The Ivy Hotel  

In the historic, ivy-clad Mount Vernon district of downtown Baltimore. This 5-star boutique hotel sits minutes from the Lyric Opera House and University of Baltimore, and a short drive from Johns Hopkins Hospital, the National Aquarium, Baltimore Convention Center and the Inner Harbor. Pet-friendly and family-friendly, yet intimate and very much a private-house experience.

Housed in a renovated 19th-century mansion with turrets and an original skylit staircase, the property feels like a private home with a music room, library and courtyard. There are just 18 individually decorated guestrooms, many with fireplaces, flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations. Rooms sleep in pillowtop beds with down comforters and Frette Italian sheets; bathrooms often feature separate deep-soaking tubs and rainfall showerheads.

Pamper yourself at the on-site spa with massages, body treatments and facials. Stay fit in the fitness center, let the concierge arrange tours, or use the complimentary shuttle within a 3-mile radius. Free valet parking and valet service are available onsite. Other conveniences include complimentary Wi‑Fi, 24-hour room service, babysitting/childcare (surcharge), dry cleaning/laundry, and a quiet courtyard perfect for morning coffee or winter tea by the fireplace.

Four meeting rooms and a 24-hour business center make this a smart choice for small events or meetings. Complimentary Wi‑Fi, a concierge and valet parking support business travel and local gatherings.

Magdalena bistro serves local and international cuisine in a garden-view setting and operates a bar/lounge. Prefer privacy? 24-hour room service lets you dine in the mansion-style comfort of your room.