OverviewLocated a 2-minute drive from Highway 2 and about a 6-minute walk from Charles Center Metro Station in downtown Baltimore, the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor is geared towards pedestrian or car travellers who require a centrally located hotel with on-site dining, an indoor pool and easy access to public transit and the highway.
Each of the hotel's air-conditioned guest rooms and suites offers free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a coffeemaker, a microwave, a mini-fridge, a desk, a stereo, a free weekday newspaper, an iron and ironing board and a hair dryer. Rooms with a separate bedroom, a living area with a sofabed and a jetted tub are also available, and the hotel is wheelchair accessible.
Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, a fitness centre, meeting/conference space, a business centre, guest laundry facilities and vending machines. On-site dining is offered at Eden West Restaurant (serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily), Dottie's Cafe (serving lunch and dinner daily) and Eden Lounge, which serves dinner daily.
Pets (under 30 lbs) are permitted for an additional $25 per pet, per night, and self-parking is $25 per night.
The Baltimore Convention Center is about a 6-minute walk from the hotel, while the National Aquarium can be found roughly 8 minutes away via public transit. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a 6-minute walk away and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is roughly a 15-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, parking $25/night, pets (under 30 lbs) $25/night/pet, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: September 30, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with much praise going to the hotel's location, staff and rooms.
Numerous guests praised the hotel's location. They described it as central, and close to restaurants, public transit, the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards, the Baltimore Convention Center, M&T Stadium, the National Aquarium and the Baltimore Science Center.
The hotel's staff were the source of many compliments by reviewers, who characterized them as friendly, attentive, efficient and accommodating. One guest remarked, "The staff ... took the time to explain anything we needed from parking to the restaurants, and local sites".
Several lodgers were pleased with the hotel's accommodations. They described their rooms as clean, spacious, updated, nicely decorated, well equipped and quiet, with comfortable beds. A few patrons had complaints about their rooms, however (see below).
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a few complaints about the added costs and the rooms.
A few reviewers were disappointed with the added costs they incurred during their stay. They felt the parking should have been included since it was located on the hotel's property, and also found the food overpriced. A few lodgers felt a free breakfast should have been included also.
Although the majority of guests were pleased with their clean and nicely decorated rooms, a few travellers had complaints about their lodgings. They reported small bathrooms, uncomfortable beds, and noise transfer from the fire station across the street.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 4 out of 5 with an 88% recommendation rate from 415 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #17 of 69 Baltimore hotels with an average rating of 4 out of 5 from 276 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviews rated the hotel 8.1 out of 10 from 93 reviews
The author called the hotel on September 30, 2013 to verify some information.
