Thornewood Inn

Old(ish) world charm with updated amenities. What's more owner who founded the place is charming without being treacle-y. Great location near some memorable restaurants and historic sites like Edith Wharton's estate.

My husband, my sister and I soent two nights at the Thornewood Inn. The grounds are just lovely. The swimming pool delightful. The host were very accomadating. The location was near Great Barrington, Stockbridge and Lenox. We plan to return

Thornewood Inn is more expensive than another place we've often stayed in the Berkshires, but it's well worth it. First of all, it's in Great Barrington but a short distance north of the "strip" of typical motels. It has nice landscaping and a really lovely backyard with in-ground pool, as well as large porches/verandas where guests can sit outdoors, so you definitely feel like you're in the countryside. The house (ca. 1919, I understand) is beautiful and comfortably furnished with sitting rooms as well as the breakfast room. The breakfast buffet -- with cooked selections such as eggs and waffles -- is included. Hosts David and Terry Thorne were very helpful. We enjoyed our first stay so much, we booked another stay two weeks in the future. As such, we stayed in two different rooms, both equipped with a small refrigerator as well as the usual luxury toiletries and a hair dryer. One small caveat is that they don't clean your room during your stay, only after checkout. You can ask for clean towels and to empty your wastebasket and any other housekeeping you need. There is a bar and a banquet room, apparently just used for weddings and similar events (i.e., they don't regularly serve meals other than the breakfast buffet).