I got a last-minute work assignment in the Berkshires, and I had to find my own lodging. I lived in the Berkshires for a while, so I was wary about finding an affordable hotel in October. After some searching, I decided on the Magnuson Northside. I was pleasantly surprised.

I arrived late, after a 3-hour drive on back roads. Most local restaurants were closed. Fortunately, the North Adams Stop and Shop is open until midnight, so I was able to buy food before I settled in for the night. My room was in the back building.

The hotel practically screams 1960s motor lodge. My room had a fridge, but not enough outlets. I had to unplug a lamp to plug in my laptop. The Wi-Fi is not password-protected. The carpet was moldy in spots. The batteries in my TV remote were dead (and never replaced). Otherwise, it was fine. There was plenty of free parking. My cellphone got a surprisingly strong signal. I spent a summer working at the (extremely overpriced) hotel around the corner, and it was about a step below that.

The continental breakfast consisted of cereal, stale english muffins, stale bagels, alarmingly warm milk, and surprisingly good coffee. There was nowhere to put dirty dishes, so I left mine on the table. The staff was nice enough.

The hotel is in the center of Williamstown, right off the rotary, next to the municipal building. It's a stone's throw from Williams College and Spring Street, and a short drive to North Adams, MCLA, Mass MoCA, and Mt. Greylock. Pittsfield is a 45-minute drive, Tanglewood would be over an hour away. Williamstown is the wealthy, sleepy, student-filled town I remember.

In all, the hotel served its purpose. I was looking for a cheap place to stay, and that's what I got. It wasn't scary or filthy, just basic, worn, and comfortable. For $45 a night, I can't ask for more than that. You can do much worse in the Berkshires in October.

I hate bad smelling hotels. I must admit that I booked this hotel with some trepidation because I had heard (and experienced) that many hotels in Williamstown "need updating". While the Magnuson Northside is not the Ritz, it was absolutely and truly adequate for a family needing a neat, clean, room with a little extra space and NO bad smells! The option of a double/queen bed and a single was perfect for the college-tour visit. The hotel staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The breakfast was included and was certainly enough to get the energy flowing before a long day touring Williams. Kudos for keeping a nice hotel with clean bedding, clean towels and a fresh smelling room!

Williamstown is a delightful little town that I know well, but one of its problems is that most of its accomadations are $120+ during the summer. Most of these are also not really worth that much -- 'remodeled' and 'redecorated' motels, average B+Bs and inns, and vastly overpriced 'luxury' hotels (*cough* Williams Inn *cough*). Undoubtedly, these are probably fine if money is not one of your operating constraints.

The Northside Motel (now Magnuson Hotel Northside) is an unusual place, primarily because it doesn't charge vastly more than its worth. I've stayed there twice, and both times found it comfortable (if somewhat spare). Think of the motels that were popular in this country pre-interstate highway, and you pretty much have vision down perfectly. If you won't be hanging around the room, and will be hiking or hitting the cultural attractions I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Wi-fi: worked. Shower: Hot. Bed: good enough. What more do you want?

Have stayed here several times over the past few years - prior to it’s recent (Jan 2010) re-branding as part of the Magnusun group (for wider promotional / web exposure purposes - it is still independently owned); It has always, and continues, to provide fully acceptable, basic motel accommodations at a very reasonable price – considering the prime location (directly across the street from Williams college / Williamstown Theatre Festival, a short hop to both the Williams College Museum and Clark Art Institute, and a brief walk to ‘downtown’ / Spring St.). On my recent stay (late May 2010), I noticed many improvements since last year, including a fully redone lobby, new seating area for the continental breakfast; an exercise room, a guest internet station in the lobby, new key-card door locks, updated plumbing in the bathroom, and what I believe are new beds (very comfortable). Nothing fancy, just simple accommodations - fine for a night or two’s stay, not for a family resort vacation. For fancy, go about a mile straight down Main St. (Rt 2) and be prepared to pay three-and-a-half times the price (and not be within a comfortable walking distance form town center and the college, if that's important to you).