Merrill Gardens at Kirkland
Families consistently rate this highly — reviewers highlight prime, walkable downtown kirkland location. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.
based on 31 Google reviews

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What this means for your family
Merrill Gardens at Kirkland is an excellent choice for active seniors who value a vibrant, walkable location and a highly engaged, compassionate staff. However, families should be aware of consistent feedback regarding the quality of dining services; we recommend scheduling a meal during your tour to see if it meets your loved one's expectations.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
31 reviews on Google“Merrill Gardens at Kirkland is highly regarded for its prime downtown location, vibrant community atmosphere, and exceptionally caring staff who are frequently praised for their personalized attention. While families appreciate the facility's cleanliness and active social calendar, some residents and family members have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of dining services and occasional challenges with maintenance and staffing levels.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Prime, walkable downtown Kirkland location
- Warm, attentive, and compassionate staff
- Strong, active social and activity calendar
- Clean and well-maintained facility
Concerns
- Poor or declining food quality (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Staffing levels perceived as low (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Difficulty scheduling or accessing maintenance (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 37 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1Given the facility's prime location in downtown Kirkland, what opportunities are there for residents to safely explore the local shops and parks with staff or family?
- 2I noticed your team is very responsive to online feedback; how do you incorporate resident and family input into your dining program to ensure the menu meets everyone's preferences?
- 3Could you walk me through how your culinary team manages dietary needs and how you ensure consistent quality in the daily meal service?
- 4With your focus on an active social calendar, what are some of the most popular group activities that help new residents build friendships quickly?
- 5How do you manage maintenance requests to ensure that residents' living spaces remain in top condition and that repairs are addressed promptly?
- 6Could you explain your staffing structure and how you ensure that residents receive attentive, personalized care throughout the day and night?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The staff genuinely cares and looks out for the residents and goes above and beyond to form relationships with them and their visiting family members.”
“The staff rates 5 stars, but the staffing level is a shade low.”
“The food is not great. My suggestion would be to skip the ‘gourmet’ title and go for good, basic home cooking.”
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: WA Dept. of Social & Health Services
Mar 23, 2026Fire11Report
Initial inspection on 02/17/2026 resulted in disapproval. Follow-up inspection on 03/23/2026 confirmed all previous violations were corrected.
Gas appliances on casters in the kitchen are not limited by a restraining device.
Facility unable to provide documentation for monthly single station smoke alarm testing.
Missing documentation for 12 planned/unannounced fire drills; missing specific shift drills; no participant list for Nov/Dec 2025; counting alarms as drills.
Facility is unable to provide documentation that the annual fire resistance rated construction material inspection has been completed.
Facility unable to provide documentation for required smoke detector sensitivity testing.
5 fire and smoke dampers failed testing; deficiencies noted in 6/21/2023 testing have not been corrected.
Internally illuminated exit signs near 221 failed to illuminate during testing.
The fire rated door from the elevator near 324 to the corridor would not close and latch from a fully open position.
Emergency egress light 32N near 406 failed to illuminate during testing.
Sprinkler head in the walk-in freezer is obstructed by boxes and food.
Facility unable to provide documentation for annual 90-minute power test of emergency lights.
Dec 2, 2025Investigation
Investigation involved allegations of a bruise during transfer, fear of staff, and threatened discharge. Only the documentation deficiency regarding the bruise was substantiated.
The facility failed to document an investigation, assessment, and monitoring of a resident's bruised arm despite the resident being on blood thinners.
Oct 20, 2025Inspection
Consultation was also provided for WAC 388-78A-2474 (First-aid training) and WAC 388-78A-3040 (Laundry ventilation), which were corrected by the exit conference.
Facility failed to ensure 2 of 3 sampled staff (Staff B and Staff C) completed a TB test within three days of hire, despite prior two-step testing.
Facility failed to ensure 1 of 3 sampled staff (Staff A) completed an initial TB skin test within three days of hire.
Facility failed to ensure valid Washington state background checks were completed every two years for 12 of 12 sampled staff.
Jan 29, 2025Fire14Report
There is also a separate page indicating an 'Approved' status on 06/23/2025, but the detailed inspection report provided is for a 'Disapproved' inspection on 01/29/2025.
Facility must perform one fire drill per shift within 30 days.
Facility needs to identify and establish a schedule for annual inspection of fire-resistance-rated construction.
Report dated 9/12/2024 shows 6 deficiencies; system found in 'supervisor' mode.
Monthly activation test report and annual 90-minute test report (with 5 deficiencies) not provided.
Kitchen #K-1-15 receptacle shows signs of wear.
5th floor double doors by room 512 will not latch.
Sensitivity testing report not provided.
Facility lacks established schedule for annual fire door inspections.
Multiple instances of multi-plug or extension cord misuse in Wellness center, Laundry storage, and Front desk.
Missing 5-year internal pipe and FDC hydro testing reports; missing escutcheon in hallway by employee bathroom.
Monthly testing and maintenance schedule for CO alarms not documented.
First semi-annual hood cleaning report not provided.
Second semi-annual service report not provided.
#75 emergency light by room 215 fails to activate when test button is pushed.
Apr 23, 2024Inspection
Follow-up inspection on 06/18/2024 found all previously listed deficiencies from 04/23/2024 were corrected.
1 of 2 staff (Staff F) lacked a valid WA state name/DOB background check updated every 2 years and documentation of national fingerprint check.
Hot water temperatures in 4 of 4 sampled resident apartments and 12 of 12 facility sinks were measured above the 120-degree Fahrenheit limit.
3 of 5 direct care staff did not meet training requirements (orientation, specialty training, 70-hour training, or First Aid/CPR).
14 of 14 rooms tested showed non-functioning ventilation systems, failing to provide air exchange to the outside.
3 of 3 newly hired caregivers did not complete required two-step TB skin testing.
3 of 7 staff responsible for food service did not maintain valid food handler's cards.
2 of 2 housekeeping staff were observed handling soiled laundry against their clothing, contrary to infection control standards.
Apr 19, 2024Investigation
Follow-up inspection on 07/17/2024 confirmed no further deficiencies (Compliance Determination 44271).
Facility failed to ensure 100 residents resided in an environment approved by the State Fire Marshal; multiple fire safety violations identified including missing fire drills, no annual fire-rated construction inspection, fire door/latching issues, non-functional emergency lighting, and lack of required maintenance documentation.
Feb 20, 2024Fire20Report
The inspection report includes cumulative data from multiple visits (2023-12-18, 2024-01-17, and 2024-02-20). Several items previously noted as deficiencies were marked as 'Corrected' in the final inspection on 02/20/2024.; Facility Approval Status: Disapproved. Next inspection scheduled on or after 01/17/2024.
Missing 3rd shift emergency evacuation drills for Quarters 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Fire alarm system found in 'Trouble' status.
Extension cord in use in 2nd floor med room.
Issue identified in 3rd floor telephone/data room.
Missing carbon monoxide alarm in commercial laundry room near fossil fuel burning appliance.
Facility lacks established schedule and records for annual inspection of fire-rated construction.
Required sensitivity testing paperwork not provided.
Open junction box found in kitchen office.
Multiple doors failed to latch or close, including fire doors on various floors, elevator doors, and wellness/theater doors.
Seven instances of non-functional emergency lighting found throughout the building.
Fire-rated construction breach observed in the 3rd floor telephone/data room.
Emergency lighting units not functional at various locations (e.g., 5th floor, 3rd floor, 2nd floor, parking garage).
Second semi-annual hood cleaning documentation not provided.
Fire alarm system found in trouble state.
Fire alarm circuit breaker in electrical room is missing required locking device.
Multiple fire doors throughout the facility are failing to latch or close automatically.
No record of annual fire door inspections; resident door 410 has a gap on top.
Facility lacks a schedule/inventory for annual inspection of fire-resistance-rated construction.
Sensitivity testing documentation not provided.
Missing annual inspection schedule for resident doors; resident door 410 has a gap on top.
Sep 1, 2023Fire11Report
The facility was initially 'Disapproved' due to multiple deficiencies identified on 03/09/2023, followed by a formal warning letter on 06/07/2023, and was marked 'Approved' on 09/01/2023.
Could not produce second hood cleaning record within 6 months of May 2022.
4th floor cross corridor fire doors did not close/latch from open position.
Annual fire alarm inspection did not include entire building.
Could not produce annual fire wall inspection.
Could not produce fire and smoke damper report.
Facility could not produce records for 3rd quarter (swing shift) and 4th quarter (all shifts) drills.
Could not produce annual fire door inspection.
Missing 5-year internal inspection, 3-year dry system trip test, forward flow test, and full building annual inspection.
Storage found within 36 inches of electrical panels in 4th floor electrical room and 2nd floor electrical room.
Resident rooms 410 and 317 held open with door stops.
Could not produce a heat survey.
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References & Resources
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
31 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit merrillgardens.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
WA DSHS — View Official Record
Public-record source of inspection history and licensure data shown on this page
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