Radisson Hotel Baltimore Downtown-Inner Harbor

Formerly a 706-room Sheraton, this property was rebranded and one of its towers was decommissioned (cutting the rooms by more than half). During rebranding, the first floor was given a major facelift, while the guest rooms were left with the same dated Sheraton decor. The hotel has plans to renovate the rooms, but construction hadn’t begun when we visited in 2015. From the outside, the white high-rise building looks like your typical downtown chain hotel.

Today, the stylish, dimly lit reception area looks more like a dance club than a hotel lobby. The ceilings are painted to look like rippling water (or possibly a cloudy sky), and neon blue recessed lights illuminate the walls and floor. A bar next to the lobby, Balto Tavern and Tap, has a much brighter atmosphere with a wall of windows and light hardwood floors. The bar offers a free breakfast buffet each morning and a daily happy hour (which actually lasts two hours) with free snacks and half-price drinks. On select nights there’s also live music or karaoke.

The hotel is located in a less than attractive area of downtown Baltimore, but it's still within walking distance of the Inner Harbor and tourist sights.

• Nine-minute walk to the Baltimore Convention Center
• 15-minute walk to the National Aquarium
• Four-minute drive to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens
• Five-minute drive to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles
• 15-minute drive to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Radisson Hotel Baltimore Downtown-Inner Harbor has three room types: Standard Rooms, Premium Rooms, and Suites. The decor is underwhelming -- plaid blue curtains, brown carpeting, cream walls, and generic wooden furniture -- and many of the rooms are starting to show wear and tear, especially in the carpeting. Premium Rooms come with a microwave and mini-fridge, and Suites also include a separate living area and access to a Club Lounge. Every room has free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, and a sound machine that produces soothing noises. Nice city views are available from higher floors.

One of the best features at the hotel is its seasonal “rooftop” swimming pool (which is actually located on an outdoor patio on the second floor). It’s one of the largest outdoor hotel pools in Baltimore. Other highlights include a spacious 24-hour fitness center, nice business center, guest laundry room, and a huge ballroom for private events. A bar also offers free breakfasts, grab-and-go meals (wraps, salads, sandwiches), and a daily happy hour with half-price discounts and free snacks. Guests can pay extra for an airport shuttle and valet or self-parking. Pet-friendly rooms are available for dogs up to 50 pounds.