Baltimore hotels

Although Sagamore Pendry dates back to 1914, when it was a cargo warehouse, it’s been lovingly restored with all the modern fineries you might need. Top of that list is the outdoor infinity edge pool that overlooks the seaport harbour. You’ll also find a range of sleek harbour-view rooms and suites. Staying in one of these made me feel like I was a seafarer sailing into this historical city.

The culinary offerings are another highlight, and chef Andrew Carmellini’s Rec Pier Chop House is the place to come for seasonal Italian classics and people watching.

One of the best hotels in Baltimore, this Beaux Arts-style property is in a super location on Recreation Pier, a perfect base for exploring the city, including nearby historical neighbourhoods like Federal Hill and Mount Vernon. Grab an electric Scott hotel bike to head out for a hipster brew at OneDo Coffee in the nearby Canton area.

If you’re looking for somewhere offbeat, Ulysses is the place to come. The hotel’s building, The Latrobe, dates back to 1912 and inside you’ll find moodily low lighting, rich colours and plush fabrics everywhere – including plenty of leopard print. The popular neighbourhood of Mount Vernon is within walking distance and filled with the city’s artsy crowd.

The hotel pays homage to Baltimore’s most famous resident, filmmaker John Waters, by naming suites after characters from his films. My favourite is the Tomorrow Suite, with its canopied bed and clawfoot tub.

This is one of the best hotels in Baltimore for people watching, as I discovered in their late-night cocktail bar, the Coral Wig. If you’re looking for local tips, just ask the bartender – he knows all the hottest spots in town.

Sometimes when you’re travelling, all you want is a home away from home. That’s exactly what you get at Roost. Located in the new neighbourhood of Baltimore Peninsula, here you have a choice of one, two or three bedrooms. Each comes fully equipped with all the amenities you’d expect from a well-appointed apartment.

That includes an in-unit washer/dryer and a fully kitted-out kitchen where you can host your dinner parties (just ask the 24/7 concierge to help).

This is one of the best hotels in Baltimore for dogs, as it’s pet-friendly and located right across the street from Rye Street Park. My pup, Ella, enjoyed her stay just as much as we did! I loved starting the day in their downstairs fitness centre, followed by a few laps in the outdoor pool.

Located right by the Harbor Point Overlook, this hotel is one of the best in Baltimore if you want to be within walking distance of the city centre. There’s a range of guestrooms and suites to choose from, all of which come with floor-to-ceiling views of the harbour and the city’s skyline.

The hotel prides itself on its plush mattresses with cooling technology, and the rooms boast big TVs, Apivita bath amenities and enough space to work at a comfortable desk.

If the weather’s nice, ask for a King Bed with a balcony, where you can enjoy the oceanic energy Baltimore is known for. I loved being able to walk to the city’s best coffee shop, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, just 500 feet (152 m) away for a cold brew while the hotel plugged in my EV to charge (free for guests) for my next drive.

Boutique hotel lovers, take note: Hotel Revival is hands down one of the best hotels in Baltimore. Located in the historic neighbourhood of Mount Vernon, this property offers all kinds of surprises, from rotating local artworks to a rooftop restaurant, Topside, with views across the city. And let’s not forget their secret speakeasy karaoke bar, which you enter through a jukebox downstairs.

There’s a real community vibe thanks to the local products you’ll find dotted around the hotel, from bathrooms equipped with Lot Tush (a hypoallergenic bamboo toilet paper brand) to artisanal Black Acres Coffee and Wight tea in the rooms (I also found it downstairs in their cafe, ‘Dashery). The hotel offers plenty of fun events for guests, including yoga sessions and a complimentary wine hour every Tuesday.

For a truly luxurious stay, the Four Seasons is one of the best hotels in Baltimore. It is not only well-located in Harbor East but it also has all the plush amenities you’d expect from a Four Seasons resort, like a private catamaran sail around the Inner Harbor.

The rooms and suites all have floor-to-ceiling windows and soaking tubs. But my top pick would have to be the 3,000 sq. ft (278 sq. m), Presidential Suite, which comes with a baby grand piano.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options, from the upscale Latin-inspired Maximón to the classic American grill at Bygone. Or you could stay poolside and eat crab cakes at the bar, like I did. I particularly enjoyed the spa for its special night-time offer, where you can book uninterrupted access just for you and a plus one with massages and champagne.

Located in Harbor East, this towering landmark building hotel is a great spot for business travellers thanks to its excellent convention centre. One of the best hotels in Baltimore, the Marriott Waterfront offers multiple meeting spaces and a 24/7 gym, dry cleaning services and a convenience store stocked for late-night snacks.

This sprawling property has over 700 rooms and suites, and I’d recommend requesting one with a deep bath tub and seemingly never-ending views of the harbour. Another nice perk is the concierge lounge, which features an honour bar and delicious canapés.

Located half a mile from the National Aquarium of Baltimore, I remember that I could easily stroll there with a cannoli in hand, picked up en route at Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop in Little Italy.

Boutique hotels don’t come much better than the Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown. Located in a historic building that was once the city’s first YMCA, it’s full of quirky design details. My favourite spot is the cosy wood-panelled library with a roaring fireplace.

The rooms and suites here are just as unique. I suggest going for a split-level suite, which comes with a separate wet bar area – ideal for having some friends over before a night out on the town.

This is one of the best hotels in Baltimore for exploring the lively Mount Vernon area. Make time to visit the marble steps of the Washington Monument of Baltimore, browse over 36,000 objects at the Walters Art Museum and take an iconic photo inside the Wes Anderson-esque George Peabody Library.

Overlooking the Inner Harbor, the Royal Sonesta provides a comfortable stay with plenty of little extras. Keep an eye out for the bee apiary in their rooftop herb garden and their official mascot, a horse known as ‘The Viscount of Baltimore.’ There’s also a rooftop bar, a heated indoor pool and a spa with a dry sauna.

Rooms and suites are spacious and well-appointed – last time I visited I stayed in one of the premier suites, which came with a sumptuous marble bathroom.

It’s one of the best hotels in Baltimore for weddings, so bear in mind you might stumble across a celebration or two during your stay. Located in the Otterbein neighbourhood, I highly recommend walking up into the Federal Hill area just under half a mile away – the Game On bar and arcade on St. Charles Street is one of my favourite nostalgic hangouts.

This modern boutique hotel is located in Baltimore’s historic Charles Village neighbourhood. They’ve transformed a century-old apartment building into one of the best hotels in Baltimore with sleekly modern rooms and suites. My favourite room here is the Executive Suite, which has its own wet bar.

Serving the world-famous Johns Hopkins University, The Study is perfect if you’re looking for a hotel near campus. There’s also a hip on-site village tavern, Dear Charles, where you can grab a bite made with locally sourced ingredients – and maybe chat to a few visiting professors, like I did.

It’s also a great base for exploring the architecturally fascinating Charles Village, with its vintage stores, record shops and cool restaurants. Also nearby is my favourite museum in the city, Baltimore Museum of Art, where you’ll find a prized Matisse alongside works from local Baltimore artists.