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.

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.

Tomatoes and basil grown at the estate

Dear Jamie,

It was a pleasure to  prepare dinner at the Winthrop Estate.

I can only imagine how exciting it has been over the past few years to have transformed the Estate to its former glory.

Your impeccable taste and warm inviting hospitality is reflected throughout the home, it really is a masterpiece and something to be very proud of.

Also, your staff was extremely helpful, professional and generous, and a pleasure to work with.

I do hope I get a chance to visit again.

Thank You,

M.S.

It is starting to feel like spring here in the Berkshires!    Crocuses and daffodils – the perennial symbol of springtime–  are in full bloom here at Winthrop Estate.  Migratory birds are returning and we are awakening to the enchanting sounds of their morning chirping.

Planting Peas

Here at Winthrop our gardeners have planted the first crop of the season, and this year we will harvest green and red leaf lettuce, peas, spinach, kale, carrots, leaks, hungarian peppers, and plenty more.  This weekend, we are excited to be expanding our organic garden and are thrilled to be offering fresh, organic produce “farm to table” at Winthrop Estate.  Berkshire County is renowned for it’s farm to table philosophy and has played a leading role in it’s development.  Winthrop Estate is proud to be a part of this movement.  In addition to stocking our own kitchen with delicious, fresh produce, we supply local restaurants, such as Nudel, here in Lenox.

A young girl plays a game in the conservatory

Today a guest asked me what her kids could do in the way of entertainment while the adults enjoyed an executive retreat.Now as an employee who grew up in Lenox, I can tell you that there are tons of fun things for kids to do in Berkshire County. Apart from the pingpong, foosball, Wii, frisbee and other fun games available at the mansion, there are also several youth oriented venues nearby. Check out the following links for some ideas:

Bousquet Ski Resort

From great downhill skiing and tubing in the winter to devil carts and water slides in the summer, Bousquet offers a wide range of fun for kids of many ages.

The Beacon Cinema

Located in downtown Pittsfield, the Beacon is Berkshire County’s newest theater. They offer a wide selection of films, and have a 3D screen too.

The Berkshire Museum

This museum offers many youth friendly exhibits throughout the year including displays on dinosaurs, mammals, and ancient civilizations. The gift store also has loads of fun gifts for kids like rock candy kits and stuffed animals.

The Lenox Community Center

And for a bit of small town local flavor, check out the Lenox Community center for a playground, tennis courts, a basketball court, and even ice skating in the winter! Don’t miss out on the fun, kids, there’s enough to go around and more.

A view of the verandah

As much as it may seem like the Winthrop Estate is a world apart from a reality of the Lenox community, the owners and staff members work hard to plan community family events to encourage cohesion and friendship within our neighborhood.  For example, a couple weeks ago the Winthrop Estate hosted a neighborhood barbecue for the families of Yokun Avenue and Cliffwood Street.  The potluck event was a wonderful success with over 200 guests, yard games and plenty of food.  A friendly volleyball tournament even took place and lasted until a lack of sunlight forced the kids to switch to a game of flashlight tag.  Happy with the community building experience, I have started to think of new neighborhood events.  Any good ideas?

The Winthrop Dragon

It has become apparent that an epic battle occurred last night between the Winthrop Estate dragon and a black bear.  As I surveyed the grounds this morning I found the right side of the sculpted shrubbery to be torn away by a large animal.  Unfortunately I have a feeling that our friend didn’t put up much of a fight; nonetheless we’re happy that most of him survived the assault.  The black bear on the other hand escaped unscathed and continued to raid the neighbor’s trash.  No need to worry though, the dragon may have had trouble with the local wildlife but the bears living in the area have no quarrel with humans.  According to the Audubon Society, no bear-human interaction in Lenox has resulted in injury, only tipped trash barrels.  For more information on the wildlife in Berkshire county please visit the Audubon Society’s website at: www.audubonsociety.org

Winthrop Estate Fountain, photo by Kevin Sprague

The weather in Lenox has been glorious this week.  The summer-like days bring warming sun to the daffodils and trees and they are blooming everywhere.  We uncovered our fountain, taking off the heavy winter tent, and we are into spring cleaning on the grounds, and getting tan too. We are looking forward to the families who will be coming for their vacations or special occasions this season and have been busy on email, being in touch with the guests to answer questions, and make plans and reservations.  Spring time brings a flurry of activity from everyone thinking about the summer.    Happy Spring!

A Weekend with Friends, A Laugh, Some Music

Driving from NYC up to Winthrop Estate is a treat.  Once I leave the city traffic behind, I turn on the music and start to relax.  The journey becomes part of the destination. I drive alongside wide rivers, rushing streams, lush hillsides and farms. The trip itself is candy for the eyes. I revel in the journey.  The rewards of the weekend retreat with my friends are plentiful.  And Lenox, with all its history and luxuries, awaits me every time.  The Winthrop Estate rooms are exquisitely decorated and the public spaces are inviting. I treasure my retreat at the Winthrop Estate and look forward to next year’s.