The Inn at Kenmore Hall

"Set the scene.A five-room Georgian manor house replete with personal touches, from piles of art books on tables to aged Persian rugs, modern art, and even a couple of mandolins propped up in the back parlor. While the Berkshires’ best art galleries, cultural institutions, restaurants, and hiking trails are only a short drive away, you might be tempted to hole up in the room or fix yourself a drink from the free bar, flipping through vintage fashion magazines, playing chess, or keeping Dutch (the owners’ dog) company. What’s the history behind it?Opened in August 2018, this five-room inn (with adjacent carriage house) is the passion project of Frank Mutyjens, former head of menswear at J. Crew, and his partner, the artist and restaurateur Edward Scott Cole. It’s an informal iteration of the traditional B&B, set on 20 acres of meadow and woodland in the Berkshires town of Richmond. Cole and Muytjens’ 10-year plan to open B&B was fast-forwarded eight years when they fell in love with this grand but overgrown Georgian-Federalist residence, built in 1792 for Henry Sherrill, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The house went through various incarnations, including a parsonage and summer art school, and played host to a lot of artists, musicians, and performers. What can we expect from our room?Room 3 is the pick of the bunch, with two fireplaces—one in the bedroom and the second in the navy-blue bathroom, which also has a freestanding soaking tub and a heated floor. With its velvet chaise, vintage Eames lounge chair and four-poster king bed, it’s a room you could spend all day in. But every room is different (and hand-painted in masculine Benjamin Moore shades by Frank and Edward themselves), with lush Matteo linens, wool blankets from Faribault Mills, coffee-table books, and a solid selection of Aesop bath potions. How about the food and drink?There’s no restaurant here, but the couple makes a mean breakfast, served in one of the pretty parlor rooms. We refueled with hot black coffee and local apple-cider doughnuts while perusing the morning papers, and then ordered poached eggs with smoked salmon and sourdough from a cooked-to-order menu that also includes granola and frittata. An enthusiastic baker, Cole is even known to turn out homemade pastries from time to time. The couple kindly provide a complimentary bar in the front parlor and a bowl of pistachios to snack on. Anything to say about the service?It’s a special thing being looked after personally by the innkeepers—and such warm, stylish, and interesting ones at that. The vibe here is super-intimate and feels like a well-kept secret, straight from the pages of an interiors magazine. Ask the couple for tips on where to eat and shop nearby, and they’ll kindly oblige (and even disclose those gorgeous paint colors). You’re left to your own devices here, which is highly relaxing, but if you’re after butler-style service, look elsewhere. Who comes here?Creative urban professionals in need of country air and a world-class arts scene. The breakfast table may be shared with a cannabis entrepreneur or art director who has an appreciation for mid-century modern furniture and a casual hiking habit. It's the perfect pied-à-terre for those who love luxury but despise pomp and circumstance. What about the neighborhood?Kenmore Hall is tucked away from the action, with views of green hills and mountain peaks. You'll barely hear a pin drop. There’s not much to do in the quiet pastoral village of Richmond, which consists of centuries-old farms, colonial houses, and not much else. But drive a short distance in any direction and you’ll hit the buzzier towns of Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and Chatham. Anything you'd change?A few ice cubes and some soda at the fix-it-yourself bar would have been nice, but aside from that, no. Anything we missed?This stretch of the Berkshires is having its moment as a hub for world-class art institutions (MASS MoCA, the Clark), foodie destinations (the Prairie Whale), and performing arts (Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, and Shakespeare & Company). Skiing and hiking are also draws. Just across the lawn, the inn’s Carriage House Cottage is an even more private retreat, sleeping four people, with its own bar and reading nook. Worth it—and why?It’s rare to find such an intimate accommodation with inspirational interiors that provides a smart experience while being delightfully unstuffy." - Natalie Shukur