Hilton Baltimore {US-MD}
Feb 16, 06, 10:14 am
#1
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Hilton Baltimore {US-MD}
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060216/20060216005203.html?.v=1
Press Release Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation Announces Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel
Thursday February 16, 6:00 am ET
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2006--Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT - News) announced today the start of construction on the Hilton Baltimore, a 20-story, 756-room hotel, located in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, attached via a sky bridge to the Baltimore Convention Center and adjacent to Camden Yards. Hilton Hotels Corporation will manage the hotel under a long term management agreement for the City of Baltimore, through the Baltimore Hotel Corporation, the developer for the project. The design builder is Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and the hotel has been designed by RTKL Associates. Completion and opening is scheduled for summer 2008.
"In collaboration with the City of Baltimore, we are thrilled to be able to announce the start of construction on this important project," says Ted Ratcliff, Senior Vice President, Hilton/Doubletree Eastern Region, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "With a fabulous location tied into the Baltimore Convention Center, upscale Hilton amenities, and a variety of leisure and dining opportunities in the hotel and surrounding neighborhood, the Hilton Baltimore will help boost Baltimore's status as a prime destination for national conventions."
The development of the Hilton Baltimore was funded by the sale of $300.9 million of revenue bonds issued by the City of Baltimore. The hotel will be constructed and managed in alignment with the city's diversity initiatives, and the hotel will feature 883,000 square feet of interior space, including 756 guest rooms. This is the largest number of rooms offered by any one hotel in Baltimore. The hotel will boast a 25,000 square foot grand ballroom - the city's largest - and a 15,000 square foot junior ballroom; an additional 22,000 square feet of flexible function space; three food and beverage outlets; a fitness center, and a business center. Retail space will be included. Located on Pratt Street, between Paca and Howard Streets, the hotel will be in walking distance to all the Inner Harbor amenities and attractions.
"This project is a great addition to Baltimore's tourism offerings, enabling us to attract the kind of large conventions to the city which currently cannot be accommodated," says M.J. "Jay" Brodie, Chairman of the Baltimore Hotel Corporation. "The new hotel and surrounding grounds will provide first-class lodging services to Convention Center guests, business and leisure visitors, and to the residents of the City of Baltimore."
The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) also supports the project. According to Jeff Hungate, BACVA's chief operating offer, "It is clear that conventioneers want to come to Baltimore. The new hotel will allow us to bring more visitors to our great city."
Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation
Press Release Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation Announces Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel
Thursday February 16, 6:00 am ET
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2006--Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT - News) announced today the start of construction on the Hilton Baltimore, a 20-story, 756-room hotel, located in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, attached via a sky bridge to the Baltimore Convention Center and adjacent to Camden Yards. Hilton Hotels Corporation will manage the hotel under a long term management agreement for the City of Baltimore, through the Baltimore Hotel Corporation, the developer for the project. The design builder is Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and the hotel has been designed by RTKL Associates. Completion and opening is scheduled for summer 2008.
"In collaboration with the City of Baltimore, we are thrilled to be able to announce the start of construction on this important project," says Ted Ratcliff, Senior Vice President, Hilton/Doubletree Eastern Region, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "With a fabulous location tied into the Baltimore Convention Center, upscale Hilton amenities, and a variety of leisure and dining opportunities in the hotel and surrounding neighborhood, the Hilton Baltimore will help boost Baltimore's status as a prime destination for national conventions."
The development of the Hilton Baltimore was funded by the sale of $300.9 million of revenue bonds issued by the City of Baltimore. The hotel will be constructed and managed in alignment with the city's diversity initiatives, and the hotel will feature 883,000 square feet of interior space, including 756 guest rooms. This is the largest number of rooms offered by any one hotel in Baltimore. The hotel will boast a 25,000 square foot grand ballroom - the city's largest - and a 15,000 square foot junior ballroom; an additional 22,000 square feet of flexible function space; three food and beverage outlets; a fitness center, and a business center. Retail space will be included. Located on Pratt Street, between Paca and Howard Streets, the hotel will be in walking distance to all the Inner Harbor amenities and attractions.
"This project is a great addition to Baltimore's tourism offerings, enabling us to attract the kind of large conventions to the city which currently cannot be accommodated," says M.J. "Jay" Brodie, Chairman of the Baltimore Hotel Corporation. "The new hotel and surrounding grounds will provide first-class lodging services to Convention Center guests, business and leisure visitors, and to the residents of the City of Baltimore."
The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) also supports the project. According to Jeff Hungate, BACVA's chief operating offer, "It is clear that conventioneers want to come to Baltimore. The new hotel will allow us to bring more visitors to our great city."
Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation
Feb 16, 06, 3:14 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Originally Posted by Skyman65
All I can say is that it's about frickn time!
Feb 16, 06, 4:50 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,506
Originally Posted by OB one
Agree. And I have never been able to get a room at the Hampton Inner Harbor for any of the dates that i want to be there - never!
May the force be with you, OB One.
Aug 30, 08, 1:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SAN
Programs: UA-GS,1.95MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorer
Posts: 423
Hilton Baltimore {US-MD}
This new Baltimore Hilton (401 West Pratt Street) just opened last Friday (8/22) and I was able to grab a room at a reasonable rate for that Sunday (8/24) evening. What a fantastic hotel! Parking was fairly easy and the rate was normal for the B'more area. Construction was still ongoing on the 17th-20th floors, so I couldn't see the lounge (and all the doors were locked ).
My room was a "standard hilton" room which means it was very nice but nothing outrageously special. I knew I was the first one to sleep in my room as I had to call to have a alarm clock and remote delivered. The coolest thing was there was a ball game that had just started at Camden Yards, so I could literally see the game as I looked out my window. With the TV on it was a good experience. This was somewhat muted as I walked around though. I noticed that at the end of the hall there was a room on each floor that had a fantastic view of Camden Yards with a balcony! I see them listed on Hilton's web site for around $100 more, which would have been awesome to get. I'm only a Diamond, so not sure if they were all taken or there were no upgrades being passed out.
The gym is probably the best part of the hotel and is truly fantastic. The entire gym overlooks camden yards and there are literally 20+ treadmills with individual tv so one can watch the game through the window or on the tv on the treadmill. There are probably the same number of stairclimbers\ elyptical traininers, so there shouldn't be a wait. If one doesn't want to stay on the tradmill for the entire game, there is a nice outdoor area that also overlooks Camden Yard, but its hard to eat a Bratwurst and have a few beers when the gym is on the other side of the glass and the nagging guilt is there.... I was somewhat dissapointed with the pools though. I didn't check real close, but it appeared that one pool is a "lap pool" that is only wide enough for one average person to do laps in at one time and a larger hot tub at the far end. If this is accurate, I can't imagine one could swim laps inimpeded as kids would probably prefer to go to the lap pool. They could have made it MUCH wider so several could have used at the same time.
As a Diamond I was given a breakfast coupon since the lounge was not open. Breakfast was served in an adjoining building that one either must go outside and walk across a street to get to or go to the second floor and take the walkway across. The second building appears to be a conference center with several meeting rooms. I personally think it will discourage diners as unless one has lounge privledges, one wouldn't leave their room, go down to the ground floor, walk outside, eat and return to their room to grab their bag and go back down to leave. Its too far to drag a bag, so unless I was there for several days I wouldn't bother. Love the lounge!!!
Overall, the Hilton is fantastic with an exceptional location. My only concern is that is already appears to be a favorite for those attending Camden Yards so the prices seem to stay high. I hotel hopped all week and wasn't able to get back in paying what I was for other like hotels in the area.
).My room was a "standard hilton" room which means it was very nice but nothing outrageously special. I knew I was the first one to sleep in my room as I had to call to have a alarm clock and remote delivered. The coolest thing was there was a ball game that had just started at Camden Yards, so I could literally see the game as I looked out my window. With the TV on it was a good experience. This was somewhat muted as I walked around though. I noticed that at the end of the hall there was a room on each floor that had a fantastic view of Camden Yards with a balcony! I see them listed on Hilton's web site for around $100 more, which would have been awesome to get. I'm only a Diamond, so not sure if they were all taken or there were no upgrades being passed out.
The gym is probably the best part of the hotel and is truly fantastic. The entire gym overlooks camden yards and there are literally 20+ treadmills with individual tv so one can watch the game through the window or on the tv on the treadmill. There are probably the same number of stairclimbers\ elyptical traininers, so there shouldn't be a wait. If one doesn't want to stay on the tradmill for the entire game, there is a nice outdoor area that also overlooks Camden Yard, but its hard to eat a Bratwurst and have a few beers when the gym is on the other side of the glass and the nagging guilt is there.... I was somewhat dissapointed with the pools though. I didn't check real close, but it appeared that one pool is a "lap pool" that is only wide enough for one average person to do laps in at one time and a larger hot tub at the far end. If this is accurate, I can't imagine one could swim laps inimpeded as kids would probably prefer to go to the lap pool. They could have made it MUCH wider so several could have used at the same time.
As a Diamond I was given a breakfast coupon since the lounge was not open. Breakfast was served in an adjoining building that one either must go outside and walk across a street to get to or go to the second floor and take the walkway across. The second building appears to be a conference center with several meeting rooms. I personally think it will discourage diners as unless one has lounge privledges, one wouldn't leave their room, go down to the ground floor, walk outside, eat and return to their room to grab their bag and go back down to leave. Its too far to drag a bag, so unless I was there for several days I wouldn't bother. Love the lounge!!!
Overall, the Hilton is fantastic with an exceptional location. My only concern is that is already appears to be a favorite for those attending Camden Yards so the prices seem to stay high. I hotel hopped all week and wasn't able to get back in paying what I was for other like hotels in the area.
Feb 16, 09, 9:38 am
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Location: WAS (DCA, IAD, BWI)
Programs: UA 1K, CO Platinum, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5 *
Posts: 1,314
I'm surprised there haven't been more reports on this hotel. So let me add some from my recent experience, some good and some not so good......
Great location. Extremely friendly staff from the moment you walk in. Parking is expensive @ $26 self and $36 valet, but that's probably par for the inner harbor. Self parking is in the basement and easily accessible from the lobby. Save yourself $10 and do it yourself and pay at check-in to get a new ticket for exiting.
You will see the exec floors (18 - 20) closed on occassion for the "green" purposes of conserving energy in low seasons. XX33 and XX31 are great for watching a game! But any odd numbered room up high will be cool.
Exec lounge had very friendly staff. Really great appetizers at night and a generous bartender. Extremely limited continental breakfast choices (e.g., no fruit and only plain yogurt). Fresh squeezed OJ though.
AFAIK - the (~20) balconies are the hospitality suites. And they're not really ever given out as upgrades (sorry diamonds and/or smokers). Someone else can correct me on this if I'm wrong.
Now for the not so good. It seems that some rooms have still not been occupied since they opened late last year and need to be re-cleaned and "punched out". Case in point from my co-worker staying in another room on the exec floor: there was a bunch of dust under vanity and around the towels, the shower knobs weren't screwed in and the shower curtain was improperly hung too high above the tub, causing flooding. And the room service was running 2 hours behind due to understaffing.
So....it's a nice place with some start-up problems. Check your room for signs that it hasn't been cleaned for awhile (or ever) and doesn't have any maintenance issues. I talked with some of the lounge staff and they said occupancies have been pretty low. That explains it, but doesn't justify it.
Great location. Extremely friendly staff from the moment you walk in. Parking is expensive @ $26 self and $36 valet, but that's probably par for the inner harbor. Self parking is in the basement and easily accessible from the lobby. Save yourself $10 and do it yourself and pay at check-in to get a new ticket for exiting.
You will see the exec floors (18 - 20) closed on occassion for the "green" purposes of conserving energy in low seasons. XX33 and XX31 are great for watching a game! But any odd numbered room up high will be cool.
Exec lounge had very friendly staff. Really great appetizers at night and a generous bartender. Extremely limited continental breakfast choices (e.g., no fruit and only plain yogurt). Fresh squeezed OJ though.
AFAIK - the (~20) balconies are the hospitality suites. And they're not really ever given out as upgrades (sorry diamonds and/or smokers). Someone else can correct me on this if I'm wrong.
Now for the not so good. It seems that some rooms have still not been occupied since they opened late last year and need to be re-cleaned and "punched out". Case in point from my co-worker staying in another room on the exec floor: there was a bunch of dust under vanity and around the towels, the shower knobs weren't screwed in and the shower curtain was improperly hung too high above the tub, causing flooding. And the room service was running 2 hours behind due to understaffing.
So....it's a nice place with some start-up problems. Check your room for signs that it hasn't been cleaned for awhile (or ever) and doesn't have any maintenance issues. I talked with some of the lounge staff and they said occupancies have been pretty low. That explains it, but doesn't justify it.
Dec 3, 09, 8:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: at 35,000 feet
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Posts: 1,473
Hilton Baltimore "TRAVELZOO" rate
The hilton baltimore is offering a $99/night rate that is called "TRAVELZOO" rate. The only specific is that it is a "limited time offer", it has a 3 day cancellation policy so not advance purchase rate (which is the same price). It appears anyone can book this rate. Anyone familiar with this?
Dec 4, 09, 3:17 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: TK Gold, M&M FTL, QR Gold, HH Diamond, PCR Platinum
Posts: 1,667
If the rate can be found on the hotel website, you should get the points and benefits. I stayed this autumn in the Conrad Bangkok on a similar offer (99$/night), and I got Gold benefits, all points + 10k HH points for a promotion running at that time 
Make sure you make a screenshot of the offer and T&C from the Hilton hotel website, and save it for later.
Make sure you make a screenshot of the offer and T&C from the Hilton hotel website, and save it for later.
Dec 4, 09, 5:33 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2005
Location: WAS (DCA, IAD, BWI)
Programs: UA 1K, CO Platinum, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5 *
Posts: 1,314
I was afraid this might be some type of Expedia (or like) rate that doesn't get points. So I looked at it myself. But it certainly appears to qualify. I agree that you should get a screenshot. I have never seen such a huge margin between 'Advance Purchase', since this is kinda what it is, and 'BEST AVAILABLE RATE'! Usually they're about 10%. This is more than 50%. Book it! I stayed there earlier this year and it's a really nice property. Great lounge if you're there when they're open. And be careful walking around at night.
Dec 4, 09, 11:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: at 35,000 feet
Programs: WN A-List; Hyatt Glob: CC/HH Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,473
Thanks for the replies, this is exactly what I thought and did. Booked immediately and got the screenshots. This hotel is more or less attached to the baseball stadium so maybe no games that weekend. Nothing to indicate that this is anything other than a regular rate.
Sep 8, 10, 1:40 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, Avis CHM, Marriott & SPG & PC Plat., Hyatt & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,547
I'm surprised there haven't been more reports on this hotel. So let me add some from my recent experience, some good and some not so good......
Great location. Extremely friendly staff from the moment you walk in. Parking is expensive @ $26 self and $36 valet, but that's probably par for the inner harbor. Self parking is in the basement and easily accessible from the lobby. Save yourself $10 and do it yourself and pay at check-in to get a new ticket for exiting.
You will see the exec floors (18 - 20) closed on occassion for the "green" purposes of conserving energy in low seasons. XX33 and XX31 are great for watching a game! But any odd numbered room up high will be cool.
Exec lounge had very friendly staff. Really great appetizers at night and a generous bartender. Extremely limited continental breakfast choices (e.g., no fruit and only plain yogurt). Fresh squeezed OJ though.
AFAIK - the (~20) balconies are the hospitality suites. And they're not really ever given out as upgrades (sorry diamonds and/or smokers). Someone else can correct me on this if I'm wrong.
Now for the not so good. It seems that some rooms have still not been occupied since they opened late last year and need to be re-cleaned and "punched out". Case in point from my co-worker staying in another room on the exec floor: there was a bunch of dust under vanity and around the towels, the shower knobs weren't screwed in and the shower curtain was improperly hung too high above the tub, causing flooding. And the room service was running 2 hours behind due to understaffing.
So....it's a nice place with some start-up problems. Check your room for signs that it hasn't been cleaned for awhile (or ever) and doesn't have any maintenance issues. I talked with some of the lounge staff and they said occupancies have been pretty low. That explains it, but doesn't justify it.
Great location. Extremely friendly staff from the moment you walk in. Parking is expensive @ $26 self and $36 valet, but that's probably par for the inner harbor. Self parking is in the basement and easily accessible from the lobby. Save yourself $10 and do it yourself and pay at check-in to get a new ticket for exiting.
You will see the exec floors (18 - 20) closed on occassion for the "green" purposes of conserving energy in low seasons. XX33 and XX31 are great for watching a game! But any odd numbered room up high will be cool.
Exec lounge had very friendly staff. Really great appetizers at night and a generous bartender. Extremely limited continental breakfast choices (e.g., no fruit and only plain yogurt). Fresh squeezed OJ though.
AFAIK - the (~20) balconies are the hospitality suites. And they're not really ever given out as upgrades (sorry diamonds and/or smokers). Someone else can correct me on this if I'm wrong.
Now for the not so good. It seems that some rooms have still not been occupied since they opened late last year and need to be re-cleaned and "punched out". Case in point from my co-worker staying in another room on the exec floor: there was a bunch of dust under vanity and around the towels, the shower knobs weren't screwed in and the shower curtain was improperly hung too high above the tub, causing flooding. And the room service was running 2 hours behind due to understaffing.
So....it's a nice place with some start-up problems. Check your room for signs that it hasn't been cleaned for awhile (or ever) and doesn't have any maintenance issues. I talked with some of the lounge staff and they said occupancies have been pretty low. That explains it, but doesn't justify it.
Sep 14, 10, 7:07 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA - 1K, Hilton - Diamond, Starwood - Plat
Posts: 182
Completed a stay here last Friday night using one of the promotional certs from last quarter.
Great looking hotel on the inside and outside.
Was given an odd number room on the exec floor (18th) and the view was impressive. No ball game going on that night, but still neat to be able to look down and see the grounds crew working hard.
The exec lounge had a really, rrrrrrrrreally nice spread of food out Friday night, as well as breakfast saturday morning.
Staff was friendly, room was clean - not much else you can ask for.
Parking was easy - well, it would be easy if it weren't for the city doing massive road construction projects right there on the corner and parking heavy equipment in front of the entrance but that isn't Hilton's fault.
Great looking hotel on the inside and outside.
Was given an odd number room on the exec floor (18th) and the view was impressive. No ball game going on that night, but still neat to be able to look down and see the grounds crew working hard.
The exec lounge had a really, rrrrrrrrreally nice spread of food out Friday night, as well as breakfast saturday morning.
Staff was friendly, room was clean - not much else you can ask for.
Parking was easy - well, it would be easy if it weren't for the city doing massive road construction projects right there on the corner and parking heavy equipment in front of the entrance
but that isn't Hilton's fault.
Mar 14, 11, 9:04 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,684
I may be staying here in a couple of months, and wondered about transit from BWI. Is a taxi the best bet, or are there other options you guys would recomend? We are also considering staying a night or two in Washington DC and leaving via IAD (want to check out the Air and Space Museum there). What route would you recommend for travel to downtown Washington DC from the Hilton? Thanks in advance!
Mar 14, 11, 10:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,232
From BWI, the light rail stops a block or so from the Hilton - I can't help you with the IAD portion of your trip.
Mar 14, 11, 11:10 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Dallas,Texas
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG GLD, MR GLD
Posts: 277
I may be staying here in a couple of months, and wondered about transit from BWI. Is a taxi the best bet, or are there other options you guys would recomend? We are also considering staying a night or two in Washington DC and leaving via IAD (want to check out the Air and Space Museum there). What route would you recommend for travel to downtown Washington DC from the Hilton? Thanks in advance!
I can't speak to getting from Baltimore to DC, but I'm fairly certain there are public busses or trains that get there. The DC Metro doesn't go all the way out to IAD, but I think there's a bus that links IAD to the farthest-out Metro stop.
