Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel

The Renaissance mostly attracts business travelers, with its 31,000 square feet of meeting space and close proximity to the Convention Center. But families also opt for this Marriott option because of its safe, easy access to shopping and tons of kid-friendly attractions, such as the Aquarium and Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum across the street.

The hotel's lounge-like lobby is in a constantly buzz, with guests flowing in from the adjacent mall, conventions on the upper levels, or from the street-level Starbucks. Because of this, staff and security are always around, and always able to assist guests should they need help navigating the neighborhood -- or the 12-story property.

The Renaissance has one of the best locations in the city for families or business travelers. The hotel is a across the street from the many major museums and attractions along the water, and has direct indoor access to the neighboring mall at The Gallery, filled with retail clothing shops and fast food joints. The Gallery also attaches to the Harborplace Mall across the street via walkway bridge. Inside Harborplace are restaurants (several of them waterfront) and shops.

In addition, the Baltimore Convention Center is about four block from the hotel. For easy access to other areas of the harbor, there is a water taxi located right across the street.

• 3-minute walk to the National Aquarium
• 3-minute walk to the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium
• 4-minute drive to the American Visionary Art Museum
• 4-minute walk to Pier Four, with shops and dining
• 4-minute walk to Holocuast Memorial Park
• 5-minute drive to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens
• 7-minute walk to Pier Six Pavilion
• 8-minute walk to the Baltimore Convention Center
• 10-minute walk to the Maryland Science Center
• 12-minute walk to Oriel Park at Camden Yards
• 16-minute drive to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Rooms are decorated in the same dark red, black, and brown tones found through rest of the property, but they're modern and have excellent beds featuring pillow-top mattresses and Frette linens. Though they're chain-like, a few details add a bit of character, such as the original area photography from a local artist. Headboard-mounted reading lights and outlets built into lamps are thoughtful conveniences.

• Extremely comfortable pillow-top mattresses and Frette linens, which the hotel is known for
• 37-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable and pay-per-view
• Turn-down service with chocolates
• Twice-daily housekeeping
• Mini-fridges
• Seating areas and full work desks with ergonomic chairs
• Marble bathrooms have magnifying mirrors and Aveda bath products.
• iPod docks
• Wi-Fi, for a fee
• Rooms have views of the city, or harbor. Some harbor views are obstructed by the mall across the street.
• Connecting rooms are available

The building surrounds a fourth-floor courtyard, with the pool located indoors. The pool, also accessible from the hallway, has large windows and a spacious lounge area, as well as a hot tub and pool attendant.

Watertable is a laid-back restaurant and lounge on the 12th floor with beautiful harbor views. The restaurant is located behind most of the ballrooms and meeting spaces, as well as one of the connecting areas to the mall, but the window tables and bar booths are removed from the pedestrian traffic so guests shouldn't feel disturbed by it. The restaurant serves American dishes for lunch and dinner and has a full bar.

The Ground Floor Cafe and Bar sell Starbucks coffee, as well as grab-and-go options such as sandwiches and wraps. It also has a full bar, open nightly, and several wall-mounted TVs playing local sports.

The hotel is a popular spot for business conventions and meetings, with over 31,000 square feet of event space, and is also a short walk from the Baltimore Convention Center.

• 21 meeting rooms and ballrooms, the largest with a 2,000 person capacity
• On-site FedEx
• Audio-visual equipment and setup
• On-site Starbucks, with meals
• Club Room with free drinks, breakfast, and lounge space
• Wired and wireless Internet, for a daily fee