When I travel, I usually like to focus on the attractions at the destination. With COVID-19, this isn’t quite possible with closures at major attractions. Last month, with an IHG free night certificate, I booked a stay at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Oak n’ Spruce Resort, located in Lee, Massachusetts.
When people think of resorts, the all-inclusive resorts at popular vacation destinations like Hawaii, Florida, Vegas or ski resorts in Colorado are typically what comes to mind. I have been wanting to visit the Berkshires, a rural region in the Western part of Massachusetts, for some time. This resort seemed like the perfect place for a short getaway.
At the time of visit, some of the major attractions in the Berkshires were still closed. This includes Tanglewood, a popular summer music venue, and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, which offers plenty of summer adventure activities. The focus of the trip is to explore at the local area a bit and simply enjoy the stay at the resort.
Check in and Registration
Once you arrive at the property, you can pull over at the registration area to check-in. There are lodging next to the registration building, and there are more buildings just a drive up a little hill across the road.
This is also only my second stay at a Holiday Inn Club Vacations property (the first was at Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort). Check-in process was quick and easy. Unlike my first stay in Florida, I appreciate that I didn’t get any pitches about timeshares.
I also received a call from the hotel a few days prior to the stay – to confirm the reservation and share information about the hotel. This includes the notice of change to some amenities and a listing of businesses (including dining options) near the area. The call was unexpected (gave me a little pause if business was slow?), but it was also a nice touch to set some expectations on the availability of some amenities.
Villas
All the rooms at the resort are either 1 or 2 bedroom villa/townhouse style. I was assigned a unit on on the third floor (which is also the top floor) of a building. There are no elevators at this property. For those who have mobility needs or heavy items*, I’d suggest requesting a first floor unit for easier access.
* I’m thinking of large or heavy items like luggage, ice cooler, maybe even a guitar… 🙂
The Grounds
The grounds are clean and nicely kept, though some giant bees like to loiter near some stairwells. There are mini golf courses, swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), and many BBQ grills at the property. It was a hot day during my visit, so I didn’t see anyone playing at the mini golf courses. There were a few guests taking a dip at the pool. Due to social distancing, sign-ups are required for some of the activities. The property never felt crowded at all.
The Room (2 Bedrooms Villa)
The 2-bedroom villa is about 823 square feet, which is huge compared to most standard hotel sized rooms. It’s always convenient to a have full kitchen space. While some of the furnishings look a little dated, the villa is spacious and surprisingly comfortable.
The Games Room
There is also a games/recreation room at this resort. Due to social distancing, guests need to “register” online for a reserved time-slot. It was an easy process.
Local Area
While most of the major area attractions were closed, you can still visit and take a stroll through the downtown area. There are restaurants open for dine-in or take out. There is also a grocery store, the Big Y, that is a short drive away from the hotel.
Overall
Given that many of the major attractions were still closed at the time of visit, I was looking for a refreshing stay and the Oak N Spruce Resort delivered. The resort was well kept with spacious rooms and all the homely comforts, and it works whether you’re there for a family vacation or a weekend getaway. I had a very relaxing and comfortable stay, and I would stay at this property again.
Have you stayed at this resort, and if so, what had been your experience?
