Nestled alongside the Miramichi River in (you guessed it) Miramichi, New Brunswick is a treasured hotel, and a genius restaurant. I had no idea, when we pulled up to the long (very long!) yellow building fronting the river, that such goodness would await us inside. 

This riverfront hotel is so long that it takes 3 photos to show it!

We walked into the Rodd Miramichi Hotel and Resort tired from a long drive from Miscou Island, and were greeted with such genuine welcoming smiles that I immediately felt the tiredness slip off into their caring hands. The staff at great hotels know this - they know how to welcome guests, make them feel at home, care for them. And the staff here at Rodd Miramichi does just that. From conversations about the area and the hotel to taking care of my wheelchair scooter to holding open the pool a little later for us so we could get in a swim, this is one hotel that doesn't just spout the words welcome and customer service, but lives them.

Happy mermaid at this riverfront pool, which welcomed me day and night...

The second welcome was the decor - clean and classical, with accents of nature that made me happy. I will tell you - the air in northern Canada is something else - clear, crisp, like nothing I've seen before, even in west Michigan, where we have plenty of trees and clean air. The woods, likewise - it's almost like you're wearing 3D glasses when driving through New Brunswick. And Rodd's clever interior designers brought that in, with art made from natural materials, or in natural colors, or of nature (love the wall fish in the restaurant!). It was, by far, the most soothing, interesting, and artistic hotel we stayed at in this gorgeous province. Take a look...

Tree Art-lined hallway to the restaurant

Classic colors of nature, combined with the greys of the hotel = beautiful

Woodland art everywhere!

Computer station in the lobby. There's a garden bouquet right outside the window!

Welcoming lobby, and birchbark art, below

I love this tree root more than you know. 

The third welcome was our room - in rich greys and wooded accents, the room was a haven from the overstimulation of traveling. AND, we had a lovely welcome dessert waiting for us, which revived us greatly (thank you!!). The wifi is fast and free, the shower is one of those you won't want to leave, the amenities are lovely (says our amenities-savvy teen), and the beds are perfect.

Why, yes, please!

More woodland art...

If only I could crawl into this photo and take a nap...

Lovely desk, free wifi = travel writer's dream.

The fourth welcome, and a surprise to me, because I don't usually feel that a restaurant welcomes in that way, was the 1809 restaurant at the hotel, which greeted us with open arms. The staff were kind and gracious, the views along the river (especially at sunset) divine, and the food, well, I loved it so much that I talked with Executive Chef Jesse MacDonald on periscope, AND interviewed him for i8tonite.com - be sure to read it! I'm so impressed with his vision, commitment to eating local and mentoring his staff, and, of course, his menu (swoon).

First, the lovely decor...

A wall of fish!

My brother's a fire fighter. Of COURSE I took this photo of fire hydrant beer...

Bacon-wrapped scallops at sunset on the deck

Amazing fish chowder - watch the video to see his trick!

Ed's steak with accoutrements. YUM! 

My incredible stuffed haddock

And then, there was pie...

Stuffed strawberry French toast! Lillie was happy! She also had cocoa...

And watch my video chat with Jesse - he's fascinating, and I'm so impressed!

I also was very happy to meet with Heather MacDonald-Bossé of New Brunswick Tourism, at dinner. Let me tell you how MUCH I love the tourism offices of any destination - they know so much, and can direct me to my interests (food, nature, art, culture, music, theatre, books) more than any review on tripadvisor or yelp. Heather was our fifth welcome, and it was a pleasure to dine with her and learn more about New Brunswick - did you know we're writing a family travel guide to New Brunswick? YES! That's how much we love this place. But I digress...

Myself with Heather MacDonald-Bossé, of New Brunswick Tourism 

Our time in Miramichi was too short, but filled with great meals, excellent company, interesting conversations about place and food, and a warmth that the Rodd Miramichi so beautifully filled in our travels. Definitely plan on a visit to Miramichi, and when you're there, stay at the Rodd and eat at 1809 - you'll thank me for it.

The sunset on the river, reflected in the windows on the deck

Sunset on the mighty Miramichi River

Learn more: http://www.roddvacations.com/rodd-miramichi-river

New Brunswick offers great things to do in Miramichi

And if you love fishing, you can do that here at Rodd Hotel on the Miramichi River, too!