Best Luxury Hotels in Baltimore

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Choosing one of Baltimore’s best luxury hotels comes down to personal choice. Read on for the amenities and options to help you pick the best luxury hotel in Baltimore.
Travelers visiting Baltimore have it reasonably easy to pick a luxury hotel. With only three qualified possibilities, one needs to know the differences in the level of service, location, amenities, and surrounding area to choose your stay at one of Baltimore’s best luxury hotels.
I’ve stayed at two of these hotels, The Four Seasons and The Ivy. Even though I’ve not stayed at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel, I’ve dined at their restaurant several times and conducted a site tour twice. One thing I know for sure is that these three are significantly different. Let’s look at what makes each one a top luxury hotel.
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore is One of the Best Luxury Hotels in Baltimore
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore opened to much fanfare in April 2017. I toured the hotel on May 18, 2017. I was excited to see how owner Kevin Plank revitalized Thames Street’s historic Recreation Pier (circa 1914) into a luxury hotel. The Beaus Arts façade gives a classy first impression upon pulling up to the valet station.
The exterior of Sagamore Pendry Baltimore is a classic example of a building meant to last and look good. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
A walk through the hallway toward the reception area gives the curious traveler a chance to see the before and after photo of the historic Recreation Pier. At the reception desk, visitors check in and are given a welcome non-alcoholic, fruit-based beverage. A verbal code will grant those who wish to have a shot of Sagamore Whisky added to the non-alcoholic drink at the restaurant’s bar. Note the Taylor acoustic guitar in the reception area for those who want to play romantic music to their sweetheart at the Pendry.
The Rec Pier Chop House bar is popular on Friday and Saturday nights. Photo courtesy Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
The hotel’s 128 guest rooms and suites provide views of the courtyard or the harbor. The bedding is of high quality, as are the furnishings. Both the desk and bathroom countertops are made of marble. Guest rooms start at 340 square feet, and suites are 700 to 1,200 square feet. If money is no worry, the Pendry suite offers fantastic views of Baltimore Harbor from inside or outside on the private wraparound terrace.
The Presidential Suite at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel is possibly the best luxury suite of Baltimore’s best luxury hotels. Photo by Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Amenities at this Baltimore Luxury Hotel
All guestrooms include custom bath amenities, Bluetooth speakers, luxury bedding, and room service by request. One of the standout amenities is the first-come, first-serve Cadillacs for self-driving in Baltimore. The courtyard and pool areas are excellent spaces for hotel guests to enjoy, especially in warm weather. I love the Pommery Pop (Champagne) vending machine in the courtyard. The guests can buy a $25 token from the bar and receive a glass for their courtyard champagne moment.
Dining, Pool, and Bars
The swimming pool opens up to sweeping views of the harbor, and even though the pool is only for hotel guests, the pool bar is open to the public. This bar is one hot spot in the summer.
The all-day bar food menu includes tasty appetizers like oysters on the half shell, guacamole, and Gulf shrimp cocktail, or choose entrees such as burgers, Nashville hot chicken, crispy eggplant sandwich, or a lobster roll. The drink list includes Sagamore Whiskey concoctions, wine, and draft beers.
The old cannon makes an intriguing pool ornament at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
The Rec Pier Chop House is open seven days per week for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, serving steakhouse favorites. The expansive bar can draw a large crowd on Friday and Saturday nights, with additional seating in the lounge area. My favorite meal is dinner at the Rec Pier with a starter of AC’s sheep’s milk ricotta, linguini fini, or any steak with two or more homemade steak sauces. Before or after dinner, it’s fun to stop in at the Cannon Bar for whiskey specialties. The 18th-century cannon under the bar’s floor was found during renovations and is similar to the cannon at the pool.
The Ivy Hotel is Next on the List of Best Luxury Hotels in Baltimore
When The Ivy Hotel opened in Baltimore, both locals and visitors benefited. The gorgeous 1889 brownstone is perfect for this new luxury lodging choice and brings a touch of class to the neighborhood. I find the level of service and furnishings of the Ivy Hotel unrivaled in Baltimore’s top luxury hotels.
The luxurious architectural highlights and furnishings at The Ivy Hotel make the Ivy one of Baltimore’s best luxury hotels. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
When guests arrive, well-trained valet staff greets and guides them to the elevator. On the second floor, guests receive a glass of Champagne or a chilled non-alcoholic beverage. After a short chat about the amenities and shared spaces, guests are off to one of 18 uniquely decorated rooms and suites.
Room 15 is one of our favorite rooms at The Ivy Hotel. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
All guest rooms and suites include daily breakfast from Magdalena and a stocked in-room fridge with local treats like Hex kombucha, white wine, and beer. A complimentary cheese and cracker tray is paired with a bottle of red wine, also complimentary, for the guests to enjoy at their leisure.
Amenities and Entertainment
For on-site activities, don’t miss the afternoon tea from 2:30 to 3:30 with Champagne, finger sandwiches, and sweets to make you feel like royalty. A game of billiards or a one-of-a-kind puzzle by Stave Puzzles might appeal to some guests.
A game of billiards at the Ivy Hotel is just another touch of class. Photo by Kurt Jacobson.
My wife and I enjoy the Ivy Spa and love having tea on the balcony overlooking the courtyard after a massage. Even though we live just 30 minutes away, the Ivy Hotel is a wonderful staycation choice. A town car is available on a first-come basis to take guests to restaurants or activities within a three-mile radius. Another thing we love about the Ivy Hotel is the no-tipping policy. Guests don’t need to tip valet, town car drivers, concierge, or other hotel staff.
Dining and Special Events
Blessed with one of our favorite luxury restaurants, Magdalena, a Maryland Bistro , is reason enough to visit. My wife and I love coming to Magdalena for a special dinner. The wine list, service, and food quality are some of the best in Baltimore. With multiple dining rooms to choose from, we always enjoy a quiet dinner at Magdalena.
Blue catfish at Magdalena is one of my favorite local menu items. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
Hotel guests can take breakfast in the restaurant or in-room. If the weather cooperates, breakfast in the courtyard is a great option. Consider reserving the world’s only Robert Parker Wine Cellar, which seats up to 14 guests, for a fantastic wine-themed meal with friends, family, or business associates for a special dinner.
The Ivy Hotel has a lovely courtyard for special events or dining. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
It’s possible to reserve the entire hotel for your special event. Weddings, family reunions, and business meetings take on an air of unmatched luxury when held at The Ivy Hotel.
Number Three of the Best Luxury Hotels in Baltimore is The Four Seasons Baltimore
It’s been several years since I’ve stayed at the Four Seasons Baltimore , but my wife and I have dined at the attached restaurants several times since our last overnight stay. The Four Seasons Hotel has long earned a place as one of Baltimore’s best luxury hotels.
The Four Seasons Baltimore as seen from across the harbor. It’s the glassy one in front of Legg Mason. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
The location allows easy access to the Inner Harbor and Harbor East. Many of my favorite restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel, like Lebanese Taverna , Cinghiale , Cindy Wolf’s Charleston , Azumí , and The Black Olive .
The mezze platter at Lebanese Taverna is one of my favorite dishes in all of Baltimore and is near the Four Seasons. Photo by Kurt Jacobson.
Rooms and Dining at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
There are a variety of accommodations at the hotel, many with stunning harbor views. If you prefer city lights, there are luxurious city-view rooms as well.
A harbor-view room at the Four Seasons. Photo by Christian Horan, courtesy Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
If you want more space and luxury, you can choose one of the suites. For something over-the-top, book the Serene Suite with stunning harbor views, a fireplace for cold winter evenings, a full kitchen and dining room, and an expansive balcony for those summer breakfasts.
Four Seasons Baltimore Serene Suite. Photo courtesy Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
In addition to the nearby eateries, you have several options inside the Four Seasons. Maximón serves South American- and Mexican-inspired dishes, while The Bygone honors the roaring 20s.
Seasonal menu items like this fall-themed salad add to the pleasure of dining at the Bygone. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
Both venues have stunning harbor views—Maximón from its Spanish-themed courtyard and The Bygone from the 29th floor.
The view from the Bygone is unrivaled in the city of Baltimore. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
They have a spa that continues to be rated one of the top spas in Maryland, but we were disappointed that the indoor baths are out of commission. The 10,000-square-foot Four Seasons Spa overlooks the harbor and serves as a calm retreat from the city’s bustle. You can book one of the Four Seasons Signature Moments, a massage, facial, or other service.
Relax at the spa at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. Photo courtesy Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
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When You Visit the Best Luxury Hotels in Baltimore
I believe these three hotels represent Baltimore’s best luxury hotels and are the only luxury-class choices in the city. All three hotels offer you a perfect fit for your lodging needs. Let  Wander With Wonder be your guide to everything there is to do in Baltimore , across Maryland , and throughout the Mid-Atlantic states .
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Best Luxury Hotels in Baltimore
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