Hotel Snapshot
Just over the border into Massachusetts, perched at the edge of a lake, sits Prospect, a contemporary Scandinavian-inspired hotel. Comprising over 40 cabins, a once outdated campsite was meticulously redesigned by a local team of architects and designers into a sophisticated yet wholesome camp-style hotel.
With individual cabins generously spaced throughout the property, Prospect masterfully balances seclusion and community, offering meditative lake views alongside ample gathering spaces from communal bonfires to the saltwater pool. Imagine the carefree joy of summer camp with the elevated touches of a first-in-class restaurant, wellness facilities, and handmade artisan details.
Design & Character
The hotel was designed to fade into its natural surroundings, taking cues from the towering pine trees and lake landscape. The cabins are modern and simple in structure, built of a not-yet-weathered natural cedar, inspired by Danish “hyttas” with modest, gentle interiors.
Light is a priority throughout the property, with large windows inviting lakefront views and the natural setting into all spaces. The Cliff House restaurant is outfitted with elements of Danish “hygge” (“cozy”) like sheepskin throws, but also the New England charm of a wraparound screened-in porch, an almost Western inspiration with an eye-catching deer antler chandelier in, and Berkshires hominess with a large botanical-inspired mural on the ceiling over the bar by a local artist.
Throughout the hotel, the team was inspired by the property's history. The spirit and bones of the iconic circa-1876 Cliff House building remained intact, and they opted to keep the old camp’s bathhouse, revamp it entirely with shiny new cement interiors, Quiet Town Shower Curtains, and biodegradable soaps.
The Rooms
Cabins vary in size, sleeping anywhere from one to four guests. The smaller of the bunch shares a bathhouse (they’re significantly cheaper, though). Some large cabins have a fold-out double bed to accommodate guests with children. The interiors, designed by co-owner Jade-Snow Carroll, are thoughtful, featuring minimal wall art and built-in furniture designed for function, such as a writing desk and a compact kitchenette. Small, considerate details are throughout, like a retro beach chair by the door for lake-side lounging and a kettle for brewing pre-stocked local coffee and teas.
All the linens, towels, and kimono-style robes are from Carroll’s company, Sister Moons. They’re made from organic cotton and are available for purchase. Many rooms have sliding doors, inviting the outside in, but there’s also AC and heat, which makes them comfortable in all seasons. Intentionally, there are no TVs in the cabin; this is a place to unplug. Though, almost begrudgingly, there’s wifi.
The Food & Drink Situation
The onsite restaurant, The Cliff House, is a far cry from the mess hall of camps past. For example, the lights are vintage Italian and sourced from Denmark, and the culinary program was created in collaboration with local legend and veteran chef Nancy Thomas. Dishes are farm-to-table, and the beverage menu is tight, including a spritz and gimlet; summertime drinks are best enjoyed when accompanied by the fresh lake air.
Weekend breakfast is a mix of classics, such as buttermilk pancakes with local syrup, as well as Nordic-inspired dishes (fitting for the building's ambiance), like a Skyr yogurt bowl and pastrami-cured fish with rye. There are also local pastries and breads available alongside ample local coffee offerings.
On summer days, the poolside snack shack serves drinks and ice cream.
Amenities
The hotel's amenities scream good ol’ fashioned fun with a twist of Scandi-summer. There’s a large saltwater pool with plush lounge chairs, a tennis court, and various gathering areas for bonfires and forest bathing.Extra points for the fully stocked beverage station and playful neon orange-striped pool and sauna towels.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
Two Finnish-style saunas sit on the water, available for private bookings with immediate access to a cold lake plunge. Often, they’ll host local artist workshops and yoga classes. In the pool house, there’s a full changing facility, plus two additional larger saunas.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Prospect is conveniently positioned between the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires. In the shadow of the small, but mighty, Catamount Mountain (skiable in the winter) it’s surrounded by the shops, restaurants, and galleries in Great Barrington, and plenty of hiking trails are available outside the property's edge.
Just down the road is a dance hall turned vibey fried chicken spot called Hy’s Fried and a little further into New York is an equally adventurous and delightful restaurant called Zinnia’s, known for New England Style fried fish with a Hudson Valley twist.
Prospect is also only a short drive to seasonal art attractions like Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, as well as art museums people make pilgrimages to, like The Clark and Mass MoCa.
Fast Facts
Location: Egremont, MA, in the Berkshires, right over the New York border
Vibe: New England summer camp meets Scandinavian sophistication
Rating: Two-Star
Room Count: 49 Cabins — (40 Cabins with private bath, 9 smaller rooms with a shared Bathhouse)
Pricing: From $250 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The artist sensibility and attention to space, like lake views from be,d hand-painted sign throughout the property, plus the Finnish saunas
Dining: The Cliff House hanging over the water, poolside Snack Shack in summer seasons
Amenities: Saltwater pool, tennis court, pickle ball court, private lakeside saunas, communal indoor saunas, restaurant, Picnic (on-property shop), pool bar, fire pits
Nearby Attractions: Tanglewood, Great Barrington, Catamount and Butternut Ski Mountains, Hy’s Fried
Closest Airport: Pittsfield Municipal (PSF), Albany (ALB), and Bradley (BDL) for more commercial flights
