Amenities Columns

$$ | Miles | Fit | Kit | I'net

$$

This column indicates the typical price range of this hotel. We use the following codes: E=Economy (under $50), M=Midrange ($50 to $100), U=Upscale ($100 to $150), L=Luxury (over $150). Please note that room rates fluctuate (seasonal popularity, special events in the area, etc.).

Miles

The approximate distance in miles from the exit to the hotel. These are calculations using GPS data. Distances along city streets will be somewhat different but this should give you a good idea of the distances to Discount Hotels near the cited Interstate exit.

Fit

Discount Hotels near I-90 in Lee offering  'fitness' or exercise facilities are indicated with an F in this column. If the hotel also has a spa, it is so indicated by an S in this column. Most hotels define a 'spa' as a large hot tub with built in water jets. In a few cases, fitness facilities and spas may be off-premises (entry by pass issued by the hotel) in which case dressing rooms are also present for your convenience.

Kit

Discount Hotels near I-90 in Lee offering a full kitchen or 'kitchenette' are indicated with an 'K' in this column. An 'M' in this column indicates microwave available. If the room also has a refrigerator, it is so indicated by an 'R' in this column. Many hotels have some rooms furnished with microwaves and small refrigerators but you have to request them. We list them only if there is not an additional charge (or so they have informed us).

I'net

Discount Hotels near I-90 in Lee offering Internet access are indicated (with an M for dial-up and W for wideband) in the I'net column. Please note that 'wideband' facilities vary. In addition to a network port (usually installed in the docking station), we suggest you bring along cables and your Windows distribution CD (in case you are required to load a special network driver). For 'dial up dataports', you would only need a modem and an RJ-11 patch cord (which you should always have with you, anyway).

To check rates, amenities or make hotel reservations, just click on the hotel name.

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Lee is a picture postcard town - like something one would see in a Norman Rockwell painting (maybe it was one of his subjects).

Visitors' Center - From I-90 take exit 2 and turn right on US-20 after you leave the toll booth. As US-20 enters Lee it makes a right turn onto Park Street. The second street on your right in Park Place. The Lee Chamber of Commerce is at 3 Park Place.

Main Street - There are several great restaurants within walking distance. The 'Red Apple' on Park Plaza (which you passed on your left on the way into town) is a Chinese restaurant. If you walk over to Main Street you will find the Strange Brew (they serve brewed coffee and they're not at all strange). The Cactus Cafe serves Mexican cuisine. Then there's the Juice N Java and, a little bit further, is the Salmon Run Fish House. That is a lot of eateries for a little town!
  As you walk up Main Street you can't help but feel that you are in storybook land. The sidewalk is so nice and wide; the old-fashioned canvas awnings overhead protect you from the sun (or rain) and the store fronts (there are several dress shops) are very inviting. Even if there were nothing else to see, here, Main Street in itself is more than enough excuse for getting off the Turnpike and stopping in.

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  This isn't meant to be an afterthought but, after all, eats come first. The Chamber has devised a historic walking tour of downtown Lee. You just might find this tour very interesting. For an outline go to their page at WalkingTour.

Jacob's Pillow Dance - Jacob's Pillow was originally a family farm. In 1933, the legendary dancer, Ted Shawn, founded a dance center here. Since then, many great artists of the dance have taught, performed and even created dance at the Jacob's Pillow.
  Each summer Jacob's Pillow has a summer-long festival including a host of varied performances. (See their web site for details and schedules.) The successes of Jacob's Pillow have resulted in its naming to the National Register of Historic Places.
  Turnpikes being what they are, there is no exit convenient to Beckett - the location of Jacob's Pillow. Take the Lee exit (exit 2) and follow US-20/NY-8 eastbound to about 7 miles east of West Becket. Here, NY-8, and you, turn left to drive 6 more miles to Becket.

There is a Stockbridge and there is a West Stockbridge. As is typical with these toll roads, Stockbridge, the larger of the two, has no exit from the toll road and takes a bit of maneuvering to get there. West Stockbridge has an exit for westbound traffic only.

Stockbridge Visitors' Center - From I-90 take exit 2 and turn left and then right after the toll gate to go eastbound on NY-102. When you get to Stockbridge, this becomes Main Street. Four blocks after Main is joined by US-7 is Elm Street. Turn right and the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce is at 6 Elm Street.
  For more information phone 1-413-298-5200.

Berkshire Botanical Garden - A landscaped display, presented in home garden style, of over 3,000 species and varieties of native and exotic plants. They also have opened their greenhouse for touring. Find something you like? They also have a gift shop.
  For more information phone 1-413-298-3926 or visit their web site at BotanicalGarden.
  From Stockbridge, go westbound on NY-102 to the intersection of NY-183 (about 2 miles) and there they are.

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Chesterwood - Home and studio of the famous, turn-of-the-century sculptor Daniel Chester French. (He sculpted the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, the "Minute Man" at Concord MA and many familiar public monuments.)
  This was his haven, his retreat from the urbanias of the world. Tourist may view his summer home and his studio - replete with models, studies and full-size sculptures of his famous works.
  Open May through October from 10a to 5p daily. Admission $10; kids 6-18 $5. (Cash only!)
  For more information phone 1-413-298-3579 or visit their web site: Chesterwood.
  From Stockbridge, go westbound on NY-102 to the intersection of NY-183 (about 1.9 miles) and turn left. Follow NY-183 1 mile south and, when you see the sign directing you to Chesterwood, turn right and go another 0.5 miles.

Norman Rockwell Museum - View the world's largest collection of original art by Norman Rockwell, America's favorite illustrator and well-known illustrator for the old Saturday Evening Post covers. Exhibits include of other artists and are changed regularly.
  Open May through October from 10a to 5p daily. Remainder of the year (November through April) they close at 4p. Closed major holidays. Admission $12; kids 18 and younger admitted free with paying adult (up to 4 kids per adult).
  For more information phone 1-413-298-4100, ext. 220. Web site: Rockwell.
  From Stockbridge take NY-102 westbound to NY 183 (about 1.9 miles). Turn left and drive another 0.6 miles to the Norman Rockwell home (on your left).

If, when you enter Massachusetts, you stay glued to the Turnpike, it will be just a continuation of New York. Rolling hills, lots of trees and mile after mile of controlled access highway with exits few and far, far between. But... if you get off that Turnpike and visit one of the towns you just may be due for a shock. It is like stepping into a storybook. Even on a hot September afternoon you can picture yourself shuffling through the village green kicking the autumn leaves aside. These towns don't have the smells we've become accustomed to in this new age; they still have that cozy scent culled from a mixture of many nice things. Sidewalks are wide; you can walk hand-in-hand as a couple and pass another couple with room to spare. Storefronts are fun to peep into and, at times, inviting enough to step in, chat a bit, and buy something you really didn't need.

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A scenic alternative to the Mass Turnpike - if you aren't in a hurry and would like to enjoy a relaxed, scenic route, visit some very interesting towns, maybe even break your diet with some great food, try this. Avery Turnpike exit west of Worcester and east of Lee - except in the immediate Springfield area - has excellent access to US-20. When they built the Turnpike to replace US-20 they followed its routing. If you get tired of relaxing on US-20, just watch the "To Mass Turnpike" signs to pay your toll and get back on the Turnpike.