Category Archives: General

Baby Animals at the Hancock Shaker Village

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Hancock.jpgBeginning this weekend, April 3rd and lasting through April 25th, Hancock Shaker Village is showcasing its new calves, piglets, lambs and chicks in their Round Stone Barn.    Also this month you will see their heirloom gardens come to life.

The Village is open daily from 10 until 4.    Beyond the obvious attraction of being able to hold and help feed the newborns, enjoy Hancock Shaker Village for what it is, a living anachronism.    This working, historic landmark demonstrates why the Shakers occupy an important place in American history.   They developed many of the innovative farming and construction techniques still used today.

For more information about their 8th Annual Barnyard Birthday Party, or about the Village in general, CLICK HERE.

Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast is located in Lenox, about a twenty minute drive from Hancock Shaker Village.   While staying here, also visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, Ventfort Hall, and the Clark Art Institute.

Lenox Named a Top 20 Retirement Dream Area

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WelcomeLenox.jpgIf it is nice place to visit, isn’t it also a nice place to live?    Not necessarily, as I love to visit Orlando, but I would never consider it a place to call home.

Lenox, and by extension, the Berkshires, has again been singled out for its quality of life.   By extension, I mean that without the amenities, attractions and assets offered up by our neighbors….including Stockbridge, Lee, Great Barrington, Pittsfield and other contiguous communities, there is no way that Lenox could be ranked in a survey such as this.    National Geographic Traveler just rated our area the #7 destination in the world…and now AOL’s consumer and personal finance website, "WalletPop," has singled out Lenox as a top 20 dream home for retirees.

The town received plaudits for its culture, solitude and natural surroundings.    In addition to the obvious accollades involving "Currier & Ives lovely" and Tanglewood…the website goes on to say, "Sophisticated, funky and quiet, Lenox is a special place."   

With every point in the village less than a two block walk from our front door, we concur.   We have always marveled at, and always been very profoundly appreciative of what we have here.   That is partly what makes us succesfull innkeepers.    Although we have been in Lenox for almost 15 years, we still are "tourists in our own home town."      Trip Advisor feedback reminds us often that our guests recognize and appreciate our enthusiasm for things down our sidewalk.   

But back to living here.    In partnership with the website, "NeighborhoodScout.com," the AOL site considered factors such as housing options, surroundings, a vibrant mix of educated seniors and other age groups, very low crime, peace and quiet, and choice of amenities of every taste.

Once again, I DO believe you have to consider the greater Lenox area for all of these…..and if they did not…..and had……Lenox might have been #1 instead of just a Top 20!    That would be an interesting thing to know.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.    Before moving here…visit.    And while visiting, check out Hampton Terrace.   It is already part of our routine to help you plan your visit intelligently to maximize your experience.    And like many of our guests, you will probably come back to see some of what you missed.   And then again.

New Carpets at Hampton Terrace in Lenox

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CH Common Room JR.jpg

Every year we schedule major upgrades at Hampton Terrace, and this year involves all new flooring  in our Wynnstay Cottage.    Our Living Room area (shown) now has a durable hardwood-style planking with area rugs to aid areas that have always had too much traffic for carpet.

And the guest rooms, as of yesterday, are newly carpeted with some bold new color changes.    All-in-all, a hugely positive experience for us…a chance to rebuild all of the beds to make sure they are solid, clean behind and under furniture which has not been moved in a while…    We get a lot of repeat visitation in our Wynnstay Cottage (6 guest rooms, all with gas fireplaces and Jacuzzis) and I cannot wait to hear the reactions.

Hampton Terrace Website Photography to be Featured at the Professional Association of Innkeepers Convention

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CH Common Room JR.jpgBefore Marti Mayne of BedandBreakfast.com visited Hampton Terrace a couple of years ago on a tour of Berkshire inns, she checked out our website.   I had always been told that we had a good website, but deep down I was not so sure.

After her stay, she volunteered that our inn photography undersold our inn, and that we should give serious thought to an upgrade.   She put me in touch with Mark and Matthew of Jumping Rocks Photography and the rest, as they say, is history.   In November 2008, they spent a couple of days shooting all of our guest rooms, and by January 2009, Kathy Barto and I had created a whole new website to showcase our pictures.    The impact was immediate and profound.

Our 2009 occupancy was 25% higher than 2008, in spite of the economy.   Most impressively, our off-season occupancy (all months except July, August and October) was up 60%!     The power of good images.

This increase got us noticed by USAToday as well.  

So next month in Austin, Texas, when PAII holds their annual convention, Jumping Rocks has asked permission to use Hampton Terrace as an example of the impact of good photography on a website.    Could not be more pleased to help out the guys who so profoundly helped us.

Hampton Terrace Facebook Fan Page

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b_1234209334_facebook_logo.jpgWe are pleased to share that you can now  be a fan of Hampton Terrace, with a special set of benefits to be associated with that.    By following us on Facebook (and soon Twitter) you will be the first to know about special events here and in  the Berkshires, last-minute availabiilty, associated discounts, and other items of interest.  

CLICK HERE to register as a fan.

New Years Weekend Package at Hampton Terrace – Affordable

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KS12013.jpgAfter several years of inconvenient mid-week New Year’s Eves, this year we get a long weekend.    And we all need it.

As usual, Hampton Terrace celebrates the New Year with added value.   At midnight on the 31st, we offer free champagne and favors in our private bar, and a countdown with the Times Square multitude.   On New Year’s Day, we offer a brunch instead of our usual breakfast fare.

And this year, to encourage as many people as possible to make it a LONG weekend, we offer our OFF-SEASON RATES for a three night stay.    Thursday, Friday and Saturday.    We have always used IN-SEASON rates for New Years…so this represents a savings of about $300 over the weekend.   All rooms in the Main House and Wynnstay Cottage are $189/night and our King Suites are $249.      Same as the weekend after.     Susan says I have lost my mind.

If you can only do New Years and one extra night….then we will split the difference with you.    One night at the in-season rate and one night at the off-season.    This works out to $225 for a main house or cottage room and $295 for a king suite.

We also would be willing to accept just New Year’s Eve….at the same rate as we use in July, August and October.    Not a bad deal either, considering the addition of the midnight celebration and brunch.

New Year’s is always nice at Hampton Terrace.   There is usually snow on the ground and all the fireplaces are going.   The great restaurants in Lenox offer fixed price specials and several seatings.    If you are so inclined, we can help you find a New Year’s Eve celebration somewhere….although most couples who come to the Berkshires for New Year’s are looking for something tranquil and private.    Nothing like one of our fireplace/Jacuzzi rooms with the snow falling outside.

Call us at 800-203-0656 to discuss your options.

Rosen from Hampton Terrace Wins Berkshire Visitors Bureau Award

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Rosen Close-up.jpgStan Rosen, owner of Hampton Terrace in Lenox, was awarded a Greylock Award at the BVB’s 71st Annual Meeting on Tuesday evening at the Berkshire Museum.   The awards are given to "tourism professionals who are nominated by their peers as having reached the highest peak in their profession."      Rosen was honored as the "Outstanding Industry Contributor."

The Berkshire Visitors Bureau consists of over 750 member organizations, of which over 100 are lodging properties.    The Bureau is the sole county-wide marketing agency for the Berkshires, which attract over 2.5 million visitors per year, with an annual economic impact of over half a billion dollars.     Rosen is chairman of the Lodging Committee and a Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee, representing Central County.

Rosen was recognized for his leadership position on the proposed occupancy tax increases offered to each Berkshire town.    Reduced state revenues have caused the Governor to slash revenue-sharing with local towns, while at the same time giving each community an opportunity to raise lodging taxes on visitors from 4% to 6%.    The state receives an additional 5.7%.   Rosen led a consortium of properties, including Canyon Ranch, Red Lion Inn, Cranwell, Yankee Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn in Lee, Devonfield Inn and Topia Inn, to support the tax…as long as a significant percent is annually reinvested in  marketing the Berkshires outside of the county.

At the same time that local communities received cuts, the Commonwealth also slashed state-wide tourism marketing budgets by 70%, resulting in an annual loss to the Berkshire Visitors Bureau of $350,000…with more cuts promised by the Governor.    Rosen’s "Statement of Position," subsequently affirmed by a larger forum of lodging  properties last month, is that the loss in  tourism marketing dollars will have a more profound negative impact on tourism than a 2 % rise in taxes…and that if these taxes are going to be collected by the efforts of lodging owners and managers, then they should  have a "say" about where some of the money is spent.    The group is asking for 7.5% of total taxes collected to be reinvested in out-of-county marketing.

To this point, Lenox and Pittsfield have passed the tax increase, with a promise to make a "significant investment" in marketing.    Lee and Great Barrington are considering the tax increase as well.    Rosen and his group are working to assure that the tax increases, and their partial commitment to marketing are evenly applied throughout the county.

Mayor James M. Roberto of Pittsfield received the "Extraordinary Leadership Award" for his significant role in the resurgence of Downtown Pittsfield, including the restoration of the Colonial Theater, relocation of Barrington Stage Company to the North Street area, creation of the $23 million Beacon Cinema, upgrades to the Berkshire Museum, and fostering a general sense of optimism that has attracted numerous new businesses to streets that have long been depressed.   James Lyon of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood received the "Outstanding Service" Greylock Award.

 

 

Nudel Raises the Bar on Uniqueness

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Nudel.gifWe’ve lived in Lenox since 1996.    There are, and have been, many restaurants.    Most follow traditional themes….Italian (Northern or "red sauce"), French, Sushi, New England, steaks and burgers.    Here comes one that cannot  be labeled.    Because it reinvents itself every day.

Nudel, the 4-week-old creation of Bjorn Somlo, has already thrilled at least 30 couples from Hampton Terrace, with no dissenting votes.  Occupying the old "Dish" space on Church Street, Bjorn has taken out the wall between the kitchen and the dining room so that all can see what he is up to.    And what he is up to changes every day.    There is no set menu.    Choices each day are at the chef’s whim.

Depending on the availability of locally procurred meats, vegetables or fruits, Bjorn devises and publishes a daily menu.    If you want to preview what he is offering, the menu is posted live on their Internet site.    A quick look at the archived menues demonstrates that this chef does not rest.    He reacts to the possibilities offered by his basic ingredients….a la "Iron Chef," and in that tradition, he strives to use every edible part of his bounty, and present it in as many formats as possible.   For tomorrow, he is advertising a "Hen of the Woods" tasting menu for $45, which will stretch the theme from appetizers, through salads and soups, entres, pastas and sweet endings.   One of our guests told us that they had parsnips in their salad and parsnips in their dessert.     We have seen menus that do the same for duck, roosters, whole pigs, rabbit, bluefish, skate, clams….    His prices are quite reasonable a la carte, with soups and appetizers all coming in under $10, and all entres available in a large or small plate option, most in the $11 to $18 range.

Bjorn, 29, has been one of the chefs at John Andrews….. without question the most experimental fine restaurant in the Berkshires.   For most of our guests, the 40 minute drive there has been too much to venture, thus our excitement that  Nudel is located less than a block from us.

 

The WAG Features Hampton Terrace in “4 Easy Escapes”

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wagonlinecover.jpgThe Westchester, New York society magazine, WAG, has featured Hampton Terrace in its September issue.    The #1 getaway destination is the Berkshires, and Hampton Terrace receives centerpiece attention as the place to stay.

Following a lengthy article about actress Glenn Close’s Bedford home, the article displays two large Hampton Terrace photos and describes our inn as "being full of cottage-y charm."   It goes on to paint a diversified and flattering picture of the Berkshires, mentioning Barrington Stage Company, the Colonial Theater, the Ferrin Gallery, the Berkshire Museum, Trattoria Rustica, Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar (walking distance from us), Shakespeare & Company (also walking distance), Mount Greylock and the Clark Art Institute.    Finally, ice cream from SoCo Creamery (yes, again, close to us) receives raves.

Hampton Terrace was recently showcased in USA Today, and was also just chosen by the German version of "Discover New England" magazine as the featured lodging property for the Berkshires.    As we enter our off-season, look for our Romantic Weekend Special, which includes full breakfast by candlelight, a $30 gift certiticate to Nejaimes Wine Shop, and a comfortable room with a fireplace and Jacuzzi.

 

Good Coffee at a Bed and Breakfast

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108l_Hawaiian-Kauai.SO[1].gifOccasionally, it is important to stop the world for a moment just to take stock.   What is important?

There are a million large and small details that go into running a bed and breakfast.  You don’t want to know.   But whittle away all the other stuff and it boils down to this:   people want a good mattress and they want to smell great coffee in the morning.   We took care of the mattresses when we bought the place.   The numerous positive comments on our website and Trip Advisor support that decision.

So let’s talk about coffee.   We have prepared breakfasts on more than 3,000 mornings for about 35,000 guests.   We have had ample opportunity to get feedback on our coffee and we have ended up with Single Origin Hawaiian Kauai.    It is imported and roasted locally by Barrington Coffee Roasters.     You can tell it is great when you first snip open the air-tight bag.    The aroma of the ground beans alone can overwhelm the room.   Amazing.    "Delicate and Refined" is the description on the bag.    We make it strong.

Just like our Sealy Posturpedic mattresses, it is an investment.    This coffee costs us about $20/pound….compared to about $7/pound for average grocery store brands.   Over the years we have tried alternates.    Consumer Reports likes "8 O’Clock" brand.   It is much cheaper, but did not make the cut.   Breakfast Blend from Dunkin Donuts is passable but not memorable.    Starbuck’s tastes burned.   We have gotten good feedback on Peet’s.   Not as good as the Hawaiian.

Last Spring we were lucky to be able to spend a week in Kona, where the Kona Coffee is as plentiful as water.   Literally free samples everywhere and hundreds of choices.    It was great.    So when we came back to Lenox we inquired with Barrington Coffee Roasters if they also imported Kona.    They do.  It is private reserve and they do not serve it in their local coffee shops but will roast it to order.   Instead of $20/pound, it costs about $30.   So we bought a 5 pound bag and alternated Kona and Kauai, querying our guests whether they could tell the difference.   It was fun….kind of like a wine tasting event each morning.   Bottom line, they liked both equally and could not identify one over the other.     So Kauai it is.   Why pay 5 times as much when you can pay 3 times as much?

But I make too big of a deal about the price.    In context, the Hawaiian coffee costs us about a quarter a cup.   Maxwell House might be a dime per cup.   Our guests are paying between $175 and $345/night to stay at Hampton Terrace.   Give the people some good coffee!    Jeez.    That is what I mean about boiling things down to what is important.