GETAWAYS • The Berkshires
The Skinny: Wilco bassist John Stirratt and his friends converted an old motor lodge into a cozy hotel named Tourists. It feels cool and trendy without trying too hard. I told all of my friends about it after spending a weekend there last winter, and somehow, by summer, I was still talking about it.
The Scene: Laidback energy that resembles summer camp in warmer months and a cozy log cabin in the colder months. The lodge is the heart of the hotel, sucking you in with wood paneling, dim lighting, music, a bar and a fireplace that evokes the most nature-oriented parts of the Berkshires, even as the hotel is located off a double-yellow-lined street.
The Rooms: Simple but well appointed, with a window nook perfect for reading or breakfast. I curled up in the nook for a solid 30 minutes and did a little creative writing. It’s an easy place to feel inspired. The music that plays in the lodge magically carries into the room on a little radio. There’s a little field guide and postcards to take home, as from a field trip.
The Amenities: Bathroom floors are heated, a luxurious delight, especially during colder months. The lodge is a great gathering space, and there’s often live music. The hotel’s staff hosts complimentary hikes and nature scavenger hunts, a very Berkshires touch. There’s also a pool on the property. I wasn’t expecting much out of the hotel’s restaurant, The Airport Rooms, but was pleasantly surprised by my first dinner there, and bummed to find out it was fully booked when I wanted to switch my dinner plans and eat there on my second night.
Why It’s FOUND: I’ve stayed in hundreds of hotels, and Tourists is one I can’t stop thinking or talking about. –Alexis Benveniste
→ Tourists (North Adams, MA) • 915 State Rd • Fall rooms from $309/night.