 Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource |
Massachusetts: Lenox, Eastover Resort - All Inclusive Family Vacation Fun in the Berkshires. Families looking for a carefree vacation experience that allows everyone time to unwind, have fun and rejuvenate; Eastover Resort has the answer. All-inclusive and family friendly, the seasoned staff pays attention to the details making it easy for guests to relax.
Resort: An Impressive Georgian style main building anchors the 1000-acre resort complex. Framed by a welcoming lawn and magnificent shade trees it signifies casual elegance and beckons guests to relax and unwind. Sleeping choices include 130 rooms, with 20 of them on the upper floors of the mansion, the balance located in surrounding motel-like cottages. The accommodations have a home spun comfortable feeling that enhances the stress free atmosphere. There are no televisions or air conditioners in rooms and only a limited number of rooms have telephones. Most of the indoor activities are conducted at the mansion or in the adjacent annex. The annex building also contains the indoor pool, a big-screen TV, and a pool table. For summer use there is also an outdoor swimming pool.
Many meals are served in the oversized dining room within the mansion while others are buffet style by the pool or in the shaded pine grove picnic area. The atmosphere is causal and comfortable. Dining selections span all tastes and selections are plentiful. Boxed lunches are available for families wishing to go offsite and explore the Berkshires. Adjacent to the dining room is the library. This is the spot where the nightly movie for children is shown.
Activities: Daily choices include decades old favorites like bingo, volleyball, wiffleball, tennis, archery, golf, shuffleboard, skeet, softball, hayrides, horseshoes, and group dancing. Each day for two hours in the morning, two hours in the afternoon and one hour each evening there are staff-supervised children’s programs. Kids may try archery, tennis lessons (for parents and kids) or nature hikes, fishing, relay races, scavenger hunts and obstacle courses. Guests may rent mountain bikes, cross country snow skis, arrange for a massage or go horseback riding. 
During the winter months Eastover has a toboggan run on the resort grounds. Making snow angels and snow people is easy and encouraged. Cross-country skiing is an option once the snow falls, as is snow shoeing for those with equipment. The resort doesn't have downhill skiing on the property but guests may ski free at nearby Bousquet and Eastover will even provide transport as well as a bag lunch. For an additional fee, Bousquet also offers tubing, rentals and lessons for all ages. For a fee guests may also ride horses in the snow.
Year round there is nightly entertainment that includes dancing. The former stable, known by guests as Tally-Ho, has a big dance floor, a stage, tables and chairs, and a snack bar. The music, provided by a D.J. or band, is eclectic, and selected to encourage use of the dance floor by all ages. At Eastover there is time to do everything or nothing.
Value Added: Pizza and cookies for a snack each night, what could be better? The all inclusive rate also includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages throughout your stay (sodas, juices, coffee, tea). For those looking to enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner or an ice cold beer while sitting at the pool – no need to worry about a large bar tab at the end of your stay – Eastover is a BYO resort. Guests may feel free to pack a cooler for use during their stay or they may order alcohol through guest services for delivery to the resort. The staff is sensitive to the needs of families on vacation. If the day turns up rainy, they have plans to make it special.
Discovery: On the resort property, 70 acres of land has been reserved for grazing by a small heard of bison. Guests interested in visiting the bison may wish to check out Eastover’s Safari Ride on scheduled days. On site is a small museum, The American Heritage Room, which houses one of the largest private collections of Civil War memorabilia.
Single Parent Vacation Weekend Benefit. During Single Parent Weekend's parents who must vacation solo with children are not assessed an extra cost – no penalty for going away alone with the kids. The all inclusive program makes it possible to enjoy quality vacation time with the kids and not have to do the planning and facilitating needed to ensure a terrific vacation. While it is easy to meet other single parents at any of the family weeks or weekends during Single Parent Weekends the Eastover staff assembles a series of social activities and mixers designed specifically for single parents. These mixers will take place during times when the kids are occupied at kids’ camp or engaged in other organized activities.
Eastover Resort, Sleepover and Breakfast with Santa. An annual tradition filled with spunk and gaiety, having breakfast with the “Jolly Old Elf” himself is pure fun. For parents with little believers, it is a chance to hand deliver rather than mail the Christmas wish list. Enjoy a buffet breakfast along with DJ Entertainment and a photo with Santa for each of the little ones. Popularity requires an official reservation to guarantee a seat. Bonus points: Stay over and Breakfast with Santa is included in the rate.
Eastover’s annual Winter Family Week – this year December
26-31 – offers plenty of fun for everyone in the family. On this year’s
schedule nightly dances with games and music for all age, a comfy heated pool
with plenty of water fun, and the awesome, super fast toboggan slide for snow
lovers. During family weeks the kids
get the complete run of the resort. The social schedule and facilities are set
up for kids with games, sports, and activities that keep them satisfied day and
night. A friendly, well-trained staff supervises all scheduled activities so
that parents may participate or not. Bonus
points: For parents who need a break from the little ones to relax by the
fireplace and read a book or take dip in our heated indoor pool followed by a
sauna - included in your rate is Kids Camp for ages three and older.
Location on the planet: Located in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. Eastover Resort 430 East Street P.O. Box 2160 Lenox, 01240. 1-800-VACAFUN (1-800-822-2386) or www.eastover.com
Editor’s note: This is the perfect example of one resort that works for all ages and lifestyles. The resort caters to families, singles, and couples – but not at the same time. There are many weeks throughout the year reserved exclusively for families.
In the Area: The area is known worldwide for its culture, theater, music, and museums and is an exceptional family destination because of the quality and variety of choices.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Centre: Rich with history and alive with art, Jacob’s Pillow was once a family farm and a stop on the Underground Railroad of 1800s. Today it provides audiences with world class performances. (Box Office: 1(413) 243-0745 or www.jacobspillow.org )
Tanglewood: The summer home of the Boston Symphony, at Tanglewood the evenings are magical and picnicking on the lawn is the custom. ( www.bso.org )
The Berkshire Museum: This museum showcases art, natural science and history within fourteen galleries, and has an aquarium as well. Interactive and entertaining the museum solves any rainy day challenge. Throughout the year they also schedule innovative family events and activities. (39 South Street (Route 7), Pittsfield, MA 01201.
or www.berkshiremuseum.org )
Hancock Shaker Village: This exceptional living history museum showcases Shaker life. The 1200-acre complex recreates daily life through demonstrations and activities. The highlight for most kids is the chance to try on Shaker clothing and practice chores. (1-800- 817-11371(413) 443-0188, or Routes 20 & 41, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
or www.hancockshakervillage.org )
Content researched and created by FTF. Images provided by Eastover Resort. Copyright 2008.
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