I "won" this hotel on Hotwire for a very cheap rate and was very anxious (okay I panicked!) after reading the reviews. I was hoping for something closer to the Inner Harbor and we normally stay at more modern hotels. For the price it was a fabulous bargain. It's about a mile from the Inner Harbor but it's a quick walk down Charles Street or there's a free bus (Charm City Circulator) that stops around the corner.

The hotel itself is historic and relatively charming. Our room was large and decent. It was clean when we checked in. We were there for two nights and, upon retuning to our room the second night, we found that the housekeeping staff had taken all the dirty towels but did not replenish them. Also, the only trash can in the room is a small one in the bathroom- that was not emptied. The shampoo was not replenished and the coffee that was replenished was decaf. It was pretty strange. So we called down for towels. Other than that, it was a good stay.

The neighborhood is not bad but if you venture a few blocks west (Lexington Market area) it gets a little sketchy. We chose to use the free bus over the light rail because we felt the stops were in safer neighborhoods.

The parking lot across from the hotel at 15 West Franklin was $10 per night which I thought was a bargain. Well lit and appeared very safe.

The breakfast was ample (it was free so I can't complain). They have hot food options (pancakes one day, French toast the next), eggs, bacon, sausage and home fries. They also have bagels, bread for toast, Danishes, muffins and yogurt. I found the coffee to be decent.

Overall, I felt this was essentially a free hotel room, as I paid about what breakfast may have cost for my family for the room. And the parking cost was so much less than it would have cost in the inner harbor. I would stay here again.

I stayed one night at Mount Vernon Hotel on Franklin St West, Baltimore on 9 November 2012. The location is central and ideal for walking to the Harbour as well as bars and restaurants. Charles St is a main north-south thoroughfare and is one minute's walk away so ideal for buses to Towson Town Centre.

The rooms are quite large and mine had a bizarre mini corridor before entering the room. Unfortunately the windows were screwed down and although the heating was turned off it still belched heat which made the air stuffy. The staff did, however, provide a fan.

Bathroom was fine and the shower was good. The coffee making machine was good too with real filtered coffee sachets provided.

Breakfast was ok but let down as it was served on plastic trays with plastic plates and cutlery.

The staff were friendly and helpful and allowed me to leave my cases all day until I flew home.

However, my bed must have been invested with bed bugs as I am itching all over which let down an otherwise pleasant stay for the cost of the room (£50 through booking.com). My room in question was 503 so avoid it!

The lobby and my room both smelled stale and musty. The room appeared clean, though. The free breakfast was completely horrible--eggs that were dried out and crusty, disposable cutlery and cups, watery coffee, etc. The staff were friendly and helpful; and the location is quite convenient. It's perfectly adequate if you're on a tight budget, but I won't go back.

The rooms are old, but very comfortable. The WIFI works, and there are good TV channel choices. Service is very good, and if your deal includes breakfast you won't be disappointed. Don't use hotel parking. The public parking deck across the street is cheaper.