In short… Tourists Welcome is a former roadside motor lodge turned design-forward yet low-key retreat in the Berkshires.
The surroundings… Close to North Adams’ incredible art institutions (MASS MoCA, The Clark, Williams College), but just enough off the beaten path to feel like you’ve escaped into the woods. 80 acres of trails and trees surround the property, which is punctuated with small surprises, i.e. a 220-foot suspension bridge across the Hoosic River; hidden paths dotted with art installations; so many trails! For such a small town, North Adams really packs in an astonishing amount of art.
The backstory… Tourists holds onto the stripped-back simplicity of its motor lodge past, but every detail has been reconsidered to feel alive with texture and warmth (but never overdone).
The vibe… Unpretentious, grounded, slowed-down. It’s like a summer camp for adults, except replace the mess hall with a communal lounge where you can sip a martini by the fireplace while perched on a vintage Mario Bellini leather couch. Picture big windows, wood beams…everything feels sturdy, substantial, and made for hanging out. There are lots of corners to settle into, inside and out: for conversation, reading, lazing away the afternoon. One day we spent all afternoon at the pool, another reading in the lounge, and lots of time wandering the grounds. Shout-out to interior designer Julie Pearson, whose masterful eye for layering tactile, vintage pieces gives the whole property a lived-in, casually refined feel.
The rooms… If Donald Judd designed your summer camp cabins? We stayed in the Ramble rooms, which are quiet, spacious, airy, and spare without feeling cold, and softened with little things that matter: huge, cloudlike king beds with fluffy down comforters. Custom robes waiting in the bathroom. Built-in window nooks, framed in big glass windows that look out to the woods. A blissful outdoor shower just outside the room. A good playlist streaming on the speakers when you walk inside. Also appreciated the smart, cloth-sewn covers to hide the TV!
The food & drink… The lobby lounge is the kind of spot you can linger in all day… coffee, simple breakfasts, and a book in the morning, then drinks and snacks by the fireplace come evening (or outside on the big patio). Maybe it was because not a lot of local restaurants were open midweek (or maybe we just felt too comfortable to leave), but we were more than happy to stay put and eat at the hotel. Our dinner at the on-site restaurant, The Airport Room, was no-fuss but just right: bucatini with tomatoes and olives, seasonal crudo, a big green salad, and a solid wine list. Later, ginger tea and warm chocolate chip cookies outside under the stars.
Is it kid-friendly? Completely: plenty of trails and wide-open spaces to run around, plus a big pool surrounded by shaded loungers.
Extra tip goes to… The front desk team, who couldn’t have been kinder. They researched swimming holes with us, organized in-room massages, and generally set the best vibe.
Be sure to… Claim your spot by a fire pit at night (and ask for a s’mores kit). Also, some of the museums are open daily, but be sure you check ahead—or go on the weekend—since a lot of the town shuts down on Monday/Tuesdays.
Parting words… The perfect long weekend escape: slow-paced but inspiring, low-key but still a destination. Definitely the place you can imagine making a tradition out of returning to. It would be especially cozy in fall or winter when the woods are covered in snow.
Date of stay: August 17th–20th
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