The Nittany Lion Inn at Penn State University, a joint partnership with Rockbridge and Scholar Hotels, recently reopened after a complete refresh with new restaurants and decor.
The Georgian colonial-style building, which originally opened in 1931, has long been a gathering place for major university events, from pre-game gatherings and post-win celebrations to weddings, corporate events and reunions over its nearly 100-year history.
The hotel’s lobby, guestrooms, meeting and public spaces have been reimagined, giving the property an understated, casual elegance, according to the owners. Dark wooden furniture and moldings along with wall colors, fabrics and accents in shades of blue and white are offset by gleaming white marble, creating a distinctly Penn State aesthetic.
The 230 guestrooms have a sophisticated charm with amenities such as large flat-screen TVs and spacious private bathrooms featuring Amouage products. With more than 12,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, the Inn is now accepting inquiries for all corporate and social events.
Several new eateries opened as part of the refresh, including Lionne & 1855 Lounge, Dear Joe: Cafe and Bakery and Triplett’s, which honors football player Wally Triplett. Triplett was one of the first Black football players at Penn State and, in 1946, he and his teammates adopted the unifying rallying cry “We Are Penn State!” when racially segregated schools refused to play the integrated Penn State team. The bar will be a casual gathering spot for lunch, dinner and drinks, offering indoor and outdoor seating.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the reopening, attended by Penn State University president Neeli Bendapudi, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau president Fritz Smith and Gary Brandeis, CEO, Scholar Hotels.
