The Black Swan Lee - Lenox, Ascend Hotel Collection

We had a great time here, and really appreciated the way the hotel is run. It's a little rustic - the decor would benefit from a refresh. But the owners have invested in facilities which actually make your stay more comfortable. As well as the room's facilities (fridge and coffee machine) there is a hot drinks station and public computer along the ground floor. The food in the on-site Indian restaurant was very good, and the self-serve breakfast was hard to beat, with loads of choice and regular refills by staff. All this in a small room with picture windows overlooking the lake. We were grateful for the laundry facilities, which are in the small gym, and for the ability to buy take out drinks from reception. One of our favourite things was the kayak hire, which was a wonderful way to spend a morning on the adjacent lake. The only things we could fault: it would have given us leave of mind to have a safe in the bedroom; it was not always easy to get attention at reception. We were told when we brought the kayak back, just to paddle around near the deck and someone would come out.... After 15 minutes one of us had to hold the kayak while the other had to phone to get a staff member, as there was nobody at reception and presumably nobody monitoring the CCTV we had been waving at! You need a car to access anything outside the hotel, but we'd still recommend staying here.

Rooms priced very reasonably. Walls and ceiling allow lots of noise from the neighbours but they behaved themselves and was not a problem later at night. Hallway is carpeted and musty. Rooms are serviced well each day and pretty neat and clean. Breakfast is handy and has lots of choices. Well stocked. Automatic coffee maker has coffees and teas available 24/7. Indian restaurant onsite is authentic and good.

This is a great addition to the Choice hotels group! The ceramic cups and the water glasses were a welcome change from the usual paper cups. Almost felt like home! The only issue I had was the cell phone reception. I overheard another guest saying she could not make or receive calls from inside the building, and I had the same experience. Even the wi-fi was sketchy at times. Overall, this was a nice change from the usual chain hotels.

During our stay at Black Swan Inn, we were impressed by the exceptional service provided by the staff. In particular, Michelle stood out as a remarkable member of the team. Not only was Michelle incredibly informative, but she was also highly efficient in addressing our concerns. Her expertise made our stay even more enjoyable and hassle-free. She went above and beyond to ensure that we had a comfortable stay. I would highly recommend this property to anyone looking for an enjoyable time in the Berkshires.