Where to Stay in Pittsfield, MA: Hotel on North

Ever wanted to sleep overnight in a historic department store? Or rather — curious what it would look like if a team of experts turned a store from the 1800s into one of the most fun hotels around? Look no farther than the Hotel on North in Pittsfield, MA!

Where to Stay in Pittsfield, MA

Located just 2.5 hours from Boston in the scenic rolling green hills of the Berkshires of Massachusetts, Hotel on North is smack-dab in the center of Pittsfield — which in turn is smack-dab in the middle Berkshire County: a New England hub of the arts and culture, as well as outdoorsy adventures. In other words, this a smart place to stay in Western MA!

A Hotel Close to Live Theatre

I’m thankful to the Pittsfield experts who suggested booking this hotel. When they found out I was headed to the Barrington Stage Company‘s epic production of the musical, “Cabaret,” they pointed out: “You’ll hardly have to walk at all to get to the theatre if you stay at the Hotel on North — it adjoins the hotel’s parking lot!” This detail proved particularly useful, as it was pouring rain the day of the matinee.

Why is Hotel on North Special?

Hotel on North in Pittsfield is SPECIAL in the world of New England hotels. It is beautiful, creative, exciting, and unique. To begin with, it’s housed in a 19th century building which used to be home to a department store!

As a result, each room is different — luminous with character and charm. Gaze at my photo, above, to see the high ceilings and warm decor of the room I shared with fellow travel blogger, SanTara Cassamajor.

Unique Architecture and Decor

Hotel on North has mastered the art of juxtaposition between old and new — as in the photo above which features the historic couch in their lobby, paired with useful modern features like fast WiFi. Can you see that stunning metal ceiling, too?

Note: We were guests of Hotel on North, but all opinions and architecture ogles are my own.

Many Spaces to Relax and Unwind

If my photo, above, of the Hotel on North‘s second floor lounge doesn’t get you excited to curl up with a good novel, check out my picture, below. Yes, you saw that right: there are private reading nooks with privacy curtains around them! These are details to warm the heart of an English teacher like me.

Snag a book off the communal shelf, close the curtain, and read your stresses away. Or open the curtain, grab one of the many board games from the stack, and have some quality social time. While there are many things to do in Pittsfield, MA, there are also many to do inside this one hotel.

Repurposed Historic Materials

Gaze at these photos and see how many brilliant uses of repurposed materials you can spot at Hotel on North. Can you identify what the tables in my picture below (from the second lobby) are made of? What about the lamp stands? (See more about Pittsfield architecture‘s brilliant repurposing at that article link.)

Theatre Memorabilia at the Hotel

Because Hotel on North is so close to the Barrington Stage Company, as well as the Colonial Theatre, its exposed brick walls are adorned in many corners with memorabilia from shows. Below, you can see the delightful duo of a musical theatre poster, paired with a table made from a repurposed historic item. Yes!

Finally, we come to the pièce de résistance of repurposed excellence, found in the hotel lobby: a dress made from origami flowers that are folded from the pages of a book! (Maybe Moby Dick, which was written nearby in Melville’s Arrowhead home?)

Yes, Hotel on North in Pittsfield has it all: a friendly staff, an innovative and historic hotel that’s also modern, clean, and comfortable… and a paper book dress. What more could you want?

Berkshire Palate Restaurant

Hungry? Conveniently, Hotel on North connects with the scrumptious Berkshire Palate restaurant. We had a fun lunch of honey-bourbon wings and roasted vegetables, while people-watching through the large windows facing North Street. See more about food in my Pittsfield restaurants and shopping article.

Berkshires Museums, Arts, and Culture

Yes indeed, Pittsfield is a convenient hotel location for reveling in all the Berkshires has to offer. Want arts and culture? For museums, begin with the eclectic Berkshire Museum, just a few blocks from Hotel on North. A slightly farther drive is Hancock Shaker Village.

Half an hour north in North Adams sits MASS MoCA, which is wildly cool, and worth many hours of entertainment for all ages. Click over and see my photos from the day we spent there with kids a few years ago.

30 minutes away from Pittsfield in Williamstown is the classy Clark Art Museum. There you will find one of my all-time favorite paintings: “Onions,” by Renoir. Who can resist alliums sketched by impressionists?

Outdoorsy Nature Attractions Around the Berkshires

If you’re using Pittsfield as your base to explore the natural glories of the Berkshires (as well you should), don’t miss Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, which is a mere half-hour drive from Hotel on North. (Yes, you can drive to the summit if you don’t want to hike it!) For closer hiking, try Pittsfield State Forest.

While we’re doing superlatives here, check out Bash Bish Falls, the highest waterfall in MA. It’s a longer drive than Greylock (closer to 50 minutes), but the New York side offers a fantastic, easy hike. (I always recommend the NY entrance over the MA one, for ease of walking).

While you’re down around Great Barrington, gape at the tiny planes at the wee airport there! See? Hotel on North is close to it all.

Thanks, Hotel on North, Pittsfield!

So, what do you think? Does Hotel on North in Pittsfield, MA seem like a place you’d like to visit? What intrigues you about it? Do share!

Want more? Check out my review of the historic Red Lion Inn in nearby Stockbridge, MA!