Having been consistently ranked in the the for the top ten places to live in America by CNN Money, visiting and staying in Columbia is a must when in Maryland. The hotels in, and surrounding, Columbia are steeped in history. Thus, we’ve made a selection of the top 10 to stay in for a luxurious, and cultural, visit.
Nestled among trees and overlooking the rolling hills of Clark’s Elioak Farm, this charming bed and breakfast is set in a house made of white clapboards. From the turrets and bay windows gracing the exterior, to the barrel ceilings and fireplaces decorating the interior, the Columbia Inn at Peralynna perfectly pairs antique charm with its many modern amenities. These include granite wet bars, whirlpool/soaking tubs, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs. The B&B has won many awards, including a spot on Forbes Magazine’s list of the Top 25 Places to Live Well and the Diamond Award for five years running.
Rated as the number one hotel in Columbia on TripAdvisor, Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia offers 124 guest rooms with free Wi-Fi, an ergonomic work desk, a 37-inch LCD high definition TV, and a complimentary hot breakfast. With a 24-hour gym and business center, as well as laundry facilities and a heated indoor pool, this hotel offers modern, up-to-date comfort for a reasonable price. In terms of location, it’s just 15 miles from the nearest airport and is situated just off of Highway 32 for easy access. It is also close to The Mall in Columbia, Johns Hopkins University Physics Lab, and Fort Meade. To book a room ahead of time, click here.
The SpringHill Suites Columbia is an all-suite hotel located just off Patuxent Freeway. With free Wi-Fi, a HD television, a hot breakfast buffet, ergonomic work desk, pull-out sleeper sofa, wet bar, and pantry, these suites, which feature separate sleeping areas and living rooms, offer every available amenity. With easy access to both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, this hotel is ideally situated, just 15 miles from the BWI airport and less than four miles from The Mall and the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Click here to book suites ahead of time.
Located in the historically significant Ellicott City, which once hosted the first railway station in the United States, The Wayside Inn possesses a legacy of over two centuries (it was originally built around 1780). Nestled away on two beautifully landscaped acres, the inn offers a beautiful pond, idyllic gardens, and even a white oak tree certified to have been standing at the signing of the Constitution. Inside, fireplaces, plush robes, and silk sheets ensure cozy hospitality, aided by available private jacuzzi baths and luxury suites on the second floor.
Just 27 minute drive from Columbia, this 22-storey French Renaissance-style hotel, designed by William Lee Stoddart in 1928, is made of brick and steel. With a copper-roofed tower and magnificent glass windows, the building is 289 feet of sheer elegance. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and visited by historical personages such as Martin Luther King, Jr., the Lord Baltimore Hotel is steeped in tradition. The juxtaposition of original artwork and vintage prints hanging on the walls continues the theme of modernized antiquity.
Built in 1868 by the Freemason Society as the new Grand Lodge of Maryland Masonic temple headquarters, The Grand today is every bit as breathtaking as it must have been at its opening ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries such as President Andrew Jackson. With marble floors and walls painted from top to bottom with antique portraits, The Grand is the perfect backdrop for a wedding, formal ceremony, or simply the most elegant stay imaginable. Enjoy a do-or-die murder mystery dinner, a comic skit in which audience participation to catch the culprit is encouraged but not required, or simply luxuriate in the multi-room suites, which include amenities such as shower benches and dining tables for eight.
This all-suite, pet-friendly hotel is perfect for extended stays. The living room comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, the kitchen is fully furnished for home-cooking with a microwave, full-size refrigerator, and coffee maker and the bathroom comes stocked with complimentary products. Choose between the outdoor swimming pool or the whirlpool, or try out the fitness or business centers. Enjoy a full hot breakfast every morning or join the evening socials that run from Mondays through to Thursdays, or take advantage of the 24hr convenience store and complimentary grocery shopping service. Click here to book rooms ahead of time.
Modern and fresh, Aloft Arundel Mills is located just outside the Baltimore Beltway and is just a short drive from the Arundel Mills Mall, the BWI Airport (with free shuttle service), Fort Meade, and the Maryland Live! Casino, as well as a reasonable distance from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Their loft-inspired rooms feature a signature bed, enormous spa shower, and spa amenities. For the socially inclined, they offer a Re:mix lounge with a pool table as well as a W XYZ Bar with delicious cocktails. An indoor pool and fitness center provide exercise options for the fitness-conscious, while the pet-friendly program accommodates animal lovers.
Kimpton’s Monaco Baltimore is a one-of-a-kind upscale boutique hotel located in downtown Baltimore. Housed in the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad headquarters, the 1906 beaux arts building is the city’s first hotel to artfully combine upscale contemporary style and design with original historic architecture to create a totally unique experience for guests. The high ceilinged rooms and suites blend period details with modern luxuries such as yoga mats and flat-screen TVs.
