redandtheblack

Any recommendations? Any places to avoid? We're looking for someplace inexpensive and convenient; otherwise, we're not too particular.

Thanks!

MidwesternDad

Maple Terrace Motel was nice and very convenient. Howard Johnson's was not nice and less convenient. I have heard that the 1896 group is good as well. The latter was recommended as a good place to eat if getting in later.

Maple Terrace Motel Splash

The 1896 House Country Inn and Motels

momrath

We were fans of the Williamstown Bed & Breakfast. Right on campus, you can walk everywhere. Simple but charming decor, good breakfast, spotlessly clean.

Williamstown Bed and Breakfast

jam

hi ! i have been visiting my student for three years now ..... i have stayed at many "nice" and expensive hotels .... but there is so much to do .... and you only need a place to lay your head .... and the best .... by far .... for this is the Northside Hotel ... it is across the street from the college .... the owners Vinny and Nicki are nice people, good people ... whom you will enjoy providing repeat business and they will make sure they remember you .... the cost is low ... the room is adequate .... life is good ... williams is awesome .... enjoy !

commserver

hello,

I took my daughter to 1st days and stayed at the Willow.. At the time I inquired of the availability of room for Parent's Weekend. I was told that there was no availability.

According to the proprietor he had had reservations since the beginning of the year. He put on the waiting list.

I asked other less expensive places to no avail. I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I have made a reservation at the Travel Lodge on Rte 8 in Pittsfield.

I guess for next year I will have to make reservations early next year.

Tuppence

If it's difficult to impossible to secure lodging for Family Days in Williamstown or nearby North Adams, try looking in Bennington. It's closer than Pittsfield. And, has a longer list than North Adams or Adams.

Here's the link to the list of places that's part of the Williams website.

Williams College :: Visitors - Hotels, Motels, B&Bs

Rhapsody in Green

If you're a student, you could also try finding someone to host you for a weekend, which would be a good way to get a feel for whether you like the campus community and environment (keeping in mind, of course, that there's no one single type of student on any college campus, so a single experience can only tell so much). Officially, I believe there's an official organization that matches prospective students up with freshman to stay with; unofficially, I also know a number of upperclassmen who would be relatively enthusiastic to host a prefrosh.

Clayleas

Our D just graduated in June and we stayed at the 1896 House for most of our visits. Beautiful setting, nice rooms, very friendly staff, and a very nice continental breakfast (I'll miss the raspberry crumb cake). If you stay in the Barn Side Suites there, the full breakfast that comes with the room is spectacular!

One recommendation I would make if you have a student at Williams is once you find a place you like, stick with it for all of your subsequent visits. Most of the good hotels give preference to their repeat customers for graduation reservations. And remember, its never too early to make them if the hotel will take them - payment won't be due until senior year.

Exceptions (for graduation weekend):
- The Williams Inn - reservations by lottery to be entered in July before senior year.
- Holiday Inn in North Adams - first come, first served starting midnight July 1 of the previous year. However, they had a 3-night minimum, which is more than most people want.

OldbatesieDoc

We stayed at the 1896, creekside. It was kind of like going back to the 60s, but I liked it. It was clean, and not noisy. No tub, tho.

luna luna

My family always stays at The Porches Inn in North Adams when they come visit me - it's not far from the college, the rooms are cozy and quaint, and the breakfast is yummy.