image description
Hampton Inn managers cut the ribbon on the newly refurbished hotel in Lenox on Wednesday.
image description
The new approach to the hotel; the sidewalks and parking lot will be redone this summer.
image description
image description
image description
image description
image description
image description

Lenox's Hampton Inn Refurbishes Rooms for Better Guest Stay

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

The refurbishment means the addition of six more rooms to the hotel. 

LENOX, Mass. — The Hampton Inn and Suites Berkshires-Lenox was recently updated to create a much more appealing look and better guest amenities.

On Wednesday, the hotel held a ribbon cutting, inviting the business and community leaders to see some of the new refurbishments.

"It's very inspiring. Some of the things that I've heard is that many of us, if not the majority, have not ever walked through these doors. It's kind of our first time here, and once you walk in, you see how precious this is," said Sara Goodberlet, executive director for the Lenox Chamber of commerce. "It's another beautiful offering for all the visitors that come through our area. It's tucked away, and with their new remodeling and their offerings, it's a perfect addition to our local businesses."

The $4.9 million refresh includes new furniture and updated bathrooms in all of the rooms, new equipment in the gym, new furniture and redesign in the common area, a new design in the breakfast area, the appearance of the inside and outside of the hotel, and more.

"Over the past few months, we've thoroughly renovated our space with one wall in mind, creating a more comfortable, moderate, and welcoming experience for all guests to come to Berkshire County. We are incredibly proud of our transformation from the refreshed guest rooms to the updating common areas," said General Manager Steve Curley.

"Everything still reflects our commitment to quality hospitality and the charming spirit of the Berkshires. This milestone could be possible without the hard work of our team here."

Curley said the renovations took a couple of months and the pool was the only exception to the refurbishments as it was in great condition. He said Hampton hotels do refurbishments to keep up with the brand and look newer and nicer for the guests.

The hotel opened in 2008 and went through a complete remodel in 2015, part of a refurbishment of the global chain. This latest refresh is also an update of the brand Hampton by Hilton, which has 3,000 properties worldwide. The new "visual identity" was rolled out beginning in 2024.  

General Manager Laura Rummel said the hotel is basically brand new with the inside looking more inviting.

"It's a brand-new hotel when you look at it from October till now, completely different feel in the hotel," she said. "It's definitely a lighter, more airy, open feeling when you come into a hotel now, whereas before it was everything was very dark white, so it felt more enclosed, but I feel like they did a really great job with the renovations and opening things up and trying to tie some of the local features in."

The hotel also added photos of local areas to the decor.

The refurbishment is largely finished and at completion, it will have 85 rooms, a growth from 79; exterior improvement to the sidewalks and parking lot will be done in the next few months.

The hotel also remodeled rooms to make extended stays even better for guests. The hotel is one of few that allows an extended stay with no limit. To help guests they added a kitchenette and stove top so that guests won't have to eat out as much and can make their own meals if they want to.

"Today represents a new beginning for our hotel, and we are grateful for the support of the community. Thank you, Chamber of Commerce. Thank you so much for your support. We look forward to welcome guests creating memorable experiences for years to come," said Director of Sales Onicia Mends.

The hotel is located at 445 Pittsfield Road and allows pets.

 

Tags: motels, hotels,   renovation,   ribbon cutting,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories