I've been looking at the reviews of folks who stayed since we were there last summer, and I must say that I did not encounter any of the accusations I've read here.

The breakfast was really nice, homey, very bed & breakfast like. The grounds were very old world, but cute and next to a very scenic river. The rooms were nice (although the beds were not the most comfortable I've ever slept on). We booked loft type room so my in-laws could join us and we all thought it was beautiful.

The service was very friendly and the pool was great to go into during the hot July days we stayed there.

My family and I (husband and two children) stayed at this hotel for a two night stay over New Year's Eve. We had stayed there many times in the past as well, but it had been about 5 years since our last stay. Unfortunately, over the past 5 years the place has deteriorated significantly and I don't see anyone maintaining this property at all. The room was old and needed updating badly. The bathroom was dirty (floor/tub). I wouldn't let my kids shower in there. GROSS!

I won't stay there again. It used to have a very country inn/homey feel. Now it just seems like a run down motel.

The staff was unfriendly as well. One night the people staying in the room next to us were making alot of noise. I called the front desk and it rang probably 30x and nobody answered. Not acceptable.

My boyfriend and I stayed at this Inn/Motel/Hotel Thanksgiving weekend to go shopping. We made our reservations late and they said they only had a smoking room or a cottage available.
-The price for both was very resonable, but since I am a non smoker I took the cottage, and left the smoking room for another couple who joined us (the woman smokes).
-Well, the cottage was VERY small, smaller than the motel smoking room my friends rented. The bed was unacceptably uncomfortable. On the first night my boyfriend and I didn't get to sleep until 4 a.m. due to the bed and also the heater that shuts on and off during the night (sounds like a tractor trailor driving by).
-The room was not clean, there were a few dead bugs on the floor and the pillow had brown stains on it (yuck) thank god I always bring my own bedding and pillows!!

On the good side, the view from the cottage was the Saco river and it was beautiful. We had our own BBQ that we used on the second night to make ourselves dinner. And, the people who work there are very friendly and offer great dining/entertainment tips. They have a decent continental breakfast w/home made muffins/cereal/coffee/tea. They also have daily cookie time from 3:30-6 and there is nothing like a warm baked chocolate chip cookie after a loooong day of x-mas shopping.

Honestly, for the price, I would go back. The entire weekend cost us only $150 in lodging (that is the rate for one night at surrounding hotels) I would request a room like my friends stayed in except non smoking.


TIP: The Red Fox, located in Jackson-about 1/2 miles past Story Land, has an unbelievable Sunday Jazz Brunch with live entertainment running until 1 p.m.

My friend ended up with bed bugs alll over his body! Apparently someone else who was staying there the same time had gotten them too! But my friend got such a bad reaction to it that he had to go to the doctor to get steroids and cream. Luckily Merrill Farm refunded his money and paid for the doctor's visit, but it was a nightmare! Plus the staff wasn't very friendly during the continental breakfast (muffins, cold coffee, juice, and bagels) especially with the electricity being out! The only plus is the location and building's character. The room decor however was so eerily outdated, it felt too creepy to sleep with the lights off.