Race Brook Lodge — Hotel in Sheffield

We stayed at Race Brook Lodge 10 times between 2003 and 2014, usually when seeing a show at Tanglewood. We opened our own B&B in 2014 and were unable to take these trips until we sold, so we were eager to return to Race Brook for our planned July 3 James Taylor show at Tanglewood. We were disappointed, to say the least, with the changes made since our last visit. We stayed in Undermountain – our “go-to” room because of its location in the building and its being dog-friendly. The room itself was fine, it hasn’t changed much, if at all, since our last visit.||What has changed is that it feels like all of the restrictions that were put in place for COVID were never lifted – everything is by text. There’s no front desk or way to reach anyone other than by text. There’s no one around if you need something. When we arrived, the Wi-Fi was not working so we couldn’t check in, so I wandered around the grounds looking for anyone who could help. I finally checked the Stagecoach Tavern, and the host there got me into his golf cart to ride up to the barn to connect. The owner was up there and seemed largely unbothered by the Wi-Fi not working, though he did remotely reset it. 15 minutes or so later, I was able to connect. My husband’s phone, however, would not connect – until he walked up to the barn, connected to there, and then walked back down to the room. This played out with all of our devices. That night, at dinner, the host at Stagecoach was answering more questions about guest rooms and Wi-Fi than he was engaging diners and seating them.||One morning we accidentally locked ourselves out of the room at about 7:45. I walked around looking for someone and then finally sent a text. I didn’t get a response so after about 10 minutes, I called the main number and left a voicemail. A few seconds later, the owner texted saying “someone will be right down to unlock your room”. About 20 minutes later, needing to get showered and dressed to go meet a friend for breakfast, I texted back and asked how much longer. The response was that the morning person was out sick and “it could be 9am”, so it was an hour from the first text until we could get into the room.||Breakfast? There might be, there might not be, but don’t expect it. The in-room card says that breakfast options vary and to visit the website (another QR code) where it said that breakfast was served from 8-10 Thursday through Monday. On Monday, I texted asking where the closest coffee shop was for the next 3 mornings of our stay and was told there WOULD be breakfast on Tuesday. There was, but nothing on Wednesday and Thursday. Complimentary breakfast was coffee, tea, and muffins. ONE muffin per person -additional are $2 each. Other items like omelets are charged separately. Perhaps most importantly is that coffee wasn’t available until 8am. There were a lot of grumpy people trying to find coffee much earlier. We are early risers and would have loved a cup of coffee before heading out on a hike or for the day. How hard would it be to put coffee out earlier, or put mini coffee makers in the rooms or in a common area?||Housekeeping? Nope – unless you want to pay an extra $50 to have someone come to your room. They’ll empty your trash if you put it outside your door and let them know. ||The Stagecoach Tavern was convenient but is very pricey and has a very limited menu. The menu says “hospitality included” and states they’ve raised their prices to offer better pay to staff, but then goes on to say that gratuities are always welcome. For two burgers, two beers, and a slice of pie it was $85.||Lastly, the area in the main building that used to be quite homey with books and board games, a stereo and CD library, an honor bar, and comfortable bistro tables outside is largely empty, save for children’s toys scattered around. I understand wanting to re-orient the activity around the Stagecoach Tavern and pool area but it is a little out of the way and doesn’t have the same feel. ||We used to think of Race Brook as a B&B, but it is now run more like an AirBnB. Their claim to fame used to be “chintz-free” which we appreciated but now it feels like it is hospitality-free as well. All in all, it just didn’t feel like the welcoming place it...

We stayed at Race Brook Lodge 10 times between 2003 and 2014, usually when seeing a show at Tanglewood. We opened our own B&B in 2014 and were unable to take these trips until we sold, so we were eager to return to Race Brook for our planned July 3 James Taylor show at Tanglewood. We were disappointed, to say the least, with the changes made since our last visit.

We stayed in Undermountain – our “go-to” room because of its location in the building and being dog-friendly. The room itself was fine, it hasn’t changed since our last visit. What has changed is that it feels like all of the restrictions that were put in place for COVID were never lifted. No front desk or a way to reach anyone other than by text, no one around if you need something. When we arrived, the Wi-Fi was not working so we couldn’t check in. I wandered around looking for anyone who could help. I finally checked the Stagecoach Tavern, and the host there got me into his golf cart to ride up to the barn to connect. The owner was there and was largely unbothered by the Wi-Fi not working, though he did remotely reset it. 15 minutes later I was able to connect. My husband’s phone would not connect until he walked up to the barn, connected there, and then walked back to the room. That night, at dinner, the host at Stagecoach was answering more questions about guest rooms and Wi-Fi than he was engaging diners and seating them.

One morning we locked ourselves out of the room at about 7:45. I walked around looking for someone and then sent a text. I didn’t get a response so I called the main number and left a voicemail. A few seconds later, the reply said “someone will be right down to unlock your room”. 20 minutes later, needing to get showered and dressed to go meet a friend for breakfast, I texted back and asked how much longer. The response was that the morning person was out sick and “it could be 9am”, so it was an hour before we could get into the room.

Breakfast? There might be, there might not be, but don’t expect it. The in-room card says that breakfast options vary and to visit the website where it said that breakfast was served from 8-10 Thursday-Monday! On Monday, I texted asking where the closest coffee shop was for the next 3 mornings of our stay and was told there WOULD be breakfast on Tuesday. There was, but nothing on Wednesday and Thursday. Complimentary breakfast was coffee, tea, and muffins. ONE muffin per person -additional are $2 each. Other items are charged separately. coffee wasn’t available until 8am. Lots a lot of grumpy people trying to find coffee much earlier. We would have loved a cup of coffee before heading out on a hike or for the day.

Housekeeping? Nope – unless you want to pay an extra $50 to have someone come to your room. They’ll empty your trash if you put it outside your door and let them know.

The Stagecoach Tavern was convenient but is very pricey and has a very limited menu. The menu says “hospitality included” and states they’ve raised their prices to offer better pay to staff, but then goes on to say that gratuities are always welcome. For two burgers, two beers, and a slice of pie it was $85.

Lastly, the area in the main building that used to be quite homey with books and board games (now available FOR RENT), a stereo and CD library, an honor bar (drinks and snacks now need to be purchased at the Tavern at much more $), and comfortable bistro tables outside is largely empty, save for children’s toys scattered around. I understand wanting to re-orient the activity around the Stagecoach Tavern and pool area but it is a little out of the way and doesn’t have the same feel.

We used to think of Race Brook as a B&B (and it purports to be one in is description), but it is now run more like an AirBnB. Their claim to fame used to be “chintz-free” which we appreciated but now it feels like it is hospitality-free as well. All in all, it just didn’t feel like the welcoming place it used to be.

Addendum: After the owner's response below, I contacted him directly with a screenshot of their...

Race Brook Lodge is in the most beautiful area. Babbling brook, mountain backdrop, hiking trails, and near Sheffield which is a lovely town. This is why we come here.The rooms are rustic and furniture and decor are dated, which is fine but good to know. Rooms are clean enough. But there is work that needs to be done. The lamp in our room had a chord with exposed wiring, ceiling had chipping paint, windows didn't open, bed was ok. AC worked like a charm and was quiet which was very much appreciated. Plenty of towels and hot water. Wine, beer, and snacks available for a fee. Dinner was delicious and we enjoyed our time in the restaurant there. Very warm and welcoming waitress. The concert in the barn was why we went and the band and atmosphere were great as expected. But there was quite a bit of confusion over the seating, or lack of. As people tried to find chairs we were informed it was a "standing" concert. We did not know that and apparently others didn't either. We luckily found a seat but couldn't see because people were standing in front of us. There was also quite a bit of confusion over breakfast both mornings we were there. The first morning we were told there was continental breakfast but as of 7:30 AM the coffee wasn't made yet and had grounds in the pot from previous day. We went to the market cafe in Sheffield and that was quite nice. The next morning, after the concert, there was to be a full breakfast. There were 4-5 couples waiting for breakfast around 8:15 but no one was serving. Coffee was ready and good, menu and costs were posted, but no one knew how to get their breakfast or if it was part of our package. So our final thoughts, rustic is great, we actually prefer it, and location is fabulous. Funky is fine but we also want to feel taken care of and not have to experience times...