The Hotel at the University of Maryland is a 10-story, 297 room hotel that is College Park’s only four-star luxury hotel. It opened in the fall of 2017 so it’s modern aesthetic still has a “brand new” look and feel. The hotel’s objective was to have something to serve as an anchor for economic development for the university and surrounding community. In addition to the guest rooms, there is space for up to four restaurants, a pool, a spa and salon, and 43,000 square feet of meeting space.
Location
There are really only two hotels “on campus” at the University of Maryland. The Hotel at the University of Maryland (“The Hotel”) is located on Baltimore Avenue directly across the street from the university’s main entrance on the east side of campus. The other option is the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, which is located on University Boulevard on the west side of campus.
I prefer the location of The Hotel because it’s only a few blocks from the shopping, restaurants and nightlife on Baltimore Avenue. There are a few other hotels located within a mile from campus, but they’re a step down in level compared to The Hotel and Marriott.
Parking
The Hotel offers a private parking garage, attached directly to the hotel, with 850 covered spaces. On the website, it says that they charge $24 per day for valet services and $16 for self parking. We self parked, but upon checking out, there were no parking charges on the bill.
Lobby and Mezzanine
Grand is really the only way to properly describe the hotel lobby. The lobby floorplan is open concept, so it feels like the lobby spans the entire first floor of the building.
Lobby Bar
Looking straight ahead after entering the hotel is the Lobby Bar, which feels like a high-end D.C. lounge rather than just a hotel bar.
The bar has a lively, fun atmosphere and is a great place to grab a cocktail or a bite from the bar menu. Appointed with 12 TVs, it’s a perfect place to catch nationally televised sporting events and Maryland football and basketball games.
Mezzanine
Heading up the lobby escalator takes you to the hotel’s Mezzanine level.
This is where the meeting rooms are located for conferences and other events. The hotel has 18 meeting rooms, including 3 ballrooms, 2 boardrooms, a penthouse loft, several outdoor terraces and pre-function gathering areas.
The Room
We didn’t reserve any kind of special room at booking, but the room Annie and I received was much larger than a standard room.
It had a king bed and a large sitting area with a full couch, a chair and even a small table. As with most newer hotels, there were also plenty of outlets and USB ports.
The room also had a smart TV, a desk, and a huge kitchenette, with tons of counter space, a sink, a refrigerator and a microwave. Those staying for more than a few days could certainly get good use out of the kitchenette.
The Bathroom
The decently-sized bathroom was very clean and well maintained, showing no signs of wear and tear.
For those wanting to splurge a little, the building’s tenth floor is the penthouse level, which overlooks the university.
Hotel Amenities
Dining
There is space for up to four restaurants within the building, but during our stay only Bagels n’ Grinds and Potomac Pizza were open.
Bagels ‘n Grinds
A perfect way to start the day, this New York-style bagel house serves all-day breakfast, plus sandwiches, soups and coffee.
Potomac Pizza
A casual local chain that offers pizza, homemade lasagna and meatballs, hamburgers and wings.
GrillMarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar
Set to open this winter, GrillMarX advertises itself as a casual upscale dining experience. Guest can enjoy craft cocktails, hickory grilled hand-cut steaks and seafood, an extensive raw bar, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Fitness Center
The 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center is really quite nice. It’s located next to the pool and spa and has everything you might want. It features Matrix® equipment including treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes and universal weights.
Pool and Spa
The hotel has a large indoor pool with complimentary towel service available pool-side.
The Spa & Salon is the only boutique spa in College Park. Guest can receive a variety of services, including massage, body treatments, facials and salon services.
Pet Friendly
Dogs are welcome as part of their PAWs Program. Guests who check-in with their dog will get a welcome amenity for their pet, bowls and a mat to use in their guestroom.
Bottom Line
If you have plans to visit the University of Maryland, you cannot go wrong staying at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. It has the best location of any competing hotel and feels unexpectedly luxurious, especially for a campus hotel.
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