If 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.

Those following news about the Berkshires know that National Geographic Traveler recently rated us one of the Top Ten Destinations in the world!   Of course, having a world-class summer season of theater, dance and music is part of the package.    But if the place completely dried up the rest of the year, I do not believe we would have received this recognition.

Thanks to recent renovations of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, great performances are available to local audiences, and off-season visitors all year.    Just over the next several weeks, the Mahaiwe is featuring a showing of Paul Newman’s Cool Hand Luke, the Metropolitan Opera presents an HD broadcast of "Hamlet," David Bromberg is in town to showcase his folk, blues and bluegrass innovations.   Finally, local favorite Shawn Colvin is here April 16th.

The Colonial Theatre has Roger McGuinn and Tom Rush this weekend, as well as nine other presentations in the next 30 days.    And this is April!   The offerings include speakers, lecturers, music, and even Beatlemania.

Hampton Terrace is located about 15 minutes from each venue.    Let us help you plan a great Berkshire weekend, including an experience at one of our beautifully renovated venues.

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?

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!

This area in western Massachusetts "seems to have the right balance"of picturesque towns, arts offerings, and well-protected natural beauty.

I am quoting directly from today’s Berkshire Eagle:

Think of all the destinations treasured by the globe-trotting elite.

Tuscany. The French Riviera. The Great Barrier Reef.

The Berkshires beat them all.

In this month’s edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine, the region tied for 7th out of 133 vacation destinations ranked by a panel of 437 experts in fields such as historic preservation, sustainable tourism, travel writing, food, photography and archaeology.

In the article, one unnamed expert writes that the area "seems to have the right balance of picturesque towns, arts offerings, and well-protected natural beauty."

Lauri Klefos, president of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, said businesses and cultural venues have been ecstatic about the recognition, which she views as the best free advertising possible.

"This is one of the premiere travel magazines in the world," Klefos said. "People pick up this magazine when they’re looking to find a destination that they never considered before."

Michael Supranowicz, president of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, predicted that the acknowledgment will be used as a "selling point" for the local tourism industry.

"This is a feather in our cap, and we deserve it," he said. "We have a beautiful place here, and a lot of people know it. But what was interesting about this survey is that it wasn’t based in stats and numbers. Their experts had personal knowledge of the places.