Chateau Merrimack Hotel & Spa

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what surprised me about Chateau Merrimack? It’s actually got this old-world charm thing going on that you don’t expect when you’re driving down Pawtucket Boulevard. I mean, the approach isn’t exactly scenic – you’re basically on a main road in Tyngsboro – but once you pull into their circular drive, it feels like you’ve stumbled onto some New England estate that’s been hiding in plain sight.

The lobby hits you with that rich, woody smell and these deep leather chairs that actually look lived-in rather than showroom perfect. Check-in was smooth (the staff genuinely seems to know what they’re doing), and honestly, the whole place has this relaxed confidence that four-star places sometimes nail and sometimes completely miss. They nailed it. The rooms are spacious in that way that makes you realize how cramped most hotel rooms actually are, and the beds – well, let’s just say I slept better than I do at home, which is saying something. The spa is where this place really shines though. It’s not enormous, but it’s thoughtfully designed, and the treatment rooms have this zen-like quiet that makes you forget you’re basically next to Route 3. I did a massage there and came out feeling like I’d been somewhere much more remote than central Massachusetts.

Here’s the thing about the location that took me a while to appreciate – you’re actually perfectly positioned between Boston and the New Hampshire border, which means you can hit Lowell’s historic sites in fifteen minutes or be hiking in Nashua in about the same time. The hotel sits right where the Merrimack River bends, and if you get a river-view room (worth the upgrade, honestly), you can watch kayakers and the occasional fisherman from your window. Parking is free and plentiful, which feels like a minor miracle these days. The restaurant downstairs does this elevated comfort food thing that works surprisingly well – their salmon was better than it had any right to be, and the wine list actually has some interesting picks beyond the usual suspects. Service throughout felt attentive without being hovering, if you know what I mean. The 8.0 rating makes sense to me; it’s solidly excellent without being precious about it. If you’re looking for a place that feels like a real escape but doesn’t require a three-hour drive into the mountains, this hits that sweet spot perfectly.