HANCOCK, Mass. — The resort on Kittle Road has for decades attracted guests seeking to enjoy nature in the Berkshires — without too much roughing it. 

 

Its newest iteration — Huttopia Berkshires — opened to guests on July 9 offering tiny houses and tents and music and movies on 123 acres and with views of Jiminy Peak. 

 

Managers Emily and Joe Branca said Huttopia offers a way to get out into nature in types of lodging that offer different experiences.

 

"We try to get guests out who might not otherwise really have access to natural areas, and provide that for them, but also give them accommodations that have differing levels of amenities," Joe Branca said. 

 

"Oftentimes, our targeting demographic are people that live in cities who want to take the two to three-hour drive to get away, to get into nature, but not sacrifice some of the little amenities that you might not have if you just went camping in a state park or something."

 

The resort in the Berkshires is the latest addition to the Huttopia portfolio. The company offers getaways in eight destinations in America and Canada, including wine country in Northern California and the Laurentian lakes in Quebec. 

 

The French ecotourism company launched in 1999 and its name combines Utopia with the idea of a hut as a simple shelter. It also operates OnlyCamp in France and CityKamp in France and the Netherlands.

 

It purchased the former Berkshire Vista Resort, a nudist camp since the 1950s, in November 2023 for $2 million and invested about $8 million into it. 

 

The Brancas have been with the company for years, helping open locations and working at camps including in New Hampshire and California. They have spent time in guest services and love to make guests feel welcome.

 

"We were teachers before we got to Huttopia, but before that, we spent years in guest service, and so for us, it's really about creating a welcoming atmosphere for the guests participating their needs, just making sure," Branca said. "Everyone's super, super stoked to be here, and we genuinely just want every guest to be as happy as they can be."

 

The couple moved to the Berkshires in May to open Huttopia and have fallen in love with the area and all it has to offer.

 

"The Berkshires is an incredible, incredible place. We're not from the area. This is our first time being here ... when they come, guests are going to find, like, a really, really wonderful blend of like nature activities, hiking, fishing, paddling, but also this entire area just dotted with adorable little towns that have great restaurants, a really, really thriving all parts and culture scene. And lots of history to the area as well," he said.

 

The resort also includes activities, games, a heated pool, and a cafe and restaurant as well. Branco said sometimes there is live music and s'mores night.

 

Guests have choices of tenting accommodation from the smallest that fits two, the Bonaventure, which includes a queen-size bed and access to a shared bath house, to the Canadienne that sleeps five and comes with a wood stove and kitchen area. The Trappeur also fits five people and comes with a private bathroom, a kitchen area, and wood stove.

 

Lastly, the Sierra Tiny House which is unique to Huttopia Berkshires. These tiny homes can fit up to five people, have a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, a queen bed, and three singles. Eleven are on site with more planned.

 

Most of the property is powered by solar and batteries and parking is located at a distance to limit noise from late-arriving vehicles. Campers are provided with carts to tote their items to their sites.

 

The property also includes the Cafe Bistro, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; a snack bar, a camp store and a lounge in the central lodge. 

 

Huttopia Berkshires will be open year-round with winter stay in the Sierra Cabins.