What’s in a Name? Get a Room to Find Out.

The Claremont Suite

What’s in a name? A lot, if you stay with us at The Bernards Inn. You see, just as the Inn is a one-of-kind, so is each guest room.

With names like the “Claremont, Appletrees, and Overleigh,” each of our beautiful rooms has a unique character and is designed to replicate one of the grand estate homes on Bernardsville Mountain. The “Mountain Colony” was established in the late 1800s when wealthy New Yorkers discovered the area for summer recreation, and later, year-round homes.

So while The Bernards Inn property may be best known for its four star restaurant, acclaimed wine program and special events, the Inn’s accommodations capture a piece of local history that extends beyond is century-old walls.

As your Escape Artist, I will highlight the stories of two of my favorite guest rooms:

Overlooking Mine Brook Road and the Train Station, directly above the lobby, is the Claremont Room. The Claremont’s neutral color palette offers a comfortable escape. The oversized bedroom features a generous king bed with a wet bar for entertaining guests. Claremont was the home of George Browne Post, a prominent figure of the Bernardsville colony, known for his architectural achievements. The estate has been renovated and is now defined by its stone and terra-cotta structural elements. It is considered one the firm’s most notable residential locations, which one hundred years later, is still owned by the Post family.

The Westover

Just steps down the hallway is the Westover Suite, charmed in a palette of cool blue eluding a tranquil peacefulness. Upon entering, you are in the living room of this two bedroom king suite. Reminiscent of the Far Hills country manor that inspired it, the Westover was originally the home of Esther Marie Lewis Chapin (a relative of Martha Washington) and Edwin Augustus Stevens of the Stevens Institute of Technology. Presently, the Westover estate is in the hands of Jeffrey B. Haines and his wife, Patty. Mr. Haines is the interior designer for the Inn, and needless to say, this room remains near to his heart and captures his personal tastes.

The next time you visit us, unwrap the history and namesake of each of our rooms. And as Mr. Haines continues to refurbish the remaining twelve rooms, we will share more local history with you. Read more about our rooms here:

http://www.bernardsinn.com/guest-rooms/rooms-history-guest-rooms.html