T+L’s First In Review Of Prospect In The Berkshires Massachusetts

It can feel as if “landscape” or nature-based hotels are all the same. Sometimes, however, I find a hotel that is a breath of fresh air and a shot of turmeric-ginger to the soul. Recently, I was caught off-guard by the sizzle of joy as I pulled into ProspectThe secluded corner of southern Berkshires. This 30-acre retreat, which was once a 150-year old picnic area, welcomes you to its lush, open landscape with cedar cabins that are seamlessly integrated into the landscape. It also has a 56-acre lake.

Prospect feels more like a return to a camp than a tourist destination. This hidden Eden may be a draw in its own right, but the hotel doesn’t take its success for granted. The vibe at the hotel is curated, fun and frolicsome. From the cinematic pool to the reimagined Cliff House dining area. In 2021, Ian Rasch, Jade-Snow Carroll and their creative team set out to transform a dilapidated RV park into an educational center, a cultural hub, and a community hub that would be open to both guests and visitors. The day passes for the resort and restaurant are intended to keep things that way.

Carroll said, “Nature has the antidote for all the things that are happening now,” while identifying witch hazel plants on a walking or biking tour (navigable via foot, bicycle, or golf cart). Carroll co-owns an artisanal bedding company. Sister Moons, Rasch designed the interiors of Prospect as a love-letter to her Berkshire roots, where she grew up just two miles away, and Cape Cod camping summers at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Rasch’s early years in Norway were spent in sleeping bags. hyttes —cozy, wooden cabins symbolizing closeness to nature—Also had a distinct influence.

While walking amongst red maples, flowering dogswood trees, wind chimes and the lake that twinkled at my corner of the eye, I felt the urge to throw my phone into the woods in order to cultivate presence rather than Instagram followers. Rasch, Roman Montano, and their design-build company have been working together on a biophilic architectural project. AlanderThe restoration includes the creation of wetlands, which will improve the water quality and riparian edge of the lake. It also includes the removal of invasive species and the planting of native trees, shrubs and grasses.

After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before.

Here is my complete review of Prospect.

The Rooms

The four cabin clusters are named according to their unique settings: Lakeside Knoll and Hillside. All 49 Scandinavian structures have a view of the lake. They are also pet-friendly. The cabins are designed to draw guests in, whether it’s a couple in a King Hideaway of 135 square feet nestled in the woods or a family in a larger 400-square foot cabin located near the lake. The Hideaways are located near a luxurious bathhouse that has lockers, showers and changing rooms with yellow-striped curtains. Quiet Town.)

The Lakeside Cabin 7 was my choice. It had a private swimming area, which I enjoyed sharing with the six yellow goslings. Carroll’s minimalist style is evident in the cabin’s sunlit interior. There are a few thoughtful details: a Bluetooth Radio, a deck cards, a pink acorn vases with vine plants on the side table, and some pre-loved, used books, such as “The Pearl” or “The Hobbit.” There is no phone or TV in the room. I didn’t mind, because the concierge responded quickly to my texts if I had any questions. Although there is a strong Wi-Fi connection, guests will soon be able to disconnect from their cabin.

I either read on a comfy bench with plush pillows, next to a beautiful window, or on a wooden chair with a wool throw that was made by the owners’ 40 sheep herd. They will make their Prospect debut in early June. There are classic lawn chairs in each cabin. I wish that I had taken one down and sat on the grass. Carroll announced that Adirondack chair and picnic tables would be added to cabins later this summer.

I was very comfortable on the organic Cotton Sister Moons bedding. Then, I added soft MacAusland sheep blankets. Prince Edward Island (available for sale at the hotel). Each room features an electric kettle with complimentary Share Roasters instant coffee and Rishi Tea & Botanicals provisions. By July, mini-fridges will have picnic items. Bathrooms are spacious and feature frosted glass, Sister Moons bathrobes and Oneka biodegradable bath products.

Food and Drink

There are many scenic restaurants in the Berkshires. However, the Cliff House has the best table for a view. With an expansive porch suspended over the water and wide windows—picture swooping blue barn swallows, hypnotic ripples, rustling maple trees, and rolling hills of the Taconic Range—this 5,000-square-foot space harnesses the power of Prospect Lake and fine culinary craftsmanship; every meal here is a thrill.

I chose to play musical seats during the soft-opening of the restaurant. I started with a delicious rhubarb cocktail on the outdoor porch decorated in grass-green Hays furnishings, then moved to an emerald sofa in the middle. I ordered pintxos – a quiet explosion of anchovy with its skewered olives. boqueronesThe ricotta with beets is a delicious combination of sweet grapes and almonds. I heard several guests rave about other appetizers such as the rainbow carrots with buttermilk and asparagus with hazelnuts. As for the main course I sat by the window where the lake was glowing at twilight and enjoyed a delicious Hudson steelhead trout with an aromatic sunflower salsa verde sauce.

There is a kids’ menu that includes staples such as chicken tenders and spaghetti, but the majority of young customers were happy to eat whatever their parents were eating. The Mezze Hospitality Group is in charge of the menu, which will feature bright, diverse dishes that promote small local farms. Nancy Thomas said, “I came to see Ian and Jade’s commitment to enriching Berkshire Community,” co-founder of hospitality company which also owns Bluebird & Co. The following are some examples of how to get started: Mezze Bistro.

Cliff House’s design is based on the natural landscape, so it doesn’t require much in terms of aesthetics. Carroll doesn’t believe in decorating for the sake it of decorating. The modern rusticity of the interior is a result of the cedar walls, which are adorned with botanical sconces. Also, the mahogany floors and American Chestnut beams date back to the 1876 when the building was used as a viewing deck before it became a residence and bar. The soaring ceiling of 25 feet gives this space a sense of spaciousness. It comfortably houses the main dining room and bar area as well as a fern filled lounge. a fireside marble bench. Carroll, a vintage enthusiast, found and restored an elk-antler chandelier from the 1960s above the leather sofa and emerald colored Anthropologie chairs. At the swanky bar, flanked by golden Murano glass pendants from the 1970s, try another cocktail, such as the Delores del Rio with passionfruit, tequila, jalapeño, and lime, or the Prospect mocktail, a refreshing citrusy drink with palo santo and basil.

The Cliff House serves a continental breakfast at 8:00 am. A fisherman was reeling in his catch as I sipped a cappuccino on the porch. I also had a fresh sourdough sourdough and a homemade yogurt parfait. In late June, a full brunch menu is set to be launched on the weekends.

The Cliff House has a store in front that sells grab-and-go food, beers and sodas. Some of these are alcohol-free. In June, you can order slushees, chips, ice-cream, picnics, assorted seasonal salads, and sandwiches at the pool house.

Activities and Experiences

Summers may be for swinging a racket and floating in the pool—and this one makes a chic splash with stark white chaise lounges and retro Tuuci umbrellas—but nature is in abundance at Prospect, and there are many fun ways to engage with it. Two Sunfish sailboats are located on a central dock, along with six paddleboards and two kayaks. Motorized boats are not allowed in the lake. From July onwards, guided outdoor adventures will include fishing, sailing and birding walks.

The event calendar is constantly evolving and will include movie nights at the pool and jazz, as well as cooking classes and floral arrangement workshops. The Cliff House’s general store has a variety of painting supplies that will inspire you to be a creative person if you are staying during days with no programming. The hotel is named after the lake that it overlooks, but its owners chose this name to represent possibility. Carroll stated that they would like people to come here and leave with good memories, as well as a skill or piece of artwork created.

You can create your own fire in any of the five firepits located throughout Prospect. S’mores kits are available in all rooms.

The Spa

A dedicated spa is not available. The two Finnish saunas located on the shores of the lake, and two additional saunas at Bath House are the only saunas. Come summer, Prospect will offer several à la carte wellness services, such as yoga, in-room massages, and facials.

Offers Family Friendly

Prospect is introducing a jungle gym in the forest and an arts and craft corner at Cliff House, by mid-summer.

Even though I enjoyed my time at Prospect, swimming and paddling in the lake and eating a bowl of chocolate pud, I thought about how much I would love to return with my parents and two children for a multigenerational vacation. The outdoors and nature can be a great way to bond with your family. Prospect has it all.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

The only cabins with adjacent parking spaces are #33 and #35, which are ADA-compliant and located in the Knoll section. The rooms include grab bars, roll-in toilets, multiple stool rests and more.

Prospect is committed to sustainability. Rasch, Carroll, and others said Prospect’s vision was to create an educational, hospitality, and restorative environment design experience that “incorporated the complementary goals of minimising harm to human systems and health as well as enriching human body, mind and spirit.” The hotel has net-zero energy goal and all buildings are equipped with electric power. The water system is equipped with rainwater harvesting, low-flow fixtures, and other features.

The Prospect team will continue to cultivate the landscape using permaculture, adding fruit trees, herbs and pollinator garden to a century old apple orchard. Max Scherff is the General Manager, and he previously worked for the historic Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, said, “As we build out the infrastructure, we look forward to offering opportunities to our community—locals and guests—to participate in regenerative agriculture and restoration practices.”

Location

Egremont may seem way off the beaten path, but savvy travelers have been flocking here for one great establishment or another long before Prospect—there’s hallowed music hall The Egremont Barn Newbies to nightlife Hy’s Fried (and pizzaiolo Rafi Bildner’s much-anticipated Hilltown Hot Pies). In just 30 minutes, the hotel is only 2.5 hours drive from Boston or New York City. Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow. Shakespeare & Company. Carroll suggests Great Barrington in the north of Boston, a trendy town. And All that JazzYou can find vintage treasures at, and just a 5-minute drive to the east, you will reach the W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic SiteWhere the activist and NAACP founding founder’s childhood house once stood.

The region is a paradise for hikers, and there are many trails to choose from. A beautiful 3.3 mile route runs along the Appalachian Trail Alford Springs Reserve is a moderately sized reserve. 4.3-mile Father loop The following are some examples of how to get started: 2.4-mile Mother loopTwo trails are underrated but great for birding. In just 15 minutes you can reach the popular, 3.8-mile hike up Monument MountainHerman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne and others climbed the 1,739 feet together in 1850.

The Best Value for Your Stay

Prospect offers discounts on multi-room or longer stay bookings. A $30 daily “adventure resort fee” covers activities like swimming pool, sauna, tennis and pickleball. Room rates do not include meals and drinks.

Rates for nightly stays at Prospect Low season rates start at $75. In high season, rates for nightly accommodations range from $175 for a King Hideaway midweek to $550 at weekends for a Lakeside Cabin.

T+L’s hotel reviews are written by an experienced editor or reporter, who has personally stayed in the hotel. Each hotel is selected to align with our values. core values.