New Marlborough Vacation Rental cottage

I rented the Hatchery Road house for the month of July 2009 for a vacation getaway and week-end family gathering spot. It was terrific for both. The house, which has been described very well in other reviews, more than met my expectations in all regards. It is tastefully furnished with antiques and artwork to appeal to those seeking sophisticated country charm and, at the same time, is a comfortable place for a dog and several children to run around and have fun. It is well equipped with everything one could desire on vacation, from a great library of CDs, DVDs, books and tapes to a well stocked pantry and staples in the fridge. And if you need to stay connected, there’s an office (that can be converted into a second bedroom) with highspeed wifi that reaches down to a rushing stream behind the house. The large fenced-in backyard with outdoor grill and Konkopot stream, set up with hammocks and seating areas, are pleasant places to kick back and relax -- and it's all just minutes away from a host of Berkshire attractions.

I have never stayed in a rental property with so much character and charm. The owners take great pride in the place and maintain it impeccably. They made it easy to move right in and enjoy everything and I felt welcome right from the start. While I was there, they also referred me to local services, provided lots of information about the area and gladly accommodated my needs with visiting grandchildren (who just loved the sleeping loft).

Everyone who visited the house remarked what a “find” it was. The property has so much going for it – the setting, location and charm – I would highly recommend it to anyone. My family and I would return in a heartbeat.

Having been to the Berkshires and stayed in New Marlborough before, we were looking for someplace a bit more personal for a week of hiking. Hatchery Road was perfect for our purposes, with a small but well set up kitchen, plenty of room for the two of us, and close proximity to many of the hiking routes we had planned. There are a number of great day hikes in the area, and less than thirty minutes away, more challenging mountain trails. We never even found the time for any of the other outdoor activities offered in the area. Evenings were spent either relaxing in the yard, or going to one of the many cultural events on offer during the summertime in the Berkshires.

The property was clean and well-maintained (Wifi that worked!), just as advertised. The kitchen, grill and dining areas were so welcoming, in fact, that we didn't eat out once during our stay (okay, we did have a picnic at Tanglewood prior to a concert one night). For us, this was a perfect getaway from the crowds in Lenox and Stockbridge.

Hatchery Road Cottage was our base for a weeklong trip to the southern Berkshires in June 2008. We needed an easily accessible property that would accommodate one well-behaved dog plus two adults eager to mix outdoor activities, culture, and relaxation. And we wanted a certain charm—no crowded cookie-cutter condos, please!

We got our wish with this cozy home that balances recent improvements with the feel of old New England. The cathedral-ceilinged living room with its exposed beams and rustic fireplace was a comfortably furnished mix of period and more modern pieces. (Think “the Shakers meet Pottery Barn.”) The galley kitchen had just about any equipment one might need. (Although with all the good restaurants in this neck of the woods, you could spend very little time in the kitchen.) The master bedroom was comfortable and we used a smaller room (that might serve as a second bedroom) to access the highspeed wireless Internet service, which worked like a charm. The rear of the house is newer, with full length windows on three sides, a woodburning stove, satellite TV and second dining area. Sliders open to a fenced yard—no need to escort a puppy or kids outside. Beyond it a lightly treed stretch leads to the gently babbling Konkapot River, complete with bench and hammocks. You also can stroll across the road and visit a national fish hatchery for 7+ miles of hiking trails (and everything you’d ever want to know about fish culture).

Great Barrington is a quick drive away, but do check out nearby towns like Monterey, Tyringham, and Becket, as well as their better-known neighbors Stockbridge and Lenox. Looking for culture? The choices are many. Places to walk or hike? You can visit a different park or preserve every day. (If biking’s your thing, get a copy of the Western Massachusetts road and bicycle map from Rubel Bike Maps.)

All in all, Hatchery Road Cottage was a lovely, idyllic destination that we’d eagerly visit again.