The Berkshires
Stay
Not into roughing it? A number of stellar hotels and inns are awaiting your arrival. Check into the Blantyre hotel and spa, the place to go for an all-around pampering massage and facial. The estate hotel’s variety of accommodations, including private cottages scattered around the Main House, are perfect for an intimate rub. But, if action is more your thing, hit the wickets in your whites. The Blantyre boasts two impressively preened championship grass croquet courts.
For a romantic setting and five-diamond cuisine, the town of Lenox boasts another top-notch hotel and restaurant, the Italianate mansion of Wheatleigh and its dining room, which are within walking distance of Tanglewood. Stay here, and you’ll be able to take in the weekend’s musical offerings without the hassle of parking.
If a little R & R is what you’re after, Canyon Ranch Lenox is a turn of the century aristocratic haven that focuses on the well-being of its patrons. Guests are sure to head home feeling refreshed, and the ladies will leave with a new sense of style. Fashion and beauty guru, Laura Mercier, will be at the resort this weekend to give complimentary make-up consultations and a few insider tips on the must-have trends of the season.
Eat
You may feel like you’re out in the middle of the woods, but you won’t go hungry here. City sophisticates requiring top-notch dining will find plenty of options out west. Bistro Zinc, with its ornate cocktail menu and chic ambiance, is the dining and nightlife hot spot in Lenox.
For a Far East influence, try Bizen, where diners can debate over the sushi joint’s cleverly named entrees, Kiss My Bass and Silence of the Yams.
And for a summer staple, visit Berkshire Ice Cream in the quaint town of Lee. But, be forewarned, with 67 creamy varieties and an eternally long line, the ordering process can make it seem like they churn out each flavor cone by cone. For a quick fix, head to one of nearly a dozen local grocers that carry the same ice cream without the wait.
Play
Drag your lawn chair down the street and park it in the grass for a night of music under the stars or in the Shed. Returning for the first time in years this weekend is BSO conductor emeritus Bernard Haitink, who will lead an all-Beethoven program on Friday at 8:30 p.m., and a powerful symphony by Mahler on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The legendary soprano Barbara Cook will also celebrate her 80th birthday with two special performances at Ozawa Hall on Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. And since James Levine is out for the summer, BSO Assistant Conductor, Julian Kuerti, will lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the music of Haydn, Bach, Mozart, and Schubert, Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
For more summer music options, Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) brings you the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival. The festival will include daily recitals to be held in the galleries and around campus, leaving you plenty of time to check out the museum’s art collection in between shows. Current collections include the politically charged PROJECTIONS of Jenny Holzer and the sculpture and paintings of Anselm Kiefer.
If you’re visiting the Berkshires to unload work week stress, a visit to the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health is a no-brainer. The center offers traditional classes, and family-friendly yoga activities including YogArt for Kids and Swingolf, a holistic approach to golf that focuses on muscle opening and mental and physical harmony. With Les Bolland’s yoga golf tactics, you’ll be putting and chipping like a pro in no time.