City: Baltimore, MD

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (443) 692-6170, (866) 973-1904

Address: 2 North Charles St.

Description: Built into 10 floors or so of the 13-story Beaux Arts B&O Building (other floors are occupied by office space), the Monaco is the city’s first Kimpton luxury boutique hotel. The building was the tallest in the city when it opened in 1906. Priced at $65 million, the 202-room hotel represents the stability, grace, and quirkiness of Baltimore to a tee. Architecture lovers may just want to park out overnight in the three-story lobby because it is spectacular with its original marble floor and Tiffany stained-glass windows that just seem to want to take you to the golden age of something. Maybe the golden age of today. Valet parking is $36 a day.The two-story B&O American Brasserie (443-692-6172, www.bandorestaurant.com) is located immediately off the lobby and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The upper level is not wheelchair accessible other than employees who will carry the chair and passenger upstairs if desired. Chef E. Michael Reidt (yes, the same one who’s been written about in national food and travel publications) is at the helm. He says his experience has shown him that a “traditional” Maryland crab cake does not have to be lump meat and that most locals do not like Old Bay seasoning.In 2001, the building was listed as one of the “Ten Enduring Landmarks of Baltimore’s Central Business District” by the National Parks Service’s Historic Buildings Survey. Your pet is welcomed (no additional charge) and if you don’t have a chance to bring your Fifi or Jumpers with you, the Monaco will supply you with their own brand of guppy love. It’s really a goldfish swimming around in a little bowl, but guppy love sounds better than goldfish love. Because they know some people have allergies, the pets are restricted to rooms on the 10th floor. Following the pet’s check-out the room is super cleaned. Of course, pets do have to come into and out of the hotel, up the elevators, etc., so you might have some exposure to them.