Blantyre

My initial contact with the property was a bit rocky, but after staying here I wish I could award more than 5 stars. In early spring we booked a long weekend stay for the fall, but were contacted in June to let us know the reservation was cancelled because the property was going to close on Mondays and Tuesdays going forward (Covid fallout). We were able to rebook but were disappointed to not be able to reserve the same room. Our concerns were abated when we arrived and realized how lovely and how immaculately maintained the entire property is. Our room was perfect and the service was remarkable, but what really stood out was the hotel's response to an event that occurred on our last night there. I had gone to an art festival in downtown Lenox and when I returned to my car I had a flat. After being on hold with AAA for an extended time I contacted my husband who had stayed back at the Blantyre and he had the idea to call the front desk. While I lingered on hold with AAA, the Hotel immediately sent a capable and friendly person who efficiently put my doughnut on and followed me back to the property. They also took the time to call several local tire dealers in a vain attempt to find a replacement (it was Saturday night and the dealers were all closed the next day). The Blantyre made what could have been a vacation-altering event into a footnote. I got back to my room with enough time to freshen up for our dinner reservation at Cafe Bouloud, and to enjoy one the best meals, with some of the best service, my husband and I have ever eaten. Can not recommend this hotel, or the food service, highly enough.

Absolutely outstanding about everything and every detail. We were there for a wedding reception. The service and staff were properly trained to do the perfect job that each did. The grounds were manicured and well maintained. The employees could not have been more gracious and courteous. They were very aware of our every need and promptly took care of it. Loved being there.

I was happy to find availability at Blantyre as I wanted to escape the hurricane heading to the New England coast and though it was hugely expensive I decided to book a suite as that was all that was left in the hotel if one had dogs. Sometimes in life you have to do things that are extravagant as that’s what’s called for in an emergency! ||All of my telephone communications with the hotel staff were wonderful: courteous, friendly, professional and concerned. I couldn’t have been more impressed. ||My check in was handled smoothly and with great concern and attention. The room appeared to be lovely and very comfortable.||The dinner I had at Café Boulud was simply extraordinary as the chef is amazing. The salad was divine with lovely flavors and tastes and fresh, crisp lettuces. The risotto of shrimp and delicate cheeses was the most delicious thing I’ve had in years. Each bite was an extraordinary culinary event. I was very impressed.||The trouble began before dinner as I attempted to take a bath. I’ve found that many hotels today do not check the bath tubs as most guests prefer to shower. This tub had a hose which was broken and sprayed water all over the tub and floor. The only way to fill the tub was to place the shower head in the tub and hold it while the tub filled through the faucet. As I attempted to clean up the water on the floor I noticed there were only two bath towels in the room: not nearly enough for the puddles created by the broken hose.||The temperature of the hot water was scalding and this was not good as the faucets are reversed and the cold water is where the hot should be. I burned my foot when stepping into the large tub thinking the water was cool.|| I reported this to the manager at dinner who asked if it was all right to enter the room while the dogs were there. I stated my dogs were overly friendly and I would appreciate having the hose repaired. He assured me that it would be.||When I returned to the room the tub had not been repaired nor had the towel supply been replenished though housekeeping had been there.||I was very tired and looking forward to a good nights sleep however once I curled up in bed I smelled a chemical smell like a pesticide and though it was very faint it was enough to keep me from falling into a deep sleep.I have no idea why this smell was present in a bed. ||The next morning I wanted to have some coffee delivered as I don’t like the strong Nespresso pods in the rooms but I attempted to call the main house several times and no one answered. This concerned me as what it communicated was that if a guest has a problem or an emergency there is no one in the office available to help.||When I drove up to the hotel and entered there was someone in an alcove office there. I said I had attempted to reach someone four times over the course of 15 minutes and no one had answered. He replied that he hadn’t heard the phone ring. No apology.||As this was the first time anything had gone on that was not great I was surprised.I think some attention should be given to the night staff. I also think that in a hotel of this quality room service should be available earlier than 8 am. It is not acceptable that the phones are not answered at all times.||I would also suggest changing the snacks in the rooms from sugary sweet ones to more organic nuts without sugar and organic pretzels and remove the soft drinks like Coke and sweetened soda water. Have more bottles of water as well as a kettle to make tea.(there are tea bags but no way to boil water. Using the coffee maker is a failure as the water is coffee colored from previous use.)||Was my visit worth the price of my room? I’m not sure as of yet but think a great hotel has staff available 24/7 as well as fully functioning baths with plenty of towels and beds that are not smelling of chemicals.||On the other hand, the food is extraordinary!||||||||||||||||||||||

My husband and I had a magical time at Blantyre. We stayed in a sizable deluxe king room with a working fireplace (which we used + loved) and a huge bathroom. This was a rare getaway planned last minute due to us cancelling a 2 week trip. We started our stay with two 80 min massages (which were good but not great), then my husband soaked in the tub. We both thought the rain shower pressure was dialed in perfectly. We chose to have in room dining and this did not take away from Chef Boulud's menu. A table was set up 10 min before the food arriving. Two people brought everything in on silver trays. The chilled pea soup was so delicate and all of the presentation was intact. I had the filet and it was perfect. The bed was super comfy but not too soft. In room breakfast was absolutely perfect. My husband had a tennis lesson with Andres and even bought a racket from him. I enjoyed the pool and its lovely ambiance. The best, absolute best part of Blantyre are their people. They all go above and beyond. We had an issue with our Tesla charger and Bill (head engineer) and Jake tried everything to get us hooked up. They ran extension cords, they took us to the service area to try another idea. They sincerely endeavored to remedy our situation. Laura at the spa is a gem, Shane and Joel were wonderful attendants, Gabriel was our day manager and he was beyond attentive and lovely. We even did a tour with David (head of operations) and it made us love the property more. We have already booked another stay in November and we can not wait. Absolutely stay at the Blantyre.

An absolutely perfect vacation in a former Gilded Age mansion that plays host to a two-star restaurant from Daniel Boulud. The service, ambiance, and location are beyond superb. General Manager (Steve Benson) could not do enough for us, Front desk manager (Gabriel) was the epitome of European style. We stayed in the Ice House, a perfectly cozy two-bedroom cottage that oozes charm and quaint woodsy decor. We all agreed the experience could not be improved, from a fireplace set for an afternoon, the Boulud restaurant that is unimaginably good. The grounds were delightful to traipse around and we saw a flock of wild turkeys just to make the experience even more enchanting.

We stayed in the hillside suite in the carriage house. We were introduced to the room by two young men who were very pleasant and helpful. First of all they grabbed all of our luggage and hauled it up the stairs to our room and then told us quite a few details about the room. Nice beginning. ||The suite consisted of two rooms and a bathroom plus a smallish closet. The sitting room had a really comfortable sofa, a desk, a TV, and a bar that was stocked with some alcohol and a half bottle of wine, all included in our room rate. There were a lot of books that one might look at, although we didn’t seem to find time for it. The bedroom had a wonderful king bed that was really comfortable. We had some nice looking bathrobes but they would’ve fit me approximately 50 years ago when I was a teenager. Now I could barely get it around my body and the sleeves went up to my elbows. The bathroom was clean but really small with a single sink and a very low toilet and a rather claustrophobic shower. There was a really nice window that looked out on the pool through some beautiful trees in our bedroom. We did have a Sangean Radio that looked like it would play music but was dead on arrival. Some amenities that we appreciated were our choice of daily newspapers and the included breakfast. ||We both thought it was a very nice room and a decently run hotel, but we felt the price was approximately double what it should be. We did attempt to go on a hike on the large property but it was really rough and poorly maintained with large downed trees blocking the pathway. ||Another interesting feature was the fact that no tipping is allowed. This is apparently made possible by charging 10% of your room rate for “amenities.”

We had an incredible 3 night stay at Blantyre. Our room was in the main hotel. Basically, this is a mansion from the 1800's. There were 4 running fireplaces on the 1st floor. The smell was wonderful. There are books and antique furniture everywhere.||||Our room was perfect. We used the fireplace there 2 of the nights. One match got it roaring. The bed was very comfortable.||||We had dinner in the restaurant one of the nights which was amazing.||||NOTE: As of 11/1/2021, Blantyre has shut down for some period of time, possibly many months They are starting a major renovation to make it even better. We heard this will include building a new pool near the main hotel and other enhancements.||||We will definitely return after the renovation is complete!

This was my first visit to Blantyre after the covid lockdown was removed.||It took us 5 hours to reach Lenox, but the experience was worth every minute of driving. ||We found the house as it was before covid - majestic, yet comfortable, impeccable in every way.||I could not think of any single improvement, but here it is - a perfect marriage with Cafe Boulud.||The dinner menu has enough choices for both nights. We loved the tuna tartare, sea bass, beef, asparagus salad, ||and of course, the desert: hazelnut chocolate cake and mango, basil-lime vacherin. My personal favorite was madeleines, ||freshly baked, timed just right for a cup of coffee. Our servers - Tatiana and Kevin completed experience with helpful suggestions and insights.||We missed live piano performance after dinner.||We already made reservation for our next visit, hope to receive a conformation email soon.||Many thanks to all for hard work!

This may have been my best room service experience ever; having lived out of hotels that is saying something. The building is really beautiful and at any other time we would have made use of the beautiful common spaces indoors and not just enjoyed our room and the grounds. The room was impeccably cleaned and staff were attentive to needs that came up during the visit. The absolute stand out was our room service meal set in front of the wood-burning fireplace in our room. They came up with a table, offered us options for chairs, had all of the food wrapped in plastic and covered in warming lids, but done in a way that did not interfere with even the delicate plating details. The portions were substantial and food quality was outstanding. They even provided gluten-free options that went above and beyond to accommodate an allergy. I wish I could give 4.5 because there were some minor areas for improvement, but I will round up given COVID was likely a contributing factor.

This was a return visit. We had previously been guests at the hotel 3 yrs ago . Now under new management , what a change ! The ground s are still lovely. The downstairs public rooms are beautiful. " Although somebody followed me around where ever I went. You definitely feel they don't want you to sit in the rooms. It is "look but don't touch" just like a museum. If your looking to go to a lovely, charming, gracious hotel . Want to relax & be spoiled) for the weekend don't come here. The staff is obnoxious rude & pretentious. We arrived with are 2 Small Shitizs just as we had before. The hotel was aware we were bringing 2 service dogs.. First night they would not allow us in the dining room with dogs but they had no room for us to dine outside! They wanted us to sit alone in a room by ourselves & have dinner ! I objected. We finally agreed we would have dinner in the bar alone . At least it was part of the dining area. To get to the pool area you need to drive your car. They didn't like where my husband parked our car. No biggie. I think the Pool Boy could have handled it. All he had to do is ask us to move it. Next thing we know the manger of the Hotel comes to the pool standing over us suit & all. After announcing his titled he ordered my husband to move the car. It was definitely a reprimand for his bad behavior. Of course he moved the car. When we returned to our room there was a hand written note offering to serve us dinner in our room that evening. I called the desk to ask about this & was told this was a new thing they were offering ! We ate dinner in town that evening.. I could go on & on with our crimes & misdemeanors. I spoke to this TIGHT A.S JERK when we were checking out . I asked if the General Manger was available. He has a total passive aggressive personality. I expressed my disappointment about the weekend. He went through the list list & more of the above. Wait a minute , aren't I the quest. Isn't this his job ? Doesn't it come with the territory! If he was so disapproving of us he could have asked us to checkout. He didn't do that though. He wanted our $3900. He may not have like us but he liked our money.

I was admittedly a bit skeptical before coming to the restaurant at Blantyre, but this is truly a wonderful destination. Why was I skeptical? I love good food and a good experience, and I'm willing to pay the price for it, but... I'm not a very formal person. I thought Blantyre might be too rich for my blood. The castle-like setting, the carved wood and floral prints, all those travel awards, not to mention the price tag... all had me feeling a little apprehensive. But we were gifted a 4-course dinner for our anniversary, so we (hesitantly) booked the reservations for a Saturday night and crossed our fingers. And as it turned out, this was far more than just a dinner. It was a full evening. It was an occasion; an experience. And it was great. We arrived a few minutes early, and someone greeted us immediately to take our coats. We were invited to find a cozy place wherever we wished to relax before dinner. We found a loveseat in the music room, where the pianist played all night long. We were served a round of drinks, delicious amuse bouch, and a few snack-type items. They then took our dinner orders, and the sommelier paid a visit to make wine recommendations for our meals. Some more time passed as we listened to the music, watched the crackling fire, chatted, and soaked up the history of this beautiful place. We were then escorted to the dining room, which was filled with candlelight and more beautiful antiques to admire. We noticed that each table setting was unique to that table, but different from all of the other tables. Every last detail was lovely. We were served small shots of soup, which was unexpected, followed by each course along with the respective beverages we had ordered at just the right times. Service was impeccable, and each bite was delicious. Portions were small to moderate, but the pacing allowed us to really savor the food. After dinner, it was suggested that we enjoy coffee back in the music room and to stay as long as we wished. Although we had just enjoyed dessert, a table was set up with various bite-sized sweets for the guests' enjoyment. We returned to our loveseat, where we were served coffee and enjoyed the piano for a while longer. In total, our evening lasted approximately 3.5 hours... wow. So, not only did I really enjoy myself, I also didn't feel out of place. No one spoke in British accents. It was very classy and a bit formal, but totally unpretentious. The website indicates that they have a 'smart casual' dress code... if you're like me, you're wondering what that means. The internet couldn't give me a straight answer. There were people in jeans, which I personally thought was way too casual. I would suggest wearing something you're comfortable in, i.e. not necessarily a suit for the gents, but something north of jeans and sneakers. Would I recommend Blantyre? Absolutely. Whether you're looking for a fancy, romantic getaway, an impressive business dinner, or any other special occasion, this is a very unique and special place.

We want to offer a detailed explanation for why we have downgraded this important, exclusive property from five stars to two. It pains us to do so because there are many delightful aspects of Blantyre including the ever-cheerful youthful valets, bellboys and spa assistants, always so eager to assist. Regrettably, however, in our opinion, the resort now is lacking in some critical areas since a major re-do which followed our last visit before the current one. It remains a gorgeous and very expensive Relais & Chateaux property; the exterior has always been breathtaking and the landscaping simply beautiful. But we find the newly designed bedrooms (in the Carriage House) to lack the elegance and authenticity of the previous older rooms. The furniture no longer is antique -- no exquisite four-poster beds, and with chest of drawers that now more closely resemble Holiday Inn pieces. Yes, the rooms are lighter in color, and yes the older ones were darker, but the newly colored walls strike us as just like any other hotel. The amenities are still first-class, the bathrooms look good and the beds are comfy, but it all seems lacking the sense that you've stepped into an English lord's bedroom. Some may disagree. The main house is still a majestic space with some new furniture that in most cases neither improves on the old nor worsens it. But there have been big changes in the dining area, almost all to the detriment of Blantyre. There are many more tables as the resort tries to attract more people for meals. As a result, part of the space now looks like any bar you might walk into with tables fairly close together. It's no longer like an exclusive club, rather a public space. Oh well.... But that's not what's worst. That's the menu, now shrunk to a choice of two price fixe dinners with the smallest possible dishes for the five courses (one dish contains just one modest-size scallop. The choices are quite limited, and frankly the items seem as if prepared by an overly finicky chef looking for a way to put his imprint on a "restaurant of significance" (which sadly this is not). Then there's this: after being seated we were never asked if we wanted drinks; we were offered one roll and no more; we were never asked if we wanted coffee, tea or anything else after the meal; and we were never inquired whether we might want anything not on the menu. Service generally was courteous if not quite timely. All this for a meal priced at $135 per person in a resort where some rooms go for well over $1,200. To us, that's unacceptable and a large part of our lowering our rating. Then there's breakfast, complimentary for guests. Our servers were consistently slow serving coffee and tea, could rarely remember to bring and refill cream and sugar, and worst of all, never advised us that we could order anything we wanted that was not contained in the very limited menu options. The meals were pretty good -- the pastries were perhaps store-purchased? -- and breakfast plates of eggs, bacon and toast were also served with a green salad (on the same plate) with a sliver of vinaigrette dressing. That struck us as bizarre. And by the way, no one asked for the salad; it just materialized and was promptly scraped off all our plates. Anything else? Well, we had a 30-minute wait to get drinks from the crowded bar before dinner, but let's stop there. Our point is that these are things that shouldn't happen at a resort like Blantyre, and were were extremely disappointed that they did. (We were also disappointed that the new management removed entirely the gorgeous hot tub in the spa area. That was a mistake we hope they'll remedy soon.) We've had some wonderful trips here in the past and will hope to return, but in our view, Blantyre has gone from old world elegance to nouveau, and that doesn't make us happy. We'll never insist we're always right, but we do strongly believe that we are honest and fair in what we have observed and experienced and, importantly, share with other Yelpers.

Came in for drinks at the bar and wound up staying for dinner. Ordered à la carte and found the experience surprisingly accessible for such a luxurious and accommodating space. Lovely ambiance, great staff and an excellent meal. Can't complain about a thing.

An overall great experience. We had a Wedding for two here and it was just amazing. The staff really took care of us and made us feel special. The accommodations were amazing! We stayed in the Ice House cottage and really enjoyed the endless amenities including fireplace, heated three season porch, kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The food and service are 5 star quality. Here's hoping that the new management will continue to make the Blantyre a special experience and keep investing in touches of modern technology and hopefully add a bar in the main building.

A new Mother's Day tradition has been started for me and my fiancé! We attended the Mother's Day brunch. Upon pulling up to door our car was valet parked to keep us out of rain. As we walked in door, we are offered champagne mimosas before seating. We were seated in the renovated wood paneled dining room and bar area with a roaring fire next to us. Unlike buffet style brunches we enjoyed the variety of choices of the prix fixed menu. We also enjoyed the five star table service. Our first course I had the avocado toast with quails egg, a Michelin star worthy plate. My fiancé had the salmon mouse in cone. Both epic creations by chef. My entree was the salmon and egg Benedict and my fiancé had the cheddar omelet. We shared each other plates and loved both. Our meal concluded with a plate of decadent desserts. Ok, I have been at many Michelin Star restaurants and this hidden gem will be found soon so get here before you can't get in once the foodies find this place. Chef Jeremy, Thank you for a Mother's Day never to be forgotten. We will be back.

Exquisite, authentic and unpretentious Went for the hot chocolate bar with the family Beautifully served in the music room, truly an experience Liquid chocolate in a cup with homemade marshmallows and banana bread slices Tried 4 varieties off the menu... Worth the experience of $15 per person! Hoping this tradition continues

Great boutique hotel with gilded-era charm and a lovely Daniel Boulud restaurant. Service is top notch and the experience overall leans very high-end. I liken this to a boutique-style Ritz-Carlton experience. The property also has hiking trails, which my wife and I still took advantage of in the middle of winter.

Place is just opening up for the season. Drove by and just stopped in for a bite to eat. The staff could not have been more accommodating! Gorgeous place and welcoming staff Im going to have to come back for a weekend.

Sloppy. The bartender who bragged to have a masters in mixology didn't know an aviation. My fiance and I came to see about throwing an event there, we returned casually the next day with family and had kids with us- they obviously don't like children and they literally asked us to leave. Good luck having a hotel that hates children ****Below the manager replied to my comment and it's a completely false defense (and passive/aggressive I might add) when said they did some research and we were 2 hours late. NOT TRUE! My fiancé and I said we had an event nearby and would be there sometime after 5pm. We specifically said we would not be there for dinner, just a drink, and gone before 7:30- and they said no problem. Blantyre Manager; apply better do diligence and professionalism next time before trying to call out your patrons for making the mistake. Its more respectable when someone owns their faults rather than point fingers.

I cannot begin to explain how terrible this place is. I've had several experiences here, all of which were tragic. The service is horrible, the bar is tragic, the food is terrible, and the staff consulted me how to position furniture. I felt like a boutique hotel should have this dialed in. I'd rather stay anywhere else.

What a happy surprise, perfect for a pre-Tanglewood early supper in the Bistro on a stormy evening with visitors from the UK. The hostess rushed out to greet us warmly, and invited us to browse the empty music room where later a Franz Liszt lookalike appeared at the piano. The food was straightforward, fairly priced for the area and the service attentive. The quiet room meant we were able to chat without raising our voices. The sommelier gave us a history of the place, which was appreciated. Very appealing to an older clientele, another plus.

We came here on a Sunday night. It is so beautiful and romantic. We enjoyed a spectacular Chianti from 1997 and it was so delicious. Great list of wines. The food was fantastic. The ambience was beautiful. Very nice evening.

Came here for the pop up Boulud cafe dinner. I rarely say this but I left dinner feeling satisfied. Everything was amazing from the beginning to end. Our server was a young Brazilian woman who also did an excellent job. The atmosphere the food the drinks, everything was topnotch. Do your best to catch this pop up before it goes.

Great great great bistro!!! Came here for lunch, great food and great service. Would highly recommend. Service is attentive and efficient. They want to make your dining experience pleasurable and it shows. Will def go back!!

This review is exclusively for the Bistro. I had a comically bad dinner on Christmas Eve that was just one fumble after another. For the level you expect at a property such as this, it was disappointing at best. Understandably, a holiday dinner is always tough because staffing is difficult and it can be high volume. Where Blantyre fell short was on their staffing and training. It is very clear that they do not pay a wage to acquire well trained staff, at least in the serving department. We were seated for dinner at 6:30pm and wrapped up dessert at 10:30pm. As much as I loved the company and atmosphere, a 4 hour dinner was not what I had expected. Our cocktail order was not taken for 20 minutes. They were delivered at the 45 minute mark (there were 5 of us). We sent back 3 out of the 5 as the glasses were dirty and sticky and we were given the wrong drinks. Our orders were taken at the 1:15 min mark. The restaurant was 1/3 full. Our first course arrived at the 1:45 mark. The dishes ranged from well executed to abysmal. An incredibly well balanced gnocchi next to undercooked risotto. With the risotto, I had two bites before it was whisked away without question by our server when clearing the table. There was beautifully cooked beef, next to raw goose. I like my goose medium rare, but the center was cold and raw. When I sent it back, they tried to shame me for not appreciating how they cooked goose. If it had been cooked, I would have 100% appreciated it. Last, the dessert. I opted for profiteroles that were soggy and stale. A feat that can only be accomplished by a lazy pastry chef or an understaffed kitchen. Both inexcusable when handed a $1500 dinner bill. On the plus side, while ineffectual at executing a smooth meal and ordering timetable, our server was kind and apologetic. The atmosphere was stunning. The wine list was the best part of the meal, though the wine we ordered at the first course did not arrive until the third with a prodding question as to it's location by different members of our party. I think next year I'll make Christmas eve dinner and save the $1500 for dinners at restaurants that invest in their employees and quality control rather than atmosphere and titles.

Went to Cafe Boulud at Blantyre and the meal was spectacular. It was our first time out to a restaurant since Covid and we felt very safe. Everyone wore masks and the tables were a comfortable distance. We had the vichyssoise and tomato salad to start and the flavors were fresh and yummy. Then we had the burger and branzino which were just as delicious. The deserts were the topping on a really memorable evening. And we can't forget the beautiful cocktails and wine. You must go...

My partner and I stayed at Blantyre for a weekend, and overall, we had a very enjoyable stay, though there were some service issues with which we weren't too thrilled. And, ultimately, at a price point like this, you're buying service more than a nice bed. We enjoy staying at the Relais & Chateaux association of properties around the world. They are certainly a splurge, but their special little hotels are the kind of hotels and restaurants that you travel some distance for. I would separate the service staff here into two groups: the food service staff, and the general hotel staff. I would say that without exception, the general hotel staff (such as the concierge and the people at the front desk) were very friendly and helpful. They took us around the property and certainly made us feel special, which of course I appreciated. However, I would say that the food service staff both at dinner and breakfast, and somewhat during cocktails, was haphazard and very lacking for a place like this. The dinner here, taking into account the price at upwards of $200 a person, was slightly above average, but nothing special. After five courses, we were not full at all. The portion size is small, and that's surprising considering we got their largest menu, the Surprise Menu. I'm not sure they had enough staff for what the atmosphere and price would imply -- at one point we have four empty wine glasses at our small two-person table. We felt forgotten about to a certain extent. The wine pairings were well-matched, but the wind director was kind of frosty. And for whatever reason, halfway through the dinner, she basically disappeared. That left the back waiter -- who is about 20 years old -- admitting to us that he chose the port from the cellar himself. That is the antithesis of good service. Wine itself here is at a 3x or 4x markup, which is too high. The room itself was nicely appointed. I really enjoyed having a fireplace in my room. (Not all the rooms have a fireplace.) We were located in the Blue Room, and the room itself was very large. It looked out over the grounds, and it was nice room. But really, with the rack room price of $1000 a night plus roughly $300 in taxes and fees, I'm not really sure that this is a $1300 a night room. Actually, it isn't at all. I look at other rooms that we have stayed in at very nice R&C hotels around the world, and I could get a lot better for $1300. For instance, they give little small Kiehl's lotions, and after we used one, it wasn't replaced at all. We called downstairs twice to ask for more lotion, and they said they didn't have any. That's a rather random thing not to have, especially something as small as that. But it's little things like that where that make you feel you're not getting the best experience. Breakfast was also a big letdown. Service was slow and haphazard. And there are only about four different breakfast options that don't rotate, so there's not much choice at all. The eggs Benedict were bland and flavorless, and some other guess we talked to warned us away from English breakfast. Breakfast was the biggest disappointment at Blantyre. Though I have been somewhat picky in this review, the Blantyre is very nice place. The Potting Shed spa was very nice, with an indoor hot tub and an outdoor pool. Because is only available accessible to hotel guests, it's very small. That's both good and bad. Overall, we had a very nice and memorable stay at Blantyre. Yes, there are some service issues and food issues, but the property itself and the hotel staff were very nice and accommodating to our requests. Sitting in the music room and taking tea is definitely something to look forward to.

Food was fine but not special. Service was scattered , slow at times and not polished at all for the caliber of the place and the prices charged. We arrived early and asked to have drinks in music room. We were told "yes of course a waitress will be right over" waitstaff never materialized. There were plenty of staff walking around aimlessly. This scenario has happened on two visits. Once seated for dinner now over a half hour into our journey we had to go and seek staff for cocktails. The food was well prepared and well done but failed to wow or impress at over 30 per plate. There was nothing refined about this experience except the decor and ambiance. Won't be back.

I had lunch here. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Some of the best service I've had. The food was nothing to write home about (except the bread), but the experience is well worth it. Definitely take some time to check out the grounds while you're there.

If I could live anywhere it would be here! Simply amazing.... the staff, the food,the gardens,the art,the books,the linens,the everything! On a scale of 1-10 it's a 100! I actually include the owner of this property in my prayers God bless you Anne!

New ownership so unprofessional and rude even the management company has left her. She has been described as very unbalanced to be kind. The property has gone downhill since new ownership - no upkeep and not close to what it used to be. Such a shame. No longer worth the trip.

The food was very good. However the atmosphere of the entire place was cold, ugly and boring. This is a new 'updating' with the supposed goal of appealing to millennials. Sad excuse and lousy execution. The millennials and others that enjoy the beauty of the Berkshires historic homes will not find it here. The beauty of the bones of this extraordinary building has been sucked right out and is inconsistent with its character.

What a special dinner here last week. Waiters were attentive and kind, atmosphere was magical and food stupendous!! We were happy with both the salmon and the chicken dishes. The side dishes were also delicious. The ginger ale we feel was probably home made!! This place is a gem and worth every cent! Dessert was a warm apple caramelized! I wish I had it now! We'll be back here for sure!

I surprised my wife with an early 10 year anniversary retreat. This place is beautiful. The service is impeccable. The room is great. The food is amazing.

Not only are jackets required of men, so are ties. Not a big deal, just thought I'd mention it since it's not listed below. Women, on the other hand, may wear anything but jeans (and, presumably shorts). Our evening started out with aperitifs (Roederer champagne for me and a Lagavulin for my husband) and canapes in a large, ornate room with numerous intimate seating arrangements. The menus and wine list were also brought to us and we ordered our meal from this room. Two of the three canapes, the cold smoked tomato soup and the lobster "salad" tart, were delicious. The third canape - a little fried ball of duck with a dried apricot -- had a very strange texture and reminded us of a duck tater tot (classy, I know). The wine list is phenomenally diverse and deep. We opted for a 1995 Gevrey Chambertain Domaine Arnaud Rousseau Clos St. Jacques which was delicious and paired nicely with our appetizers and entrees. There were notes of herbs, spices, and cherries and was well balanced. The amuse bouche was a mushroom broth with a mascarpone froth served with a very thin sun dried tomato crostini. Now, I hate mushrooms, but the mascarpone froth balanced the not overpowering mushroom broth so well that I ate the whole thing! My appetizer were 2 diver scallops with pickled carrots and radishes, very small avocado balls, quinoa, lemon coulis and micro-greens. I love quinoa and I've rarely seen it used in the fine dining arena so it was a refreshing surprise which worked very well to give the dish body and texture without the heaviness of many other starches or grains. The lemon coulis was the perfect not-too acidic foil to the richness of the scallops. My only complaint is that the scallops had no crust on them -- they had a nice caramel color on top but there was no crispness which would have added a nice additional textural element. My husband enjoyed his foie gras with pickled Bing cherries and a reduced paste of the pickling juices along with a hazelnut brioche. He particularly liked the cherries. I had the roasted sea bass with taggiasca olives, artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, sun dried grape tomatoes, tiny zucchini balls, cannellini beans, micro greens and a fried squash blossom. The sun dried grape tomatoes were so delightfully sweet and were a great compliment to the saltiness of the olives and the richness of the artichokes. The fish seemed just a touch dry, but this type of fish is meatier than (sustainable) Chilean sea bass or a black cod (which are two of my favorite fishes). The fried squash blossom offered a really nice textural contrast to the fish and cooked vegetables. My husband had the roast chicken with corn, green beans, chanterelle mushrooms, a potato confit and pan jus. The bite of chicken he gave me was incredibly flavorful, juicy and tender. He sat there with a smile on his face while his foot repeatedly tapped the floor (like when a dog has it's tummy rubbed), the same reaction he had to the foie gras -- luckily for others, we were in a private dining room ... For dessert, I had a mediocre at best cherry clafoutis with sour cream ice cream. The cherries in my dessert were nearly flavorless -- a poach in balsamic vinegar or something to give them some flavor would have been nice. Similarly, the ice cream wasn't very flavorful and I've had some beautifully flavored sour cream ice creams in the past at other places. My husband had the olive oil cake with little blls of strawberry sorbet and a strawberry and mint salad. He loved the moistness of the cake and overall enjoyed the dessert. Finally, we shared a glass of Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine -- which was nice (and better than the glass of another producer of the same type of wine we had yesterday). Overall, the presentation and sophistication of the meal at Wheatleigh surpassed our meal at Blantyre, but the more rustic/traditional fare at Blantyre was very well prepared. I do prefer the less stuffy atmosphere at Wheatleigh. The wine director, Christelle Cotar, I believe, assisted us with our wine selection -- we found her (and a couple of others, a server and a buser) to be refreshingly at ease and pleasant. Many of the other staff we encountered were stoic and seemingly dismissive. Even though it was nice, not sure I'd go back if I was in the area because of the atmosphere.

Stopped in for a drink and to check the property out. Beautiful mansion vibe. Staff could not have been nicer. Bartender made a perfect cocktail. Happy we came by, and will recommend to friends

The setting is quite magnificent, and unfortunately there it stops! The service is painfully slow, the staff is non-engaging, the dining vibe is boring (holiday weekend, should have been lively), and the food at the Bistro is disappointing. Do not order the Gnocchi - it was unlike any gnocchi I have ever had - someone at my table compared them to frozen "tater tots" which by the way taste better. It was truly a tasteless meal and a bad choice. The others in my party were disappointed too. Their main courses were overloaded with french fries which were delicious by the way. But do we really need to go to such an expensive and elegant place to enjoy french fries?

Beautiful place, amazing food, friendly staff. Def worth it if you're in berkshires. The champagne area in the basement was a bit confusing though as it didn't really fit the style.

Staying here for our 10th anniversary. What a fabulous place. The food has been fantastic and the service wonderful. The staff made the extra effort at every turn to make our weekend special. I would highly recommend the Blantyre.

A Magical Evening. We started out with Prosecco in the Music Room while an incredible pianist played gorgeous music. We were then escorted to the terrace for a great evening of dining. The pea soup was absolutely amazing, (and had no cream). The steak pommes frites were as good as I've had in France. The dessert was ridiculously decadent. After dinner we went back inside the Music Room and had complimentary after-dinner drinks. A Very Special Place.

Where to begin - there are so many details. And the Blantyre experience is all about the many subtle details, from the cheese and fruit platter awaiting you in your room upon arrival, to the parting gift bag of water and nuts for your journey back to real life. The true experience of luxury is feeling that your comfort is in the hands of real professionals who know what they are doing and care deeply about what they are doing. No request seemed too burdensome of the staff and you only had to make any request once and it would magically be handled. As other reviewers have noted, this is about as close to the Downton Abbey experience as it gets in America. From the moment of arrival to departure, you feel as though you are visiting your own English country manor. Yes, it can be a bit formal, but I did not mind a break from the uber-informal culture that seems so pervasive elsewhere. And yes I did hear a little bit of grumbling from some of the guests we met about the jacket requirement for dinner. But, I don't think would kill folks to leave the hoodie and ripped jeans at home for once. My wife and I very much enjoyed the formality of the dinner, including the drinks in the sitting room while perusing the menu and listening to their very excellent pianist. Food was excellent and service was very attentive. Any issues corrected quickly and seamlessly. In terms of room for improvement, my only issue was that the room at $1000/night, while spacious ad comfortable was looking a bit long in the tooth, pretty much ready for renovation. Also, we were in the Carriage House (furthest from the main house) and there was a dank smell in the hallway (possibly related to the fact that it was raining when we arrived). There were oil-scented wicks in our room (which suggests to me that they were masking some sort of odor). Despite the fact that wife and I are generally sensitive to smells, I must admit that everything else was so enjoyable I hardly noticed much of the time (very unlike moi) Would also note that the spa area is a bit cozy - not really a big focus IMO though wife enjoyed her massage. Pool was closed for Winter during our trip, but it was large and I imagine would be quite nice to lounge around in the summer. Overall, one of the most enjoyable weekend getaways we have had, which says a lot, as we are experienced international luxury travelers.

What can I say about Blantyre. If I could, I would give it 10 stars!!! Everything about this place is elegant. It is an early 1900's Tudor-style mansion. As with the entire experience, the food, service & atmosphere were beyond exceptional!!!

Approaching Blantyre, you gain a sense of what it was like to be a guest at a grand estate during the Gilded Age. Rapid economic growth fueled by industry and commerce, and fortified by the absence of an income tax, lead to the construction of large country homes which were the summer residences of our nation's elite. With an air of aristocracy, they commissioned renowned architects, such as Stanford White and Richard Morris Hunt, to build their European styled palaces throughout the countryside and ocean fronts of New England. As our car came to a rolling stop near the front entrance, I could almost imagine the hoof beats of horses and the creaking carriage springs of yesteryear. The architect Robert Henderson Robertson designed Blantyre in the style of a Scottish castle and construction began around the turn of the 20th century. Unfortunately, Blantyre's heyday was relatively short lived. Combinations of factors are credited with ending this opulent era by the early 1920s. These once great homes remained deserted and in disrepair for decades. And while some of these estates were completely lost, existing today only in photographs and postcards, others were restored to their former glory, such as Blantyre. The Blantyre experience must be considered in its entirety. Its inclusion as a Relais & Chateaux hotel and its five Mobile stars assure you that Blantyre is both unique and luxurious, and that your stay is sure to be memorable. Blantyre is decorated with fine European and English styled antiques. Whether you stay in the main house, the cottages or the carriage house, the rooms are impeccably designed. In true form for a fine country estate of this period, Blantyre has four tennis courts and two well-manicured croquet courts. In addition, you may try your skills at either bocce or shuffleboard. If these are not your sports of choice, the Berkshires afford many additional recreational activities, such as golf, hiking, skiing, antiquing, and classical music at nearby Tanglewood. If your goal is rest and relaxation, perhaps you may opt for a swim in either the outdoor or indoor pool, followed by a massage at their spa. What truly sets Blantyre apart from other resorts is the cuisine and service. To dine at Blantyre is to take part in a well-orchestrated affair. To begin, you are escorted to the terrace, where you are served a glass of champagne and an amuse bouche. Casually, you sip your cocktail and gaze at the Berkshires on the horizon, while croquet matches are played out on the lawns below. Eventually, you are paid a visit by the maitre d' and the sommelier, who present you with your dinner and wine menus, respectively. Once you have made your choices, you are accompanied to the dining room, which is elegantly decorated with fine linen, fresh flowers, and antique sterling silver, bone china, and cut crystal stemware. It is reasonable to assume that these table settings once adorned the tables of our nation's industrial aristocrats, and they have somehow found their way home. The service is impeccable. The service corps moves through the dining room like a choreographed ballet. Their steps are silent, their movements are graceful, and all plates are presented to the table in unison. If you must leave the table, an attendant appears to usher you to your destination. At the end of each course, the table is reset with the proper silverware, china, and stemware. The level of professionalism and politeness is astounding. The dinner was simply one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. For an entree, I chose lamb three ways - a chop, a loin, and a sausage -- each prepared with its own sauce. The sauces were in absolute harmony with the lamb, which was cooked to the perfect temperature. Following dessert, we ended our evening with a nightcap in the music room, listening to a classically-trained musician play the piano. Breakfast at Blantyre is included with your stay. Omelets, eggs Benedict, pancakes, bagels with lox, and a variety of sides were prepared to the same standards as the dinner the night before. These were served with your choice of fresh juice, coffee, or a pot of tea. We left the breakfast table satisfied and invigorated to experience everything that the Berkshires had to offer. Though not inexpensive by any means, a stay at Blantyre is not unreasonable when you consider the quality of the experience, and the number of staff and training that are required to achieve their high level of service. In summary, Blantyre is the perfect place to enjoy a special occasion with your very special someone(s). Now, pack your travel chest with your finest clothing, load the carriage, and ask your driver to set a course for Lenox, because you have an invitation to stay in a fine country home, and the royal treatment is awaiting you upon your arrival.

Blantyre is a Berkshire tudor manor modeled after an ancestral home in Scotland. Swathed in sweeping grounds which allow you to indulge in romantic visions of the 19th century, this is a B&B not to be missed. Music fills the air at mealtime and wine dinners are multi hour long stunning affairs. Lull into the spa for a day of beauty and relaxation. It's a place I'd like to call home. http://www.lalatravels.com/blog/

http://www.blantyre.com/ What a glorious find is this inn in the Berkshires , or anywhere for that matter. Its Relais & Chateau status makes sense. This is about as perfect & expensive as it gets. For once, you get what you pay for. We've only dined here... twice for weekend lunch (not brunch!). Pascal served us with friendly charm & elan this autumn in the Moire Room, where we sat round the table on antique settees. The fireplace had a robust fire and the walls were decorated with framed art of the last century and beyond. Matching the setting was the food, which was top-notch, carefully cooked cuisine. If you want to blow a good amount of money, this is the place to do it. Blantyre used to be open only in summer, but changed to a year-round policy a few years back. This is a family owned establishment of the highest order. Enjoy!

Blantyre is the epitome of gracious inn keeping and ultimate in fine dining.Your evening meal is served by intuitive wait staff. The string trio plays while you sip champagne. The lovely owner may even dine with you if you are in luck! The dessert table groans under the weight of silver trays filled with treats of every description.Breakfast in the slate floored conservatory is a veritable banquet. The gardens are lovely.Days and nights at Blantyre provide unforgettable experiences of a lifetime.

Quite possibly the most elegant dinner we've ever had. This was for a business dinner and the service, food and ambiance were all amazing.

Perfect setting. Beautiful grounds. Wonderful drinks and service. One of the worst entrees ever! Monk fish is kind of hard to screw up, but the chef managed. So much salt my blood pressure rose 20 points. Inedible. I'm really not a NY food snob, but I thought cooking like this went out 30 years ago. Prententious and over priced. Must say they removed cost of meal from $124 prix. Would rather have had food that matched the setting. Lots of chocolateand deserts. As I said, this stuff went out with Nixon! Few fresh vegetables in spite of abundance in the area and all are in season.

Came for a wedding. It was ok, $475/night ok. Stayed in the carriage house and our room had a queen bed and the shower had very low pressure. Was very surprised at check out when they slapped a $85.50 per night house fee on the bill. It was explained to me this was to cover staff gratuity! They also charged local and state tax on the gratuity so it amounted to almost 25% more than I was led to believe. I understand fees, but seriously? My two meals were covered by the bride and groom and nobody carried my luggage. I don't mind paying for luxury, but I would never stay here again. This place is a rip off.

Overpriced, stuffy. Staid in the hotel and had to deal with rude management- especially the owner. The heat didn't work in the middle of the winter in the bathroom, the steam shower wouldnt turn on. All this for 1,000 a night. Also, the food is super buttery and rich, to the point that we had stomach aches all night.

Home Sweet Home... not really but they sure make you feel that way. Excellent food, beautiful room, amazing staff, gorgeous grounds, ideally located and all wrapped up in an elegant ambiance. Could you ask for anything more? Can't wait to go back.

A dream come true! After eloping to the Berkshires, we had our wedding night dinner at the Blantyre. It was extremely romantic and simply perfect! We were first seated in the gorgeous music room with the piano player and after sipping on a martini, we were taken to our own candlelit private dining room. It was an incredibly beautiful room with a private wood burning fireplace, attended by the fantastic and attentive waitstaff. The food was without a doubt one of the best meals I have ever had.. The chateaubriand for two was cooked to perfection and every bite was like a piece of heaven..The entire evening was truly magical! If you have a special occasion to celebrate, this is without a doubt, the place to be...Simply Perfect!

very fancy-pants. we went for dinner here in march during a weekend get-away. the space was beautiful and the staff was very attentive. the nuts we got while waiting for our drink had some of the best cashews i have ever had in my entire life. the pre-appetizers were so-so; one was very fishy. wine was great. i got a cabernet sauvignon from new zeland. but, at $15 a glass it better be good! once we moved into the dining room the stuffiness reached a whole new level. all of the food was amazing; can't say enough about the chateaubriand. maybe because i filled up on nuts, maybe because the food was so rich but i could not, for the life of me, eat dessert. i wished the waiters would have clued me into the fact that the menu (which had no prices) was an automatic 3-course fixed price. i would have had a dessert wrapped up for later. i'm glad i went - it was an experience. but not totally my style. the super annoying lady sitting near us in the dining room kept talking loudly about how many times she and her husband had been there. whatever! get a life.

My husband surprised me with a trip to the Berkshires this weekend for my birthday. He booked our stay at the Blantyre, and from the moment we drove up the long driveway and entered the house, I knew we were in for an unforgettable experience! The house is absolutely gorgeous and we were lucky enough to be upgraded to the Corner Room. The room was amazing--very spacious, beautifully decorated with a HUGE bathroom that featured not one, but two rain showers (never seen that before!). The staff was super friendly and helpful--we went for a hike up Monument Mountain and they gave us a backpack with snacks, water and sunblock. Our last night there, we wanted to do some star-gazing with our telescope, so they set up chairs and a table out on the vast back lawn for us once it got dark. Breakfast is included in the stay and was very delicious. We had treatments at the spa (the Potting Shed) which were fantastic and spent some time relaxing in the hot tub afterwards and getting some sun by the outdoor pool. This place is truly incredible!

While the Spa and the Restaurant at the Blantyre are first rate, the hotel rooms and the common area are in desperate need of refurbishing (by the hotel staff's own admission). The room smelled of an odor that emanated form the wallpaper according to the hotel staff (maybe mold between the paper and the all board). The internet did not work properly for the 3 days that we stayed even though they hotel staff indicated they were aware of the problem and wee "working on" the problem. For a room rate that approximated 4 digits (tax and gratuity included), one would expect something stellar and wonderful. It's hard to understand how the hotel received the many awards and designations that it did, and really creates some serious doubt on the meaning of those awards and designations.