<p>I’m looking to make a college trip in October and was planning on visiting Amherst and spending the night in the area or a bit further south on I-91 on the way to New Haven. It looks like the Coutyard Hadley Amherst has the most “stars” but I have some interest in doing a B&B if I can get one room for my family (2 doubles or double and twin x 2). It looks like a Black Walnut Inn has a possible room as might an Emily’s Amherst B&B. Any of the experts on this board care to make a hotel recommendation?</p>
<p>The Courtyard is the nicest hotel in the Amherst area since the Lord Jeffrey Inn is closed for renovations. I don’t have any personal experience with the B&B’s in town, but there is the Allen House which you can’t beat for convenience. It is right across the street from the Emily Dickinson House, and walking distance to the college. I haven’t personally stayed there (don’t think I could stomach that much Victorian decor) but I know others who have and they haven’t had anything negative to say about it, despite some older bad reviews online. Other than the Courtyard, there is a Holiday Inn Express that is nice and convenient to the school as well.</p>
<p>I stayed at the Howard Johnson’s in Hadley. The room was nice, it’s a 3-5 minute ride away, and probably one of the best prices around.</p>
<p>I have stayed at two places. For admitted students day, I stayed at a Clarion near Northhampton which I got when I tried priceline. Depressing and run-down, but the price was very low. For the parents’ weekend, we stayed at the Hampton Inn, which was relatively nice. Staff was helpful and friendly. Room was newish and pleasant. Free mediocre breakfast and free internet.</p>
<p>I travel a ton and for the that tier of hotels, I find the Hampton Inns tend to be a bit cheerier than the Marriott Courtyards, but I have not stayed at the one in Amherst. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>My son and I stayed at Emily’s B&B. It was okay. We never met the proprietor - she left us a message to call her when we arrived, and then she seemed surprised when we did and she had nothing to say. She left food out on the counter for us in the morning but didn’t appear in person. The other guests thought it seemed a little odd too. Emily’s B&B is in a convenient location, but I don’t think I would go back.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses to date. That does sound odd about your experiences at Emily’s B&B. If I were to stay outside of walking distance to the campus, is there adequate free or inexpensive parking on the Amherst campus?</p>
<p>There’s a B&B south of the college (off 116) that I’ve heard good things about. I don’t remember the name (I haven’t stayed their myself), but [this</a> place](<a href=“Google Maps”>Google Maps) seems like it might be what I’m thinking about.</p>
<p>Parking for visitors on campus is free, but you must register with campus police. I think they give you a parking permit to hang from your rear view mirror. Parking in the town of Amherst which is across the street is metered. </p>
<p><a href=“https://www.amherst.edu/offices/campus_police/community_services/parking#visitors[/url]”>https://www.amherst.edu/offices/campus_police/community_services/parking#visitors</a></p>
<p>Knights Inn was cheap and nice for the price. It is also adjacent to a nice Chinese takeout place (Wing Wong). Best Chinese food in the area if you ask me.</p>
<p>YaleGradandDad, I found this on the website. I know I’ve parked on campus before with a permit, but they may have changed the policy.</p>
<p>Parking
Between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., parking on the Amherst College campus is restricted. During these hours, guests (including members of the general public who are attending events) are asked to park in the metered spaces in town or at the new parking garage a short walk away (see town parking map, PDF).</p>
<p>For more information, contact Amherst College Campus Police, (413/542-2291).</p>
<p>I think by “on campus” parking they just mean on the main campus. However, there are several student parking lots adjacent to campus which are mostly empty during the summer, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you park there with a free temporary permit.</p>
<p>^^Catfish:</p>
<p>I made reservations to stay at that Homestead B&B you linked which will be an interesting change from standard hotel rooms. The place has only two rented rooms and I’ll take both for my family visit. Thanks to all for the suggestions.</p>
<p>^^^^
YaleDadandGrad, could you please give us a review of the Homestead after your stay?</p>
<p>Yeah, I just checked and that is the one I was thinking of. It comes highly recommended.</p>
<p>I’ll be happy to post a review after I return in late October. The quoted price for both rooms and breakfast was $190 + tax which I thought was pretty reasonable.</p>
<p>You could checkout all area hotels on tripadvisor.com</p>
<p>We have stayed at the Hadley Inn which is about 2-3 miles out of town … it’s a basic motel and was cheap and fine.</p>