PJA070413
Couples · September 20256/10
I’ve stayed in Baltimore many times to see an Orioles game at Camden Yards, including at the Hyatt Inner Harbor, which is a short 10 minute walk to the ballpark. It’s a nice hotel — with clean and we...I’ve stayed in Baltimore many times to see an Orioles game at Camden Yards, including at the Hyatt Inner Harbor, which is a short 10 minute walk to the ballpark. It’s a nice hotel — with clean and well-appointed rooms. But for a baseball trip where crowds are likely for a popular game (e.g., Red Sox, Yankees, or Dodgers v. Orioles), I think this place should be maybe fifth on your list. I’ve been here twice where baseball fans descended on the place, and hotel has not been up to the task either time. Most recently, there were long lines to check in at 4 pm, which was completely predictable given the popularity of the game (Yankees), and I noticed dozens of baseball fans waiting for their room. I checked in online, and the front desk staff told me to wait for an email or text telling me when my room was ready, but it never came. It was only after I went back through the check-in line after waiting nearly 1.5 hours (until 5:30) that they gave me a room — never having sent me an email or text. (While we were waiting, I asked if the bar was open and was told not until 5 pm, while dozens of fans waited around the lobby.)
I’m not normally a complaining reviewer, but have greater expectations for a high-end, expensive hotel like this, and have seen better service in this area. I stayed at the Hilton Inner Harbor a while back, and was able to check in through their app, pick my room, and get an electronic key, almost immediately at check-in time, with a much larger number of baseball fans checking in at the same time. (And the lobby bar was open!) The Royal Sonesta on Light Street had no delay issues, and the Renaissance nearby on Pratt Street was crowded but ran pretty smoothly.
My “World of Hyatt" app seemed next to useless: I could reserve a room and link to the web to check in, but then … nothing: no message that a room was available, and no ability to select and be assigned a room or get an electronic key, as I can on the Hilton or Marriott Bonvoy apps.
After the ballgame on a Saturday night, a lot of fans headed to the hotel bar around 10:30 pm, and were told it was closing in half an hour despite dozens of customers, which seemed odd. At the Hilton, it was a nice happy hour after the game.
Also at the Hyatt, I reserved parking in the garage with my room rate (“parking package”), but was told their “system” was not working and I could not get a working exit ticket with a code to scan and leave the garage. The staff told me to just explain it to the gate attendant, who at first was not there, then was not sure what to do until after a 10 minute explanation. Not a huge big deal, but if you’re going to sell a parking package, get the system to work better.
So overall, this is a nice hotel, well located and clean. The breakfast buffet was excellent and reasonably priced ($23 per person). The staff was friendly and tried to be helpful throughout the stay. But if you’re going to Baltimore for a popular ballgame, I recommend trying the Hilton Inner Harbor first, then the Marriott on Eutaw Street just across form the Hilton, then the Royal Sonesta, or the Renaissance, and if none of them are available, try the Hyatt Inner Harbor. It’s a very nice hotel, but needs to up its game for crowds.Show More
