A Baltimore "Stay-Cation"

Baltimore is internationally known to be a great city for visitors. Famous for local seafood restaurants and terrific family activities such as the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center, it's a popular vacation destination. However, living in the Baltimore suburbs, we don't go into the city often. So we decided to be tourists for a weekend and find out what makes Baltimore so special. ​

We stayed at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court . This hotel has always been a Baltimore landmark for upscale family travel and it's still maintaining this image today. Only a short ride to Cruise Maryland at the Port of Baltimore, it is a perfect location for a pre or post cruise stay. 

This dramatic staircase is known to be one of the most beautiful photo opportunities in Baltimore.

I love being greeted with fresh flowers!

From the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court, you can easily walk to most of the main attractions Baltimore has to offer. The Maryland Science Center is just a few steps away across the street. Walk a bit further the other direction and you'll find yourself by the National Aquarium, great shopping, and restaurants. ​​

As soon as we arrived, we headed over to Harborplace for unique Maryland themed shopping and delicious fudge and candy at The Fudgery. 

McCormick is one of Baltimore's oldest companies and has become an icon. They make every kind of delicious spice and flavoring you can imagine.

Amazing assortment of fudge and candy at The Fudgery. They make the fudge right in front of you too. Just wait for the bell to clang and the fudge show is about to begin!

We stopped for a traditional seafood lunch at the iconic Rusty Scupper. It's located right on the water and has an amazing view of the Baltimore harbor. I love watching the people and boats cruising by while dining.

​After exploring a bit more, we checked into the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Hotel. For traveling with kids, they have spacious Harborview Rooms with sofa beds or even larger Premier Suites. The suites are perfect for families who need a bit more space.  We had a Harborview Premier Suite and it was perfect. With two large bay windows overlooking the Baltimore harbor, the views were spectacular. 

This suite has lots of drawer and closet space, a large bar top with refrigerator (even on a stay-cation, we always have leftovers!) and a sofa bed.  There was even plenty of room to have a rollaway brought in if needed. ​

Recently refurbished, our suite's decor and layout are ideal for a family vacation.

The seating area in the bay window is perfect for harbor and people watching.

And the bathroom, SERIOUSLY, the bathroom, was amazing. All marble with double sinks, a huge soaking tub, stand up shower, luxurious bath products and a huge lighted mirror...with a television in it. Yes, a TV is hidden and illuminates in the center of the mirror.  ​You can imagine the look on my boy's faces!

Fantastic bathroom along with my favorite Italian toiletries.

Just look in the middle of the mirror and enjoy a program from the soaking tub or while getting dressed.

The activities found in the hotel on the 7th floor are unbelievable. While visiting, you can definitely stay fit with an indoor swimming pool, large fitness room with up-to-date equipment, racquetball court and even a rooftop tennis court. 

Fantastic equipment in the fitness room.

Tennis with a view.

After exploring the amenities the hotel has to offer, we had worked up an appetite and were ready for dinner. We went to Explorers, the intimate restaurant and lounge on the second floor of the Harbor Court Hotel. We tried a few signature items from the menu,  as well as drinks from the extensive wine and cocktails list. I highly recommend the spicy-sweet honey chicken wings - they are unbelievably delicous.  

Night time in Baltimore offers so much to do. The Baltimore Water Taxi runs from about mid-morning to evening and can take you from the Inner Harbor to various points in the city.  The #3 Science Center stop is just a short walk from the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Hotel. Take it over to Fell's Point for local seafood and bars, or experience the upscale restaurants and shops at the newest Harbor East area. If you've never been to Baltimore before, try the infamous Phillips Seafood Restaurant or Hard Rock Cafe.

Whether heading on a cruise from our beautiful Cruise Maryland terminal, or visiting Baltimore for a family vacation, the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court is a perfect location and fantastic place to stay when enjoying all that our city has to offer. We are already looking forward to our next stay-cation!