The Whitlock by the Lenox Collection

The room was a surprise: large enough for many adults, upstairs, in a distinctive building. Nice bathroom with windows. The town has the Berkshires' touch from the 1800s and the locals are welcoming. The little road to Great Barrington is impressive.

We took a chance to try out this rustic hotel in the center of Lenox. This was September, high season, so you expect to pay more. It's always easy to write a complimentary review. When things are not as they should be, it's important to highlight the pros and cons. First, I booked a cozy room in high season for $355 a night. Or $710 for two nights. Surprise - a $109 (i was told it was $100) "Incidental" fee was added at the last minute. Total price was $820 for two nights. If there were any incidentals to be had, I did not get them. I am not sure what the charge was for. $300-$400 per night was the going rate for most nice hotel rooms (Marriot for instance) in the area that I checked out. The room was very cozy. Sadly, our room looked over a roof with an air conditioner and the back parking lot with trash bins. There was some trash left in the room from the previous guests. But, I know, good house keeping is hard to find these days. Bed was fine, clean sheets. The bath was what you expect in a renovated antique hotel - limited space, but everything functioned. The Walk In Shower was newer and nice, lots of room. No Tub. Lots of hot water. The internet was very good, and location is as close to town as possible and quiet. No problem parking. This is what you pay for, the location and easy parking. There are nice places to sit around the building. Sitting room inside, on the porch and outside. If you need security where you want stay, this is not the place for you. For me, I am totally comfortable with unlocked doors to the outside and limited staff. Doors to your rooms have actual keys. This is a very safe town. There are no elevators to the 2nd or 3rd floor. And, you carry your luggage where ever you go. I do not recommend this hotel for handicapped or elderly patrons. The limited breakfast was included - offering two types of muffins, not fresh bagels, limited cereal, limited fruits, Orange Juice, Cranberry juice and coffee/tea. There are several wonderful places that serve beautiful breakfasts in town, so as long as you willing to pay, breakfast at the Hotel can be passed up. We checked in late Friday. We knew we would be late, so we called ahead, and the staff texted us detailed instruction on where to park, how to enter, and directions to our room. Our room door was unlocked, with the Key on the table. Very homey, just like an antique hotel should be. I have frequented hotels like this in the past - and I enjoy the experience. But, if you want locked, secure doors, wide hallways, elevators and privacy, this is not for you. Staff leaves at 10:00 PM - so call if you will arrive very late. Apparently sometimes you have to check in at the sister property down the street called "The Constance." We did not. We have stayed at the Constance. I enjoyed the rooms more, but it is a longer (5-10 minute) walk to town. I think the Constance is a renovated old home. V

I'm rarely inspired to write a review, however, given the excessive negative aspects of this (and his sister, The Constance) I feel compelled to let fellow travelers know what to expect. You have to check in at the Constance which needed a lawn mowing and some attention to the overgrown landscape...it's now the Summer season and a Tanglewood weekend...you can't attend to your landscaping and lawn mowing? The reception area is dark, looks as if they collected the furniture from the roadside or a tag sale...tired, tatty and old. Brenda was very nice however, when I asked her to call ahead to the Whitlock (where we were staying ) tell them my husband will arrive and we're all checked in, she said she couldn't call over...no way to communicate with the other host who was 'new'. Honestly, that is shocking...can't call the sister inn? Upon arrival at the Whitlock the lovely young woman at the front desk was excellent. Again, the dead plant in the urn that greets you at the door as well as their equally unattended plants and gardens didn't make one feel special. The plastic wood tables in the dark pub and again, more yard sale-like furniture throughout simply makes this place look third rate. Dark, no flowers at reception, no cheer...dreary, dreary, dreary interior. The hallways have stained wallpaper, no art and look...old. The room was a bed, a plastic leather chair and the walls had two bits of cheap art behind the bed. Granted the bed looked clean and the sheets lovely. The room was very clean, the bathroom updated and very nice. Not a lick of charm in that room. In the morning, they had a continental breakfast in the (I'm repeating myself) the very un-cheery breakfast room. Right next to the food they conveniently place a dirty bus bucket where everyone deposited their dirty dishes...exceptionally unappetizing and unnecessary. We knew that we did not intend to have breakfast in that atmosphere as of the day before but I wanted to see if there was a redeeming feature to the breakfast situation...fruit, coffee/tea and grocery store bagels. Granted, the room at $400 given the location was 'reasonable' as we were going to Tanglewood so it was convenient, however, I couldn't wait to exit as soon as we were ready for the evening and our morning departure. Exceptionally lovely staff, all around that should take their talents and use them in a place that reflects their shine...of which the Whitlock has none but location.