<p>Any prospective or present Williams parents want to share thoughts? My son just sent in his deposit. This is youngest and last child to go.</p>
<p>Parent of a graduate so my experience is several years out of date, but it was a very enjoyable place for my child at the time. Parents and students were surprisingly unpretentious when we were part of the community. With the new student union and theater it should be even nicer than it has been the past couple of years. Don't know if it has changed (in terms of increased complacency/pomposity) in the last few years with somewhat more national attention resulting from number-1 (versus previous number 2 or 3) USNWR ranking--hopefully not. Also, isolation from other centers of "civilization" can be an issue for people in terms of Williamstown's lack of proximity to good large-scaleshopping and urban amenities but presumably that is not an issue for your S. And obviously surroundings are beautiful and there is an active social and cultural life at school.</p>
<p>A helpful response and so very much in keeping with what we have been hearing - from across the spectrum of those consulted re: Williams. We have yet to hear anything negative of any sort (except isolation). Regarding isolation, our son grew up way out in the woods here in Maine and was homeschooled until middle school and now attends a boarding school in perhaps the most remote and isolated area of this state - so Williams probably - but who knows - will seem big and varied.
As a parent of an alum, might you - or any other parent with knowledge - recommend an inexpensive place to stay in Williamstown? Our budget is always very spare.</p>
<p>Try b&bs in the Berkshires area. Google b&bs in Berkshires and it will bring up a list of b&bs and inns in Williamstown and nearby.</p>
<p>I'm an alum and a parent of a prospective student who will probably be applying next year. Here's a link to hotels and other lodging in the area. <a href="http://www.williams.edu/home/visitors/lodging/%5B/url%5D">http://www.williams.edu/home/visitors/lodging/</a> We've stayed at the Northside Motel. It's far from luxury, but it's clean and basic, very inexpensive and essentially right on campus.</p>
<p>We used to stay at a motel on route 2 going toward north adams--the four acre I think? something acre anyway--relatively inexpensive, but I am not up to date so would recommend looking at the various places listed in the Williams information that you will be receiving (probably same as nceph's link).</p>
<p>The Berkshires area is a summer hotspot. There are dozens of places to stay during the school year that are rarely full, especially if you are willing to be a few miles from Williamstown.</p>
<p>2parents, I'll respond further about our son's Williams' experience on your thread on the Williams board, but for a suggestion of where to stay, I'd recommend the Williamstown Bed and Breakfast. It's right on campus so you can walk everywhere -- and quite close to the Clark Museum. The rooms are spotless and the breakfast very good. </p>
<p>A warm, welcoming and very well run place.</p>
<p>Williamstown does get a lot of visitors, all year round but especially in the summer and autumn, so you need to reserve in advance.</p>