Review of the Inn on Boltwood in Amherst

Thank you to the Inn on Boltwood for providing a media rate.  All opinions are my own. 

There’s nothing quite like the charm of a historic inn.  However, we’ve stayed in a few historic hotels that were desperately in need of modern amenities or updates.  Western Massachusetts is just over two hours from Plymouth Rock and the perfect place to turn the clock a bit.  The Inn on Boltwood is the perfect refuge and allowed us to experience both history and comfort during our two nights in Amherst.

Inn on Boltwood Review

The Inn on Boltwood is a historic hotel located on the Amherst Common immediately adjacent to Amherst College.  The elegant Inn was completed in 1926 and known as the Lord Jeffery Inn until early 2019 when it was re-branded as the Inn on Boltwood.  The Inn’s 49 guest rooms are each unique and blend antique furnishings with modern amenities like pillow-top mattresses, luxury linens, high definition flat screen televisions and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Inn on Boltwood Lobby

Upon arrival, we were greeted by two cheerful and helpful staff members who checked us in and gave us suggestions for the best place to watch Fourth of July fireworks nearby at the University of Massachusetts that night.  The lobby of the Inn on Boltwood included plenty of gathering space for guests to relax.  There were also tables and chairs set up in the hallways around the Inn that many guests, including one middle or high school guest, used as a respite.  While we didn’t spend much time in the common areas of the Inn during our busy few days, I certainly would have enjoyed sipping my morning coffee in the living room area.

Inn on Boltwood Guest Room

The Inn’s colonial architecture is much like many of our neighboring homes in Shaker Heights, and we felt right at home.  Our Georgian brick home was constructed in the late 1930s, and we are really lucky to have many family heirloom furnishings.  But, comforts like renovated bathrooms are high on our list when booking hotels.  The Inn on Boltwood checked all our boxes and more.  Our guest room featured a hard wood floor almost identical to ours at home and also a large area rug.  The dark cherry beds, bedside table, dresser and desk had an antique feel but also had modern conveniences like slow close drawers.

The grayish green walls and white woodwork were almost identical to our master bedroom, and the Roman shades were effective, classy and easy to use.  This stylish room perfectly blended an antique vibe with stylish modern decor.

The bathroom featured my favorite white subway tiles and classic black and white diamond mosaic floor tiles.  The sink had plenty of counter space, and the plentiful racks and hooks made it easy to hang and organize each of our towels.  The shower had a sleek glass door and unbelievable pressure.  The Bee Kind bath products blended lemon and honey scents together, forming a memorable aroma.

Amherst Common

The Inn on Boltwood is located in Amherst Common, a lovely town center.  The Grace Episcopal Church across the street from the Inn is a Gothic Revival church that dates back to 1865.  Amherst Town Hall is also an exquisite, castle-like building.  As we were headed out of town early on Saturday morning, we saw the stalls being set up for the Amherst Farmers’ Market.  Amherst Common is clearly the ideal location for a home base in Western Massachusetts.

The Inn is within walking distance of Amherst College, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Massachusetts.  It’s biggest claim to fame is its acclaimed alumna, Nancy.

Inn on Boltwood Fitness Center

The Inn on Boltwood’s fitness center features free weights, a recumbent bike, two treadmills, and elliptical and a flat screen television.  Although we did not use it during our stay, it was clean and welcoming.

Inn on Boltwood – A Quaint Historic Hotel

The Inn on Boltwood also offers guests free adjacent parking, coffee and ice water in the lobby and on-site restaurant. The Inn is that rare hotel that is designed to make guests feel at home and comfortable while enjoying New England charm in an ideal setting.  We certainly hope to stay here again on our next visit to Amherst.