Baltimore
Who goes to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for the hip scene? Young trend-setters, and their elders too. They all delight in the Pier 5, a boutique hotel with a prime setting next to the National Aquarium.
The harbor views are gorgeous and romantic at sunset. Vivid colors–mustard yellow, deep purple, and green–put a zip in the three-story atrium lobby and guest rooms.
The Inner Harbor grows more exciting every year. It's one of the country's great urban spaces: art and science museums; the aquarium; shopping; water-view dining.
Harbor-view rooms should be your first choice, though they are more expensive. Valet parking gets you quickly out of the car, and plush robes await.
Bottom line: Old Baltimore gets with it.
Pier 5 Hotel, 866-583-4162; thepier5.com. Rates begin at $199 a night.
