Where to Stay in the Berkshires - Life House Hotel
A stay at Life House Hotel in the Berkshires
SPOILER ALERT- YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO BOOK A STAY AT THIS COZY, IDYLLIC RETREAT ASAP
I have to admit, it’s a bit funny writing a post about where to stay in the Berkshires. See, if you don’t know, I’m originally from the Berkshires, so for me, going back to the Berkshires is going back home, which means I never really took the time to explore it quite the way a visiter would. However, because I so frequently get asked about the area and where to stay, what to do, etc. I’ve been making a more concerted effort to put Berkshires travel content together.
Admittedly, where to stay in the Berkshires is always a top question I get asked, and until recently, I never had much of a proper response to give. Instead, I’d rattle off a few names of places I know of but have never actually stayed at myself. Finally, I can say I have an answer, and that answer is Life House Hotel.
I’ve actually had my eye on Life House since they took over and renovated an old roadside motel location a few years ago, however, I never had the need to book a room there until our last trip to the Berkshires, so we finally got to check it out. We paid for the room, this is not at all sponsored, but I still wanted to share more details about our stay and my unbiased opinions and review from an OG Berkshires girl.
EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT STAYING AT LIFE HOUSE BERKSHIRES
WHERE IT’S LOCATED + HOW TO GET THERE
Life House Berkshires is located in, you guessed it, the Berkshires, in Massachusetts, in the historic town of Lenox.
Getting here by car is super easy. If you’re flying in from elsewhere, you’ll have to fly to either New York, Boston, Albany or Hartford, then rent a car and drive. Albany is the closest at just under an hour away, then Hartford at about 1 hour 15 minutes, but generally both are much pricier to fly into. Personally, whenever I go home to the Berkshires, now that I live in California, I fly into New York and then drive up. It takes about 2 1/2-3 hours, depending on traffic getting out of New York.
Another option that isn’t the easiest but is doable, albeit not one I would really recommend, is that you can take Amtrak to the Pittsfield Train Station then Uber to the hotel and anywhere else you’d need to for your stay. However, I really would recommend any other option because, while the property is lovely, you’ll definitely want to get out and explore the area and you just can’t do that properly without a car of your own.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE HOTEL
Believe it or not, this perfectly curated intimate hotel used to be a motel. Honestly, If I didn’t know this from years of driving by here as a kid, then I’d never guess it, because the way they’ve reimagined the space is just dreamy. With nods to local history, notable Berkshires figures and the surrounding nature, you find yourself stepping into a grand, yet simultaneously cozy and harmonious, retreat that will make you want to start penning a novel (or, at the very least, reading one).
Filled with rich colors and warm tones, the decor and details feel almost as if they’ve been taken straight from some of the historical, gilded age homes around the area. Writing desks in the rooms are a tribute (and a useful one at that) to the great authors that the Berkshires has been host to over the years. Marbled paper lampshades are a nod to old book bindings. The smell of something warm and cozy, something that smells like a perfect blend of things like patchouli, musk, old books, leather, spices and cedar, mountains and forests, something that somehow smells exactly like the Berkshires, wafts through the air wherever you go making you wonder if the Berkshires are really just that magical (they are) or if you’re just imagining things (you aren’t). Life House actually worked with Le Labo to create an exclusive scent that’s pumped directly into the hotel air. Sadly, you can’t get the scent for yourself (you know I asked), but they do have candles that are almost as wonderful smelling that are available for you to purchase. Truly, every little detail has been so thoughtfully executed to ensure you leave with lasting memories (and scents) and an eagerness to return.
THE ROOMS
The rooms echo the same warm tones, nods to the Berkshies and attention to detail that you’ll find throughout the rest of the property. Le Labo products are stocked in the bathroom and luxe Revival New York linens and robes await to help enhance your stay. Every room also includes a writing desk and wifi. Available room options include a standard king (what we stayed in), a standard two double and a two king suite. A pet is allowed for an additional fee.
THE DRINKING + DINING SCENE AT LIFE HOUSE
Life House has both an on-site bar and restaurant serving up a well-curated menu of seasonal specialties and dishes featuring provisions from local purveyors. Sadly, during our stay (which was on a Monday night) both just so happened to be closed (but of course). So I’m sad to say we didn’t get to try either, but if we’re judging based on looks (which, in this, case we are), I’d say things look pretty good to me. I mean, I was drooling just reading the menu items. And look at that beautiful bar! You just know there’s nothing but a good cocktail coming from there.
One note- coffee, tea and infused water are available, complimentary.
THE AMENITIES
I love the emphasis Life House puts on “local” and “community” and one of the ways that really shines through is via their (mostly complimentary) experiences, such as mushroom foraging, an art tour and seasonal bouquet creation. Sadly, we didn’t have time to check these out for ourselves, but I’m adding it to the list of growing reasons to come back here.
They also have lots of community seating both inside and outside, as well as several fire pits, which are perfect for those chilly fall Berkshires evenings.
YOU SHOULD STAY HERE IF…
…you’re looking for a relaxing, cozy retreat in an idyllic woodland setting, where your days revolve around scenic hikes, taking in art, local farm-forward cuisines and peaceful moments reading and/or writing around the fireplace.
WHAT TO DO IN LENOX and nearby
There’s so much to do throughout the Berkshires but for the sake of today’s post, I wanted to focus primarily on Lenox, the town in which the hotel is located, as well as a few things in the surrounding area. Make sure to check to check event calendars and the websites I’ve linked below as many of the houses and places will host festive autumn and harvest themed events this time of year. Now, without further ado, let’s get into my favorite things to do in the Berkshires that are all within mere minutes of the hotel and for more ideas be sure to check out my post What to do in the Fall in the Berkshires.
walk around the town of Lenox
take a hike at Kennedy Park (there are several entrances and trail options, fyi)
pick up a book at The Bookstore, a longstanding community favorite, which also happens to have a wine bar now (fun fact- the owner’s daughter was a good friend of mine growing up and I used to come here all the time)
go into Dare Bottleshop for local provisions (everything from locally made breads and pasta to ice-creams and cheese), wine tastings and, of course, to pick up a bottle of wine from their expertly curated selection (it’s owned by a couple, one of which is from France, where they lived until coming back to the states and opening up this shop, so you know they know their wine). And don’t worry, they also have a great selection of local craft beers if that’s more your thing!
get dinner at Pizzeria Boema (great pizzas, lovely wine selection and definitely get the warm white bean antipasto; they also do a wine + supper series with Dare)
catch a show at Tanglewood and/or Shakespeare & Co.
visit Edith Wharton’s house, The Mount
pick up provisions for a picnic at Spirited Wines (they make paninis but you can also get everything you need to make an epic cheeseboard, including locally made cheeses)
explore the Norman Rockwell Museum
pop over to Stockbridge to walk around; grab some sweet treats at The Lost Lamb (everything here is superb) and, of course, stop at the Red Lion Inn and say hello to the lobby cat, check out the gift shop and maybe grab a bite to eat in the pub
check out Naumkeag’s beautiful estate and gardens
stop by the local dairy farm, High Lawn Farm (Fun fact- we used to get our milk, in glass bottles no less, delivered from here!); the property is beautiful and you can get their dairy products, including their ice-cream and cheese, as well as some other local provisions in their creamery shop. They also do pizza nights with another Berkshire favorite of mine, Roberto’s Pizza.
tour Ventfort Hall, another beautifully restored Gilded age home