The cottage in Becket was perfect for our needs. We were impressed with several aspects: 1. The cottage is very clean and cozy 2. The owners provide condiments and other meal "starters" so you don't have to shop for food beyond the main ingredients 3. The information provided before arriving is very clear, without sounding overbearing 4. The area is very quiet 5. You have access to the use of kayaks and a canoe (which we didn't use because we were so busy) 6. The bed is quite comfortable. 7. The kitchen is well equipped with every pot, pan, etc. you could possibly need.
I could go on and on about how much we enjoyed our stay. I communicated a few times with the owner for suggestions and received prompt responses. We were extremely lucky when it came to weather. In cold or rainy weather, be sure you're ready to keep yourself entertained.
We love museums and hiking and found the following places to be great for our interests: 1. The Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. 2. The Mount (author Edith Wharton's home) in Lenox, 3. The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown (a must if you like art museums) 4. The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield (a stop on our way to Becket) 5. Mount Greylock
We also took several wonderful hikes, including Kennedy Park in Lenox, the trails around the Rockwell Museum, a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Becket, the Becket Quarry Trails, October Mountain State Forest
In every category, we rate our stay as 5/5, with the exception of the 4/5 for the neighborhood. Many of the cottages and houses are very well kept, while others are very run down. This cottage is very nice, so the neighborhood is not really an issue unless you want to take a walk where everything seems pristine. In bad weather, the dirt road that leads to the cottage could present a problem if you don't have front wheel drive. Although we didn't care much about having good restaurants close by, if you are looking to eat out often, you'll have to be ready to drive some distance.