Anyone who has been to Lenox during Tanglewood Season knows that this is one of the premier destinations in the world.    That is seconded by National Geographic Traveler (#7 on their list).   The world-class level of our attractions, shops, galleries and restaurants is attributed to the quantity and the quality of our visitors.

What if we were to drastically reduce the quantity?    That would be the Berkshire off-season.     Yes, Tanglewood is covered with snow, and the live theaters have limited offerings (notice I said limited instead of none), and some of the historic house tours do not attempt to heat spaces that even the Gilded Age crowd knew could not be kept warm in January….but….everything else is yours:    all of the museums, the vast majority of the shopping and restaurants…plus the addition of skiing and all descriptions of winter sports and activites.    The inns are about 30% less….they are flexible with their minimum night stays (you won't find a 3-night minimum).   

At Hampton Terrace we also help you ease into relaxation mode by offering a $30 credit at the local wine/gourmet food shop in town…and then by giving you full access to our self-service family heirloom bar from the 1940s.    January is snowy, but we have 17 fireplaces on our property.   17.   How is that possible?

Maybe I am biased because I like to eat….but I think the best thing about January in the Berkshires is walk-in access to scores of highly-rated, interesting restaurants.    About a dozen within walking distance, and several notables in every surrounding town.    Many feature off-season fixed price, multiple course menus.   

I have a lot more things I can add here….but why don't I continue with a Part 2 tomorrow?

The Boston Symphony Tanglewood Schedule is out.   Tickets go on sale in February, but many people are locking in their accommodations now.    Hampton Terrace's Mid-Week Discount can save approximately 30%.   Add that to a weekend stay, and your average night stay will come well below average Lenox accommodations.

All rooms in the Main House and Cottage are discounted from $275 to $190/night.   Our King Suites drop from $345 to $275.    Hampton Terrace features full breakfast and an outdoor heated pool.   We have 14 guest rooms with private baths and are fortunate that our Trip Advisor ratings are above 98%.  

Thursday night is New Year's Eve, and to celebrate the rare three-day weekend, we are offering all our rooms at our off-season rates.    That includes extras:   champagne at midnight in our private bar, and full brunch on New Year's Day in place of our normal breakfast.   Also, our guests receive the following list of New Year's Eve Events around us:

La Terraza Restaurant at Gateways Inn, 51 Walker St., (3 buildings down) will host its annual gala dinner dance, featuring a six-course menu, champagne, favors and entertainment for $100 per person. Festivities start at 8:30 p.m.  413-637-2532. http://www.gatewaysinn.com/

Tina Packer founded Shakespeare & Company in Lenox thirty-three years ago, and for more than twenty years, the well-known company was located at The Mount, Edith Wharton's home.   But in 1999 they had the opportunity to assume control of their own 63 acre campus, and they set to work converting an old gymnasium left over from the Lenox School for Boys into their "Founder's Theatre."

Ten years later, that theater is the centerpiece of their campus as they celebrate its anniversary with "Richard III," "The Winter's Tale," and  "The Taster."     In the Elaine Bernstein Theater, "The Comedy of Errors."

More information can be found HERE.

Hampton Terrace is located walking distance from Shakespeare & Company and we enjoy a special relationship with the company, having hosted many of their equity actors over the years, including Olympia Dukakis recently.     Her assessment of her stay here?   "Three thumbs up!"

As we wind into the final days before Christmas, we are all falling into the trap I just encountered.   My wife wanted something specific, and I went to the web.   At Amazon,  for an $89 item, I accepted a $29.00 two-day-delivery fee to make sure it got here in time.   Normal shipping and handling was $5.95.

But the $23.00 diffrence was STILL better than driving to the mall and checking six stores to see if I could find one on the shelf.
 

Imagine a couple of nights in a historic inn.   Fireplaces. Jacuzzis.   Full breakfast buffet.    Call or e-mail Hampton Terrace, and I will send a Gift Certificate right back that you can print yourself.    I also send a photo-quality brochure that prints on 8 1/2 x 11 photo paper and adds pizzazz to your gift.   You may purchase a number of nights….or….just pick an affordable amount, even $50, and we'll print it up.    We will personalize your Gift Certificate to say exactly what you want.

Hampton Terrace is located in the Berkshires, the #7 travel destination in the world, according to National Geographic Traveler.    We are less than a three hour drive from most points in New England or New York.    Our phone # is 800-203-0656.   

Worried about the perfect gift?   DONE!

Hampton Terrace is one of the "Berkshire Cottages."   In general terms, around the turn of the century, if someone built a  home to participate in the Lenox/Stockbridge late summer social register scene, their home was a "Berkshire Cottage."  Some, however, are great estates, and Ventfort Hall is one of the best. 

Built by J. P.Morgan's sister, Sarah, and her husband, George (his cousin), Ventfort Hall is such a good example of the genre that it has become "The Museum of the Gilded Age."   Ten years ago, it was slated to be torn down.

Thanks to some very strong supporters, especially Tjasa Sprague, who is still intimately involved, Ventfort Hall has not only been saved but predominantly restored.   There is much to do, but the exterior, the main downstairs rooms, and several of the upstairs rooms are now completely restored and open for tour.    More importantly, the facility hosts numerous events and productions throughout the year, adding significantly to the Lenox scene.

Hampton Terrace is very fortunate to be located just several hundred yards from Ventfort Hall and we gratefully share our Gilded Age heritage.    It is not possible to stay at Ventfort Hall, but Hampton Terrace has been a well-known inn since 1937.    We invite you to combine a stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakast inn, visit Ventfort Hall either for a tour or an event, and then stroll into Lenox, a 2-square block village that embraces its Gilded Age past.

Most visitors to the Berkshires, and many of us who live here, recognize that Norman Rockwell's America is still alive and well.    A recent Berkshire Visitors Bureau poll revealed that the #1 answer to why people come back to the Berkshires for vacation year after year is that "it never changes."   Considering this little corner of the world with 30+ hill towns draws 2.5 million visitors per year, spending $500 million….there seems to be a lot of people seeking nostalgia.

Nowhere is this best illustrated than this weekend, when the Main Street of Stockbridge is taken back in time to Rockwell's iconic portrait.   For the 21st year, the street will be cleared of modern automobiles and the streetscape will be recreated according to the details of the portrait.    It does not take much…   Ever since the street was immortalized, zoning prohibtions have frozen all buildings and signage for 40+ years.

December 5, and 6, 2010.    For more information, visit the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce site.

And stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast.     Lenox  is the next town up Route 7, about an eight minute drive to Stockbridge.    Lenox, well-known as the summer home of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood (the actual venue straddles the Lenox/Stockbridge line) consists of two square blocks of upscale shops, restaurants and galleries.   Hampton Terrace features 14 rooms, fireplaces, Jacuzzis, full breakfast and a Romantic Weekend Special until late June.

Seeking a December escape to a historic inn?    Looking for extensive holiday decorations to get you in the December mood?    Look no further than Hampton Terrace in Lenox, MA where Susan, the owner, fills the public spaces with over 30 years of holiday collections.     No neon Santas.    Hampton Terrace is an 1897 mansion, built to be part of Lenox's Gilded Age social season, and the decorations are traditional, gilded and elegant. 

Rooms are stil available for every December weekend (we are closed the weekend of the 25th & 26th) at our off-season rates.   $189 for any room in the Main House and Wynnstay Cottage.    $249 for the king suites.    All include a $30 gift certificate to Nejaimes, the local wine/gourmet food shop and full breakfast by candlelight.    Early check-in and late check-out is fine, subject to availability.    30% off a third night.    Rated #1 on Trip Advisor in Lenox.

There will be plenty of activities in the Berkshires, including holiday festivals, Main Street Christmas in Stockbridge, "A Christmas Carol" at Berkshire Theatre Festival, and more.     Hampton Terrace features fireplaces in most rooms and authentic atmosphere throughout.    Call 800-203-0656 for details.

It is a tradition.    Not only because James Taylor lives in Lenox and always gives his Tanglewood shows a little something extra.   And beyond the fact that he annually leaves the net profit from his multiple shows at the venue to support the Boston Symphony.

But because after more than a decade of annual shows, a James Taylor Tanglewood Nation has been created.    In spite of hearing "Sweet Baby James" for the thousandth time, there are so many faithful fans that it does not matter whether there are 36,000 tickets (like this year) or 72,000 tickets (like last year)……..ultimately none will be left.

And it is fun here at Hampton Terrace during the James Taylor period.    We host fans from all over the world.   Last year, we had people who came in specifically for the shows from Australia, England and Canada.    And it is a very genial crowd.   So join us on the July 4th weekend, when his special guest is Carole King.   A Friday night Boston Pops show featuring Keith Lockhart, and James on Saturday and Sunday.

Hampton Terrace has fourteen rooms, an outdoor heated pool, and we are located one mile from Tanglewood.   We are walking distance to all restaurants and shops and are rated #1 on Trip Advisor in Lenox.    At this point, we are still wide open for the James Taylor weekend, and until February 20th, we are sticking to the same rates we have charged since 2007.     It is not that we HAVE to keep our prices low in this economy….we are up 30% in 2009 compared to a lodging industry nationwide that is down from 25% to 50%.   But we want to keep our inn affordable for the hundreds of guests who call us their home away from home.     We would like to add you to that list.

Time to plan your summer!    The Boston Symphony is announcing their 2010 schedule tonight, and a preview has been published in today's Berkshire Eagle.

To see today's HEADLINE  ARTICLE.

For a summary of the season:  CLICK  HERE