On the lookout for the proper winter getaway in Maryland? The Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge in Columbia provides luxurious lakefront lodging with beautiful views of Lake Kittamaqundi. This boutique resort gives a great base for exploring considered one of America’s most livable cities.
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 superbly landscaped instance of a tree-lined suburban utopia with city conveniences.
Near each Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Columbia’s quickly increasing downtown, also referred to as the City Middle, attracts each locals and vacationers to its leisure and occasions, but in addition 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 rapidly changing into a hub for arts and tradition, with quite a lot of distinctive eating choices that embody Thai, Indian, and a speakeasy with a number of extra eating places and eateries set to open this 12 months 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 and so they 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 Lodge

The entrance entrance of the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge in Columbia, Maryland | Picture: Higher Residing
For the reason that opening of the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge 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 Lodge is the proper spot for a calming winter getaway.
With 212 trendy rooms and a part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment (a gaggle of over 180 distinctive impartial resorts, upscale and luxurious resorts), Merriweather Lakehouse is a shocking lakeside retreat tucked in seven wooded acres the place you possibly can take time to calm down and refresh any time of 12 months.
And there’s a lot to like right here.

The dwelling space within the Presidential Suite on the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge | Picture: Higher Residing
Lovely, serene visitor rooms with luxurious linens (many with lakeside balconies views), a beautiful 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 need to go away.
Visitor room comforts and facilities embody:
- Luxurious Linens
- C.O. Bigelow Lavender-Peppermint Tub Necessities
- 55′ Flat Display screen Good TV
- Mini Fridge
- Keurig

The bed room within the Presidential Suite on the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge | Picture: Higher Residing
The excellent news is if you wish to carry your pooch alongside, they’re pet-friendly too.
The nice and cozy and attentive employees makes this resort really feel like a boutique property, nevertheless it’s the attractive views, luxurious facilities, and scrumptious onsite eating that can make you need to come again many times.
As you enter The Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge, you’ll immediately get transported right into a Zen-like area that mixes the fantastic thing about lakeside dwelling with an appreciation for the musical facet of Columbia’s historical past.

The welcoming and spacious foyer at Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge | Picture: Higher Residing
With a impartial palette with accents of blues and greens and lake-inspired décor in each nook, some of the putting issues in regards to the resort is its floor-to-ceiling glass home windows that supply larger-than-life lake views from nearly each spot within the resort. There’s no solution to not really feel relaxed. We particularly loved sipping complimentary scorching 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 Publish Pavilion, which each Billboard Journal and Rolling Stone have acknowledged as top-of-the-line out of doors amphitheaters within the U.S. For the final 40 years, it’s drawn a number of 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 resort.
Lake Kittamaqundi

Having fun with espresso and the winter view of Lake Kittamaqundi from our suite’s personal balcony. | Picture: Higher Residing
The Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge overlooks Columbia’s stunning 27-acre Lake Kittamaqundi. Surrounded by a peaceable 1.4-mile wooded path, it’s good for nature lovers and health fans. A stunning spot to reconnect with nature any time of the 12 months.
A reputation which means “assembly place” within the language of the primary regionally settled Indian tribe, Lake Kittamaqundi, is a reasonably little lake. Loosen up on considered one of its many benches, take a leisurely stroll, or get your every day run alongside its simple paved path. Whereas the lake definitely sees extra site visitors in summer time, it’s simply as stunning and serene within the winter.
Lake Kittamaqundi is the most important of Columbia’s 5 deliberate and developed lakes. However though it’s not authentic to the world, it appears to be like and feels prefer it belongs right here. And native wildlife agrees.
Chook lovers will probably be blissful to study that the lake and its surrounding space at the moment are dwelling to quite a lot of chicken 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 every day chicken sightings at Lake Kittamaqundi!
An awesome place to “canine watch”, the lake is a favourite spot for locals to stroll their canine of all breeds. Welcome to kayakers, you’ll want a allow if you wish to fish.

A panoramic view from the resort of Lake Kittamaqundi | Picture: 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 should you’re searching for an extended out of doors trek (2.9. miles whole). See the path right here
Lake Kittamaqundi makes an awesome picnic spot within the hotter months. There’s a Complete 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 stunning sunsets.

Lake Kittamaqundi at sundown | Picture: Higher Residing
Eating At The Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge
The resort 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 resort property for a scrumptious chew. The resort’s onsite restaurant, lāk provides a inventive menu of basic American with Worldwide infusions.

Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge’s model new restaurant, lāk | Picture: Higher Residing
lāk Restaurant at The Merriweather Lakehouse
Serving breakfast and dinner every day, lāk (pronounced “lake”) is taken into account a wonderful 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. | Picture: Higher Residing
The whole lot we tried at lāk was recent 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 rooster breast with angel hair topped with a delicious Lemon Caper Sauce.

Crab Muffins at lāk | Picture: 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 unimaginable. In case you love crab, don’t miss this dish.

Skillet Cowboy Cookie Sundae | Picture: Higher Residing
Even should you’re full from dinner, don’t miss out on their ever-changing made-from-scratch dessert menu. Dessert choices change right here typically. If out there, strive 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. | Picture: 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 resort.
The Rookery Bar & Lounge

The Rookery Bar & Lounge | Picture: Higher Residing
At night time, unwind on the resort’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. | Picture: Higher Residing
Stylish and trendy, with a number of 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 fireside, head to the Osprey Cafe, the resort’s stylish lobby-side cafe.
Together with recent brewed Lavazza espresso, espresso, and fancy espresso drinks, you can even seize a fast chew within the morning should you don’t have time for a sit-down breakfast.

A recent chocolate croissant and Lavazza espresso at Osprey Cafe. | Picture: Higher Residing
Don’t neglect to choose up considered one of their freshly baked pastries, like their buttery chocolate croissants.
The Health Middle
The health club right here is so good right here you’ll need to break a sweat.
To get in an excellent exercise, the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge 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 Lodge health middle. | Picture: Higher Residing
In addition they have a rowing machine, Peloton® bikes, and high-tech Elevate Life-style treadmills and elliptical machines, that are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled and have reside real-world interactive programs that can transport you across the globe. They’re a whole lot of enjoyable! Make an account, and it can save you your exercise information 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 resort.
In addition to stress-free massages, physique wraps, and reiki, in addition they supply magnificence remedies like facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. A novel characteristic of THE Pearl is its expansive water remedy room that features a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, chilly plunge, rest pool, and vitamin C bathe they name THE Therapeutic Waters.
For a singular expertise, guide a session in The Pearl’s Halotherapy (salt) room which advocates imagine helps promote detoxing, reduces irritation and improves respiration. 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 rest.
The Pearl Spa’s Wellness Passport gives visitors with an inexpensive package deal with a few of their hottest experiences for relieving stress. It consists of:
- 1 mind-body motion or meditation class
- 1 ingredient expertise salt session
- 1 hour in THE therapeutic waters
- A 25-minute session in THE nice abyss (meditation expertise)
It prices $135 per individual and you may prepay when reserving the resort with code SPA at checkout.

The entrance exterior of the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge | Picture: Higher Residing
Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge Location and Parking
Lodge: Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Assortment
Web site: https://merriweatherlakehouse.com/
Handle: 10209 Wincopin Circle
Columbia, Maryland, 21044
Tel: +1 410-730-3900
Nearest Cross Road: Little Patuxent Parkway
Parking: Parking on the resort is free and straightforward. Self-park within the storage immediately throughout from the resort.
Attending to the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge
Close by Airports
- Balt/Wash Intl (10.25 miles southeast)
- Ronald Reagan Natl (27.25 miles southwest)
- Dulles Intl (36 miles southwest)
Close by Sights
The Mall in Columbia
Merriweather Publish Pavilion
THE Pearl Trendy Spa
Fairway Hills Golf Membership
Historic Ellicott Metropolis
Robinson Nature Middle
Patapsco Valley State Park
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Misplaced Ark Distilling Firm
Sapwood Cellars Brewery
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