Which Baltimore Hotel
 

I have narrowed it down to 2 - the Clarion at Mount Vernon and the Radisson Inner Harbour. Has anyone stayed at these? I want to be in a safe area within walking distance to bars/restaurants for the evening.<BR>Thanks.

I haven't been to either, but I would suggest that you stay in the Inner Harbor one if you want to walk to the bars/restaurants area in the Inner Harbor. At night, you would have to take a cab from Mt. Vernon. If you're looking for bars/restaurants, also check out Fells Point and Canton, both areas are along the water, east of the Inner Harbor (you can walk if it's nice outside, otherwise it's a 5 minute, $3-$5 cab ride between them)

I would agree with the other recommendation that you stay closer to the harbor. Being a native, I can tell you that not only will it be easier on you to walk, it is also a little safer. Baltimore is a great city with lots to offer but I always recommend that people coming to town for the first time stick to areas where they can see water. If you are close to water, you are generally much safer walking around at night(harbor, canton, fells point all fall into this category). Mainly because that's where most of the people are so as they say it's safety in numbers.

Hey Paul<BR><BR>You may have already decided (and even gone to Baltimore), but I wanted to put a bit of nuance for you and possibly others who might be deciding between these 2 hotels.<BR><BR>The Inner Harbor is a livelier area than Mount Vernon, with a lot more people milling about and many more upscale shopping options. In its favor, Mount Vernon has a lot more historical character and architecture than the Inner Harbor, with gorgeous homes and statued squares where the Baltimore wealthy lived and congregated at the turn of the century. There are people out and about, just not *nearly* as many as the Inner Harbor.<BR><BR>Really, I think the choice between these two hotels depends what types of bars/restaurants you're looking for. The Inner Harbor has more "mainstream" US nightlife/restaurants...your Hard Rock Cafes, ESPN Zones and Cheesecake Factories (however, you're quite close to the amazing restaurants of Little Italy). Mount Vernon is the center of the Gay community in Baltimore and the Clarion is a much better choice for easy walkability to the Gay bars of the city. The restaurants in this area tend to be in more historic, atmospheric buildings than those in the Inner Harbor. Also, the Lyric and Center Stage are here, so you get a more cultured crowd to my eyes.<BR><BR>If I had to pick, I would choose the Clarion, because I prefer the warmth of the neighborhood and feel that it gives a visitor a better idea of Baltimore charm. Stick to the main, well-lit streets of Mount Vernon (ask a desk clerk which these are) and you'll be fine. I've walked on these streets many times even LATE at night by myself with no problems and have friends that live in this neighborhood.<BR><BR>Fell's Point is another good option, with a mix of alternative and mainstream crowds.<BR><BR>My 2 cents. DAN

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor Last September, at a ridiculously low rate booking through Hotwire. The staff here was positively magnificent. Room was fabulous, with a view of the Inner Harbor. Two restaurants, two lounges, covered walkway over to Harbor Place, chock full of bars/restaurants. You didn't mention when you're going, but we took the water taxi all over (schedules are reduced during the off season) to visit even more bars/restaurants. Fells Point was magnificent and we returned there several times.