rickus

We are going to be booking two nights accommodation in the Berkshires in mid-April. Hard to tell what Priceline currently has in this area. We are willing to pay for a bit more than a basic motel and have been researching B&Bs. We can get a room for 2 adults and 1 child for about $90 dollars a night. The shortlist has been mainly drawn up by looking at the rants and raves here and studying the B&B's websites. Unfortunately it has been very hard to find anything more than one person's review on any of these. The shortlist is:
- Dalton House in Dalton
- Hancock Inn in Hancock (guess that's almost a palindrome)
- Windflower Inn in Great Barrington
- 1896 Brookside/Pondside in Williamstown

Has anyone stayed in any of these or got any other hot recommendations in the area?

Many thanks
Rick

OliveOyl

I know virtually nothing about any of these B&Bs, however I grew up in the Berkshires so do know the towns. I wouldn't do Hancock, and probably not Dalton, though I'd take that before Hancock. Williamstown is very nice and if I remember 1896 Brookside correctly, it's right on rte 7 and not a bad place. Great Barrington is fairly centrally located to all there is to do in the Berkshires (not that anything is that far from anything else) and has become more up and coming in recent years.

The only thing I've seen come up in PCLN, and the only one listed in their hotel list for the Berkshires, is Cranwell. I do know that...never stayed there because it was a Parochial Preparatory Boys school when I was a teen. Prior to that it had been a monastery. It is now a resort, located in Lenox and surrounded by hills and a golf course. It is as central as you'll get in the Berkshires and from what I hear, very nice as a resort. That would be my first choice, and just briefly looking in PCLN, it went for under 100. You'll be there out of season...no skiing, no fall foliage, and no Tanglewood, so there's a good chance of getting a decent rate.

djkbooks

I highly recommend the 1896 Brookside/Pondside. They have two motel properties across the road from one another in lovely settings, right along Route 7. Both are nicely done in country inn style, rather than "basic motel". Here you have more privacy than in a B&B or country inn room, where less than adequate soundproofing is often found.

And, there's an excellent restaurant adjacent to one, with wonderful Yankee comfort food at very reasonable prices. Dining rooms are cozy and comfortable.

The location, between Williamstown and Lenox, is excellent for driving all over.

jtp

I have stayed at the Hancock Inn 2 years ago (new owners) and have no complaints. Hancock is a small and quaint town. The Inn is lovely,well maintained,cozy and the food is delicious. For us, the proximity to Peterboro and area was the drawing point.

jtp

I forgot to mention - try bedandbreakfast.com - a number of people on this site recommend them, and I've found their message board section to be a big help when searching for a B&B. Good luck.

djkbooks

jtp: I think rickus is referring to Hancock, MA, not Hancock, NH...

rickus

Thank you for your replies.

Yes it was Hancock MA I was referring to.

Priceline
I had put a low bid in for the 'Resort' hotel in Lenox i.e. the Cranwell. However it seems to have come off the books for now - someone else has posted on Bidding for Travel and they have had the same experience. Trying any of the Berkshires towns seems to point you towards Stockbridge which has a 3* upscale - I guess that means the Red Lion Inn.

Have not rung the 1896 yet but it's good to hear it recommended. From their website I see they offer three differnet breakfasts depnding on your room price!

Will also have a look at bedandbreakfast.com

Rick

rickus

The Cranwell is still not coming up on Priceline - it had gone for $89 per night late last year. I just rang up the Cranwell who said that they did not do Priceline rooms at week-ends anyway. They quoted me $205 per night + $50 per night for my daughter and would not offer a better price.

Rang the 1896 last night and that is the favourite for now. Still cannot find any other reviews on bedandbreakfast.com or anywhere else.