Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor

The Kimpton group, those purveyors of design-savvy, urbanite-friendly accommodations across the U.S., have gone all Gilded Age with Baltimore’s Hotel Monaco, a restored 1906 Beaux Arts belle replete with painstakingly preserved period detail. (This was originally the headquarters of B&O Railroad, for you Monopoly aficionados). It’s the sort of thing rail barons would dream of, if there were any rail barons left, from the statuary atop the archway at the entrance to the original Tiffany fixtures and the balustrade-lined marble staircases.

The tastefully appointed suites are necessarily a bit more sedate than the lobby, where modern amenities bring the turn-of-the-century vibe up to date: expect HD televisions, extra-large bathtubs with Bigelow toiletries, in-room spa services, and even a companion goldfish who’ll be brought to your room at your request (!) — not to mention accredited babysitting services and a distinctly tolerant pet policy. Add in the 24-hour fitness center and yoga accessories for a full mind-and-body recharge. And when it comes time for forty winks, pillow-top beds with Italian sheets await, richly arrayed in a palette of regal blue, warm gold, and pops of emerald and crimson.

Tempting as it may be to loll about your quarters, you’ll want to make an appearance at five o’clock sharp for wine hour in the lobby — a throwback to a time when hotel bars brought local characters together over drinks and spirited camaraderie. For the peckish, B&O American Brasserie offers locally sourced, seasonal cuisine prepared in an exhibition kitchen and paired with a stunning array of libations. And of course, no trip to Baltimore would be complete without Chesapeake Bay’s famous blue crabs — at this Inner Harbor landmark, you’ll savor the local flavor in all senses of the phrase.