The second-largest seaport on the Atlantic, Baltimore is an integral part of America’s transport system. The harbor area is filled with shops and boutiques, crab shacks, museums, and attractions like the National Aquarium and the USS Constellation, a Civil War-era war ship.
Baltimore may get as much attention as some bigger U.S. cities, but it is a great vacation spot, especially for water and seafood lovers. Here, we have selected five of the best places to lay your head in the city, based on guest reviews, luxurious amenities and prime locations.
The Ivy Hotel
From $525/ night
Tucked in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, this 5-star boutique property is housed in a building built in 1889. Each posh guest room features a four-poster bed, heated marble bathroom floors, and a gas fireplace, and some rooms have balconies and views of Mount Vernon. The prime location is just over a mile from John Hopkins University and Baltimore Convention Center. There’s an elegant fine dining restaurant on the first floor of the hotel, as well as a lush courtyard where guests can enjoy cocktails or tea. A decadent spa offers an array of body treatments, and in-room massages are available as well.
1840s Carrollton Inn
From $225/ night
This bed and breakfast is perfect for travelers who eschew stays in chain hotels in favor of a more personal touch. Located in a historic Baltimore home, each guest room is uniquely decorated with oversized furniture, high quality textiles, and ornate rugs. All rooms have flat screen televisions and whirlpool spa tubs, and some have separate seating areas. Amenities include an on-site gift shop, plush bathrobes and a terrace/gardena relaxation area. National Aquarium is a short walk away, and Baltimore – Washington International Airport, 8.1 miles away.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore
From $219/ night
In keeping with the Kimpton brand, the Baltimore outpost is effortlessly stylish with a youthful vibe. Within easy walking distance of landmarks such as the Inner Harbor, Baltimore Convention Center and National Aquarium, the location is central to many area attractions. B&O Restaurant, the on-site restaurant, is an American brasserie serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there’s a lively bar with cocktails, a lounge, and lighter fare. Amenities include dry cleaning service, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a nightly wine hour. Coffee and tea are served in the lobby each morning. Guest rooms feature flat-screen televisions, minibars, and iHome docking stations, while suites add a spa bath and a living area with sofa bed.
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
From $229/ night
This luxurious property is located across the street from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and many guest rooms have gorgeous water views. Loaded with amenities, the property boasts an indoor pool, hot tub, a concierge desk, and business and fitness centers. Rooms have flat screen televisions, refrigerators, coffee makers and iPod docking station. Guests have on-site dining options including the Watertable restaurant–which serves American cuisine–and The Ground Floor Café & Bar, a coffee shop and bar that serves Starbucks Coffee beverages. The Baltimore Convention Center is within a 10-minute walk of the hotel and Oriole Park is a short drive or cab ride.
Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown
From $199/ night
Bookworms will love the subtle nods to literary works throughout the design of this stylish hotel (an homage to author Edgar Allen Poe, who hailed from Baltimore). Originally built in 1907, the building was the city’s first YMCA. The decor is contemporary with clean lines, and guest rooms are spacious and filled with natural light. Basilica of the Assumption, Mt. Vernon Place Historic District and Charles Street are both within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and the Inner Harbor is one mile away. Poets Modern Cocktails & Eats serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service.