Escape to Our Relaxing Berkshires Inn
As you drive through the massive gates of Applegate Inn, the beauty and elegance of our B&B inn, and the manicured lawns and gardens, strike you. The interior of our Berkshires inn is even more impressive. Our relaxed atmosphere is created by the careful selection of paint colors and wallpaper, well-appointed antiques, comfortable furnishings, fresh flowers and tasteful art selections.
When not exploring the area or relaxing in your room at our Bed and Breakfast, enjoy the inn’s common areas, all of which are handicapped accessible. A variety of wine and cheeses are served every evening in the inviting formal living room of our Bed and Breakfast, which has several sitting areas, a large fireplace and a baby grand piano. Conveniently located adjacent to the living room is the sun parlor featuring a gas fireplace, flat screen TV and game areas. These are just the beginning of the amenities offered at our Berkshires inn. A screened-in porch, which runs along the length of the main house, provides an excellent place to gather for views of the gardens, lawn and heated swimming pool. Guests are treated to bowls of fine candies, fruits and nuts throughout the Massachusetts inn’s common areas.
Each morning a full gourmet breakfast is served in the air conditioned formal dining room, or on the screened in porch weather permitting. A variety of tables serving two to six people are elegantly set with fine china, glassware and candles. Breakfast consists of freshly-squeezed juice, a fruit course, cereal, granola, yogurt, the 2 hot entrées of the day, muffins fresh from the oven, breads, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, vegetables, coffees and teas. On Sundays, a special grand buffet will encourage you to linger over complementary newspapers. We take care to prepare foods for special allergies and make many gluten free dishes.
After breakfast, enjoy the natural beauty of the Berkshires by stepping outside. Walk along well maintained paths to enjoy the inn’s rose gardens, perennial flowerbeds, fruit orchards and vegetable garden, or sink into one of the large hammocks to catch a glimpse of Gloria’s Secret Garden. The shade garden beckons you to explore the variety of plants that are carefully appointed to create an outdoor oasis. A stone bench is the perfect place to read a book or reflect on your visit to the inn. As the seasons change, so do the wonderful views provided at our estate.
Meet the Innkeepers of This Berkshires Inn
Len and Gloria have been married for 50 years. They moved to the Berkshires in 1999 from New York City where they had lived all their lives. In New York they lived in four of the five boroughs through the years. They were born and brought up in Brooklyn, moving to Queens when they married in 1966. In 1970 they bought their home on a hilltop in Staten Island overlooking Silver Lake and New Jersey. In 1970, their son, Mark was born and in 1972 their daughter Lisa completed the family. Gloria and Len lived in the same house in Staten Island for 28 years, raising their children there as they pursued their careers.
Len had a 35 year career in the computer communications field. During his career he worked for several corporations. He held many titles and performed many functions in the field culminating with the title of Officer in charge of voice and data communications for the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. Since coming to Applegate Len has become active in the local Rotary club which aids many charitable organizations and individuals in need in the local area. He is also a woodworker and has built many items in and around the inn, including the pool shed, the deck on the addition and the armoire in room 7.
Gloria had a 30 year career in education and psychotherapy. In 1972, she started a Montessori School on Staten Island for nursery school aged children which she ran for 28 years expanding it to take children from toddlers through the fifth grade. While directing the school, Gloria went back to college to get her 2nd masters degree in social work. She had a small family therapy practice on Staten Island. The inn is the perfect place for Gloria since she loves to cook and garden and practice yoga. She volunteers as a tutor for the Berkshire Literacy Network. She is also on the board of the Lee Chamber of Commerce and its former president.
Both of their children are married and live in the NYC area. They have 5 grandchildren.
Passport to New England
Applegate Inn is one of six Passport to New England Inns, most are proud members of Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America, and an active participant in the Quintessential New England Experience. Located in New England’s most popular destinations, these exceptional accommodations, a Select Registry hallmark, are warmed by Yankee hospitality and dedicated to a uniquely New England experience.
From Applegate, you can explore the many attractions of the Berkshires by car, on foot or by bike or snowshoes (provided by Applegate). There is Lenox, Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Center, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Berkshire Theater Festival, Barrington Stage Company, Butternut Ski Center all located near us. Whether you desire concerts, theater, dance, skiing, fishing, swimming, boating, golf, tennis, hiking, shopping or just lying in a hammock, you will find the best is here at our Berkshires inn or a short distance from us.
Applegate invites you to continue your exploration. Click here to meet our Passport friends and their inns. They will be pleased to share suggestions for your next Quintessential New England Experience.
