Merriweather Lakehouse Is The Excellent Winter Getaway

 “Slightly tranquil lake is extra important to my life than any huge metropolis on the earth.” – Munia Khan (writer and poet) 

Constantly making it to the highest of Cash Journal’s finest locations to reside within the U.S. annually, and named the “most secure metropolis” by Forbes Journal, Columbia, Maryland is a wonderfully landscaped instance of a tree-lined suburban utopia with city conveniences. 

Near each Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Columbia’s quickly increasing downtown, also called the City Middle, attracts each locals and vacationers to its leisure and occasions, but additionally to buy on the Mall of Columbia, the place there are over 200 locations to buy and eat. 

The newly developed Merriweather District in Columbia’s City Middle is shortly changing into a hub for arts and tradition, with a wide range of distinctive eating choices that embrace Thai, Indian, and a speakeasy with a number of extra eating places and eateries set to open this yr together with a “crossanterie.” In Merriweather District’s Colorburst Park, you possibly can go ice-skating at their seasonal out of doors rink in winter they usually even host out of doors film nights and reside music in the summertime.

There’s an appreciation for nature and sustainability right here too. Columbia maintains 3600 acres of open area, 114 miles of trails, and 5 lakes for anybody desirous to benefit from the outdoor. Columbia’s Lakefront District is a well-liked spot for festivals and different out of doors occasions all year long.

The Merriweather Lakehouse Resort

The entrance entrance of the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort in Columbia, Maryland | Photograph: Higher Residing

Now, with the opening of its brand-new luxurious, Merriweather Lakehouse Resort in 2022, Columbia is changing into a sought-after vacation spot. With trendy lake home vibes and lovely floor-to-ceiling lake views all through, The Merriweather Resort is the proper spot for a calming winter getaway.

Open only a yr, with 212 trendy rooms and a part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment (a bunch of over 180 distinctive impartial resorts, upscale and luxurious resorts), Merriweather Lakehouse Resort is a surprising lakeside retreat tucked in seven wooded acres the place you possibly can take time to loosen up and refresh any time of yr.

And there’s a lot to like right here.

The residing space within the Presidential Suite on the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Photograph: Higher Residing

Stunning, serene visitor rooms with luxurious linens (many with lakeside balconies views), a stunning foyer and bar, a contemporary health middle, a cute little foyer cafe/espresso store, and lake views for days will all make you by no means wish to go away. 

Visitor room comforts and facilities embrace:

• Luxurious Linens
• C.O. Bigelow Lavender-Peppermint Tub Necessities
• 55′ Flat Display screen Sensible TV
• Mini Fridge
• Keurig

The bed room within the Presidential Suite on the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Photograph: Higher Residing

The excellent news is if you wish to deliver your pooch alongside, they’re pet-friendly too.

The nice and cozy and attentive employees makes this lodge really feel like a boutique property, nevertheless it’s the beautiful views, luxurious facilities, and scrumptious onsite eating that may make you wish to come again repeatedly.

As you enter The Merriweather Lakehouse Resort, you’ll immediately get transported right into a Zen-like area that mixes the fantastic thing about lakeside residing with an appreciation for the musical aspect of Columbia’s historical past.

The welcoming and spacious foyer at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Photograph: Higher Residing

With a impartial palette with accents of blues and greens and lake-inspired décor in each nook, one of the hanging issues concerning the lodge is its floor-to-ceiling glass home windows that provide larger-than-life lake views from nearly each spot within the lodge. There’s no method to not really feel relaxed. We particularly loved sipping complimentary sizzling chocolate within the cozy foyer every night. 

There’s additionally a real appreciation for reside music right here. Musical performances streamed within the foyer, honor the close by Merriweather Put up Pavilion, which each Billboard Journal and Rolling Stone have acknowledged as the most effective out of doors amphitheaters within the U.S. For the final 40 years, it’s drawn among the greatest acts in music, together with Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Taylor Swift. And it’s solely a 15-minute stroll from the lodge.  

Lake Kittamaqundi

Having fun with espresso and the winter view of Lake Kittamaqundi from our suite’s personal balcony. | Photograph: Higher Residing

The Merriweather Lakehouse Resort overlooks Columbia’s lovely 27-acre Lake Kittamaqundi. Surrounded by a peaceable 1.4-mile wooded path, it’s excellent for nature lovers and health fans. A beautiful spot to reconnect with nature any time of the yr. 

A reputation that means “assembly place” within the language of the primary domestically settled Indian tribe, Lake Kittamaqundi, is a reasonably little lake. Calm down on one in all its many benches, take a leisurely stroll, or get your each day run alongside its straightforward paved path. Whereas the lake definitely sees extra visitors in summer season, it’s simply as lovely and serene within the winter.

Lake Kittamaqundi is the biggest of Columbia’s 5 deliberate and developed lakes. However though it’s not unique to the realm, it appears and feels prefer it belongs right here. And native wildlife agrees.

Chicken lovers shall be glad to be taught that the lake and its surrounding space at the moment are house to a wide range of hen species, together with water birds like belted kingfishers and nice blue herons. Head to the lake’s pier to identify one of many many species of geese like ring-necked geese, northern shovelers, and hooded mergansers fortunately swimming by.  

 💡 Tip: Test right here for up-to-date each day hen sightings at Lake Kittamaqundi!

An excellent place to “canine watch”, the lake is a favourite spot for locals to stroll their canines of all breeds. Welcome to kayakers, you’ll want a allow if you wish to fish. 

A panoramic view from the lodge of Lake Kittamaqundi | Photograph: Higher Residing

What’s good is that the path that wraps round Lake Kittamaqundi additionally connects with different paved trails that wind all through Columbia. For extra exploration, veer to the left the place the path forks on the northwest finish of the lake. This path will take you to close by Wilde Lake and is the proper path to take in case you’re in search of an extended out of doors trek (2.9. miles complete).  See the path right here

Lake Kittamaqundi makes an excellent picnic spot within the hotter months. There’s a Entire Meals a brief stroll from the south finish of the lake (2 minutes) the place you possibly can seize lunch, a snack, or take a espresso to go to benefit from the lakeside. It’s additionally recognized for its lovely sunsets. 

Lake Kittamaqundi at sundown | Photograph: Higher Residing

Eating At The Merriweather Lakehouse Resort

The lodge is inside strolling distance of the eating places within the Merriweather District and The Mall of Columbia. However you don’t want to go away the lodge property for a scrumptious chunk. The lodge’s onsite restaurant, lāk provides a artistic menu of traditional American with Worldwide infusions. 

Merriweather Lakehouse Resort’s model new restaurant, lāk | Photograph: Higher Residing

lāk Restaurant at The Merriweather Lakehouse

Serving breakfast and dinner each day, lāk (pronounced “lake”) is taken into account a positive eating restaurant. However its heat service, cool trendy, pop artwork décor and relaxed environment give it good informal vibes. And we love that.

Even higher is the meals.

Fried Calamari at lāk. | Photograph: Higher Residing

All the things we tried at lāk was contemporary and scrumptious. The highlights from our order the night time we visited was the sunshine and crispy Fried Calamari with pepperoncini and Fra Diavolo sauce and the Rooster Piccata, a Parmesan-crusted hen breast with angel hair topped with a delicious Lemon Caper Sauce.

Crab Desserts at lāk | Photograph: Higher Residing

Since there’s no higher place for crab truffles than Maryland, we couldn’t go away with out attempting their two lump crab truffles served over a creamy forest mushroom risotto with lemon garlic aioli. Completely unbelievable. In the event you love crab, don’t miss this dish.

Skillet Cowboy Cookie Sundae | Photograph: Higher Residing

Even in case you’re full from dinner, don’t miss out on their ever-changing made-from-scratch dessert menu. Dessert choices change right here usually. If obtainable, attempt the Apple Crisp served with caramel ice cream or the Skillet Cowboy Cookie sundae topped with vanilla ice cream and moist walnuts. Each are tremendous scrumptious.

Pastry Chef Brian Holland icing a carrot cake. | Photograph: Higher Residing

Pastry Chef Brian Holland, a graduate of the Worldwide Culinary Middle in New York Metropolis who spent greater than a decade on the 4 Seasons in Baltimore, creates tantalizing desserts and pastries for the lodge.

The Rookery Bar & Lounge

The Rookery Bar & Lounge | Photograph: Higher Residing

At night time, unwind on the lodge’s Rookery Bar & Lounge serves up craft cocktails, wine, and beer with tasty bites like Steak & Cheese Egg Rolls, Bavarian Pretzel Sticks, and Cubano sandwiches. 

Steak & Cheese Egg Rolls and Bavarian Pretzel Sticks at The Rookery Bar & Lounge. | Photograph: Higher Residing

Stylish and trendy, with among the finest lake views in the home, The Rookery Bar  & Lounge opens at 4 pm every night time. You even have the choice to order from lāk’s menu however get served up within the bar.

The Osprey Cafe

For gourmand espresso served with lake views and cozy seating in entrance of a hearth, head to the Osprey Cafe, the lodge’s stylish lobby-side cafe.

Together with contemporary brewed Lavazza espresso, espresso, and fancy espresso drinks, you can too seize a fast chunk within the morning in case you don’t have time for a sit-down breakfast.

A contemporary chocolate croissant and Lavazza espresso at Osprey Cafe. | Photograph: Higher Residing

Don’t overlook to choose up one in all their freshly baked pastries, like their buttery chocolate croissants. 

The Health Middle

The fitness center right here is so good right here you’ll wish to break a sweat.

To get in an excellent exercise, the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort has a 24-hour onsite health middle that’s well-equipped with weights, machines, and equipment like BOSU® steadiness trainers, yoga balls, and foam rollers for energetic restoration.

A rowing machine with a lakeside view on the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort health middle. | Photograph: Higher Residing

Additionally they have a rowing machine, Peloton® bikes, and high-tech Elevate Way of life treadmills and elliptical machines, that are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled and have reside real-world interactive programs that may transport you across the globe. They’re lots of enjoyable! Make an account, and it can save you your exercise knowledge for later.

The Pearl Spa

For spa facilities, remedies, and health lessons like yoga, The Pearl Spa, is a 27,000-square-foot wellness middle solely a brief stroll from the lodge. 

Apart from enjoyable massages, physique wraps, and reiki, additionally they supply magnificence remedies like facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. A novel function of THE Pearl is its expansive water remedy room that features a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, chilly plunge, leisure pool, and vitamin C bathe they name THE Therapeutic Waters.

For a novel expertise, e book a session in The Pearl’s Halotherapy (salt) room which advocates imagine helps promote cleansing, reduces irritation and improves respiratory. To quiet your thoughts, THE Nice Abyss – is a deep multi-sensory meditation expertise that mixes vibrations and magnetic remedy with layers of music – to induce deep leisure.

The Pearl Spa’s Wellness Passport supplies company with an reasonably priced bundle with a few of their hottest experiences for relieving stress. It contains: 

• 1 mind-body motion or meditation class
• 1 aspect expertise salt session
• 1 hour in THE therapeutic waters
• A 25-minute session in THE nice abyss (meditation expertise)​

It prices $100 per particular person and you’ll prepay when reserving the lodge with code SPA at checkout.

The entrance exterior of the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Photograph: Higher Residing

Merriweather Lakehouse Resort Location and Parking

Resort: Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Assortment

Web site: https://merriweatherlakehouse.com/ 
Tackle: 10209 Wincopin Circle
Columbia, Maryland, 21044
Tel: +1 410-730-3900
Nearest Cross Road: Little Patuxent Parkway
Parking: Parking on the lodge is free and simple. Self-park within the storage instantly throughout from the lodge.