After reading many reviews on TA, booked one double room for one night in July 2008. Wanted to be near the Inner Harbor and within walking distance to sites. This HGI in Harbor East was great. Room was very nice (similar to other HGI's that I've stayed in). Nice beds, nice bedding, flat screen tv, microwave, fridge. Small bathroom but nice. Room 1109 was very quiet, even with all of the Legg Mason construction outside. Breakfast buffet was good. Pantry store in lobby was useful with two kids. Parking is self-park around the block but was easy to get to the hotel lobby with the luggage. Not too bad. $25 was paid when we left the garage. We didn't use the car during our stay.

We walked to Fell's Point which was very fun. So many restaurants and bars. Many on the water. Took the water taxi back to Harbor East via Harbor Place and Rusty Scupper stops. HIghly recommend the water taxi. Fun and a wonderful view!

Only complaint was that the lowest temp the programmable thermometer could be set to was 65 degrees and there's no exhaust fan in the bathroom. So, after 4 showers, the room was VERY HUMID. Never felt cold.

We had mixed feelings about this hotel. The location was good, just minutes walk from all the inner harbor attractions. The hotel was clean and our room was standard hilton garden inn size and well furnished.
However, the service wasn't great. I'd booked a bed n breakfast package via the Hilton Garden Inn official website. However after having breakfast on the first day I was told by the waiter, and then by the restaurant manager that breakfast wasn't included and that the front desk had no record of me being on a breakfast inclusive deal. They even asked me for proof that I was on a breakfast inclusive deal. Fortunately I had a print out in my room that I could show them.
They were polite about it all but it left a bit of a bad taste, it was my daughters birthday and didn't start the day well. It was particularly annoying as they obviously thought they were right and I was wrong - I was just very glad that I'd printed off the confirmation.
The sheets in our room also weren't changed when requested, which is a minor point,but fairly indicative of the standards of the hotel.
All in all, if the service was improved this place could be ok, but I wouldn't stay again.

Just returned from a mini vacation at the HGI Inner Harbor. On the whole, this is really a great hotel, but by the same token it does have some very serious shortcomings that prospective guests should be aware of - particularly if they're travelling with children.

What bothered me most about the hotel is the fact that the large pools featured on their website - which were chief factors in our decision to stay there - are not actually owned by the hotel. Rather they're owned by the Maryland Atthletic Club, which operates within the hotel - which is all fine and good - except for the fact that they do not allow children under the age of 16 to use either of their two large pools. Children are subsequently limited to using their small therapy pool, which is more like an exceptionally large bath tub than a swimming pool (yes...really, the water is about 95 degrees, like bath water). The fitness club staff also seemed to take a rather condescending and attitude towards the hotel guests. One staff member I spoke with actually said "we're required to let you ( hotel guests) in." Almost as if to say, that if they could deny us access they would.

On the plus side, the hotel is exceptionally clean, bright open and inviting and our non-smoking guest room, although small, was equally clean and fresh smelling. The hotel is coveniently located just a few minutes walk from the Inner Harbor.

After reading the reviews describing the hotel as nice enough, but the service as poor, I booked a room for my five-year wedding anniversary thinking, "OK, the room will be pleasant and clean, and for $157/night (AAA rate), we can work around the service." Well, I can't say enough good about all of it -- INCLUDING the service. Everyone was friendly and helpful, even in the midst of the check-in rush, and we felt well cared-for and appreciated. The room was beautiful and clean, with crisp, contemporary decor and a great flat-panel TV. Well-insulated, too -- we heard no hallway noise, and only minimal street noise. Loved the area; Harbor East is very nice, and a welcome escape from the touristy madness of the Inner Harbor. The hotel is only a block away from the water taxi (which is, to my mind, the best way to get around the harbor area), and there's a fantastic Irish pub, the James Joyce, right across the street from the hotel. I'd gladly stay here again (although, sadly, the harbor views will most likely be gone once the Four Seasons hotel goes up right on the waterfront).