Lord Baltimore Hotel

When the Lord Baltimore opened in 1928, the 23-story brick tower was the city’s largest hotel. Even as the Baltimore has grown up around it, the stately hotel remains a landmark. The impressive lobby has an Old World ambiance, with coffered ceilings, classic oil paintings, polished brass doors, and crystal chandeliers. Staircases lead to the mezzanine level where French Kitchen offers fine dining in a memorable space highlighted by huge windows, brass molding, and aqua walls and drapes. Expect to see a diverse clientele at this busy downtown hotel, from sports fans and concertgoers attending events at the nearby Royal Farms Arena to travelers with business at the convention center. There's a rooftop bar with city views that's a magnet for guests in warm weather, and the elegant Calvert Ballroom is a popular place for weddings on weekends.

The hotel is located on the corner of Baltimore and Charles streets in downtown Baltimore. It’s a busy and safe area, with the Charles Center subway station across the street and the Royal Farms Arena only one block away. It’s surrounded by other full-service hotels, office buildings, and several restaurants. The convention center also is a short walk away. - Two-minute walk to Royal Farms Arena

• Seven-minute walk to the Baltimore Convention Center
• 11-minute walk to the main attractions at Inner Harbor
• 12-minute walk to Oriole Park at Camden Yards
• 10 minutes to Johns Hopkins Hospital via public transit 
• 20-minute drive to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Guest rooms at Lord Baltimore Hotel were given a sophisticated, upscale look in their 2014 renovation. They're done in charcoal-gray and black, with a smart mix of textiles and fabrics throughout, and bright white accents. Modern furniture has a deep espresso finish, and a touch of color is added from contemporary art on walls. However, while bathrooms are attractive, with modern square sinks and on-trend dark-wood floors, shower/tub combos have older tiling and fixtures, and could use an update. All units have black leather armchairs and desks with leather office chairs, and contemporary lighting, and they come equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. One-Bedroom Parlor Suites add separate seating areas with a sleeper sofas and additional 40-inch flat-screen TVs. Larger suites and corner rooms (Grand Kings) are available, and LB Club Level rooms provide guests with access to the Club Lounge that offers free breakfast and free evening wine and cheese receptions. Views vary widely, from panoramic city skyline views to the sides of nearby buildings. Some ambient noise from the busy downtown streets can be heard, especially on the lower floors. 

This historic hotel features a classic French restaurant (the French Kitchen) with a modern twist. It serves breakfast (fee), lunch, and dinner in a beautiful room with high ceilings and huge windows. LB Bakery serves up pastries and breads baked fresh on-site, as well as coffee drinks and salads and sandwiches to go. LB Tavern offers pub food, and the 19th-floor rooftop LB Skybar a light menu, a full lineup of cocktails, wines, and spirits, and spectacular city views. There's a 24-hour fitness center with a solid selection of Life Fitness cardio and weight-training equipment, as well as free weights. Events are popular at the hotel, with more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including the elegant Calvert Ballroom that can host banquets for up to 500 people. There's also a business center that has two touchscreen computers and remote printing. The only on-site parking is valet, and it’s expensive. Self-parking options are a couple of blocks away. Valet dry cleaning and laundry is available, and Wi-Fi throughout is free.