Pros

  • Exceptional luxury property styled as a 16th century Florentine palazzo
  • Located on 22 acres of lush, landscaped grounds
  • French fine-dining restaurant on-site, The Dining Room
  • Beautifully furnished rooms with decorative fireplaces and antique bathtubs
  • Amenities include Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs and Bose Bluetooth speakers
  • Beautifully landscaped swimming pool, plus tennis court
  • Fitness center with cardio and weight-lifting equipment
  • Shiatsu massage room
  • Access to the nearby Stockbridge Golf Club
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Room rates do not include breakfast
  • No tea- or coffee-making facilities or minibar in rooms
  • No on-site spa (just a massage room)
  • Small fitness room with few machines
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Bottom Line

Wheatleigh is an exclusive, luxury property styled as a 16th century Florentine palazzo with only 19 romantic rooms. The property is set on 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, overlooking the mountains and a lake, with an outdoor pool in a pretty garden setting. A notable highlight is its French fine-dining restaurant -- which is a destination in itself. Wheatleigh does not have a typical hotel ambiance; it’s more like an exclusive luxury manor offering the unique experience of staying in a spectacular setting. For this reason, some of the usual features expected of a five-pearl hotel are absent, and some past guests have complained that its limited amenities fall short of the high room rates. A better value could be the Stonover Farm Bed and Breakfast, a nearby upscale property.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Wheatleigh

Scene

Luxurious, understated manor set in 22 acres of landscaped gardens

Located in the middle of 22 acres of landscaped gardens, the Wheatleigh offers an exclusive ambiance. Built in 1893 and styled after a 16th century Florentine palazzo, this beautiful mansion is a luxury property of elegant columned arches and impressive interiors decorated in a tasteful and understated style. Wheatleigh was constructed as a wedding present in 1893 by Henry H. Cook for his daughter Georgie. And its history recalls a roster of famous names in design: The building was designed and built by the Boston architectural firm Peabody and Stearns; the gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (designer of NYC's Central Park); and the interiors were updated by the Brooklyn firm, Tsao & McKown. The interiors reveal beautiful detailing including hardwood floors, high ceilings, antique furnishings, arched windows set with Tiffany stained glass, sculpted fireplaces, and many works of contemporary art. The vast majority of guests staying here are couples looking for a relaxing weekend break, or a pleasant place to stay during the Tanglewood Music Festival held each summer. Though children are welcome to stay here, the atmosphere here is very adult and formal. 

See More Scene

Location

Located near the town of Lenox and its cultural venues

Wheatleigh is just a four-minute drive from the town of Lenox and its many cafes, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Other cultural attractions are located here, including the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, a five-minute drive away, and The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, which is a seven-minute drive away. The venue of the Tanglewood Music Festival (also the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) is a four-minute drive from here. Stockbridge Golf Club is a 12-minute drive away, and it takes nine minutes to drive to Kennedy Park where there are horseback riding and hiking opportunities. New York is a three-hour drive away, and its two and a half hours to Boston by car. The nearest airport is Albany International Airport, a one-hour drive away, while Bradley International Airport is a 70-minute drive away. 

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Rooms

Luxurious, unique rooms with elegant furnishings, some with balconies

Each of the rooms at Wheatleigh is unique and has its own distinctive features. The decor and furnishings, however, are uniformly classic in style, with a color scheme of earthy tones with soft beiges and light grays. The Aviary is the largest of the rooms, made up of two floors linked by a striking circular staircase enclosed in glass. There’s a huge Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TV in the living room, and a plush velour sofa and chaise lounge. The charming veranda is private and a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the scenic views. The luxury bathroom has a marble sink top with a copper inlaid sink, and a claw foot bathtub. Other rooms have equally charming details such as decorative fireplaces, balconies, and terraces. All the rooms have the same huge Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Bose Bluetooth speaker systems, Powermat charging pads, free Wi-Fi, and a choice of luxury bath products including Bulgari, Aromatherapy, Clarins, Plantation, and Neutrogena. Some past guests have complained of the lack of tea- and coffee-making facilities or minibars in the rooms. 

See More Rooms

Features

Fine-dining restaurant, garden pool, fitness center, and massage room

For a luxury property, the Wheatleigh has few extra notable features. A highlight is the fine-dining French restaurant, located in the Dining Room, and run by the resident chef, Jeffrey Thompson. The menu here is seasonal and a tasting menu of several courses is on offer. A popular place to dine is in the glassed-in portico. The Library offers a more casual dining experience and has full bar service. The property's swimming pool is located in a charming and secluded corner of the gardens, with a few sun loungers available. The property also has a tennis court, and a partnership with the nearby Stockbridge Golf Club where guests have the opportunity to play on one of the oldest golf courses in the country. The fitness center located in the basement is small, and not very well equipped, with just a few workout machines. Shiatsu massages can be booked and enjoyed in the small massage room just off the fitness center, but there is no full spa on-site. Other small extras include a car rental service, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, and freshly baked cookies in rooms on arrival. The property can also be booked for weddings and special events.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Wheatleigh

Scene

Luxurious, understated manor set in 22 acres of landscaped gardens

Located in the middle of 22 acres of landscaped gardens, the Wheatleigh offers an exclusive ambiance. Built in 1893 and styled after a 16th century Florentine palazzo, this beautiful mansion is a luxury property of elegant columned arches and impressive interiors decorated in a tasteful and understated style. Wheatleigh was constructed as a wedding present in 1893 by Henry H. Cook for his daughter Georgie. And its history recalls a roster of famous names in design: The building was designed and built by the Boston architectural firm Peabody and Stearns; the gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (designer of NYC's Central Park); and the interiors were updated by the Brooklyn firm, Tsao & McKown. The interiors reveal beautiful detailing including hardwood floors, high ceilings, antique furnishings, arched windows set with Tiffany stained glass, sculpted fireplaces, and many works of contemporary art. The vast majority of guests staying here are couples looking for a relaxing weekend break, or a pleasant place to stay during the Tanglewood Music Festival held each summer. Though children are welcome to stay here, the atmosphere here is very adult and formal. 

See More Scene

Location

Located near the town of Lenox and its cultural venues

Wheatleigh is just a four-minute drive from the town of Lenox and its many cafes, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Other cultural attractions are located here, including the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, a five-minute drive away, and The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, which is a seven-minute drive away. The venue of the Tanglewood Music Festival (also the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) is a four-minute drive from here. Stockbridge Golf Club is a 12-minute drive away, and it takes nine minutes to drive to Kennedy Park where there are horseback riding and hiking opportunities. New York is a three-hour drive away, and its two and a half hours to Boston by car. The nearest airport is Albany International Airport, a one-hour drive away, while Bradley International Airport is a 70-minute drive away. 

See More Location

Rooms

Luxurious, unique rooms with elegant furnishings, some with balconies

Each of the rooms at Wheatleigh is unique and has its own distinctive features. The decor and furnishings, however, are uniformly classic in style, with a color scheme of earthy tones with soft beiges and light grays. The Aviary is the largest of the rooms, made up of two floors linked by a striking circular staircase enclosed in glass. There’s a huge Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TV in the living room, and a plush velour sofa and chaise lounge. The charming veranda is private and a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the scenic views. The luxury bathroom has a marble sink top with a copper inlaid sink, and a claw foot bathtub. Other rooms have equally charming details such as decorative fireplaces, balconies, and terraces. All the rooms have the same huge Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Bose Bluetooth speaker systems, Powermat charging pads, free Wi-Fi, and a choice of luxury bath products including Bulgari, Aromatherapy, Clarins, Plantation, and Neutrogena. Some past guests have complained of the lack of tea- and coffee-making facilities or minibars in the rooms. 

See More Rooms

Features

Fine-dining restaurant, garden pool, fitness center, and massage room

For a luxury property, the Wheatleigh has few extra notable features. A highlight is the fine-dining French restaurant, located in the Dining Room, and run by the resident chef, Jeffrey Thompson. The menu here is seasonal and a tasting menu of several courses is on offer. A popular place to dine is in the glassed-in portico. The Library offers a more casual dining experience and has full bar service. The property's swimming pool is located in a charming and secluded corner of the gardens, with a few sun loungers available. The property also has a tennis court, and a partnership with the nearby Stockbridge Golf Club where guests have the opportunity to play on one of the oldest golf courses in the country. The fitness center located in the basement is small, and not very well equipped, with just a few workout machines. Shiatsu massages can be booked and enjoyed in the small massage room just off the fitness center, but there is no full spa on-site. Other small extras include a car rental service, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, and freshly baked cookies in rooms on arrival. The property can also be booked for weddings and special events.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Golf Course

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.