The significant seaport of Baltimore is found in the state of Maryland. As well as having a strong maritime identity, the city has a keen connection with the art world. Home to the largest public collection of Matisse in the world (which you can view for free), the Charm City is a magnet for visionaries and creators. If this is your first visit, do check out the 100-year-old Recreation Pier, spend a few hours at the Maryland Zoo and the Inner Harbor, see the unique National Great Blacks In Wax Museum and eat some of the locally caught blue crab.
The Ivy Hotel
Stay in one of just 18 bedrooms at this family-run Relais and Chateaux property. Evocative of the Gilded Age, the
red-brick mansion house features antiques, glamorous modern interior touches by designer Joszi Meskan, working fireplaces and four-poster beds. Guests have access to a library of books, a complimentary car (for trips up to three miles), a selection of movies, a 1920s-esque afternoon tea and drinks served from a vintage bar trolley. But the best benefit of all, is the creative in-house bistro, Magdalena, featuring a raw bar and headed up by Chef Scott Bacon.
Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
Contemporary, airy and minimal, this glass-walled hotel houses 256 bedrooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the harbour. While driven by a classic US upscale hotel design, there are accents of decorative drama to add a personal character; such as towering floral displays in the lobby. Ergonomic loungers, a hydropool and chakra-balancing healing sessions await at the five-star spa. The rooftop pool and grill restaurant provide a sunny spot to kick back with a watermelon mojito. And there are two further places to dine; an American eatery and one inspired by Mexico and South American food.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor
Book a room close to the Inner Harbor, in an international chain hotel that’s anything but generic. Kimpton takes great care to ensure each of its properties reflect the local area and its heritage. And their Baltimore property —an impressive restored 1906 Beaux Arts building, the former headquarters of B&O Railroad — retains all of its period elegance, along with some complimentary, bold, 21st-century colours. Bedrooms here include Frette linens, gourmet honour bars, Bigelow toiletries and work desks. Dine onsite at the excellent B&O American Brasserie, or try out some of the seafood options on the doorstep.
Revival Baltimore – JDV by Hyatt
The city’s only art and boutique hotel, Revival occupies the former Peabody Court Hotel building. It was also the site of the first Museum of Art exhibition in 1923 and is found in the historic Mount Vernon neighbourhood. Guests can expect both the art and the playlists to be thoughtfully curated; a live DJ plays vinyl on a Friday and Saturday night in the vicinity of a lit sign stating “Let Your Life Proceed by Its Own Design”, somewhat of a motto here. The food and drink has an artisan feel too, with the Topside restaurant, Dashery Café and the B-Side Cocktail Lounge.
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
This 1900s-era dance hall and warehouse is now a 128-bedroom hotel in one of the city’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, Fells Point. Part of the Waterfront’s Recreation Pier, it juts out over the sea, with a “floating” pool area and dining deck providing direct views of the passing superyachts. Inside are two further culinary options from the team behind Nobu; the Rec Pier Chop House for world-leading steaks and The Cannon Room whisky bar (do try the Sagamore Spirit Rye). The Sagamore Pendry decor is a blend of industrial-chic and grand, with a touch of grown-up sass.