Iconic Nittany Lion Inn will reopen in September. Here’s when & how to make reservations
The historic Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State’s University Park campus will reopen this fall and will begin taking reservations very soon, the owners announced Thursday.
The famed Nittany Lion Inn at 200 W. Park Ave., State College, closed to visitors in March 2020 when it was used for classroom space and single-occupancy student housing during the pandemic. It has since undergone extensive renovations and upgrades, with more than $10 million expected to be invested into the building.
The inn will reopen just as Penn State’s football season kicks off. Its grand opening will be Sept. 2, five days before the home opener against Bowling Green, according to a press release from owner Scholar Hotels.
Those looking to make reservations can do so beginning at noon Monday at www.nittanylioninn.com. The website, which will not be available until that time, will also show interior renderings of the hotel’s new look.
The reopening of the Nittany Lion Inn will show a “revitalized experience that honors its rich heritage while offering modern comforts and amenities,” the release states. It promises elegant accommodations, renowned dining and impeccable service.
Gary Brandeis, CEO of Scholar Hotels, has been looking forward to the announcement. His company finalized a deal with the university in March 2023 to acquire the inn and the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center under a long-term ground lease. Terms were confidential.
“We are delighted to announce the reopening of the Nittany Lion Inn, a cherished institution in our community,” Brandeis said in the release. “As we prepare to welcome guests once again, we invite them to rediscover the timeless allure of this historic inn and create new memories that will last a lifetime.”
The 92-year-year-old Georgian-style hotel underwent more than $10 million in renovations after the university finalized a deal in 2023 with Scholar Hotels to acquire both the inn and the Penn Stater under a long-term ground lease.
Brandeis, a 1988 Penn State grad, previously told the Centre Daily Times that with the renovations, the inn will look considerably different when it comes to the interior.
“It’s not going to be recognizable on the inside — in a good way,” Brandeis said in October 2023. “The outside, it’s going to be very, very recognizable because it’s going to look essentially the same. And that’s part of maintaining the historic integrity of the building.”
The release states that regardless of the reason behind a visit to the Nittany Lion Inn, guests will have an “unparalleled experience” that combines tradition and modern sophistication. It will have event spaces for weddings, conferences, retreats and other special occasions.
This story was originally published February 29, 2024 at 4:42 PM.
