Graduate By Hilton Annapolis is conveniently located in the Arts District, a short distance from the U.S. Naval Academy and Chesapeake Bay, filled with local history and Navy traditions.
Heading Back to Maryland
The last time I traveled to Maryland, I was invited to tag along with a friend on a “free” trip to the National Harbor area. This time, we were headed to Annapolis, “America’s Sailing Capital,” for a business meeting. Certainly not free, this trip was very expensive. From the pricey daily hotel rate, parking fees, rental car, and food, it was certainly no bargain but yet, still a successful and memorable venture. We were with a large group for a 4-day conference.
Annapolis Reminds Me of a Movie Set
Let’s get this clear. I’m not the biggest fan of the Top Gun movies starring Tom Cruise. However, I am a fan of seeing brave midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy proudly walking around Annapolis donning their striking white uniforms from head to toe.
Founded in 1845, (I read that on a sign), this active military academy on a waterfront campus features perfectly manicured grounds and impressive architecture. The Academy prepares officers for both the Navy and Marine Corps.
You can stroll around and view the surroundings for free like we did, or take a guided tour via segway or walking. The Naval Academy Museum features cool exhibits on naval history and artifacts so don’t miss it.
Selecting a Hotel for Business and Pleasure
The Graduate By Hilton Annapolis made for a good central location for us to stay on this business trip. We could conduct our business and having the Chesapeake Bay, restaurants, shopping, and other Annapolis attractions nearby, we could mix in some fun sightseeing.
We flew into the Baltimore/Washington International Airport and rented a car. The hotel was about a 30 minute drive with moderate traffic. Once we arrived, we realized that we could basically walk to all restaurants and attractions.
About the Hotel
We stepped into the hotel and it immediately hit me; Graduate By Hilton Annapolis would be the most amazing place to host a wedding or formal event. It’s part of the Graduate Hotels group, recognized for its thoughtful, local culture-inspired decor.
The nautical-theme at this hotel was fun and quirky. Bright nautical colors … stripes … patterns … plaids … historical artifacts everywhere you look! So awesome and so apropos for the city of Annapolis!
The hotel holds 200+ guest rooms/suites on six floors and features two places to get food.
As frequent business travelers, it was nice to see that a moderately sized hotel still can offer 20,000+ square feet of event and meeting space. There is a helpful executive business center that we used and the complimentary Wi-Fi throughout all public spaces and guest rooms was appreciated.
Bike Rentals and Other Hotel Amenities
One of my favorite amenities at Graduate By Hilton Annapolis was the complimentary bicycles available for guests. When travelling, I find riding bikes good for exercise, saving gas in the rental car, and avoiding the hassle (and cost) of downtown parking.
The hotel offers parking for guests. When you check in, the room key provides access to the parking area. Follow the signs that direct you down … yes down … into the underground parking lot. From the lot, you can get to the lobby or your guest room by taking the elevators.
Note the cost: The onsite self-parking is $34.00 daily and the valet parking is $39.00 daily. If you select the valet parking, the attendant is very friendly. I did not see any EV charging onsite.
On the second floor of the hotel, there’s a 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. The décor matches the whimsical theme with a brightly colored sports mural on the wall.
I will say that the hotel staff, from the valet and the front desk to the restaurant and lounges, each individual was quick to help, detail oriented, and flexible for our business and personal needs.
The concierge folks provided us with spot-on directions, logistics, and recommendations for around Annapolis. They are happy to assist you with arranging tours, tickets, and reservations.
Guest Rooms with Nautical Themes
This hotel has a variety of room types including pet-friendly accommodations. We had a Graduate King View room at a nightly rate of $269 which is reasonable for that pricey Annapolis area. We also visited off season so that helped with the rate. We would have liked a balcony, but it was not worth the price tag for a business trip.
The hotel room’s nautical theme made for a cozy, lively, and fun atmosphere. Our room featured local artwork, made us feel connected to the history and Navy traditions of Annapolis.
The room was a decent size, good for the two of us, and cleaner than most hotel rooms we stay at. Our room was peaceful and quiet, best pillows I have ever slept on at a hotel, plush bedding and a nice view of the area. Amenities included a flat-screen TV, desk workspace, coffee and tea maker, and a mini-fridge.
The bathroom served its purpose, nice and clean as well, and we appreciated the Malin + Goetz bath essentials.
Dining at the Hotel and Around Annapolis
Because of a busy schedule of work meetings, we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days at the hotel, both dining places were delicious. If you’d rather eat in your room, room service is available.
Poindexter Coffee – This lobby-level cafe offers breakfast, lunch, and delicious coffee. For breakfast, try the Banana Split Pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes with strawberry syrup, and whipped cream. Or try the Breakfast Tacos stuffed with cheesy eggs, salsa, and potatoes.
The hotel’s Trophy Room is open for dinner, plus Sunday brunch. For dinner, start off with the Irish Eggrolls made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, cabbage, and thousand island dressing. Then, get the Roasted Pumpkin Soup and Margherita Flatbread. Expensive, but worth it.
As for dining in Annapolis, the city is famous for Maryland blue crabs and crab cakes but I have a shellfish allergy. However, I could enjoy the ice cream sold at the many ice cream establishments.
The Storm Bros. Ice Cream Factory sits on a piece of land where historians say that George Washington and his wife visited 200+ years prior to the founding of the store. Regardless of if the claims are true, we loved the coconut chocolate almond and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. The Annapolis Ice Cream Company also served delicious homemade flavors like Salted Caramel Brownie Batter.
We stopped at Miss Shirleys Café for a snack and enjoyed the Cookies n’ Cream donuts and cinnamon Danishes along with freshly squeezed lemonade (with the pulp!)
But my favorite unplanned highlight in Annapolis, happened as a result of a downpour of rain and crazy winds. We basically ran into the nearest store for shelter, the Old Fox Books & Coffee House, and it turned out to be an hour long visit, sipping on tea, while paging through book after book!
Exploring in Annapolis
While I thought I would want more time to explore, I think Annapolis makes the perfect 2-day destination. Because of work obligations, we devoted about three hours each afternoon to see Annapolis.
One afternoon, we hopped on a bike to go see the architecture of the old buildings, beautiful scenery, and waterfront views. Of course, that involved taking a few ice cream breaks as I already mentioned.
In addition to visiting the U.S. Naval Academy, we also took long strolls around town to see the following recommended sights:
- Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol still used today.
- Annapolis Maritime Museum to see exhibits on the city’s maritime history.
- Shiplap House, one of the area’s oldest wooden homes.
- William Paca House and Garden, a historic home built in the 1760s with lovely gardens.
One last notable sight was seeing the Ruth Bader Ginsberg mural, a tribute to the late Supreme Court Justice, that was located near downtown. A very cool find.
Final Takeaways: Definitely Stay at this Hotel
While there are many hotel options in the area, I’m glad we chose to stay at the Graduate By Hilton Annapolis. We would stay here again. The hotel’s location makes it easy to see local attractions in a short time period.
- Centrally located, close to attractions and events
- Hotel atmosphere full of nautical charm
- Immaculately clean
- Ideal hotel for business and formal events
- Front desk and valet eager to assist
- Delicious food in hotel and around town
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
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