The Ellery

Check-in and checkout were both easy, and it was relatively affordable. The room was clean and comfortable, with a decent breakfast spread in the morning. Downtown was less than a 15-minute walk away. A really nice place.

The Ellery feels fresh and updated, with contemporary details, a very clean and spacious room, and a comfortable bed. Its warm, cozy lobby has a fireplace and good coffee. It’s a welcome change from when it was called Autumn Inn and had a basic, drab motel feel. I’ll stay again.

Once I got into the room, things were fine. It was clean and modern, the bed was comfortable, and the somewhat loud air conditioning cooled the room well. But arriving early was a frustrating experience. I showed up at 1pm, three hours before check-in, after driving up from South Carolina for 15 hours and feeling exhausted. The room was ready, but they wouldn’t let me in unless I paid $150 for those three hours. The person I spoke to seemed not to care. It was either pay or sit in the parking lot. The setup is a little odd, half motel and half hotel, with a part-time front desk. The second floor is hotel style, accessed through the lobby; the first floor is motel style, with doors opening to the outside. Weekend room rates carry a definite premium, yet I’ve paid less at the Ritz and plenty of Westins. There are no amenities to go with that price: no pool, no gym, and housekeeping only on demand. The value for money is definitely off. The area doesn’t have many options, and they price it accordingly.

It was easy to walk to Smith spots and Northampton, and the staff were pleasant and very nice. My room looked recently renovated, smelled fresh, and had nice sheets and a comfortable bed. I slept really well. There was a mini-fridge in the room and a microwave downstairs in the kitchen. Breakfast was included, with yogurt, avocado toast, muffins, and coffee. I really enjoyed staying here while visiting friends in town.