1896 House Brookside & Pondside Country Motels

I wanted to hike in the Berkshires and explore the area. After a long day it was a pleasure to find this cozy charming place staffed by very helpful pleasant people. The little brook runny through the property was lovely to see in the moonlight. I will stay there again.

Hands down -- best place to stay for a rustic yet comfortable experience. Will go back!

We arrived on Dec11 to the 1896 Brookside and Pondside motel- the room was spotless,and the complimentary hot breakfast at the Pub was delicious and self serve---we would come back again!

We don't normally splurge for inn/hotel rooms, but it was my wife's birthday (in April) so we decided to take a chance on the 1896 and splurge for one of the suites. It was definitely worth it--beautifully decorated, very roomy, lovely jacuzzi, with cooked-to-order breakfast just next door. Plus the owners have two airedales, our favorite kind of dog. And just down the street is the Clark Art Institute and the fabulous Mezze Bistro (one of the best restaurants we've ever been to). We liked it so much that when we returned to Williamstown this summer we stayed there again (in the same suite--#202, Turn of the Century) and it was just as wonderful. The Inn also features lower-cost rooms in their Brookside Motel and Pondside motels nearby. And the Pub has a fun bar atmosphere and delicious food, with cozy highback chairs and romantic nooks in the dining area, if you don't feel like wandering down the road to eat in town. Excellent website as well--what you see is truly what you get. Highly recommended.

Beautiful setting, great staff, the room was quaint and very very clean. Breakfast was ok, fine if you just want to get some coffee and a quick bite. Have to agree that the eggs tasted like they were powdered. We stayed in the Sweetheart room and it was very nice and comfortable, with a reasonable price. I loved that they had well behaved and friendly dogs and a cat on the premises as I missed mine from home. We spent an afternoon at the pool, which was clean and refreshing. The location can't be beat. Close to town yet far out enough to enjoy the nature. Will definitely stay again!

The Pondside Motel at the 1896 House is a beautiful and quaint place to stay if you are visiting the Berkshire area. The room was immaculate, the inn keepers are very friendly, and the scenery in the region is very nice. It is conveniently located 5 minutes away from the center of Williamstown. Highly recommended!

No complaints..great cozy winter getaway...also comes with complimentary breakfast..eggs, bacon, yogurt, pastries,make your own waffles...very tasty..also has a great restaurant on the premises.

We stayed in the Pondside 3 room suite. It was quite nice, spacious and had a great jacuzzi tub, perfect after a day of skiing. The restaurant is fantastic, delicious food, good attentive service, really a pleasure. We have stayed at the 1896 House for 7 years now during our Feb. vacation week break and will continue to return.

We stayed at the 1896 House MLK weekened. Plans were made last minute, so we were afraid that there would be availability near Jiminiy Peak, and if there was, prices would be astronomical. To my suprise there was availability and for a good value. One of the nice things about the 1896 House is the bar/restaurant on the grounds. The food was good and presented a good option from myself and my friends to grab some drinks after skiing. The breakfast, which was included, was great. Scrambled eggs, bacon, bagels, waffle maker, and more. Overall it was a great experience, everyone was very nice and I would recommend for anyone look for a cheap weekend get away near Jiminy Peak.

Two day stay in winter. Very charming setting. Friendly service. Excellent breakfast. I left my eye glasses behind in the motel and the inn keeper mailed them to my house the next day.

I stayed in the "sweetheart room." I've stayed at this inn before and was very happy. I was a little disappointed this time. We arrived on a snowy day and the heat was off in the room like they weren't expecting us. It took hours to warm up the room. And the "neighbors" upstairs were extremely noisy -- kids running up and down the stairs and all over. But other than that, the rooms are clean, price is right, and it's a great place to get away from it all!

Room was nice and cozy and as described and pictured on the website. The restaurant/pub were on site and the food was excellent. I would definitely stay here again, great prices. Only 15min from Jiminy Peak.

This has been the 5th or so trip for us to 1896 House and it never disappoints us. We have come with the family (4 and an infant!) and alone and never have any complaints. Service is wonderful, they are always pleasant and accommodating and the rooms and bathrooms are spotless. We will be heading back again...soon.

Not updated and doesn't need to be as long as the 1896 house continues to be managed well and kept so immaculate it will continue to be an excellent value for travellers to the area.The 96 restaurant was perfect for breakfast and dinner-and the buffet breakfast was included with our stay!

We actually stayed in the motel section of the Bed and Breakfast and were very happy with the accomodations. The rooms were clean, cute, and more than we expected for the price. The food at the pub was outstanding and the fact that a full breakfast was included was a definite bonus. The staff couldn't have been more friendly. We will definitely go back!

This was our second stay at the Brookside having been there over the 4th of July weekend. As before, we were very happy with the room, the check-in and check-out and the tasty hot breakfast in the lovely dining room. We'll be sure to stay there again on our next visit to Williamstown.

They don't come any better than this if you're looking for a comfortable, picturesque and quiet get-away. The menu at their restaurant is truly unique for a B&B and reasonably priced. I noticed many local residents of all ages dining there and I believe that's a good sign. Don't be surprised if you see deer outside your bedroom window in the morning. An added plus is a world-class art museum nearby and it's FREE from November to May. I have never met owner/managers who are sooo concientious about their guests' comfort.

We were the only guests on a Monday night in a surprise snowstorm. The person in the office went out of her way to get us settled. A cheerful server provided prompt courteous service as we ate a perfectly prepared dinner alone in the lovely pub dining room. A path was shoveled to our car the next morning and a path shoveled from our car into the pub where a hot breakfast buffet was ready and waiting, soft music playing and a cheerful server assuring us it was not an inconvenience to be there to serve just us. Great hospitality.

I've been visiting this inn for over 20 years, so there's plenty of nostalgia and sentiment for me. The Brookside is a little fancier, but I prefer the Pondside. On my most recent stay, my wife & daughter & I stayed in the upstairs suite on Pondside. Jacuzzi tub is nice, the furniture and decor may be a little dated but it's all clean and very cozy. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet - fantastic! - and dinner at the 06 Pub was great. If you're looking for a quiet cozy place to spend a couple of nights, and you don't demand opulence and a lot of bells & whistles, this will hit the spot.

Room was very nice and comfortable - exceptionally clean. Dinner at Pub was good; breakfast was only fair. Eggs seemed to be made from powdered eggs. Overall a good place to stay although a bit overpriced.

We have stayed at 1896 House 3 or 4 times and each time they are efficient with their reservation. The motel is clean, comfortable and provides a good place to stay when we are in the area.

This B&B exists of 3 buildings and is verry large therefore it is not so cosy. It looks more like a nice motel than an B&B. The rooms are spacy and you can park in front of your room. The breakfast is nice and the surroundings are beautifull to do a bit of hiking.

I am a repeat visitor, and I have always been comfortable here. The rooms are spacious and have a homey feel. Breakfast is huge; hot foods as well as the standard cereal and toast. We had dinner at the restaurant for the first time; interesting food, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

Very good location for getting in and out of Williamstown for golf, sightseeing, museums etc. Loved the atmosphere of the pub for dinner. Breakfast buffet was good in a cozy fireplaced room. Would definitely return, if not just to see the airedales lounging on the couches in the reception area!

We stayed in the Deluxe Country King room in the Brookside motel and could not not have asked for anything more. The room was very cozy and the spa tub very nice, we could not figure out how to work the gas fireplace, but it wasn't very cold out so it wasn't a big deal. We had dinner at the '6 House Pub, which is a lovely short walk away over a small bridge that goes over a cute brook and the food was amazing and the atmosphere even better. The complimentary breakfast buffet at the '6 Pub was also excellent. We will definitely go back again. The two dogs that live at the inn are also incredibly cute and friendly.

A pretty decent, retro sort of motel (don't expect big screen TVs and refrigerators in the rooms) but you couldn't ask for a better location, nestled as it is in one of the nicest parts of the Berkshires. The rate might have been a touch high for the level of amenities there but then it was high foliage season. However, the cost was offset by a large selection of cable TV channels, Wi-Fi at no additional charge that worked well, a simple but adequate buffet breakfast (included in the price) in the very homey and convenient onsite pub, which was quite good for lunch and dinner, too. Just one warning: cell phone service is spotty in pockets of South Williamstown where the 1896 House is located. I couldn't get an ATT/Tracfone network connection from my motel room and my friend got only poor Sprint reception that ultimately made conversation next to impossible. This is, obviously, not the fault of the inn, but you may want to plan to make your calls in a less mountain-enclosed area.

We only spent one night in the Brookside section which is really a motel. The rooms are a little dark but clean and well equipped. Location is pretty but not close to much (short drive to Williamstown). Breakfast (buffet) was mediocre, the eggs tasted like they were powdered. Dinner at the '6 pub was pretty good though.

This Inn is charming, and the food was great - best clam chowder! I would stay here again - great value!

I was very pleased with the room and cleanliness. The day prior to my stay at 1896 I stayed in Burlington at a hotel that cost twice as much and was completely disgusting. I was very happy to be at 1896 and have a good night sleep.

Very pretty setting. Rooms were absolutlely spotless - not a speck of mold in the tub area. Very friendly staff. Definitely will stay again.

The place is nice and quiet and most importantly - clean. The big criticism that I would share is that it really doesn't feel like it's worth the rates they charge. If they just spruced up the rooms a little with some authentic antiques (which seem very cheap up there), they could drown out the 60's feel you get from the place.

This property was adequate and considering the "leaf watcher prices" wasn't a big surprise or disappointment, it just fails to impress. It is a tarted up old motel, nothing special in that regard. The bed really was uncomfortable, now that I think about it. Check-in was easy enough, parking fine. The breakfast is nearly identical to Residence Inn - again nothing particularly bad... just fails to impress for the price point they are trying to hit. Wouldn't return unless there were no other options. As an aside, the meal (late dinner) we had at the pub on site was fine - service good, a bit overpriced but still had a good time.

While we expected a B&B to be in one building, this seemed to be a former motel. It was indeed a B&B since we had a bed and they served breakfast albiet in a restaurant/pub that was open for lunch & dinner for the public. There was no central relaxing room. We walked across a pathway/bridge over a creek to get to the breakfast. I would not like to do that in bad weather. Service was excellent and friendly. Luxury accommodations were more expensive and featured in photos.

Our dinner meal at '6 Restauarant was very good, however the breakfast that came with the stay was just average. The room was a pleasant surprise.

Good location close to downtown Williamstown and a great value compared to some of the other local lodging. Would definitely stay here again when visiting the area.

Staying Brookside was the best choice by far. Nothing like sitting in an Adirondack chair by a babbling brook yards in front of your motel room with rocking chairs in front. A lovely bit of yard and then really convenient parking steps away. My mother appreciated the step-in shower and we both thought that the cleanliness was unrivalled. A lovely little getaway!

After losing my dog I spent a lonely day by the stream (with Layla) and had a fabulous dinner followed be a peaceful, restful night. thank you

We found the inn easy to find right out of the town center. The room was spacious and clean. The breakfast was outstanding; much more than a continental. A perfect getaway and we shall return!

For 20 years we have been spending a long weekend in the Berkshires. The beauty, tranquility and many cultural options keep our souls satisfied for 51 weeks.

Have been staying at the 1896 House on the second weekend in July. Mu best friend and I came to the Berkshires every summer for the country and the culture. Part of the recurring pleasures are Sue an Denise and the 1896 House. We've seen them expand and prosper over the years. They always take good care of us.

found this place to be very inviting upon passing by so we stopped and the people were more then accommodating

Greatly enjoyed our stay in the luxurious Barnside suite. The suite was very nicely appointed, spacious, and clean. The bedding was the most comfortable we have ever slept on. Staff was friendly and helpful. Our dinner at the 6 House Pub was very good and reasonably priced. Breakfast buffet had nice selection although the scrambled eggs and pastries could be better. The grounds are very pretty with the bridge across the brook and the gardens with gazebo in front. Would be a nice place to relax outdoors in the summer during your stay. Will recommend to friends who come to visit the area.

Room was comfortable and clean. The breakfast was well done. They even had a make your own waffle option.

We traveled 3000 miles to have a B&B experience. Upon checking in, we were greeted warmly and given vague directions regarding breakfast. The following morning we entered the breakfast room and were seated at a nice table with a great spread of food. The "chef" was about to begin our egg order when she asked us what room we were in. We told her and she let us know right away that we were in the wrong breakfast room. We were embarassed, but went around the corner to the correct one. The food was sub-par in quality and variety. A woman approached us (without introducing herself) and rudely told us that we owe them $15.00. It turns out it was the proprietor of the B&B. Not exactly how we envisioned our stay to be. Although I pre-paid for the room for 2 nights, we packed our stuff up and left to find another place to stay. This was a very unprofessional place and has ruined my openness to seek out B&B's in unfamiliar areas of travel.

This place is charming. Everything was fine. Very nice setting especially, with a lovely brook babbling in front and inviting tables and chairs for that late afternoon/pre-dinner break time. The rooms look as if they were done sometime during the 1960s - they're clean and tidy and everything works fine, it's just that the design is a trip back about half a decade. (And oh, the walls could be a little thicker)

1896 House hosted a reunion of some 30 old friends. The inn could not have been more accommodating and the lovely location, which allowed for both privacy and group gatherings, was exactly what we were looking for. Everyone on staff was helpful and friendly - and the owners clearly have an eye for the small details that make a stay comfortable. Just perfect.

Stayed one night while our daughter visited Williams. Very nice "old school" motel conveniently located within minutes of Wiliamstown. Rooms featured two queen beds and were well appointed and very clean. The on-site pub had very good food and a nice selection of beer on tap. Very friendly service for both the motel and the pub. Breakfast was typical fare but featured an extensive selection which suited our needs. Overall a pleasant surprise and a place we would highly recommend to others.

My husband and I spent 5 nights traveling around New England during the peak of the foliage season 2009. All the B&Bs we stayed at were cute and met or exceeded our expectation and then we came to the 1896 House which was our last stop. Everything being equal this place will do in a pinch but I wouldn't recommended it for a place to stay. The best thing about this place was the bartender at the pub.

We loved the Sweetheart Room! We only had one night in the Berkshires on a return trip from Lake Winnipeasauke and we were very satisfied with everything!

It started with a smile. Come in tired and someone smiles at you and says convincingly, how may I help you, kind of says it all. They were full on one side of the road near the brooke but gave us a room on the other side of the road. We were delighted to find an extremely cheerful and spotless room by a pond! The proprietor and staff just went out of their way to make us feel like family. And the PUB is family eating and the food superb!

i would recommend it to all. the setting was fabulous. the 6 house pub near by was the best.

From making our reservations to checking out, we recieved warm and friendly professional service. Our room was beautifully decorated with comfortable beds and seating. Birds were attracted to bird feeders and seating by the brook provided a relaxing time before going to dinner in the '6 Pub. Great pasta dishes, lovely and tasteful antiques, and oriental rugs. We'll return!