Chateau Merrimack Resort & Spa

My husband and I went to Chateau Merrimac for a spa getaway belated birthday celebration that we had booked 6 weeks earlier in July, an 80 minute couples massage. The hotel is beautiful and charming with comfortable beds and big rooms. The staff there are friendly and personable, getting to know all of the customers well and very attentive. There is a heated pool and hot tub in a separate solarium building, where the Spa is. The on-site restaurant is delicious, although the prices are high for the portion sizes. The drinks are fabulous! We were having a great time until we went for our massage appointments at the spa. When we got there, we learned there was an electrical problem, so there was no A/C and the sauna/steam room were not working. We figured we would still have our massages, even if it was hot because that was the entire reason we picked that hotel and attached spa. Then we find out that there is only 1 massage therapist, Paula, and they had us down for 50 minute massages. We were frustrated as they explained that the hotel had come under new management and there was a miscommunication from the 6 weeks ago, which would have been understandable if we had not called that Thursday, 2 days before to confirm the massages. To skip a lot of logistics, Kim the manager went above and beyond to make it up to us, including offering us free massages a few weekends later, so we returned, very appreciative and grateful of their wonderful customer service. When I went for my massage, Paula snapped at me, telling me that I was late. I explained I was actually early, and showed her the e-mail from Kim confirming the time of my husband’s 80 minute massage, with a 30 minute break before mine. Paula immediately states “well I don’t need a half hour break, your massage was at 2.” I pointed out this must have been a Third miscommunication on their part. We went ahead with the massage and it was good, although the cigarette smoke on her clothes from her smoke break when I arrived wasn’t the best. At the end, I checked the time after getting dressed and noticed it was exactly an hour since I put my phone away while getting into the robe, meaning the massage itself was less than 60 minutes. When I walked out and asked Paula about it, as my massage was scheduled for 80 minutes, she told me to “take it up with management”. Even though this was supposed to be the weekend to make up for the last trip. Nowhere is perfect, and managers and other staff all went above and beyond for us, and we were appreciative of everything else they did. It seems to me that the Spa is trying hard not to be disappointing but falling short. If we needed to stay in a hotel in that area, we would certainly stay there again for all the reasons I stated before, and all the other wonderful staff and amenities. We’ll look elsewhere for the massages.

The staff here are very kind and accommodating. Special shoutout to Andrew (front desk), Paula (spa) and Gabriel (bar) for their professionalism and recommendations. The staff truly made my stay special and wrre all really nice. Clean facilities all around the hotel and in the spa as well.

Overall I had a good experience and would recommend this hotel. Positives: * Pool and hot tub were lovely. The pool is quite warm - perhaps a bit too warm for vigorous swimming - but clean. Pool is in a separate building. A short pleasant walk in September, but in the winter or in rain one might want to drive. * Room was very spacious. Huge marble bathroom, gigantic tub/shower. Comfortable beds with many fluffy pillows. * Grounds are attractive, well landscaped. * Breakfast in the library was very good. Beautiful setting; nice china & silverware. * Price seems to vary quite a bit depending on date. On a Thursday night it was comparable to chain hotels, but with much more character. Could be improved: * I don't think I've ever been in a hotel room with so little light. During the day there was plenty of natural light, but at night it was extremely dim. * Please inform guests about the breakfast. The website says nothing about it, and it was not mentioned when I checked in. My in-room coffee maker didn't work. When a staff member came to fix it, she saw my grocery store breakfast pastry on the desk and said, "There's breakfast downstairs, you know." No, I didn't!

This property has gone through several groups of management in the past year. We had a lovely stay last summer and this summer it was very disappointing. The rooms are very run down, with little resources. Little to no towels. Tvs didnt work. Wifi didnt work. The pool and tennis courts are dirty. Children are not welcomed to be kids. They cannot run and play. They are prohibited to jump or be playful in the pool. The hot tub was not working. Half of the property is closed. The restaurant has very limited food . Most items on the room service menu are not available. Air conditioner wasn't working in rooms. Breakfast was very scarce and cleaned up before 9am daily. Will not return. Beautiful grounds but disappointing hotel experience.

We were very dissatisfied with our stay. Pool area was very dated and dirty. Pictures online are not representative. There were very limited or no towels at all times. Property manager was military with "rough play" in the pool. Kids are not allowed to jump or play in the pool at all. Tennis courts were dirty and run down. We were told that our kids needed to whisper as it is a venue of "zen and relaxation". Not a place for families at all. They try to advertise it as an upscale venue but In reality the property is poorly run and dirty with limited resources. We will not return. A 3 star hotel at best. The only possitive here is the beautiful landscape.