By Michelle Young
On a recent day trip to a local resort, I enjoyed a sauna session followed by a cold plunge, then dropped by a fitness class that was heavy on the tapping and humming. Driving back home, I found myself trying to justify adding to my household’s already unwieldy list of memberships and subscriptions. If you’ve sensed that clubhouses and members-only offerings seem to be taking the Berkshires by storm lately, you’re not wrong. The newest offerings pair unique amenities with community fostering, filling a niche for locals and repeat visitors alike. Here are five to discover:
1 Prospect Berkshires, Egremont
At this eco-style, nature-immersive resort, guests and members sip tea and linger on stylish striped futons inside a Scandinavian-inspired, wood-paneled pool house between dips in the heated saltwater pool, cold plunges, and Finnish saunas. The Founder’s Circle membership offers unlimited access to the amenities at Prospect, which also include tennis, pickleball, paddleboarding, kayaking, bicycling, and hiking trails in the warmer months. Members get a monthly $150 credit to The Cliff House restaurant, discounts on experiences and overnight stays in the Nature Cabins, and four guest passes a year. A futuristic text concierge takes your food orders, lakeside sauna reservations, and special requests. Price: $4,900/year for 2 adults, $250 extra per child. Seasonal memberships will be available.
prospectberkshires.com
2 The Rain or Shine Club, The Mount, Lenox
The Mount offers a season pass to its popular Summer Author Series, which brings award-winning biographers and memoirists to the former home of author Edith Wharton. Perks include admission to all eight talks, a dedicated entrance and check-in at events, a direct ticket concierge service, a weekly members’ newsletter, and a club membership card. The 2026 lineup includes talks on recent books about James Baldwin, Dolly Parton, Jessica Mitford, Bruce Lee, Samuel Alito, and more. And, true to its name, membership means guaranteed seating even if the talks move indoors. Price: $250, available starting in April.
edithwharton.org
3 Kripalu, Lenox
The Lenox-based yoga and mindfulness destination has a multi-tiered membership to “keep your practice alive and your spirit connected.” The Neighbors membership ($149/month, $1,490/year) allows locals to integrate well-being into their everyday lives, with access to the 100-acre property, drop-in yoga classes, discounts at the shop, full access to the online studio, members-only gatherings, and day passes. The Friends membership ($129/month, $1,290/year) provides discounts on stays and the ability to bring a friend for free. Get unlimited access to live classes and on-demand sessions with the virtual subscription ($39/month, $299/year).
kripalu.org
4 Creative Legion, Hudson, NY
Billed on its website as a “home for Hudson Valley’s Creative Community,” the membership at Creative Legion offers both co-working and a host of creative events for its members. The light-filled, clubhouse-like space is design-forward and activated by artist talks, film screenings, performances, and gatherings. A café, art gallery, and podcast studio round out the amenities. According to Melissa Hougland, partner and COO, the membership “is designed to help people get out of their homes, meet others, and reconnect to the creative energy that comes from being in the room together.” Price: $2,400 for individuals, team memberships start at $3,600, and day passes for $40.
creativelegion.com
5 Troutbeck, Amenia, NY
The membership at Troutbeck, a 250-acre estate hotel, is inspired by a real-life, 19th-century private club that met on the grounds starting in 1848. The Young Gentlemen of Leedsville Society was founded for the “improvement of literature and forensic discussion,” and its core values around curiosity and connection continue to guide the modern-day stewardship of the property. Members get access to the hotel facilities, including the solar-heated pool, tennis courts, wellness facility and classes, dining room and bar run by executive chef Vinny Gilberti, the Pool Grill, and the walled garden and grounds, as well as dining credits, guests passes, and discounts on rooms, programs, and services. According to founder Anthony Champalimaud, the membership brings “together a diverse community drawn to arts, nature, wellness, culinary excellence, and thoughtful hospitality.” Price: $4,500/year with a $150 application fee.
troutbeck.com
