By Holly Riddle
Visitation is up in Happy Valley. In 2023, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau set an audacious goal of welcoming 5 million visitors by the end of 2024. As of a July announcement from the Bureau, that goal has already been met, and it’s estimated that the county has reached its additional goal of $1 billion in visitor spending as well.
With all of this additional visitation, travelers need a place to stay, and area hotel construction projects and renovations are here to deliver. One such project is particularly of interest to Penn State alumni and those who’ve frequented Happy Valley over the decades. The Nittany Lion Inn, a staple on the area hospitality scene, was purchased by Scholar Hotels in 2023 and, this fall, debuts to the public with a new look that brings the property into the modern era, while still retaining its classic, Penn State feel.
A staunch dedication to the spirit of The Nittany Lion Inn
At the helm of The Nittany Lion Inn’s overhaul is Gary Brandeis, one of the most notable entrepreneurs and figures in the hospitality industry in State College. He’s the founder and CEO of Scholar Hotels, which owns and operates both the Hyatt Place and The Scholar properties in downtown State College. In 2023, Scholar Hotels took up the challenge of renovating both The Nittany Lion Inn and The Penn Stater Hotel.
As a graduate of Penn State with a B.S. in accounting from the Smeal College of Business, Brandeis originally worked as a public accountant and became fascinated by real estate through his many real estate clients. Eventually, Brandeis founded Real Estate Capital Management LLC in 2005, and acquired his first hotel in 2006, before deciding to fully pursue a hospitality career. His Hyatt Place project — which was the first new hotel downtown State College in over 30 years — inspired Brandeis to create Scholar Hotels, which specializes in hotels located on or near major college campuses and which now has properties across the country.
“What we saw during the project were the benefits of owning and operating a hotel that is close to a major college campus. The consistent, reliable demand driven by a university is a game changer for the hotel business that doesn’t happen in many places,” said Brandeis. “It’s a business where we feel we have a much bigger hand in creating value. That’s why we were so attracted to hospitality.”
When bringing his broad expertise to The Nittany Lion Inn, Brandeis was staunch about one thing, from the very beginning.
“It is absolutely crucial that we retain the history and keep spirit of The Nittany Lion Inn alive,” said Brandeis. “I think The Nittany Lion Inn is the second-most important building on campus after Old Main.”
“It is absolutely crucial that we retain the history and keep spirit of The Nittany Lion Inn alive,” said Brandeis. “I think The Nittany Lion Inn is the second-most important building on campus after Old Main. When you look at the history of The Nittany Lion Inn, the importance of the building to Penn State, the State College community, alumni, administration and ultimately a new audience that will be attracted to the hotel due to the quality of the renovations, it is very important that we retain the historical aspects of the building but make it new, modern and convenient.”
So how has this commitment played out?
You’re not going to want to host your clients, meetings or conferences anywhere else
Guest rooms
Today, the inn’s guestrooms are classic but modern, with Penn State nods that are sophisticated rather than kitschy. Think a Nittany Lion doorknocker, artfully chosen prints depicting a local landmark or a settee in Penn State blue. Larger rooms — up to king suites — are available and come with all the amenities you need for a comfortable football weekend or business trip; think free WiFi, work areas and in-room coffee.
Room rates are moderately priced, starting at around $200 per night, though, as can be expected, prices increase over football weekends.
Lionne
If you’re local to the area, though, you might not need to book a room just yet. However, you can absolutely make tracks for one of the hotel’s new eateries. Lionne is the new pièce de resistance, serving unpretentious yet upscale farm-to-table fare that highlights the robust regional agriculture scene. The nearby 1855 Lounge complements Lionne with innovative cocktails and a wine selection that honors the Inn’s longstanding reputation for a top-tier wine program.
For something more casual, Triplett’s offers an upgraded bar experience, with a patio and lively atmosphere, and, during the day, Dear Joe: Café and Bakery provides quick grab-and-go eats, as well as counter-service bites that you may linger over a little longer; like Lionne, Dear Joe also focuses on local ingredients.
The property’s overall mix of tradition, Penn State pride and contemporary luxury also make for an excellent locale for business meetings and events, whether you’re sharing a drink with a colleague at Triplett’s or sharing the latest in Penn State innovations from within the Inn’s 300-attendee-capacity ballroom. The close proximity to the university, as well as broader downtown, is convenient as well, and getting to the State College Regional Airport requires a 10-minute drive, at max. Whether you’re hosting a client for a few days or a large event, this is where you’re going to want to do it.
Hotel offerings in Happy Valley are just getting better
As mentioned, though, it’s not just the iconic Nittany Lion Inn that’s getting a new life. Sister property The Penn Stater Hotel is as well. With its additional conference space and location at Innovation Park, it’s long been a favorite for business events and meetings. However, The Penn Stater’s planned renovations aren’t quite as dramatic as those seen at The Nittany Lion Inn.
The Penn Stater Hotel is much younger than The Nittany Lion Inn, having finished its second phase of construction in just the early 2000s. The renovations planned for The Penn Stater will be more of a refresh compared to The Nittany Lion Inn’s renovations. According to Brandeis, guest bathrooms, flooring, furniture, fixtures, food & beverage options, wall coverings and lighting will be the primary focus.
“Hotel offerings in the State College market will be much improved by 2025 to 2026,” Brandeis summed up. “The hospitality business is about creating great experiences for your customers. We are so fortunate to have such amazing properties in a variety of forms in State College and our goals will always be to create these experiences for everyone that we are privileged to serve.”
Book your stay at the new Nittany Lion Inn at thenittanylioninn.com, and stay up-to-date on the latest happening at The Penn Stater at thepennstaterhotel.com.
Holly Riddle is a lifestyle and business journalist. She can be reached at holly.ridd@gmail.com.
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