Baltimore is only an hour's drive away from Washington, D.C., and an easy weekend getaway.
The city has tons of history, some really cool bars, and, of course, the famous Inner Harbor. This is part one of a three-part guide, focusing on where to stay while you’re visiting Baltimore. These three hotels are close to the action and offer tons of services and personality.
207 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Hotel RL is a bit of a hipster hotel, but offers really flexible services and a good location. It is the kind of place that offers fair trade coffee, free bike rentals, and works with dog charities. They’re also often found on Hotel Tonight, so if you are okay booking something last minute, you can stay here for an incredibly affordable rate.
The lobby is spacious, with lots of seating areas. There is a stage in the middle, where live performers play music every night. If you drove, the hotel has valet parking at $35 a night. The check in process is easy, and service is friendly and to the point. If you love traveling with your dog, this is one of the most dog friendly options in Baltimore. The hotel only charges $15 a night for your pet (which is just a total steal), and there is an enclosed dog park around the corner. Rooms are large by city standards and feature hardwood floors and modern furnishings (plus a huge bathroom with a giant shower).
You’re going to be about three blocks from the Inner Harbor at this hotel. Ubers are readily available to take you to other neighborhoods, and prices aren’t high. If you want to be close the water, entertainment, shopping, and restaurants, Hotel RL in the middle of it all.
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2 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
If you love 20
th century history and luxury, you will fall in love with the
Kimpton Hotel Monaco. The minute you walk in, you are transported to a more glamorous time. The hotel was built in 1906 in the Beaux-Arts style (think early 1900s art deco), and used to be the place to be seen for the Gilded Age crowd back in the 1900s, and then for the glitzy power players of the 1920s.
Today, it is a luxurious option centrally located near the Inner Harbor, stocked with amenities for its guests. The hotel features easy check in, free bike rentals, in-room spa services, complimentary tea and coffee service, a hosted evening wine hour, and much more. They offer valet parking for your car at $40 a night. Hotel Monaco (or rather Kimpton) is another pet friendly option, going above and beyond to make yours and your pet’s stay more comfortable. Their full list of services for your dog can be found
here. The Beaux-Arts style continues to the rooms, so you can feel just as glamorous in your room as you did in the lobby.
You’re again only a couple blocks from the Inner Harbor, with many other neighborhoods accessible either by walking or Uber.
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20 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
You may have noticed already, but the place to stay in Baltimore is near the Inner Harbor. It’s safe, friendly for pedestrians, and near entertainment.
The Lord Baltimore is another historic option for your stay, and like the Hotel RL, they’re also often found on Hotels Tonight, allowing you to live like a, well,
lord -- for a great price.
The hotel was built in 1928, and has hosted anyone and everyone important. The Calvert Room is especially notable, as it was the setting for over 80 society events in Baltimore. In 2013, the hotel underwent a major renovation, adding a sophisticated modern layer to the space. While the lobby remains decorated with historic touches, the rooms are spacious and modern.
The Lord Baltimore boasts several restaurants and bars within the hotel itself, one of those being LB Sky Bar, a rooftop bar and lounge. Located on the 19
th floor, it’s highly recommended you grab a cocktail or glass of wine and take in the breathtaking views of the city. Many of the rooms on the upper levels are also designed so you receive some of the best views in Baltimore.
Other services include valet parking for $31 a night, a fitness center, and bundled packages that include entertainment such as the aquarium and boat rides along the harbor.
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So now that you’ve picked out a place to stay for the weekend, stay tuned for parts two and three, all about what to do and eat (and drink)!
Do you have a favorite hotel to stay in while in Baltimore? Let us know in the comments below!
