by Jamie on November 15, 2011
Cranwell Indoor Pool
Now that the seasons are changing and the air is a bit chilly, our guests have been enjoying our new partnership with Cranwell Resort. We are happy to offer Winthrop Estate guests complimentary passes to Cranwell’s state of the art, award winning spa facilities. As a guest of Winthrop Estate you now have the opportunity to visit another beautiful Berkshire Mansion and enjoy a soak in their whirlpool, sauna, steam rooms and indoor and outdoor pools. What a great way to warm up and relax, knowing you are here to be taken care of in every way! When you visit our home we want you to feel there is no end to the hospitality.
by Jamie on November 7, 2011
Master Bedroom, Photo by John Seakwood
Even though the weather is turning cool, we’re toasty warm at our home, Winthrop Estate. Just this morning I walked into a room with a roaring fire in the hearth and was struck by how even more comfortable and inviting the room had become. I can truly welcome winter this way! Our master suite, the Lindsley Room, has two fireplaces, one at the foot of the bed and another in the spacious, sybaritic bathroom. Our guests can relax on the antique Georgian sofa in front of a fire in the bedroom or bathe in the vintage, extra deep soaking tub warmed by a crackling fire in the bathroom. Or both!
by Jamie on November 7, 2011
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!
by Jamie on October 27, 2011
Service
Recently, we hosted a family get together here at Winthrop Estate. It was a chance for the family to relax and spend some quality time in a cozy atmosphere. Here’s what they had to say about their visit…
Dear Jamie,
I just wanted to commend you and your staff on the most amazing weekend at the Winthrop Estate! The accommodations were above and beyond what I expected. The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout the weekend. It was a huge success and I look forward to visiting again in the future.
Sincerely,
Tom T
by Jamie on October 21, 2011
We love pets, and we know that our guests love being with their pets. We know how hard it is to leave your pet behind when you go away.
We have taken care to make sure that the Winrhop Estate remains as clean, fresh, and allergen free as possible, at all times. We know that one person’s beloved pet carries another person’s allergen. Out of consideration for future guests who have allergies, though we allow pets on the estate’s 45 acres, we do not allow pets in the mansion. Additionally, we have filled the mansion with oriental rugs, custom drapery and genuine antiques. One family’s heirloom furniture could very well serve as another cat’s scratching post.
In the interest of all, we can provide two reasonable, though imperfect solutions. For people who wish to stay at the estate but not leave their pet at home, we hope you will consider the following:
For a nominal fee, your pet can stay at the nearby Animal Inn of the Berkshires. The Animal Inn is well regarded, and they will not only board your pet but they will provide grooming and even portrait services. They will create a ‘vacation experience’ for your pet. We can help make the arrangements and can have the pet visit the estate to go for walks or even a hike on our extensive trails. While we do take pains to keep pets out of the mansion, we are happy to have them on the estate.
by Jamie on October 18, 2011
A Handwritten Thank You Note
What a lovely note we received!
You can read the whole thing above. Here are a few highlights: …
“It was E & D’s fairytale wedding! We could not have asked for anything more. Your graciousness, your patience, your fabulous staff- what more could anyone ask for. Our weekend exceeded our expectations. Having the wedding at the Winthrop was an experience the whole family will never forget. ….
“THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!
“I highly recommend it…
“Thank you again– it would not have gone so perfectly without you and your staff.”
by Jamie on October 15, 2011
Japanese Maple on the lawn
All the “leaf peepers” want to know….when is peak foliage season here in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts? Hmm… that’s a good question. We have debates about this very topic ourselves as we sip our morning coffee and enjoy the view of Yokun Ridge from the conservatory. Our historic mansion is surrounded by the glorious New England deciduous forests. Jamie insists that peak was last week; the ash trees, Fraxinus americana, were lit like tall beeswax candles, and the ground beneath became paved in gold. I’m pretty sure yesterday or today could be peak because our neighbor’s red maple, Acer rubrum, is starting to ignite into a burnished red-orange that makes my heart beat faster. But then again, friends in Lenox say peak season is next week– they are still waiting for the sugar maples, Acer saccharum, to pop!
The Berkshire Scenic Railway offers a great way to see for yourself which species of trees are in peak display. The 90-minute, 20 mile roundtrip adventure takes you from Lenox to Stockbridge and back in a restored 1920’s era train. The ride through our beautiful Berkshires is sure to inspire the debate….just when is peak season?
by Jamie on October 14, 2011
This past week I had a couple of free hours, so I went to the woods. Kennedy park is a go to place where nature can inspire and renew the mind, right here in our backyard. It’s so accessible to us here at Winthrop Estate; just a quarter mile down the street is the trail -head. As I got further into the park along the Wheeler Olympic Trail, I rediscovered a gazebo I hadn’t visited in years. It sits at the top of the park with a view of Mt. Graylock. The mountain is the highest peak in Massachusetts, at 3,491 feet. Visitors to the Berkshires do not want to miss an opportunity to visit Mt. Greylock State Reservation. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock. With 70 miles of trails, and historic Bascom Lodge serving meal from late May until mid October, as well as stunning views, an adventure on Greylock is a memorable event. From Lenox, it takes a little less than an hour to get to the top of the mountain. Going there is a wonderful way to experience the expansive beauty of the Berkshires.
by Jamie on October 3, 2011
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!
by Jamie on September 29, 2011
Sun Salutation on the yoga platform
Photo by Dave Donato of ModernArtistry
A lovely note from a fall guest who had their wedding at The Mount. I really enjoy having guests at the mansion!
“As the ‘kids’ were planning their wedding, we joked that it was the ‘royal wedding.’ And in the end, it was a royal wedding in so many ways. The Winthrop Estate was the perfect home base for friends and family to make personal connections during the wedding weekend. Our guests had extended time together in a homey atmosphere. You were so accommodating throughout our stay, setting up an environment that was perfect for each gathering we held. Our guests boasted that it was the ‘best wedding ever’ and we believe it was because of the shared time at the Winthrop Estate which was our central meeting place. North connected to South, old to young, friends to family, and the bride’s people connecting to the groom’s people..
“Thank you for your true hospitality and for all of the little things you did for us this past weekend. We also loved your staff who reached out to us in kind and caring ways throughout our stay.
“So many of my family members and friends said that these past few days were among the best days of their lives. That atmosphere of pure joy was fostered under your care. So a million thanks. MD
