New Williams Inn Appoints Leadership Team

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Left, Kevin Hurley has been appointed as the general manager of the new Williams Inn, and Kevin DeMarco as the inn's executive chef. Inset: Darcy Lyle has been named the inn's director of sales.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Waterford Hotel Group has announced three appointments at The Williams Inn. Kevin Hurley has been appointed as the inn's general manager, Kevin DeMarco as the inn's executive chef and Darcy Lyle as the inn's director of sales.

The new Williams Inn, located at the corner of Latham and Spring streets in Williamstown, will open on Aug. 15. Owned by Williams College, the inn will replace the current Williams Inn, which will continue to operate through July 31.

Inspired by the architecture of local area farms, the new 58,000-square-foot inn is built of stone and wood, with interior design that is reminiscent of a contemporary New England farmhouse. The inn will feature 64 guest rooms, a fitness center, a full-service restaurant and bar, and a combined 3,200-square-foot meeting and event space that includes a 2,800-square-foot ballroom and an additional 400-square-foot space directly adjacent to the ballroom. Event space reservations are being accepted starting Sept. 1.

The property’s exterior features a 3,500-square-foot greenspace that can be tented for outdoor functions.

The inn will house a 62-seat restaurant, The Barn, featuring a menu filled with locally sourced American classics. The Barn will offer patrons breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as two private dining spaces. During prime weather months, outdoor seating will be available on the rear of the property.


With more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality, Hurley has dedicated his career to the hospitality industry by taking on various roles at several hotels and resorts in the United States in addition to his native Canada. Prior to joining The Williams Inn, Hurley worked as an assistant general manager at the Kimpton
Taconic Hotel located in Manchester, Vt. Additionally, he has held posts at Omni Hotels and Resorts, the storied Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Mass., and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Hurley completed his undergraduate studies at Bishops University in Sherbrook, Quebec and later went on to earn a master certificate in hospitality management from Cornell University. He lives in Greenwich, N.Y., with his wife Amanda and sons William and Louis-Edmond.

A graduate of the famed Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., DeMarco has honed his culinary skills up and down the East Coast over the past 13 years. He joins The Williams Inn team from the Newport Restaurant Group, Newport, R.I. His last post was as chef tournant at the historic and celebrated Castle Hill Inn, a Relais & Châteaux property. DeMarco also worked at Grande's Bella Cucina in Palm Beach, Fla., and Public Kitchen & Bar in Providence, R.I. DeMarco is a SWE certified specialist of wine and spirits.

Lyle brings a wealth of knowledge to The Williams Inn with 28 years of experience in the hospitality and sales industry. Prior to joining The Williams Inn, Lyle worked in sales at the Clark Art Institute. Additionally, she has held positions in operations and sales at numerous hotels throughout the upstate New York region, as well as the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. Lyle attended Herkimer Community College, where she received a degree in tourist facilities and management promotion. While in school, she interned with
Disney, where she found her passion for the hospitality and tourism industry. Lyle resides
with her husband Allen and daughter Samantha in Hoosick Falls, N.Y.

 


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Friday Front Porch Feature: An Energy-Efficient New Build

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Are you looking for a sophisticated home with low utility bills?

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 15 Orchard Lane.

This three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath, contemporary farmhouse was built in 2025 and is 1,704 square feet on less than an acre. The house features an attached and insulated two-car garage. 

The interior boasts hardwood floors, electric fireplace and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The primary bedroom and en suite are located on the first floor, and two bedrooms, a full bath and bonus space on the second floor. 

The home is electric and energy efficient with heating and cooling technology from the latest Energy Star-rated heat pump technology.

Down in the waterproofed full basement, there is a dehumidifier and a battery-backed sump pump. It has a generously sized covered side porch. 

It is on the market for $829,500.

We spoke with Paul Harsch III with Harsch Associates, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

This home stands out from anything else on the market now or that has been available in recent memory because it is brand new. Save for a portion of the foundation and some first-floor framing, it is completely new and much expanded from the original house. Unless one is building from scratch, to find a brand-new home is virtually impossible as there is no spec building and hasn't been any for many years. 

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Crisp, clean, all new, bright, and spacious with the cathedral ceiling in the living room space yet compact and efficient. 

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

The sellers had designed this as their forever retirement home but family matters dictated they remain in Texas thus they are reluctantly giving up their dream home here.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for? 

The buyer for this home wants a quiet location yet very convenient to the center of things. They want ground-floor living with spare bedrooms on the second floor for guests or office space. They want a modest-sized yard not requiring a lot of expense or care to maintain but providing a pleasant hot-weather retreat in the shade of mature trees. This buyer wants an efficient low-maintenance home not requiring any attention or work on the exterior other than perhaps the occasional power washing of the siding to show the crisp white lifetime siding. They want a totally dry basement with a warranty to back that up, and they want a spacious two-car garage to protect themselves and their vehicles from the weather or summer heat.

Are there any recent renovations or standout design features? 

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