Maryland's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: Baltimore's Harbor, home to Sagamore Pendry and Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore; Historic Waterfront and Coastal Resort towns, home to Inn at Perry Cabin and Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort; and Deep Creek Lake mountain retreats, home to Lake Pointe Inn and Savage River Lodge. The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore is a 19th-century mansion turned Relais & Châteaux property.
Explore Maryland's Top-Rated Hotels
Maryland packs an unusual amount of geographic variety into a small state, running from the tidal Chesapeake Bay and its historic sailing towns through Baltimore's industrial harbor core, out to the Atlantic beaches of Ocean City, and west into the forested Appalachian mountains around Deep Creek Lake. Colonial-era towns like Annapolis and St. Michaels sit only a short drive from Baltimore's modern skyline, while the western counties feel more like New England than Mid-Atlantic. That range lets a single state trip shift completely in character within two or three hours of driving.
That same range is what separates Maryland's top hotels, from harbor-front towers in downtown Baltimore to waterfront colonial inns and secluded mountain lodges. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.
How We Choose These Hotels
We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.
We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional where a source figure exists, and unlisted where it doesn't, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.
Maryland's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance
| Hotel | Region | Category | Rating (reviews) | Standout feature |
|---|
| Sagamore Pendry Baltimore | Fells Point, Baltimore | Industrial-chic luxury hotel | Unbound Collection by Hyatt affiliate | Built on a historic 1914 shipping pier with a harborfront infinity pool |
| Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore | Harbor East, Baltimore | 5-star luxury hotel | 4.6/5 (200+ reviews) | Multi-level rooftop pool deck with panoramic dining on the 29th floor |
| The Ivy Hotel | Mount Vernon, Baltimore | Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel | Highly rated boutique property | Fully inclusive rate covering breakfast, afternoon tea, and an open bar |
| Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Autograph Collection | Annapolis | Historic waterfront hotel | 4.3/5 (1.5K reviews) | Harbor views steps from the U.S. Naval Academy in the historic capital |
| Inn at Perry Cabin | St. Michaels | Luxury nautical resort | Preferred Hotels & Resorts member | Private yacht experiences and elite waterfront privacy on the Miles River |
| Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites | Ocean City | All-suite beachfront hotel | Highly rated oceanfront property | Private balconies, full kitchens, and a three-pool complex with a lazy river |
| Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort | Ocean City | Oceanfront resort | 4.3/5 (5.1K reviews) | Four-story tropical atrium with an Olympic-sized indoor heated pool |
| Lake Pointe Inn | McHenry (Deep Creek Lake) | Lakefront craftsman inn | 4-star boutique property | Complimentary evening boat cruises, kayaks, and bicycles |
| Savage River Lodge | Frostburg | Woodland cabin and yurt retreat | 4-star boutique property | Log cabins and glamping yurts across 700 acres of state forest |
| Suites at Silver Tree | Deep Creek Lake | Lakefront all-suite hotel | 4.5/5 (422 reviews) | Kitchenette suites directly on Deep Creek Lake with boat rental access |
Baltimore's Harbor Luxury
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
- Address: 1715 Thames St, Baltimore, MD 21231
- Category: Industrial-chic luxury hotel, Unbound Collection by Hyatt affiliate
- Rating: widely recognized as one of Baltimore's top luxury hotels on major booking platforms
- Standout feature: the hotel is built directly on top of a historic 1914 shipping pier in Fells Point, blending brick and steel architecture with a dramatic harborfront infinity pool, private cabanas, and water taxi docking
- Best for: travelers wanting Baltimore's most design-forward harbor stay with direct water access
Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
- Address: 200 International Dr, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Category: 5-star luxury hotel
- Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 200 reviews on Google
- Standout feature: the hotel features a multi-level rooftop pool deck, a full-service spa, and panoramic dining at The Bygone on the 29th floor overlooking the entire city and harbor
- Best for: business travelers and couples wanting a polished, full-service Harbor East base
The Ivy Hotel
- Address: 205 E Biddle St, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Category: Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel
- Rating: highly rated boutique property recognized within the Relais & Châteaux collection
- Standout feature: the hotel occupies a 19th-century mansion in Mount Vernon and runs a highly inclusive rate model, with a made-to-order breakfast, traditional English afternoon tea, and a fully stocked open bar included in the room rate
- Best for: travelers wanting Gilded Age character and a quieter, all-inclusive luxury stay just blocks from the harbor
Historic Waterfront And Coastal Resort
Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Autograph Collection
- Address: 80 Compromise St, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Category: Historic waterfront hotel
- Rating: 4.3/5 across roughly 1.5K reviews on Google
- Standout feature: the hotel sits directly on Annapolis's harbor with classic colonial charm, steps from the U.S. Naval Academy and the historic state capital's brick-paved streets
- Best for: travelers wanting a walkable, historic sailing-town base near the harbor
Inn at Perry Cabin
- Address: 308 Watkins Ln, St. Michaels, MD 21663
- Category: Luxury nautical resort
- Rating: Preferred Hotels & Resorts member property
- Standout feature: the resort sits on the Miles River in the historic Eastern Shore town of St. Michaels, offering private yacht experiences, waterfront dining, and classic sailing culture
- Best for: couples wanting a quiet, high-end nautical getaway away from Baltimore's city pace
Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites
- Address: 3200 N Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842
- Category: All-suite beachfront hotel
- Rating: highly rated among Ocean City's oceanfront properties on major booking platforms
- Standout feature: the all-suite property offers private balconies, full kitchens in every suite, and a distinctive three-pool complex that includes a lazy river
- Best for: families wanting oceanfront space with in-suite kitchens for longer beach stays
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
- Address: 9100 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
- Category: Oceanfront resort
- Rating: 4.3/5 across roughly 5.1K reviews on Google
- Standout feature: the resort centers around a four-story tropical atrium and an Olympic-sized indoor heated pool, giving guests a year-round swim option regardless of ocean conditions
- Best for: families wanting a large-scale, amenity-heavy Ocean City beach resort
Deep Creek Lake And Western Maryland Retreats
Lake Pointe Inn
- Address: 174 Lake Pointe Dr, McHenry, MD 21541
- Category: Lakefront craftsman inn
- Rating: consistently ranked among Deep Creek Lake's top boutique inns on major review platforms
- Standout feature: styled as a luxury craftsman estate on the lakeshore, the inn includes gas fireplaces and private porches in every room, plus complimentary evening boat cruises, kayaks, and bicycles
- Best for: couples wanting a private, all-inclusive lakefront inn rather than a large resort
Savage River Lodge
- Address: Frostburg, MD 21532
- Category: Woodland cabin and yurt retreat
- Rating: highly rated among Western Maryland's boutique nature lodges
- Standout feature: guests stay in two-story log cabins or insulated glamping yurts spread across 700 acres of state forest, with a central lodge built around a large stone fireplace and a farm-to-table restaurant
- Best for: pet owners and hikers wanting complete woodland seclusion with private trails
Suites at Silver Tree
- Address: Deep Creek Lake, MD
- Category: Lakefront all-suite hotel
- Rating: 4.5/5 across roughly 422 reviews on Google
- Standout feature: the upscale suites sit directly on Deep Creek Lake, each with a kitchenette, giving guests direct access to boat rentals and mountain recreation without leaving the property
- Best for: groups and families wanting self-catering suites right on the lake
Maryland Hotel Taxes And Fees
Maryland doesn't apply a single statewide hotel tax; instead, counties set their own local hotel rental tax rates on top of the state's 6 percent sales tax. Worcester County, home to Ocean City, adopted a new room tax rate of 6.0 percent effective January 1, 2026, according to Worcester County's own tax notice. Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and Garrett County each set their own separate hotel rental tax rates, so the combined charge on a stay depends on the specific jurisdiction. Resort fees are also common at Ocean City's beachfront properties and Baltimore's larger hotels, and these are billed separately from tax, so confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.
Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip
Travelers focused on a city harbor trip should choose between Sagamore Pendry for design-forward waterfront luxury, Four Seasons Baltimore for polished full-service comfort, or The Ivy Hotel for an intimate, all-inclusive historic stay. Couples planning a romantic or nautical getaway have strong options at Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels or the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel near the Naval Academy. Beach-focused families should choose Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites for in-suite kitchens or Princess Royale for a larger resort atmosphere, while mountain and lake travelers should pick Lake Pointe Inn or Suites at Silver Tree for lakefront access, or Savage River Lodge for total woodland seclusion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the best place to stay in Maryland?
The best place depends on the trip type. Baltimore's Sagamore Pendry and Four Seasons suit a city harbor stay, Annapolis Waterfront Hotel and Inn at Perry Cabin suit historic waterfront charm, and Lake Pointe Inn suits a quiet mountain lake retreat.
2. What are the most beautiful places to visit in Maryland right now?
Assateague Island National Seashore, Deep Creek Lake, and the Annapolis Historic District are consistently named among Maryland's most scenic destinations. St. Michaels and the Baltimore Inner Harbor also draw travelers for their waterfront settings and historic character.
3. What is the most beautiful place in Maryland?
Assateague Island National Seashore is widely considered Maryland's standout scenic destination, known for its pristine Atlantic beaches and herds of wild horses. Deep Creek Lake and the Annapolis Historic District are close alternatives for mountain and colonial waterfront scenery.
4. What are some unique hotels in Maryland?
Savage River Lodge stands out for its glamping yurts and log cabins across 700 acres of forest, while The Ivy Hotel is unique for its fully inclusive, all-in-one rate covering breakfast, afternoon tea, and an open bar. Sagamore Pendry is also distinctive for being built directly on a historic 1914 shipping pier.
5. Is Ocean City or Baltimore better for a Maryland beach trip?
Ocean City is the better choice for a true beach trip, with oceanfront properties like Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites and Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort sitting directly on the Atlantic. Baltimore's harbor hotels like Sagamore Pendry and Four Seasons offer waterfront views but sit on the Chesapeake Bay's inner harbor, not an ocean beach.
6. What is the best hotel near Deep Creek Lake?
Lake Pointe Inn and Suites at Silver Tree are the top-rated lakefront options directly on Deep Creek Lake, each offering direct water access and boat rentals. Savage River Lodge is a strong alternative nearby for travelers wanting forest seclusion over lakefront views.