TRAVEL WITH PANACHE
DESTINATION: THE BERKSHIRESBlantyre
Nestled on 117 lush acres in charming Lenox, MA – in the heart of the Berkshires – this resplendent Scottish manor house hotel is a throwback to the Gilded Age during which it was built.
By Diana Mehl
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Top: the dining room at Blantyre. Above: The Potting Shed Spa at
Blantyre includes a steam room, a sauna and a large Jacuzzi.
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Originally intended as a “summer
cottage” for Robert Paterson, a successful merchant,
and his family in the early 1900s, Blantyre can now be enjoyed
by the discriminating luxury traveler, thanks to the loving
and expert ministrations of its current owners, the Fitzpatrick
Family.
Magnificent oak paneling, leaded glass windows, exquisite
antique furnishings and opulent floral arrangements all contribute
to the sensation of being the pampered houseguest of a privileged
family of a bygone era. Many of the 25 rooms and suites,
which are divided among the main house, the carriage house
and four cottages, have fireplaces and four-poster beds.
Each room has a distinctive decor and features special touches
such as oriental rugs, lavish curtains, marble sinks and
Kiehl's bathroom amenities. The Ice House Cottage Suite
is exceptional, replete with a full kitchen, a screened porch
and a luxurious bathroom that is larger than most hotel rooms.
The attention to detail extends to Blantyre's kitchen,
which is under the expert direction of chef Christopher Brooks.
Formal linens, antique china and sterling silver set the
stage for the fine French cuisine and excellent wines that
are offered nightly by a very accommodating waitstaff. Other
property highlights include a well-appointed spa, an outdoor
heated swimming pool, four Har-Tru tennis courts, two croquet
lawns and miles of walking trails.
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