<p>I made reservations at the Knoll B & B for drop-off. Has anyone stayed there before? Is it nice? We stayed at the Twin Maples during our visit, and it was nice, but right next to a pretty busy road and it was a little noisy.</p>
<p>What are your favorite places to stay when visiting Smith?</p>
<p>My parents like to stay in the Autumn Inn because it's a short walk from campus, but it fills up pretty quickly. They've already made reservations for drop-off and family weekend.</p>
<p>We were there two weeks ago, and while we stayed in the Baldwin House study (and we usually stay with friends in town), we dropped grandma at the Autumn Inn, and it was very nice indeed.</p>
<p>The Baldwin House study? Is that your daughter's house? They let parents stay in the houses?</p>
<p>I love the Autumn Inn but it books early. I <cough> booked it for drop-off before D made her decision. Couldn't get reservations for the weekend after next...it's graduation. Had to take a room in the Clarion downtown and lucky to get that. (D isn't graduating but we're dropping her off back at Smith for her summer job after the Carnegie Hall concert.)</cough></p>
<p>Has anyone ever stayed at The Knoll? I remember passing it and it looked nice, but I'd like to hear a real review.</p>
<p>"The Baldwin House study? Is that your daughter's house? They let parents stay in the houses?"</p>
<p>Well, all my d. had to do was book it, so I presume it was within house policy. Her younger sister stayed in her room.</p>
<p>I stayed at the Clarion when I went for the accepted student reception. I didn't like it at all -- noisy, dark room, heater didn't work properly etc. But.... I was able to book it through Priceline for $45/night which was almost $80 less per night than the front desk quoted when I called. I'm sure you can't get that kind of discount on busy week-ends though.</p>
<p>My mother stayed with me in my room. Soooo mini isn't the only parent who had to stay in her daughter's house.</p>
<p>Just reserve the room and the housemates will avoid it like plague.</p>
<p>Warning: Just made Autumn Inn reservations for next year's (2006) graduation weekend - and they were almost filled already! There is a three-night minimum and other contracted requirements for THAT time of year (Yes, you need to sign a contract.) -- four colleges graduate the same weekend -- a disadvantage of the consortium. It gets pricey if you are having a group taking several rooms.</p>
<p>A BIG advantage of the Autumn Inn is that you never need to worry about parking, as you can walk everywhere.</p>
<p>Our family has also stayed at the Hotel Northampton and when I am on my own I stay with one of several friends in the area. </p>
<p>We are at Smith annually during graduation weekend, as the Glee Club does a graduation concert, after which we take our D home. I love to catch the Ivy Parade on Sat. morning. The 90-year old alums marching along are great!!</p>
<p>Hard to believe that after this year's pickup we'll be down to the final year.</p>
<p>Jyber, so maybe I should make reservations for Smith graduation '08 at the Autumn Inn NOW???!!! We were shut out of Family Weekend this year but fortunately we live close enough to Smith that we can just stay for the day if need be (though it's a rather long day). I always like to stay places where I can just walk from the door without ever having to get back in the car. The Autumn Inn definitely fits the bill in that respect.</p>
<p>It's very nice to hear the student take on Smith from the perspective of 75% completion. I wish more veteran Smith parents could chime in with their daughters' experiences. Thanks for the insights.</p>
<p>I think the Autumn Inn only takes reservations something like 12-14 months in advance...I'm on their e-mail list and got an e-mail not too long ago about the date on which they were taking reservations for next year.</p>
<p>You are correct, TheDad. (Methinks Pesto was joking :) about lining up three years ahead.)
For graduation, Autumn Inn had told us a year in advance was their guideline and that reservations opened up on May 1. But they actually started taking them a bit before that.</p>
<p>Also, the website info on grad weekend requirements seems to be inaccurate, at least with respect to the Smith dates. For Smith's grad weekend '06, they are requiring three nights rather than two. </p>
<p>My brother and his family, who will be coming up from NYC, have decided to go to the Berkshires (Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge) and then just hop over for the graduation, rather than locking themselves into three nights. Sounds good to me. But we are springing for the Autumn, as like Pesto, I like the access.</p>
<p>They are also requiring two nights now for Family Weekend.</p>
<p>Our D will be doing her PRAXIS in D.C. this summer, where there are PLENTY of convenient hotels for when we visit. :D</p>
<p>Do you know the dates for 2005 Family Weekend?</p>
<p>Kriket, I don't know that the Family Weekend dates are up yet.<br>
I suggest you call one of the administrative offices...unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced the pocket directory of Smith offices that I usually keep next to my computer.</p>
<p>Three days at the Autumn Inn? Oh...don't throw me into that briar patch!</p>
<p>TheMom and I will be there for a day and a half next weekend...looking forward to seeing it again.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.smith.edu/acad_academiccalendar.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.smith.edu/acad_academiccalendar.php</a> is the academic calendar. Family Weekend this year is October 14-16.</p>
<p>Also, the litte schedule for next year was put into student mailboxes the other day, so I imagine that they'd be sent home soon.</p>
<p>Family weekend for 05 is October 14-16.</p>
<p>TheDad, I'm pretty gullible and clueless. What do you mean by throwing you into a briar patch? You're being sarcastic, right?</p>
<p>Like Brer Rabbit, "oh please don't throw me in that briar patch" and really that is what he wants. Yes, he was being sarcastic, when my mom stayed there it seemed like a nice place, and they even invited us all to come to the continental breakfast.</p>
<p>Sigh. The Autumn Inn is already booked full for Parents Weekend this year.</p>