Merrill House

The dinners and breakfasts were terrific, and the old manor house is lovely. There were winter and summer robes in the room, and the location was quiet while still being walkable to the Main Street shops. The third-floor king bedroom needs a warning for anyone who struggles with stairs or tight spaces. Its staircase has narrow treads, and the bathroom door leaves such a narrow passage that you have to walk sideways to get in. The room has a jacuzzi tub, but at 74 I couldn’t see how to get in or out safely. It’s sunken and felt like a safety hazard. The TV, which we didn’t use, was barely bigger than a computer screen and hard to see from bed. The room’s sparse, minimalist decor also didn’t fit with the rest of the inn. The concierge desk was rarely staffed.

I’ll consider staying at Merrill House again, but I’d choose the Dreaming Suite I had on my last visit. This time was my second stay, and I left disappointed. We were in the Lorne suite, advertised with a queen bed and an (ionic) fireplace. The bed was a double and there was no fireplace. No matter how high we set the heat, the room stayed cold. The welcome letter mentioned an art print and local fudge as a gift, but neither was there. A mat by the door would help keep snowmelt puddles from boots off the floor, and there should be more than one towel hook and one hand towel in the bathroom. The bathroom products, including shampoo, soap and Dyson hair dryer, were top notch. Room cleaning was timed seamlessly around our breakfast reservation. Breakfast was fine but nothing special, and the coffee was dreadful. Restaurant service felt awkward, and I agree with the earlier comment asking for printed menus. Verbal descriptions of the dishes weren’t ideal. Small plates for croissants and small bowls for jam would help too. The hotel is beautiful, full of history, and furnished with interesting period and modern artwork. A few small changes would make the stay feel more like what you’d expect from a Michelin Key.

Breakfast was the one part that could be better. We had it only once, and it was okay but nothing stood out. A printed menu with more hot choices would help, instead of just two daily specials given verbally. The welcome was great, the room was beautiful, and the place in general made for a lovely stay in Picton.

The food was outstanding, and the quaint setting felt warm and inviting. Service was only average, though. Our bottle of white wine arrived at room temperature, and they tried to chill it quickly, but it still wasn’t cold by the time we finished our appetizers. We switched to red and had to take the white home for another day, which wasn’t cost effective since that wine can be bought much cheaper outside a restaurant. Staff also tried to clear our water glasses while we were still drinking from them, a major faux pas. I’d still recommend the place to friends, but go in with an open mind.