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Housed in the upper levels of what was once the headquarters of the B&O Railroad Company, the 202-room Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore brings a strong sense of history to your stay. You get grand staircases, chandeliers, and acres of marble in a solid building meant to last.
It’s also located in a convenient area, close to Baltimore’s main attractions. The full name of the property is Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor, though if you want to get technical it’s a few blocks from the waterfront. So you can’t sit on a balcony and watch the ships glide by like you can at Sagamore Pendry, but some of the rooms do have a view in the right direction.
Entering the building is a bit strange since the hotel is not the only tenant. There are offices on some floors and you’re more likely to encounter a gruff security guard than a helpful bellhop after you’re dropped off out front. (He told me I could take photos with my phone, but not with my camera. That was a new one.) Once you exit the elevator on the correct floor, however, or walk up the stairs if you need some exercise, front desk staffers are friendly and ready to get you settled in.
The lobby area is spacious and inviting, with some original architectural elements mixed in with more modern furniture. You can cozy up to the gas fireplace and sit in the armchairs or get cozy on a sofa.
You’ll go back down the stairs or elevator to reach the restaurant, the B&O American Brasserie. Unfortunately, it was closed when I visited because of local Covid restrictions, but it is back open now with spaced-out tables and extra precautions. It’s a clubby space with a nod to yesteryear, but with more current trends defining the cocktail selection, open kitchen, and farm-to-table selections.
If you’re a fan of Kimpton’s daily wine hour, you’ll find that available here from 5:00 to 6:00 in the evenings.
Otherwise, the public facilities are limited in this city center hotel, which isn’t much of an issue since there’s so much else to choose from nearby. Inner Harbor is close by, Fell’s Point is a quick cab ride or long walk, and there are other dining spots in the blocks nearby.
There is a fitness center available to guests, however, as well as yoga mat loaners you can use in your room. If you want to explore Baltimore by bike, they’ve got two-wheelers for you to borrow.
Rooms come in a variety of sizes and layouts and are a good size, starting at 375 square feet for the Deluxe rooms that come with a king bed or two doubles. The light gold patterned wallpaper provides a luxurious feel, downright regal when combined with the indigo padded headboards, Frette linens, and thick carpeting. All have a nice armchair with an ottoman and quality toiletries in the baths.
There are family rooms with bunk beds for the kids and spacious suites that come with a separate living room and a big soaking tub. I got upgraded thanks to my IHG status and ended up in one of the King Premier Spa Suites, enjoying some space to spread out. The Monte Carlo one is larger still, with two double beds.
Rates at the Kimpton Baltimore aren’t at the level of the Sagamore Pendry or Four Seasons, so you can get pampered here without breaking the bank. Standard rooms usually start at around $135 with taxes and suites at $225. This is not the best choice if you’re arriving in your own car though: parking will set you back $44 per night. See more information at the official website and book there or check rates at Hotels.com.
Review and photos by hotel reviewer Tim Leffel, who stayed at the Kimpton Monaco Baltimore one night by cashing in IHG Rewards points.
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