Baltimore is one of the top urban destinations in the United States thanks to its seaport location, rich industrial history, and cool tourist attractions. No exception to its prowess is its accommodations scene. When choosing where to stay in Baltimore, MD, you’re going to be faced with plenty of prime options.
The best hotels in Baltimore are spread between five key districts throughout the city. No matter what kind of vibe you want to establish for your holiday, you’re sure to find an area that’ll suit your needs, whether it’s the historic vibes of Fell’s Point or the seaside charms of the Inner Harbor.
Looking for a home base for your trip to Maryland’s biggest city? Find the perfect accommodations with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Baltimore, MD, including the top-rated areas, neighborhoods, and hotels!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our United States Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Baltimore, MD
Don’t let your first-timer status deter you when booking your stay in Baltimore. We’ve got the inside scoop to help you find the best hotel and area for your trip!
Want to be in the center of all the action? Choose to lay down your head along the gorgeous Baltimore Waterfront at the Inner Harbor, historic Fell’s Point, or Harbor East. These areas are home to many of the best things to do in Baltimore, including the city’s top museums and restaurants.
If you’d rather stay a little further from the pier, set your sights on city center areas like Mount Vernon or Jonestown. Although you’ll be further away from some of the city’s top attractions, these historic neighborhoods offer travelers plenty, from great restaurants to cool boutique hotels.
The best areas to stay in Baltimore, MD, are:
Inner Harbor
✓ The best area to stay in Baltimore for the bucket-list traveler
Planning your first visit to Baltimore? You cannot go wrong with staying around the Inner Harbor. The area is home to the majority of the city’s most iconic attractions, as well as boutique shops, historic 18th-century homes, and the infamous Federal Hill neighborhood.
Avid museum-goers will love exploring the likes of the Maryland Science Center and the American Visionary Art Museum.
Alternatively, you can also turn up the dial, with exciting attractions like the National Aquarium, The Top of the World Observation Level, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards all at your doorstep! End your day in the Inner Harbor with some classic Baltimore nightlife at Power Plant Live!
Inner Habour is a great choice for travelers who want to see and do it all, and is suitable for all ages. Traveling with kids? This Downtown Baltimore neighborhood is chalked full of family-friendly activities and excellent mid-range hotels.
Staybridge Suites Baltimore – Inner Harbor, an IHG Hotel
Even if you don’t make it to the nearby National Aquarium to see the sharks, dolphins, and colorful jellies, you can still watch the fishies swim by as you sip your morning coffee in the Staybridge Suites lobby tank. This premium, budget-friendly hotel offers guests the ultimate “home away from home” setup with full kitchens, spacious bathtubs, and L-shaped couches perfect for sprawling out at the end of a long day. Oh, and the suites are also pet-friendly; even your furry family members will feel right at home here!
Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore
This pet-friendly hotel is a great choice if you like to live an active lifestyle and keep up the pace while on vacation. The Royal Sonesta has squash and tennis courts, an indoor pool, pop-up art galleries, and onsite yoga and fitness classes. It’s also one of Baltimore’s most accessible hotels, with an extensive list of accommodations available and a disability-friendly design.
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
For a reliable, friendly experience, you can’t go wrong with the Renaissance Baltimore, owned and operated by Marriott. You’ll love its hyper-modern curb appeal and views of docked tall ships out your windows. Plus, the hotel is just minutes from Oriole Park and several of Baltimore’s top-rated golf & country clubs to keep sporty travelers entertained. There’s also a Starbucks right around the corner for satisfying your afternoon munchies and morning coffee needs.
Hyatt Regency Baltimore
The ultimate selling point for the Hyatt Regency Baltimore is the rooftop pool and bar. It’s the ideal place for lounging the day away or catching an epic sunset. But that’s not all: This hotel is super stylish and offers you the choice of a room with floor-to-ceiling views of the Baltimore cityscape or sparkling harborfront. Need your morning caffeine fix? Starbucks coffee is always available down at the Hyatt Regency’s marketplace. (No drowsy dashes to the coffee shop are required here!)
Fell’s Point
✓ The best neighborhood to stay in Baltimore for couples
Looking for a luxurious waterfront stay? Choose to spend your nights in Fell’s Point. This neighborhood is home to several impressive waterfront hotels and a vibrant community.
Along the cobblestone streets of Fell’s Point, you’ll find an array of quirky museums, farmer’s markets, and independent coffee shops. The neighborhood’s main street also frequently hosts festivals and special events; be prepared to join in the festivities if you happen to stumble upon one!
Once you’ve walked the pier and visited an art gallery or two, you may want to check out the neighborhood bars. Just be sure to leave the fancy shoes at home: The last thing you want is to break a heel and twist an ankle while hobbling along the cobblestones!
With its lovely boutique hotels, Fell’s Point is a wonderful destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway and for friends’ weekends when you’re looking for a balance of luxury and versatile fun.
The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf, Ascend Hotel Collection
The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf is chalked full of historic charm. Exposed brick, hand-carved bed frames, club chairs, and mahogany armoires adorn every room. If you really want to be pampered, take full advantage of their butler service and have your coffee freshly brewed and delivered each morning and your bath drawn before bed.
Canopy By Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point
I can assure you: You’ve never stayed at a Hilton hotel like this before! The best part? You’ll be one of the first. The Canopy is one of Baltimore’s newest hotels—and it’s packing a big punch. A massive fireplace, glass walls for primo harbor views, leather accents, towering bookcases, and industrial lighting give an old-world meets modern bachelor feel.
Free bike rentals are included in your stay at Canopy; one booking will have both your accommodation and transportation covered. All this, and it’s LEED-certified for sustainability, so you can feel good about the impact of your travels.
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
This luxurious gem is the perfect splurge for your upcoming holiday. Overhanging the water on a massive private pier, the guest rooms at the Sagamore Pendry feature floor-to-ceiling windows that’ll leave you feeling as if you’re floating as you drift off to sleep.
The Sagamore Pendry has mastered the art of guest experience; though you’ll want to get out and explore the city, you’d never have to with all the premium amenities at your doorstep.
From a bottle of Moet delivered to your waterfront pool cabana and a tasting at the whiskey bar to a soak in your bathtub built for two, you’ll never run out of experiences here. Savor a meal (or two) in the superb on-site chophouse or order local dishes to your room if you’re craving breakfast in bed.
Harbor East
✓ The recommended district to stay in Baltimore for foodies
If you’re a bonafide foodie, get ready to dig into some good grub in Harbor East. Harboring Baltimore’s Little Italy community, the neighborhood has more Italian restaurants to choose from than you can count.
This waterfront community is a magnet for trendy tourists and shopaholics. In addition to good eats—and plenty of wine!—Harbour East is home to a massive collection of designer boutiques and an upscale theatre for viewing up-and-coming indie films.
When you’re not walking the promenade, you can set sail on a historic tall ship or visit the neighboring Inner Harbor to check out many of Baltimore’s top attractions.
Harbor East has a good selection of mid-level to luxury hotels—all with fabulous views, of course. The area is also pedestrian-friendly, so there’s no need to spend extra money on a car rental.
Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor
The Courtyard by Marriott Inner Harbor is a great choice for visiting professionals. Take advantage of the in-room working station, complete with ergonomic chairs and computers, before hitting the Downtown Baltimore streets. Halfway between Little Italy and Fell’s Point, this hotel makes a great starting point for all your digital nomad adventures.
Tru By Hilton Baltimore Harbor East
Previous guests at Tru by Hilton rave about their all-American buffet-style breakfast; if you’re looking for a stay that includes the most important meal of the day, look no further. This bright and colorful hotel also offers amenities like wellness centers, games rooms, and outdoor lounges around every corner, making it an all-around excellent choice.
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
This high-rise hotel promises epic views of the harborfront and a great vantage point for taking in the Baltimore skyline. Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize your viewing experience and spa-style bathtubs for soaking your stress away at the end of the day. If you want convenience that comes along with a huge dose of luxury, this luxurious hotel should be your go-to!
Four Seasons Baltimore
If you’re feeling a little self-indulgent, booking a stay at the Four Seasons Baltimore is a no-brainer. Top guest amenities include in-room free-standing soaking tubs and a sprawling rooftop infinity pool. Add a little bit of spice to your vacation with a visit to the hotel’s Latin American restaurant, complete with a Spanish-style patio, fountain, tropical palms, and rattan furnishings.
Looking for the ultimate date? Pull out all the stops with the Four Seasons Baltimore’s spa night experience, complete with a petal bath overlooking the water, hors d’oeuvres, Veuve Clicquot, a floral arrangement, and couples massages. Or explore the harbor like the rich and famous and book a sailing tour directly through the concierge.
Mount Vernon
✓ The top-rated area in Baltimore for boutique hotel lovers
If laid-back entertainment and finding cool indie hidden gems is your thing, choose Mount Vernon. Multicultural dining, craft breweries, wine bars, and some eclectic sightseeing opportunities will have you coming back year after year.
The historic neighborhood of Mount Vernon expertly marries the opulence of 19th-century architecture with modern industrial design. It’s a popular spot with young hipsters and splurging retirees all the same. Don’t forget to check out the George Peabody Library, which is still considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
If you love luxury but like a personalized approach and a major dose of personality, you’ll love the Mount Vernon neighborhood. This boutique hotel hotspot is home to Baltimore’s trendiest accommodations. And although you can totally live the highlife and blow the bank account in Mount Vernon, there’s plenty here to cater to every budget.
Ready to let your freak flag fly? After treating yourself to a meal at one of Mount Vernon’s fabulous fine dining restaurants, put on your fanciest duds and check out the upscale nightlife options.
Hotel Revival Baltimore, part of JdV by Hyatt
This ultra-trendy boutique hotel comes with all the comfort of staying at a Hyatt. Plus, it’s the perfect home base for venturing down onto the buzzing streets to see the city come alive at nighttime. This downtown location is mere steps away from Baltimore’s best nightlife, from restaurants to bars and everything in between.
All this, and the Hotel Revival guest suites offer panoramic views of the city skyline. Though you might be itching to get out and hit the clubs, it’d be worth sticking around for a meal at the hotel restaurant to see the Baltimore aglow from the Topside restaurant. (Pssst….there’s also a cool speakeasy onsite!)
Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Put yourself in the middle of all the action at this downtown gem. Especially if you’re visiting on a girls’ getaway, the Hotel Indigo is a fabulous choice. They’ll put you right in the heart of Baltimore’s best shopping district, treat you to luxurious spa products/services, and serve your handcrafted cocktails in the Poets lounge.
The Ivy Hotel
Experience the difference a luxury boutique hotel stay makes at the Ivy Hotel. They offer oodles of amazing guest perks like made-to-order breakfast, complimentary craft cocktails, and midnight snacks, plus door-to-door car service, so you don’t have to flag down a city taxi.
Want to drive yourself? You can reserve the Ivy Hotel’s Volvo for your personal use during your stay. If you’re bringing your dog along, rest assured: They’ll be treated like royalty too. All four-legged guests are provided with cushy beds and complimentary walking services.
Jonestown
✓ The recommended neighborhood for history buffs
Walking tours, historic sites, and a relaxing atmosphere…oh my! These are just a few of the major draws for tourists when considering Jonestown as your top choice for where to stay in Baltimore.
This Jonestown area is an excellent choice for history buffs: You’ll find plenty to explore here that highlights Baltimore’s heritage. That said, Jonestown may not be the most exciting region for those traveling with kiddos.
A handful of Baltimore’s best Americana landmarks are located in Jonestown. You’ll have top points of interest like the Phoenix Shot Tower, Star Spangled Banner Flag House, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum at your fingertips.
RELATED: Best Day Trips from Baltimore, MD
Not to mention, Jonestown is also home to some of the city’s best restaurants; be sure to bring your appetite if you choose to lay down your head here.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor
Simple but effective, the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott is a great choice for those who want somewhere safe, clean, and comfortable to crash but don’t want to fuss over tons of extra bells and whistles. It’s within a five-mile radius of many of Baltimore’s top points of interest, and it has both an American diner and garden terrace BBQ with plenty of good eats right on site.
1840s Carrollton Inn
Take a step back in time at this unique bed-and-breakfast. Choose from 13 rooms with opulent, historic decor dripping with Americana charm. One of the 1840s Carrollton Inn’s best amenities is their brilliant terrace-bound breakfast comprised of local ingredients and homegrown herbs. They even have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free breakfast menus so everyone has a chance to enjoy them.
The hotel also offers easy access to the Baltimore Water Taxi service. You can explore everything the harborfront has to offer with the snap of your fingers.
BlancNoir
Quaint, cozy, and an undeniably “Baltimore” experience: What more could you ask for? Located in Little Italy, this bed and breakfast is a great choice if you want to feel like a Baltimore local.
Even with its urban location, BlacNoir has tons of outdoor space to enjoy, from cute patios with board games and personal balconies for sipping your evening glass of vino. Keep an eye out for your feline hosts, Cleo and Chloe; these fuzzy residents have become somewhat of a guest legend!
