Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Collection — Hotel in Columbia

The Merriweather Lakehouse in Columbia, Maryland, is truly a spectacular destination, but what elevated my recent stay from great to absolutely unforgettable was the extraordinary service provided by Jermaine at the front desk. From the very moment I walked through the elegant, modern lobby, Jermaine was the beacon of hospitality that set the tone for my entire visit. I was tired from a really long day at work, but his genuine smile and warm welcome instantly put me at ease. He didn't just check me in; he made me feel like an honored guest returning to a cherished home.Jermaine's attention to detail is simply unparalleled. He asked me about my plans and, after hearing I was there to enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery, he took the time to point out the best walking trails and even a quiet spot on the pier for a morning coffee. He also noticed that I seemed a little drained and suggested a fantastic, serene corner in the lobby lounge, offering a truly personalized touch that you just don't get at other hotels. It's a testament to his professionalism and passion for his job that he could anticipate my needs and provide solutions I didn't even know I needed.Throughout my stay, every interaction with Jermaine was a masterclass in customer service. Whether it was a quick question about restaurant hours or a simple wave as I passed by, he was always attentive, kind, and ready to assist. His knowledge of the hotel and the local area is incredible. When I asked for a recommendation for a dinner spot, he didn't just suggest a place—he gave me a thoughtful, detailed description of the atmosphere, the menu's highlights, and even the best time to go. It’s this level of engagement and personal investment that makes him stand out. He remembers faces, he remembers conversations, and he makes you feel seen and valued as a guest, not just another room number.The hotel itself is stunning, with its panoramic views of Lake Kittamaqundi, the beautifully designed rooms with their spa-like bathrooms, and the delightful on-site dining options like Lāk Restaurant. The rooftop pool is a beautiful oasis, and the overall ambiance is one of serene, modern luxury. However, it is Jermaine who truly brings the soul to the Merriweather Lakehouse. He is the heart and soul of the front desk, the one who embodies the very essence of top-tier hospitality. His impeccable service, friendly demeanor, and a seemingly effortless ability to make everyone feel special are what make him the best employee there. I have stayed at many hotels, but no one has ever left as strong of a positive impression as Jermaine. I am already looking forward to my next visit, and I have no doubt that my return will be just as wonderful, all thanks to him. I was suppose to do the review a few weeks ago and forgot but when I booked again, I instantly my remembered and stopped everything I was doing to ensure I...

We were SO excited to finally get away to do a little Columbia-STAY-cation, and honestly it was an incredible experience! I love the asethetics of this place: beautiful bright light, and the elevator design totally gave my Gatsby vibes :)

The room had wonderful farmhouse style & decor! Love the wood pops throughout the room (and the whole hotel). The bathroom also had this super cool barn-door. The products were wonderful & luxurious as well.

We got to the hotel early, around 4pm, and we were able to scope out the whole scene. We first checked out the Osprey Cafe: perfect for breakfast, cafe, and some snacks. The windows look over the lake, so it’s the perfect spot to cozy up by the fire & relax!

The Rookery bar is also such a cool spot! It has a great lounge area built in with comfy couch seating, as well as lots of dining tables that sit right up against the windows overlooking the lake. Truly a gorgeous cozy view, and you really do get that “lake-house” feel! Also, the Valentine’s decor was gorgeous! We loved it :)

We spent our afternoon parked next to the fire between the Osprey Cafe & the Rookery bar (aka, perfect for grabbing some wine and hanging out!). We also caught some glimpses of the Olympics from the bar tv too.

Onto dinner ! And OMG you guys ! The Rookery was I N C R E D I B L E ! And I don’t just say that about any restaurant! Truly the food was absolutely incredible! We were completely pampered with this amazing 5 course meal, and the staff were just so sweet & wonderful to interact with.

We had a window seat table that overlooked the lake at night, and guys, it really reminded me of eating overlooking the Baltimore Harbor - it felt magical! Was truly beautiful!

Oh my gosh the Chef’s choices & preparations were absolutely amazing! We will FOR SURE be coming back for the food ! We were literally soo stuffed we brought our dessert up to the room with us.

Once we reached our room after dinner, this whole gorgeous spread was lying there waiting for us ! Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, rose petals, and a beautiful little gift. Talk about the most amazing touches that made us feel truly pampered & special this weekend :)

What better way to close out the weekend then waking up to SNOW overlooking the lake ?! I mean does it get any better than this ?! Also, you can see the walking paths along the lake, which we LOVE, but since it was soo cold this particular weekend, we hung inside. Otherwise we would’ve absolutely gone for a romantic stroll along the water.

We may only live 10min away, but I definitely see us using this hotel as our mini “getaway spot” now! Especially if we just need a night away from the kids & not having to come home after date-night!

If you are in the Columbia/Balt/DMV area you will definitely want to have this one on...

They get 5 stars overall for our services received to our special day but you'll see why one department sector can cause a 1 star rating.

We recently had our wedding here and it was a beautiful location. Coordinator Lillian did a wonderful job and she was very easy to work with in terms of providing information, coordinating follow- ups, venue walk through etc. The day-of was amazing, the overall event service, staff, were all kind and attentive. You couldn't expect anything less from the overall performance of outstanding customer service.... HOWEVER unfortunately it's the events followed after the event that was very UNPROFESSIONAL and THEFT-LIKE.

Nearly 2 WEEKS AFTER THE WEDDING, I was just browsing on my phone and received a notification that $1800 was charged on my card by Merriweather Lakehouse. I immediately emailed the them and received a response from R.O. who works in the accounting department made a mistake calculating the taxes, food/bev tax, alcohol tax, etc. That's completely fine and understandable. What I don't appreciate is the fact that I had to reach out to ask what the charge is about the day after.. This is clearly theft and who would've thought they would still have access to my card after we made the initial final payment of the invoice that I received.

NOT TO MENTION WE HAD THE INVOICES FOR COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT WHICH WAS PLENTY OF TIME FOR A CORRECTION!!!

There was no call or email to confirm with me that they made a mistake and out of respect of business to client to let them know ahead of time. I sent a email to R.O. and their Banquet Supervisor on Aug 28th and NO RESPONSE. You can tell their standards of doing business.

It's as if they took their money and we are no longer their paid clients after spending nearly spending $30k. This business practice should be shamed, demand an apology, or further explanation of why I was not notified before my card was charged. I can only assume now that I have to block their transactions for future charges.

Great venue and venue service, but be aware of their accounting department as they are real sneaky like snakes to pull this kind of scheme. Here are some tips:

-Pay in cash or check if you can (don't trust them with your card) -Tell them to check their invoices to see if they're math is correct -Always get invoices for every transaction like bread crumb trails...