The Royal Sonesta: Baltimore's Best Inner Harbor Hotel

Published Sep 15, 2017

| 2 min read

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area is one of the top attractions in this Chesapeake Bay city. Several hotels vie for travelers attention when looking for lodging. Few can match the views, price, and amenities of the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore.

All 203 rooms and suites were renovated in June of 2015. With new carpets, fresh new wall finishes, and new window treatments, each room looks brand new. Your task is to decide which type of room to choose and which floor offers the view you desire.

For the best view

Guests arriving by train or airplane will find it easy to get to the hotel. From Amtrak’s Penn Station, expect a ten minute taxi ride and from BWI Marshall Airport the ride takes about twenty minutes depending on traffic. If you’re driving to the Royal Sonesta, chances are you’ll want to use valet parking. After handing over your car, step into the lobby and notice the Grand Staircase leading to the second floor. At the top of these stairs is where you’ll find the Explorer’s Lounge where food and drink await weary travelers.

Next, step up to the reception desk for check-in located to the right of the staircase. Either a Queen or King Harbor View room would deliver the wide view of the famous Inner Harbor area. This room choice can accommodate up to four guests with the included sofa bed. In-room amenities include premium bedding, refrigerator, free Wi-Fi, and in-room massage to name a few. Prices are around 250 USD plus taxes and fees depending on season and availability.

For the best and biggest room a Premier Suite offers 700 sq ft/65 m sq and big views of the Inner Harbor. The private bathroom offers a shower/tub combination, fine toiletries, and hair dryer. Enjoy the large picture windows for enjoying the view both day and night. I asked the reception desk which floor offered the best views and was told the fourth and fifth floors are good but the sixth floor offers the best views.

The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court has one of the better roof-top terraces in Baltimore. Relax in this quiet urban refuge up high above the streets below on the hotel’s 7th floor. Outdoor tennis courts, 24 hour fitness center, and indoor pool are also found on the 7th floor.

Dining and event space

If you are thinking of holding a meeting or special event in Baltimore, the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court has over 12,000 sq ft/1,115 m sq of meeting space. Let their event management staff create the perfect package complete with audio-visual aids, translations services, and catering. With 14 meeting rooms, named after a famous Maryland estate, you are sure to find the right fit for your event.

For onsite dining, Explorers Restaurant and Lounge is open for casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus a late night menu. When the hotel transitioned from Harbor Court to Royal Sonesta, former guests were happy to see the colorful safari-like murals stayed on. Enjoy dining under the gaze of African elephants and monkeys in a tree.

Dinner items include cornmeal crusted red snapper, Maryland broiled crab cake, Low Country French pork chop and other delicious entrees. Breakfast is served daily from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. and features a continental breakfast or a full menu. Try the crab eggs Benedict for a regional favorite or country Virginia ham and eggs for an American favorite.

In the area

Dozens of restaurants, both casual and fine dining are within a ten minute walk of the hotel. Attractions like the National Aquarium, Historic Ships, and the Maryland Science Center a mere five to ten minute walk away. Both M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards are close by for those wishing to see major league football and baseball. The Maryland Science Center and Spirit Cruises are right across the street and is a favorite with adults and kids.