Last weekend we helped two couples celebrate their 20th anniversaries at Hampton Terrace by providing the kind of weekend that we would want if we were in their place. We gave each a $30 Gift Certificate to Nejaimes, the wine shop in town, and they had full access to our private bar, which includes glasses, openers, etc. The gift certificate is no charge with a two-night off-season weekend stay. We also helped the couples plan their weekend by e-mailing them a list of our favorite restaurants in the Berkshires and a comprehensive list of activities. We also hosted a

honeymoon couple.

…although I have to admit that they did not adequately use our expert guidance….they checked in late on Saturday night and I do not believe they came out of their king suite again until check-out on Tuesday. Someone had arranged for a gift basket to be delivered and I guess that was all the food/drink they needed. This weekend we have a couple coming who are celebrating their 15th. Also, a soldier from Iraq who has a short leave (he just got back to the States today, although he made the booking from his computer on-line last week from Iraq). We had a similar reservation last month, and everyone at our breakfast table had a very interesting time hearing about our Army guest's experiences and opinions. For more information about our Romantic Packages and availability CLICK HERE.

Join us at the Berkshires Summer Expo, April 29, 2-4 p.m.

The Berkshire Visitors Bureau is celebrating its 70th anniversary by showcasing 70 of the areas top cultural and recreational attractions at the Berkshires Summer Expo on Tuesday, April 29, from 2-4 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, Pittsfield.

Food… Fun… Free…

Admission is completely free. Explore the exhibits; enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres, birthday cake courtesy of Cake Walk Bakery and the opportunity to win fabulous giveaways to area attractions including a hot air balloon ride over the Berkshires courtesy of Worthington Ballooning.

Tour displays, meet the people behind the scenes at Berkshire venues and explore the panorama of available programs and exhibits this season.

Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox is located in a great spot for football and baseball rivalries.

Located in Western Massachusetts,

right next to the New York border, our cable providers have to offer channels from Boston and Springfield, as well as Albany, so we get Patriots, Jets, Giants, Red Sox and Yankees coverage. Sometimes our local sports bars can reach the fervor of European soccer stadiums. Additionally, 65% of the visitors to the Berkshires are from the Greater Manhattan area, so there are always a number of transient New York sports fans to stir the pot. Stan Rosen, the owner of Hampton Terrace is a huge sports fan, never missing a Patriots or Red Sox game on TV (how can he with NESN rebroadcasting each game 3 times per day?) and the Rosens have twin 15-year-old sons, guaranteeing that the television never leaves NESN or ESPN. So if you want to talk sports at a b&b, visit Hampton Terrace….whether you support the Patriots and Red Sox, or the Yankees, Giants and Jets. We won't insult you. Much. CLICK HERE

Stan Rosen, the owner of Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox, MA, "took a degree" (graduated) from the University of Virginia and is eager to share stories and good times to anyone who also went there. Recently the College of Arts and Sciences did an on-line article about Stan, his association with the last great Easters in Mad Bowl, and what he has done since. Hampton Terrace, a highly rated inn located in the Berkshires, has been hosting guests since 1937 and was originally build as a summer cottage by the New York Gilded Age crowd. Check us out and if you went to Virginia (and even if you did not) please CLICK HERE.

Just a reminder to all that our

Romantic Weekend

Special is still going at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox. A 2-night weekend stay ($189 for any room in the Main House or Carriage House) is $189 and includes a $30 Gift Certificate to Nejaimes, our local gourmet food and wine shop in town, as well as a full breakfast buffet by candlelight each morning. We still have availaibility every weekend until June 25th, when the special expires until late Fall. Most of our rooms have fireplaces and Jacuzzis, and all have private baths. We are ranked as one of the top 2 inns by TripAdvisor, out of almost 30 inns in Lenox. CLICK HERE.

For those of you who follow this correspondence, you know that Susan and I have been out of town for a few weeks. We're back at Hampton Terrace now and the change in our yard is startling. When we left, there were patches of ice and snow around the yard and all of the leftovers from the Fall were evident and waterlogged. Our parking lot epitimized "mud season." While we were gone our yard service came to scrape the yard and beds…and with some warm weather and sunshine, the difference is profound! Green grass everywhere. Perennials poking out. The parking lot is hard again. Susan went to the store last night to buy bulbs for the gardens around the pool. We still have good availability for May and June weekends at our low-season rate….a remember that a 2 night stay includes a $30 Gift Certificate to Nejaimes, the gourmet food and wine shop in town as part of our Romantic Weekend Package. 800-203-0656. LOOK HERE.

Susan and just returned from the Professional Association of Innkeepers convention in Anaheim and another 10 days vacation with the kids. During that time, I intended to keep my blog active….but I had real problems accessing the Internet. So we're back…and so is my daily reporting. Speaking of that, while at the convention I attended a marketing seminar with Marti Mayne of BedandBreakfast.com. She spent a little time covering the importance of a daily blog and then singled out Hampton Terrace as a positive example. Unbelieveably, many strangers in the audience from all over the country volunteered that they read my daily entry and Marty had me stand….. If I had known so many people could see my daily ramblings, I would have paid more attention. So from this point on, I will. Hampton Terrace re-opens today with an couple coming who are celebrating an important anniversary, and many more couples coming tomorrow. The convention reminded us (as if we needed it) how important we are in the lives of the people who take the time (and spend the money) to visit us…and we willingly accept the challenge to make their stay here special.

Stan and Susan Rosen, owners of Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox, MA will be attending the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) Convention in Anaheim from April 6-10. At the convention, the Rosens will interact with several thousand other innkeepers from around the country, attend meetings and seminars, and visit a huge trade show for the industry. While gone, Hampton Terrace will be run by Atticus the dog, their two married daughters and twin sons. Reservations are still being taken for the summer season with an incredible multiple-night, mid-week discount available. CLICK HERE

At the Governor Patrick breakfast yesterday in Pittsfield I was sitting next to Betsy Strickler, head of marketing for Jiminy Peak. We've reached the point at our inn where we are constantly being asked whether the ski mountains are still open. Jiminy Peak is, at least for the next two weekends, according to Betsy. With 3+ feet of base, it will take a while for warm weather to significantly melt the base, although they have stopped making snow now. So after the commitment to the next two weekends, they will be playing it by ear beyond that. For those of you reading this column outside of the Berkshires, I can tell you that it has yet to rise above freezing temperatures at night, preserving the snow left on the mountains. Our yards are relatively snow-free now….although it did snow yesterday for a few hours, to be then wiped away by rain. So if you are still considering some late-season skiing, stay at Hampton Terrace and enjoy Jiminy Peak.