The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA — Hotel in North Adams

3.5 if I could. It’s all an expectations game, as is anything. Expected more based on the marketing and price. I admittedly didn’t do a ton of research into this place when my husband wanted to book for an impromptu overnight escape from the kids - we had been talking about wanting to check out MASS MoCA for a while. But the Porches website is misleadingly. The cover image they use hides the fact that there is a busy road cutting between the hotel and museum, the photo makes it seem like you’re practically staying on the museum campus. (The use of the museum logo also contributes to it feeling misleading - like it’s all part of the complex.) In reality the porches overlook the busy road, the car wash across the street, and the backside of the museum and equipment. Shame on me for not doing google maps research I guess. The walk over could be a lot more welcoming too but that’s in the museum’s control not the hotel.

That said I love the concept of the creative renovation and rehabilitation encouraging a walkable downtown. Overall nice execution. They encapsulated some exterior elements in the circulation areas, which is fun and recalls the history. I didn’t explore the other amenities on the grounds or have breakfast, but stayed in a king bedroom on the second floor for just one night.

They got a lot of details right: wine glasses and bottle opener in the room, fabric panels on the bottom half of the windows to block the view to parking and for privacy, Apple TVs and Sony TVs. Definitely thought and care went into the conception. I liked the idea of an ironic approach to the older b&b type vibe. If anything I wish they took it further. Maybe edited some of the antiques, mixed in a few contemporary elements, and were more playful with select items. A couple details were missed: the TV cabinet had spindles on the top that projected into the tv view, and that cabinet blocked the flow from the bathroom when open, the shower head was in need of a deep clean - lots of calcification, the mini fridge needed a wipe down inside - some crumbs. Overall though the room was clean. But I found the bed uncomfortable. Very hard. And the pillows were cheap and flat. Unfortunately a poor nights sleep for me.

I also wished there was just a mini fridge not a stocked mini bar. We brought wine and snacks and had to do a rearrange to fit them. For a hotel of this level, the full mini bar with nips is overkill. And I’ve stayed in lots of hotels and never had a mini fridge with a lock, that was a very annoying feature every time you wanted to refill your wine glass.

The bathroom was really lovely and super spacious with a nice soaking tub. They seemingly preserved and frosted some old windows between the tub and the room, which was a really nice thoughtful design detail, but could use a dusting. Our room in the red section on the second floor definitely had a bit of an ant problem. Probably encountered a dozen upon arrival within the hour or so we were getting ready for dinner, mostly in the bathroom. But an ant treatment and deep clean of the showerhead really is all that’s needed to make the bathroom experience five stars.

Staff was very friendly during check in and out. Overall a couple tweaks and improvements and this could be a really...

It saddens me to write a poor review of The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA but it has to be addressed for the sake of those that will visit after us. We visited to celebrate our anniversary and to reminisce a similar visit 15 years ago Upon check-in the memories flooded back and we dropped our bags in the 2 bedroom suite to quickly scoot to the museum, which did not disappoint! :) We came back to the room excited and exhausted. Kiddo was stoked to hang out in “the crowsnest” —we dubbed the upstairs suite—and we looked forward to having some time to relax downstairs. It was perfect. The space we needed to be able to unwind and take in all the art we enjoyed while kiddo loved the upstairs hang out. About 30 minutes in my husband started to sneeze and wheeze, I thought little of it until the wheezing became violent and his eyes were swelling. He didn’t stop. I didn’t think it could be possible but called the front desk to check if CATS (not the musical unfortunately) could have been in the suite. Surely this wouldn’t be the case, I thought, somewhat naive I now realize. Front desk let me know quite matter of factly—and surly— that we were in the PET building! I told the clerk how my husband has a SEVERE CAT ALLERGY and she replied with “well, our rooms are cleaned.” I believe I need say no more but sadly this is not how a cat allergy works (we would have owned 3 cats by now if it was that simple!). She offered to move us but of course, no more two bedroom suites. Instead we opted for a one bed suite. I asked if the pull out couch would be uncomfortable and she assured me it wasn’t. Well, I’m up at 5 am—it’s uncomfortable and yes, you can feel the bars sticking through. I also had to call to get a duvet and extra pillows instead of the cheap scratchy blanket and motel 6 style worn out pillows, no big deal in itself but I received a worn out cheap lumped up comforter and lumped up matching pillows :( HELLO MOTEL 6 No fine Italian linens either LOL I have to laugh because I’m not even mentioning how “clean” the suite really was. I took some pictures but suffice it say, some of the cat was still behind the night stand. The rugs are terribly worn and not vacuumed. The one bed suite still had hair from a previous occupant in the shower and to top it off the blinds don’t fit the windows so the street light will be your best friend by morning. This being said I’m still smiling because my husband is still breathing! Folks, not notifying your guests of CAT friendly rooms is flat out DANGEROUS. And not because I don’t absolutely love cats but because their dander causes astma in my husband which causes him to stop breathing. Not once were we told about the cat rooms on their website (we booked direct) or by the check in clerk. Oh, and did I mention we were assured we would now only pay for a one Bedroom suite instead of a two bedroom? You...

I enjoyed my stay but not without downsides. First impressions were great. The entire place is beautiful. Rooms keep their classic look while also having modern amenities. Me and the lady Ashley (also wrote a review) stayed for Valentine's day weekend for her birthday. We stayed in room 21 and what a beautiful suite it was. The only problem was... The door lock was very difficult to open. After the first night though I got the hang of it. That night we also found another issue... The outlets are extremely loose and I had to use my backpack to keep the fan plugged in. Bed was comfortable except for the rough thin blanket on top. The bathtub shower was excellent and I loved the jets in it... Until the lady put too much soap and the bubbles were almost overflowing. When we went down for breakfast we met the other disappointment. They didn't have my girlfriend's and my favorite breakfast food, pancakes, or hash browns, or even bacon. In fact there were really no cooked breakfast foods. They even have that kind of foods for free at the Best Western... And they are 1/5th the price. My girlfriend is now staring at pictures of pancakes and bacon and hash browns and watching people eat pancakes on her phone. The pool area was amazing however. Awesome pool heated to a nice 85° and a hot tub at an awesome 101°. Perfect for relaxing in the winter. If you have never been in a hot tub outside in the winter, do it, it's an awesome feeling. But lastly I have the price... $700 for 2 nights is very steep. Especially with such a small breakfast selection. A 1 week cruise is about...