Beautiful Photo by Konrad Brattke

Winthrop Estate Wedding Images Video

I made a short video (37 seconds) on YouTube, as when I showed this one (inserted into this post above) to my friends, their attention wandered about half way through, and this one is only 2 minutes!  Though the short impression works for YouTube and TV (and apparently my friends), at the Winthrop Estate, the pace of life does seem to slow down a bit, and time sometimes seems to expand, especially on special occasions and vacation, and this video shows a lightness of spirit, a bit of fun and lets you pause a minute (or two) to imagine… a weekend in the country.

On our Yoga Platform. Photo by modernArtistry.com

The Winthrop Estate is proud to be neighbors with one of the nation’s premier yoga centers, Kripalu. Hence, our little village of Lenox has a large population of very skilled yoga teachers.  To enhance our guests stay at our luxurious mansion we are now offering complimentary morning yoga classes.  If you let us know one week in advance that you would like to take a class (or two) during your stay with us, we will book a teacher to give you a private lesson, or a small group lesson at a time that works best for you.

Breathe, relax…..  and  feel how wonderful it is to be here!

Thanks to Dave Donato at www.modernArtisty.com for this lovely photo.

A lovely note from a summer bride:

Words cannot describe how pleased I am with our wedding weekend at The Winthrop Estate. From the moment we arrived, we knew that we were being taken care of by a staff that seemed to truly care about our experience. From the decor, to the staff, to the homemade snacks that were provided throughout our visit, to the lovely manicured estate, everything was simply perfect! It was as though we were in the comfort of our own home. Another benefit to hosting our rehearsal dinner and staying at the estate for our wedding weekend was the personal connection that you had with all of the local vendors. It made things so much easier for everyone involved. I can honestly say that our wedding would not have been even close to as wonderful as it was had we decided no to stay with you! There was a true connection that was made by so many of our guests that I believe would not have been possible without this central location for everyone to convene at various times throughout the weekend. My only wish is that we could go back and do it all over again. I cannot thank you and your team enough.  I would recommend The Winthrop Estate to anyone and everyone for a wedding and a variety of events! It truly was the best wedding weekend ever!

Thanks for everything and best of luck to you and your family.

Ben and Andrea

Berkshire Fishing Club Lake

We are pleased to share with all our guests a membership to the Berkshire Fishing Club.  Now anyone who stays with us at the Winthrop Estate can spend a day at a pristine Palmer Brook Lake fishing for bass, chain pickerel and bluegill.  This is an exclusive fishing club, not open to the general public.  The facilities include a rustic clubhouse with a kitchen, a screened in porch and a deck overlooking the lake.  Classes in all aspects of fishing are available.  This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with the kids, or get away for a quiet personal day.  The resort also has hiking trails, canoes and lawn games.

So, if you are a fisherman at heart, whether you are here for a destination wedding, a corporate retreat or a family getaway, the opportunity exists to escape from it all…..hang the sign: “Gone Fishin’!”

Cranwell Hot Tub

Cranwell Sauna

The Winthrop Estate is proud to announce our partnership with Cranwell Resort! Our guests can now enjoy complimentary access to Cranwell’s pools, sauna, steam rooms and whirlpool.  Cranwell offers both an indoor and outdoor pool.  The indoor pool measures 60’x30’ with four lap lanes.  A children’s pool makes it family friendly, too.  It gives us great pleasure to offer this benefit to you during your stay at our home here in the Berkshires.  Not only do we gain from creating a wider network with another local business, we know their amazing amenities will enrich your stay with us.  Now you can drop in to Cranwell after a long hike for a relaxing sauna and whirlpool, or swim laps in either of the pools before coming home to Winthrop for a lovely dinner and a relaxing evening with your friends!

Knitting Basket in the Library

Recently one of our guests discovered the knitting basket in the library of Winthrop Estate.  Sitting in one of the cozy leather chairs she experienced the joy of busy hands – quiet mind.  She left us a lovely bit of what might be a scarf.  Of course we pride ourselves on our luxury accommodations, fine antiques, and delicious food, but it’s also these little things we have to offer that we hope will bring you joy and a feeling of serenity during your stay with us.

Avid knitters will want to visit the designer yarn shop in the village of Lenox.  Colorful Stitches is a wonderful boutique – a delight to the senses.  They have “yarn bombed” the entire front porch of the store, the whole thing looks like it’s wearing a colorful sweater.  Go there for yarn, patterns and classes and get inspired!

Photo by John Seakwood

Thanksgiving!

It’s our favorite time of year again, when we are truly grateful to be living in one of the most beautiful counties in New England.  Our cozy “Berkshire cottage” is the perfect place for you to “escape to home” for the Thanksgiving holiday.   Staying true to the spirit of the house (Winthrop Estate is a gilded-age mansion that was built in 1925), our home is furnished with luxurious period pieces.   Bring your entire family and a big appetite for a long weekend of festivities.  Our staff is here to make you feel completely at home.  You can get comfortable in the wood paneled library where we have leather couches and chairs, a wide selection of current books and music, a fireplace (one of many throughout the mansion) and a baby grand piano; kids and teens will enjoy the upstairs game room with ping pong, board games, foosball, and a big screen T.V. with cable and video games.   Or relax in the conservatory, a sun drenched, verdigris colored room with original wood paneling, red hexagonal tile floor, and lush potted plants; it’s right off the kitchen and a favorite spot for breakfast and long conversations. Or step outdoors where we have the six-acre lawn, woodland trails, views to take your breath away.  Or enjoy the 500+acres of sanctuary hiking trails very nearby.

But let’s talk turkey.  We can have a twenty -pound bird in the oven and all the fixings for your feast served in the formal dining room.  You won’t have to lift a finger.  Leftovers – you bet!  Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches on dinner rolls will be waiting too.

What is your Thanksgiving plan?

Winter Wedding

We are in the swing of the high season and preparing for families, weddings and events happening at the estate over the next few months.  Our busy schedule keeps us hopping and the mansion is quite lively, but it certainly does not draw away from planning for future guests.

The winter, for example, holds great opportunity for celebration at the mansion. The estate is just as beautiful in the winter months as it is now, but in a different way.

We plan for snowman building for kids, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and sleigh rides can be arranged too. With a blanket of fresh sparkling snow draped over the 6-acre lawn, fireplaces blazing, and hot cocoa on the stove, the estate is charming and elegant.

Above is a photograph of a wedding that took place here last New Year’s Eve.  Votives flickering, guests enjoying the company of friends and family, and the celebration of a lovely couple made this event stunning.  One guest expressed genuine surprise that a New England winter wedding could be so successful but we have seen it many times.

Berkshire county tends to be most popular during the summer and fall.  People are attracted to this placid, beautiful, dynamic area for the quintessential New England town environment, the culture, the invigorating air, and stunning foliage.  But people don’t know that the winter can be just as good than other times of the year.  Cross-country skiing, downhill skiinghiking, sledding and snowshoeing in the Berkshire hills are all breathtaking.

The Winthrop Estate  takes on an elegant cozy feel during the winter months.  With warm fireplaces warming the library, dining room, music room, master bedroom (and master bathroom!), the mansion provides the perfect winter venue for small weddings.

Yes, the weather is quite nice this time of year, but you would be surprised to see just how wonderful the Winthrop Estate can be during the winter months.

Family vacations, retreats, winter weddings and receptions are always full of pleasant surprises in this Berkshire winter wonderland at the Winthrop Estate.

A group congregates in the foyer following a celebration

A gracious couple (parents of the bride) recently sent us a thank-you note sharing their warm sentiments in regard to a wedding hosted at the Winthrop Estate. A big think you goes from me to my staff for helping me make this wonderful experience for our guests!

Hi Jamie,
As I write this email, I am not sure where to start….so here goes:
You and your remarkable staff at Winthrop made this past weekend the most magical and beautiful weekend imaginable. I am not sure how you were able to transform the place so many ways without us seeing any of it being done, but somehow you managed. I never saw anyone upstairs, yet the rooms were cleaned and freshened each day, the event rooms were turned over without me ever seeing them empty. Every single one of the people with whom we had contact this past weekend was absolutely super kind and helpful and always had a smile. At times of high stress that makes a huge difference. The estate was absolutely magnificent in all its incarnations and all who stayed with us had a super fantastic time. You were wonderful with everyone and somehow (I wish I could do this) always had a smile on your face! We loved that! It was really nice for your husband to stop in at the end of each evening. My son, husband and Carl enjoyed speaking with him. We are indebted to you guys for loaning us the most spectacular place in Berkshire county!
Thanks for an absolutely MAGNIFICENT weekend!
Fondly,
Sally and Michael
PS The ‘kids’ are on a plane on the way to Australia but I know they would send their great thanks as well!