Talk about a rich history, The Playhouse was the world’s first property to be powered by AC electricity, originally built by inventor George Westinghouse in the 1880s. It was one of the rentals featured in Season 1 of Netflix’s “The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals” and it’s a definite standout.
As the trio of hosts Luis D. Ortiz, Megan Batoon and Jo Franco make their way to Westinghouse’s former estate, Franco explains, “…we’re going back in time to The Berkshires in Massachusetts, the heart of New England’s farm-to-table cuisine.”
But Batoon wonders why, if they are going back in time, they are arriving in a Tesla?
Well, that’s because not only did Westinghouse hang out here, but Nikola Tesla, both of whom are considered the fathers of AC electricity.
A stay at The Playhouse isn’t just about history, although that’s reason enough of its own to stay. The hosts meet up with James Gop, the chef, founder, and creative mind behind Heirloom Fire, a fire-based, sustainably-minded events company that uses late 1800s cooking techniques and local ingredients from farms nearby like Taft Farms and High Lawn Farm to create a unique culinary experience.
You can have your own unforgettable meal catered by the home, or simply enjoy the welcome basket of local goods and fresh-cut flowers that will greet your party. Those who like to cook will find not one, but two chef’s kitchens. While the hosts are touring the 7,000-square-foot home, Franco notes, “This is why foodies love this place. Look at how much space you have to work with. If this isn’t the biggest invitation to want to cook, I don’t know what is.”
The interior is absolutely stunning, filled with fine art. It’s incredibly spacious too, with seven sleeping areas, including six bedrooms and 15 beds, plus five bathrooms and an in-house yoga studio that can also serve as a bedroom with its own bath, accommodating up to 20 guests.
The bathrooms have radiant floor heating and custom reclaimed 300-year old heartwood vanities finished in the Japanese shou sugi ban style. In the Primary Suite, there’s a pedestal tub.
There’s no cable TV as the hosts encourage unplugging, but it does include Wi-Fi as well as one 84″ and two 60″ screens for family movie viewing with access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, and more. You’ll have a Ping Pong table and a foosball table for some friendly competition, while the shelves are filled with books. Over a dozen board games can be found in the library too, like Monopoly, Scrabble, Sorry, Connect-Four, and cards, but you might want to spend a lot of your time outside when the weather is pleasant.
Guests enjoy lots of special extras like floaties, coolers, beach chairs, beach towels, and beach games, with the water about a 5-minute walk downhill. A 5-minute drive will bring you to a sandy beach with a dock where there’s a three-person canoe and life jackets.
It’s no surprise that The Playhouse became the No. 1 luxury vacation rental in the Berkshires on Vrbo.
The Playhouse
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Lenox. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
