Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor

The room was spacious, and the location was ideal. The staff were wonderful too. Breakfast and the tiny gym and pool aren’t anything to get excited about, so keep expectations modest there. There’s a $5 garage behind the hotel, so I wouldn’t pay for the hotel parking. One odd bathroom detail: there’s no shower curtain, and the shower sprays at an angle instead of straight down, which might help if you’re trying not to get your hair wet.

The room was nice, with a couch and coffee table, though the air conditioner had some problems. Front desk and valet staff were friendly. At night, you need a key card to enter, and the elevator always requires one. Baltimore City police regularly patrol the area. Finding the entrance can be tricky. There’s another downtown Baltimore Hyatt, and a front desk clerk said guests often mix up the locations. This area is more Little Italy than Inner Harbor, and my view was basically a parking lot, so don’t count on seeing the harbor.

The staff were spectacular, and the concierge service was great. My pet-friendly room was just moderate, with stains on the couch and floors that seemed to have built up over time. Valet parking costs a ridiculous amount per night. There’s a much cheaper garage behind the hotel for $5 a day, about half a block away on foot.

The location was great, but it felt like the hotel was cutting corners. I found seven strands of hair in different spots in the shower and a lot of trash behind both trash cans. That was strange, since someone emptying them should have noticed it. Calling the front desk was frustrating too. They seemed unhappy to answer because they were juggling multiple jobs. There’s just one person at the desk, and she also works as the bartender. That seems rough for her.