At a Glance
Built by a doting father in the 1890s for his daughter as a wedding gift, Wheatleigh is a stately, Italian palazzo–style home, turned hotel, that offers a secluded, intimate stay at the foot of the Berkshires.
Review
The aesthetic is undoubtedly the star of this elegant hotel in the Massachusetts Berkshires. The décor and furnishings, however, are not limited to just one era. There are Louis Comfort Tiffany stained-glass windows in the stairwell, 21st-century technology in the bedrooms and Art Deco and mid-century modern style furniture elegantly arrayed in the foyer. This all sits within an Italian Renaissance–styled villa complete with marble arches and fountains.
Tastefully done olive green- and taupe-colored, velvet furniture is scattered throughout, and there are grand marble fireplaces and artfully crafted moldings on the very high ceilings. The 19 guest rooms range dramatically in size, beginning with the aptly named Small room, which clocks in at merely 120 square feet. The rooms to get are the junior suites, which feature chic—though not very comfortable—seating areas.
The knoll upon which the mansion sits is picturesque, and views down to Stockbridge Bowl lake are pretty. The serene landscape is ideal for those in need of a secluded break, involving strolling the grounds and finding a corner in which to curl up in with a book. There is a small outdoor pool tucked in a grove, a tennis court and well-appointed gym, but the on-property amenities are not extensive—though this is not the point of Wheatleigh. Rather, guests are encouraged to disconnect, unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings—both interior and exterior.
Wheatleigh's culinary offerings are famously gourmet, and meals can be taken in the formal dining room or masculine-feeling library. Dishes, too, are haute cuisine and a recent seven-course tasting menu featured foie gras with turnip, fennel and quince sorbet and turbot with salsify, cèpe and black truffle.
Who Should Stay
Visitors coming to the Berkshires with the aim of seeing a performance at Tanglewood or Shakespeare & Company, antiques shopping in nearby Great Barrington and Lenox or merely relaxing in formal surroundings.
Read Indagare’s tips on where to dine and shop and what to see and do in the Berkshires.
Written by Amelia Osborne Scott
