here's a weekend itinerary on Lancaster from regional rag Spark Weekly:
http://www.sparkweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/SPARK0101/807150375/1129/SPARK
One Tank Trips: Lancaster
KELLY HOUSEN | spark
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes from Wilmington DE
Miles: 45 miles each way from Wilmington DE
The route: 896 North to Route 30
Tolls: None
There isn't a more scenic drive in our area than the one that takes you to Lancaster, Pa. Ride on 896 as it winds north, through green farmlands, past picturesque barns, lines filled with freshly laundered clothes, fields dotted with black and white cows and corn blowing in the breeze.
THE JOURNEY
Before you get to Lancaster, stop in Strasburg, at the Strasburg Country Store and Creamery, which you will pass by as you're driving on 896 north. The country store in the back is full of kitschy knick-knacks and penny candy, but it's the creamery that is the real draw. The scent of baking sugar cones wafts out into the street, and inside, they top those cones with homemade ice cream so rich you can feel the butterfat linger on your lips. Try the Snickers ice cream, or if they have it, the lemon chiffon.
Shop for some deals at the Rockvale and Tanger outlets that line Route 30, and include J. Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, DKNY, Adidas and more. Once you've worked up a good thirst shopping, get a limeade at the Sonic.
THE DESTINATION
CENTRAL MARKET: In Lancaster, be sure to hit the Central Market (717-735-6890) in Penn's Square, the oldest farmers' market in the country and the place that was recently voted the best place to take out-of-towners in a local magazine. There are more than 60 stands, and the market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.
CHAMELEON CLUB: If you're planning to make a night of it, the place to be when the sun goes down is the Chameleon Club (www.chameleonclub.net). They book DJs and local original music, as well as national acts like Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, who will be there on Aug. 9 with opening act and Spark Summer Music Series alums from West Chester, Hoots and Hellmouth. On the bottom floor of the the club is the Lizard Lounge, where there's a DJ spinning Tuesday through Friday.
EATS: Before you hit the galleries or the Chameleon Club, stop for dinner at Fenz (www.fenzrestaurant.com). This swanky bistro puts a twist on comfort food, and also has two bars where you can just relax and enjoy a drink.
LANCASTER ARTS HOTEL: Spend the night in Lancaster at the swanky and stylish Lancaster Arts Hotel (www.lancasterartshotel.com). There's a gallery on the first floor of the hotel, which in itself makes the hotel unique. The common spaces and the rooms are also decorated with original art -- don't expect to see the standard picture of a tree screwed to the wall over the bed here. The 47 rooms and 16 suites in this restored warehouse are decorated with panache, and have their own style. And with the average rate hovering below $200 per night, a night here won't break the bank.