The service was perfect during our entire visit. We stopped in for a quick bite for dinner. I had the Mushroom Bacon Jam Burger. Fig jam, sauted mushrooms, bacon, Munster cheese, half pound burger... and it was delicious! Asparagus was just the way I like it. The fries were hot and crispy. The bottle of beer was icy cold. Don't you love it when you get in the car after leaving a resturant, thinking, wow, that was perfect. There was an out-of- state foursome near our table who commented to each other how much they loved the building and toasted their friend for picking the resturant. read more

The Doyle Hotel - Mushroom Bacon Jam Burger with fries and asparagus. - Hotels Near Me - Duncannon, Pennsylvania

Food and beer is decent, I'd probably try it again. The bartender seemed super unhappy and did the minimum required work before heading out again for another smoke break. Burger and beer hit the spot though. The hostel portion is decaying and dirty, and has a reputation for being so, almost like they try hard to make it super run down - like hippies took over some abandoned building and started living there. Even with that expectation it was still a little bit too uncomfortable. Dirt all over the floor in my room with some rugs slapped over the floorboards to hide it, filthy bathrooms where I still felt dirty after taking a shower, and really bad WiFi where I couldn't upload any videos or photos (LTE was much faster). A hornet was flying around the exposed ceiling on my first bathroom visit. A few shelters have definitely been cleaner and more comfortable. Will let the photos do the rest of the review. read more

See all

That there are only two reviews for the Doyle is illuminating. One would assume, with over 2,000 through-hikers a year and many thinking of nothing but the Doyle the days before arriving Duncannon, that there'd be more than two reviews. But no. How can this be? My brother and I finished our section yesterday. Five and a half days and 65 miles later I'm no worse for wear. We've now covered from the southern Maine line to nearly Maryland. 300 more miles and we'll be halfway done. Midway through our week we visited the Doyle. Because that's what you do when you walk the AT through Duncannon. It's run by two of the nicest people I've met in a long time. If the reception we received was the same they give the other three dozen-a-day, this pair has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for life. Which would be reason enough to check them out. Add to that their penchant for aliens, their delicious (not epicurean) grub, the cross-section of human curiousity in the dining room/bar - it's like you've stumbled on a little carnival. The markers in part of my life are white blazes on trees in a green tunnel through the mountains of the eastern seaboard. Markers in another are curiosities and people who seem to have made peace with their place in the milieu. I'll spend as much of my time with both as I can. Maybe ... you too? read more

See all

The Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, Pa is a great place to eat and great history of the Town of Duncannon. read more

See all

News owners sound great and are investigating in upgrading this great hitel!!hotel!!! Here is my diary November 2019 "I Love The Historic Doyle. Sandy Arrives to Speed Tom's AT Finish: After Tom left to meet Sandy, I registered for a room at The Doyle, rebuilt after the 1903 fire. It was a fun place designed before air conditioning with lots of fresh air, especially on the giant second floor porch. It makes the ideal place to be "socially distanced," yet meet others. The steady rain much of the afternoon and evening, made perfect timing for a nero. The Doyle's owners, Vickey and Pat, sent me to the post office "just down the street. You can't miss it. There is a hiker box with good stuff." They also said to catch the free 4 p.m. shuttle from The Doyle to Mutzabaugh's Market for groceries. I walked completely through downtown Duncannon in the misty cold rain but couldn't find the post office and returned to the Doyle for new directions. Turned out that I passed it, just like when I step over trail barriers on the AT. Against my natural instincts I found the post office only a couple of blocks from the Doyle. Inside was a hiker box filled with stuff and especially energy bars. The lady said, "Take all you want, no one has been here in a long time. We need to get rid of them." She had even more bars in the back room to get rid of. I don't usually eat candy or power bars but took a dozen Whey Protein and Muscle Milk protein bars. Eating them only in emergencies, they lasted at least another month. Actually I ate the last ones eight months later, crumbly but still good! At 4 p.m. the convenient free shuttle took me to Mutzabaugh's Market, in town since 1920, for resupply. I filled my food bag and caught the quick shuttle back to The Doyle. At its perfectly maintained 120-year-old bar and restaurant, I ate a gourmet hamburger The Doyle was famous for. Then I read their library of history and trail yearbooks. The owners really loved their hikers and treated me like family. Their photo was in Odie's Hiker Yearbook. This hiker-favorite yearbook has photos and contacts for many of the section and thru-hikers I met on the AT. The Hiker Yearbook was so fun, I later bought two, one for 2019 and one for 2020! The hotel's old, creaking, wooden steps felt just like I was in an old cowboy movie. I wondered if famous hikers like Grandma Gatewood, Earl Shaffer, Baltimore Jack, or Ed Garvey had slept here. The bathroom had a real claw-legged antique bathtub! The Doyle's community shower was not so clean but had hot water to wash my body and clothes. After using my washcloth on me, I used it to clean the shower stall, giving me a nice long hot shower while "working." I hung my shower-washed clothes and damp supplies all over the room with clotheslines made from my food bag rope. My room was 100 years old but clean. After being cold and wet much of the day, the hot gas heater right next to my single bed dried out my stuff quickly and kept me toasty warm! I was up until about midnight packing and thinking about resupplies, trail plan changes, and how appreciative I was that Vickey and Pat kept The Doyle operating! It surprised me that some hikers, who have been sleeping in mice-infested shelters, weren't as enthused as I was. Many hikers want new motels, which is OK, but for me The Doyle was a highlight of the AT! It was a long, successful day! Duncannon was 1,149 miles from Springer Mountain. read more

The Doyle Hotel was one of the coolest places I've been to in a long time! Im a foodie that's for sure, but I was blown away by the friendliness and good tasting food here. We stopped in on a sunday afternoon (they opened a few minutes beforehand. We sat down in the dining area, which was pretty small: three tables, an 8 seat bar, jukebox and internet accessable computer. There also was a pool room and an upper floor with rooms for rent. The food took quite some time to come out of the kitchen, 45 minutes to an hour, which didnt really bother me, our party ordered a cup of chicken soup, cup of chili, southwest burger and a cheesesteak. Menu was about 4 - 5 pages long, and they had some daily food & drink specials. The Doyle is pretty famous for hosting Appalachian Trail hikers, there's a posterboard in the front enterance with people who have made the whole hike and sent letters, pictures and postcards back to the hotel. Accepts cash, visa, mastercard and has private parking out back. read more

See all

I stayed at the Doyle in February 2012 during a weekend hike on the Appalachian Trail with the Chester County Trail Club. Had a great time thanks to the absolutely fabulous owners who treated us as family and I look forward to the next time I see these great people. I'm a complete vegetarian (vegan) and had no trouble here. Pat is a thoughtful chef who is happy to discuss ingredients and cooking methods with refreshing openness and care. I got two excellent meals. Example: Sunday's lunch was a gorgeous salad consisting of every delight from the garden and topped off with a wine vinaigrette that was a perfect complement to a baked potato. Those who can do simple meals like this with real flair win my appreciation, and Pat did it with ease. The bar is a classic pub and it has everything a classic pub would have. If you want a good local pale ale, you'll be happy with the Tröegs (in small, medium, or large glasses!). Depending on the time of day and the mood of the trail, the Doyle's atmosphere can range from a calm refuge amidst the ancient wooden panels to a happy hubbub tinted with a Bob-Dylan-ballad sort of mood. There are more than enough stories for a book in the printed articles and pictures on the entrance wall and in the memories of those who know the town and those who pass through it. The rooms are basic: Don't envision plastic shampoo bottles and blow-dryers; think no-frills hiker hostel. You'll get a good rest and that's the whole point when coming in from the trail. On the 2nd of June 2012, if I heard correctly, Duncannon will become an official Trail Town. I hope the Doyle gets recognition for the key role it plays in the constantly unfolding story of the Appalachian Trail. read more

See all

One of the best burgers I've had in the Harrisburg region. The burgers are huge and delicious, but definitely messy, or at least mine way because I couldn't contain myself from eating like a wild animal. The building itself is also really cool with tons of stories. This hotel sits on the base of the Appalachian trail so it sees a ton of hikers. Also, if you're like me and are sensitive to odors, you may want to take your food to go (as I did) because a lot of the hikers have been on the trail for quite some times without access to facilities. That being said, it's really cool to see the role this establishment plays in these hikers journeys and it's evident when you walk in and see all of the post cards and thank you cards from past customers! Back to the food- get a Cheeseburger with fries (they're fresh cut!) and you will not be disappointed! read more

The Doyle Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Duncannon, Pennsylvania

As a thru hiker, I have stayed in some pretty ratty places. But my night at the Doyle was the worst. With no screens and no A/C, I was forced to swelter in the hot room with the window closed, or open the window to a hoarse of mosquitoes and insects. I chose the insects and encased myself in my sleeping bag to escape the stings and bites. It's not just run-down. It is clear there is no effort put into keeping anything clean, functional, or up-to-code. I wished I had just camped. Also, when checking in I asked about check-out time, which I was informed was 11am. At 10 till 11 the next morning, as I was putting my shoes on to leave, an old man came to my room and screamed in a very rude manner that "CHECKOUT WAS AT 10!" And then walked away as I was trying to explain that I was told 11. Terrible service, terrible accommodations. Duncannon would be a better place without the Doyle. I skipped my planned day off in Duncannon and instead spent my money for food and resupply in the nearby and much more pleasant town of Boiling Springs. read more

The difference between a dump and a dive is that a dive is somewhat decrepit, worn, and seedy. But it redeems itself somewhat with personality or hidden qualities. The Doyle is a dump. Where, oh where, oh where to begin with this place? As a resident, you will contend with all of the following: pervasive cigarette smoke. The rankest, skunkiest, cut rate crap weed available in the dankest swamp or moistest compost heap. Everyone smokes in the rooms. If there is an actual no smoking policy, it's a complete joke. The hallway is choked with a carcinogenic pall. NO ONE smokes on the porch. Second, the rooms have neither air conditioning, nor screens on the windows. Your choices, then, if you are hot (which is the case all summer) is to either open the window above your door and inhale the cigarette fumes, or open the window which lets in a swarm of mosquitoes, gnats, black flies, and moths. The corpses of these slain bugs are all over the floor and ceiling, a testimony to the battles and past misery of other customers. Spider webs are webs from spiders which are fresh. Cobwebs are spider webs which have collected dust, hair, dead insects, and which have lingered for months, or years. The Doyle is loaded from top to bottom with the latter. I absolutely doubt the rooms are dusted or vacuumed for cob webs even twice a year. It's like living in a terrarium. In the pecking order of the Doyle, insects come first, you come last. What else? Holes in the ceiling, mold, water stains. Standing, fetid water in buckets which may or may not have been used to "clean" months prior. Fixtures held together with duct tape. Arguments to justify this mess are the following: 1) "Miss Vickie is so nice!" Yes, Miss Vickie is nice. But she's not diligent. Most of your time with her will be spent being regaled by lame, incoherent "jokes," japes, and jabber in the bar/restaurant/lobby. My suggestion is her time spent watching SyFy would be better spent cleaning the rooms. I'd definitely prefer less personality and more elbow grease. Miss Vickie, go perform your material on the insects while you vacuum the rooms, ceiling, and floors. 2) "The property is old." This is completely spurious, dishonest, and horse crap. I have stayed in hostels, hotels, rooms, shacks, shelters in over fifteen countries and forty-nine US states and seven Canadian provinces. I've stayed in third world properties that were older, cleaner, and it's an insult to those diligent people who do manage to offer clean rooms at a reasonable rate. This property is not even close to old by non-American standards. I've stayed in run-down places in Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, China, Mexico that cost as much or less, but which were far, far cleaner. The age of the property has ZERO to do with whether someone vacuums under a bed or uses duct tape to "fix" a shower which leaks through to floors below. 3) "But the food is great." This one is incomprehensible to me. If an owner can't manage to remove dead insects, mop, sweep, or vacuum, WHY-OH-WHY-OH-WHY would you assume they would maintain cleanliness in a kitchen? To eat at this place borders on madness, in my view. No, I did not order any food. Why would I? Nor did I order any beer on tap. Care to guess how often, if ever, they've cleaned the taps on this place? The tubes for the beer probably look like Ron Jeremy's urethra. Whether the food "tastes delicious" or not is totally irrelevant. It's about hygiene and this establishment makes its position on cleanliness totally clear. 4) "The clientele, mainly hikers, are particularly hard on the property." This is simply insulting. First of all, most Appalachian Trail hikers are highly organized, highly fastidious with their gear, highly intelligent, and mindful of their impact on the trail and elsewhere. Certainly, there are some who are just immature jerks bent on causing mayhem and getting blotto drunk, but these are not the majority. Even so, the hikers certainly don't put cobwebs on the walls, seed the underside of beds with a herd of dust rhinos, or keep every single hallway dark as a crypt because the lightbulbs are all dead. That all falls 100% on the management and if the owners were genuinely "nice," they'd be responsible and diligent, not jokey and clever with non-apologies and excuses. Talk the talk. Less dancing, joking, and more work. Listen, if you want to "experience" this place, then drop in, look around, take your photos, but don't eat there, don't drink there, and definitely don't stay there. Some will lament that the trail will lose much should this place close. I completely disagree. The planet is full of shoddy, dirty, depressing places to stay and they're not hard to find. Miss Vickie jokes that this place is a "no stars establishment." She's right. But her jest is not amusing. It's a dodge for simple incompetence and cynical irresponsibility. I will take a patch of dirt in the woods over this place one hundred times out of a hundred. read more

See all

Very good place. We came back for second time just for the food. Absolutely good. And the price is right. Homemade soup, fresh food and good service. There's billiard table in one room, hotel up stair, computer, jukebox, drinks, beer. The place is ancient is 100 years old and in downtown Duncannon. Definitely will come back again. read more

See all

As a thru-hiker I had heard about the Doyle long before I arrived. I had heard good and bad but mostly that it was a staple and I should check it out. First off, this place is NOT hiker friendly; it is (at best) hiker tolerant. They don't really want you there and it is pretty clear. They were sometimes friendly but mostly rude and dismissive. The rooms are fine and the building is super cool. The history of the building is over shadowed by the complete lack of care. The bathrooms are atrocious. But let's be real, it's a cheap hangout for hikers, except don't plan on hanging out. I hear the food is good however they were so rude that I preferred not to give anymore of my money and went to the very hiker friendly The Pub a few doors down. I would recommend you pass this one by. Oh, I also got bit by a brown recluse there and am currently off the trail working off a fever and ugly wound. Yay! ( It is an old hotel and a spider bite could happen almost anywhere, so this information should be taken as such) read more

Yup...as others have said, it's a dive. But don't let that hold you back!! This place is awesome! It's one of those unique things in this world that you'll tell all your friends about. Plus, the outside tends to scare away any of the whiny hipsters that would spoil all the fun. Here's the scoop: the food is inexpensive and DELICIOUS. The sweet potato fries are great, and I'm a fan of the jalapeno burger. This thing would cost 2-3 bucks more at another location, but here, you can get it for less. If you like good, local, homebrewed beer, you're in luck, as they have Troegs on tap! Plus, the folks that own the place are very nice people. They'll chat, ask about your day, and treat you well, even if it's the first time you've ever stepped in. If you are in for an adventure, are laid back, and up for anything, I'd encourage you to come down and check out the Doyle Hotel. You'll be glad you did. Oh, and if you're not? Stay out and don't ruin the fun for the rest of us :) read more

Great food - not just for AT hikers! Stopped in while exploring north of Harrisburg and had a great lunch with girlfriend. The cook/owner looks like a standard bar owner "rustic" but don't let that fool you - he is a foodie and makes wonderful creations. House made Clam Chowder was perfection. I also ordered a special from the board and really enjoyed it + hand cut fries made in peanut oil. A medium fries is a lot for 2 to share. Why not 5 stars - pretty cold inside and only 3 tables. If your feeling "rustic" and want a great meal, TRY THE DOYLE HOTEL. read more

We had excellent service. Very personable server. Stopped in for a meal with my 3 boys on a section hike. Food was good bar food nothing more. Not a vegan type of place with the food selection and grease on table. Ok so it is tradition to stop here. The kids liked it. Very hiker friendly. Just put your packs in the pool room and walk in. I'm hoping to be back in 25 years during my retirement thru hike. Oh... and this is a European style hotel that is extremely dated. read more

We stop here whenever we can for great burgers and the most awesome fries. Not a fancy place but definitely worth a try for good food and friendly atmosphere. read more

Yes, the other reviews are correct. The Doyle Hotel is pretty awesome. I would definitely confer "dive" status on this place but don't let that scare you away. It's a little dark, hasn't been updated in a while and there's an awful lot of space alien paraphernalia adorning the bar/dining room, but the staff was super friendly and so were the locals. The menu is extensive and there's a good selection of bottled beer and a few on draft. The bacon cheeseburger and chili-cheese fries were top-notch. Portion sizes are gigantic. read more

I live right next store and I couldn't ask for better neighbors. The owners are wonderful people. Pat and Vicki are very friendly and kind. I have met many hikers who have stayed at the Doyle Hotel from all over the world. The Doyle hotel has a history and is historical building in our community. The owners Pat and Vicki welcomes everyone with a warmth welcome. Great food. read more

Stopped into this shit hole with 7 others to grab a bite and a drink today. We were told today wasn't a good day because the bar tender was too busy. There was 1 table with a small group of people and 2 other single people sitting at the bar, but you were to busy for us? Get the fuck out of here. Hikers welcome, bikers not so much... read more

Great food, great owners. My girlfriend and I stopped in after reading a review on Yelp. My g.f. is a vegetarian and they had a ton of options for her plus a wide selection for me. We will be going back very soon. My g.f. is going to try the salmon burger and I am going for the deep fried burger read more

A favorite for sure! It looks like a dive, but they have the BEST food & servers around. The owners are fantastic, ever present & tending to the restaurant/bar as if it's their child (but if you ask, Vicky will jokingly point to her "child", an alien behind the bar). The staff are friendly & quick to recommend a dish if you can't decide. Beyond that, they actually care about their customers & their lives. And they're always willing to answer questions about town, the trail or anything else you might want to know. The Doyle is known on the Appalachian Trail, so depending when you hit it, you just might find some AT hikers there & get some awesome entertainment & stories with your meal. It's also frequented by the locals. Their portions are crazy big... the burgers, the belly buster fish, large fry, etc. You won't go hungry... or broke since their prices are great. And they are always coming up with delicious specials. I'm a fan of the chilli, southwest burger, french fries & shrimp basket... but I've had so many good meals in here, it's hard to recommend just a few things! Don't let the appearance scare you off... it's worth a trip! read more

Great beer, wonderfully fresh and varied menu. Bar food plus. Don't expect artisanal breads and fine wine. And note: kit hen closes @ 6 on Sundays read more

Had a week off and thought to give the Doyle a try for lunch . As others attested , the food is just delicious and owners very welcoming . Only one at the place was me at 1:30 in the afternoon . I am one to frequent such places instead of chain restaurants and highly recommend this one ! From the exterior not very impressive but the friendly folks and good food warrant a return trip for sure . read more

This place is so so good!! A new favorite, for sure! The owners are very down to earth and welcoming. The food is fantastic with portions more than we could eat! Can't wait to come back!! read more

The Doyle is an Appalachian Trail institution and a "must stop" destination while hiking the AT near Duncannon. Here's the deal; it's a dive bar and it's perfect! The food is fantastic, there's quality beers on tap and the owners are awesome. Visit the Doyle and you'll feel at home and in the company of friends. Forget the noise about it being old or dirty; it has character. The "Hotel" is basically a Hiker Hostel. Take it as it is and enjoy the visit. read more

The Doyle Hotel - Main entrance to the Doyle Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Duncannon, Pennsylvania

See all

My husband and I went here for a mini break since we live up the street, we got a couple burgers and beers with hand cut fries! Very good! Will go back! 37 bucks including burgers fries, extra med fry, 2 sodas and 4 beers! read more

Understand, the hotel portion is meant for AT hikers. If you're coming off the trail, it's paradise, especially at $25 per night. Not for nothing that this place is legendary among the hiking community. All others, you might find that it's something short of luxurious. The proprietors are great and the food is really good as well as inexpensive. read more

We LOVE this place. The owners Pat and Vicki are friendly and warm. They show a clear concern for the quality of their food. The food is delicious and made from scratch. Well worth the trip to Duncannon. read more

Great affordable meals with plenty of homemade options. Pat's homemade soups are really good and hardy. So far I have liked everything I have had there but the soups and fresh cut fries are my favorites. Even though it is a bar, I bring my family there. They do not put up with any foolishness so it is an inviting friendly atmosphere. read more

"This place is unique and has cheap rooms ($25/nite), bathrooms down the hall and limited but good draft selection. Caters to hikers. . . No one in the place. Built 107 yrs ago ... 1905." Friendly owners. read more

This is one of my favorite places on earth, it's weathered, run down even. The bar is the kind of local dive where everyone knows your name, there's a pool table, and very inexpensive rooms for the degenerate hikers and riff-raff that find themselves in need of one, half cheap hotel, half 19th century boarding house, but it used to be a famous grand hotel back when knights were bold etc. The thing that makes this place stand out are the proprietors Pat and Vicky, and the quirky people who inhabit the Doyle, the random travelers, the hikers passing "thru" on a once-in-a-lifetime epic journey, and the folks who return year after year from far and wide for nostalgic visits, or for a night off the trail. This is one of those magic places. Give Vicky a hug for me, and remeber to tell Pat how much you liked the tuna melt or whatever he made you, because you will. Edit: I noticed a review (from Andrew) who gave it one star, his review consisted of how they saw their room, immediately asked for a refund and left, criticizing the food without trying it based on the fact the building "ought to be condemned"-so...he didn't try the food or stay there and experience the company...not sure how that non-experience qualifies him to write a review but it sounds like he's one of those people used to chain hotels and has high standards about his personal hygeine, likely a rich kid spoiled by his mother. The Doyle isn't about a nice air-conditioned room and a bunch of maids bringing you fresh towels every five minutes. It's about a piece of history that is still there to be experienced. It's about conversations with hikers from around the world following their dreams and finding themselves through high adventure and great fun. It's a tavern out of myth, Callaghan's cross-time saloon, you wont find a more interesting conversation at any other bar within 200 miles of that place. If all you want is air conditioning and cable TV go spend 100 bucks at a holiday inn. But that ain't what life's all about, especially for a hiker. read more

Yes the place is run down. What do you expect for a hotel for Hikers that's over 100 years old? The food and hospitality is as good as it gets and for a good price. I read a health inspection report for all the area establishments and it was clean as a whistle. I will be heading back first chance I get. read more

The building isnt much to be talked about, But the food is great! and cheap prices, and everythnig is freshly hand made.

The wife & I were in town and had some time to kill so decided to have a drink and maybe a bite to eat. I have read reviews where people described this place as having character or being a dive. I think it is a dive with character but we did not feel like outsiders. It is a small bar with maybe five tables. The wife & I sat at the bar. They have a very limited draft and bottled beer selection. Don't worry wine drinkers, I saw three selections of wine in a box. Behind the bar was an old Zenith tube television as well as various alien kitsch. I opted for a bottled beer, Bud. We decided to roll the dice and order food. I ordered the cheesesteak & the wife the Doyle dog. We were both very happy with our meals. The rolls were very good. Another bottled beer and we called it a day. The staff was very attentative and friendly. Yes, the Doyle Hotel is a dive. No, I would not take the wife here for our anniversary. It is what it is, a place to have a drink and a bite to eat. We will return. read more