Leighann F.
Yelp
Every now and then, city mice need to leave the confines of their concrete world and join their brethren in the country, where cell phone service exists only in fleeting moments and you can actually see the stars. And they should do this by visiting The Berkshires. Specifically, Old Inn on The Green in New Marlborough.
Set a bit apart from the tourist attractions, but still near the charm of The Berkshires, Old Inn is a former 18th-century stage coach house currently channeling the ease and pace of the era of it's construction--the prime atmosphere for escaping from the usual honking and bustling of traffic and the crowded city sidewalks. The main house has it's original flooring, several guest rooms and a dining room lit only by candlelight. The Thayer house, located next to the Old Inn, features gorgeous common areas and more guest rooms. We opted for the Thayer House, a recommendation on the proprietor's part, on account of greater privacy and less noise (no children were staying there and it was located away from the main dining room).
Our room in the Thayer House was not only spacious, but well-appointed, from the sitting area and comfy bed, to the working fireplace (which we used, and it was glorious), to the bathroom featuring a separate room with a deep jacuzzi tub. Plenty of natural light streamed into the room during the day, while the quiet at night was scary at first, relaxing once you got used to it.
For the night we arrived (Saturday) we made dinner reservations for the dining room at 8:30pm. Greeted by the host and seated immediately at a large table in the center of the room, the ambiance was romantic like no other restaurant--no electricity, only candlelight and the murmurs of other couples around us enjoying their meals and company. Our waiter was impeccable throughout the 7-course Chef's Tasting, which, on that evening, featured Red Beet Tarte Tatin, Saffron Pea Risotto, Butter-Poached Lobster & Scallops, Veal Sweetbreads, Roast Rack of Colorado Lamb, Great Hill Blue Cheese Course, Chocolate Caramel Tart. Everything, literally everything, from the pace of the meal, to the flavors and cooking temperatures, right down to the wine pairings (perfect choices for every dish--crisp Brut champagne, sweet Spätlese Riesling, clean Chardonnay and bold Pinots)--there is not one comment I have on the meal that would remotely indicate disappointment. One note: the wine supplement is $80, but the pours are extremely generous and the waiter constantly offered to let us try other wines (in addition to the pairings), as well as offered to pour more of any specific wine we desired. After dinner, we enjoyed some french-press coffee, made with locally roasted beans and retired to our room where we lit a fire.
From our arrival to the moment we left, Meredith, one of the proprietors, was a gracious hostess. She welcomed us and showed us to our room and gave us a brief lesson on how to work the fireplace and a bit of info about dinner reservations. She also helped us find a spa for massages and gave us directions to the various places we wanted to visit the next day. Even the check out process was simple and relaxing.
An overnight trip to the Old Inn is the perfect little getaway--nestled just far away from Boston and NYC to feel like a real vacation, but close enough to take just a weekend to recharge.