FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Dorothy Fuchs / 410.616.8949 /
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Stacey Ellis / 415.955.5492/

NEW HOTEL MONACO BALTIMORE BRINGS BOLD DESIGNS TO HISTORIC B&O BUILDING

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Makes Tracks into Baltimore for the First Time

Baltimore, MD – April, 21 2009 – The Hotel Monaco Baltimore, housed in the historic former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad headquarters, will open in Summer 2009 and become the city's first boutique hotel to artfully combine upscale contemporary style and design with original historic architecture to create a totally unique experience for guests.

The new Hotel Monaco will be a first in the area for San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a company with a track record of developing and managing great boutique hotels loaded with personality and brimming with warmth in historically significant buildings throughout the country. The majestic building, originally constructed in 1906, blends the grand architecture of a bygone era with bold colors and contemporary design elements, all delivered to guests in an atmosphere of elegant sophistication.

Located in the heart of Baltimore's bustling midtown business district, on the corner of Charles and Baltimore Streets, the 202-room hotel will take guests on a grand adventure with its distinctive historic elements and stylish, whimsical design. Its location, just minutes from the vibrant Inner Harbor, Baltimore Convention Center and renowned attractions, such as the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Maryland Science Center, makes it easily accessible to a full range of cultural, entertainment and dining options.

The original building, which was completed on September 13, 1906 just after the Great Baltimore Fire, served as the B&O Railroad Headquarters, a symbol of grandeur for what was then the city's most prominent business.

Designed by the architecture firm of Parker & Thomas, the Beaux-Arts-style building is the only known work in Baltimore by renowned architect James Gamble. It features a majestic entrance with marble floors, a towering marble staircase and Tiffany stained-glass windows. All of the grand elements from the early 1900s have been carefully restored and are now complemented by contemporary décor, world-class amenities and a lavish look and feel.

The transformation of the building into a boutique hotel began in April 2008 and was spearheaded by Baltimore architectural firm Collins & Kronstadt, Leahy, Hogan, Collins and Draper LLP. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants also worked with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) to ensure that the building's original historic architectural elements and grandeur were preserved.

Retaining the grand look and feel of the early 20th Century, the 13-story building's exterior still boasts two intricate sculptures over the Charles Street entrance: the Roman god Mercury, a mythological symbol of commerce, and a figure named "The Progress of Industry." Both sculptures were designed to showcase the B&O's importance to the city as well as its position as a national leader in commercial transportation.

Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by sweeping marble staircases that lead up to the hotel living-room lobby area. Beautifully appointed guests rooms and suites offer the ultimate in comfort and world-class amenities, and provide a relaxing sanctuary for savvy travelers. Each room and suite boasts a rich color scheme of warm golds, vibrant blues, brilliant red lacquer and touches of royal purple and green with beds dressed in luxurious Frette linens.

Each guest room comes equipped with SuiteLinq, a specialized computer-based user interface system offering a variety of hotel services and features.

To accommodate its vertically gifted guests, the Hotel Monaco features Tall Rooms with extra-long 96-inch king-sized beds, extra-long giraffe print robes, high ceilings and raised showerheads. Additionally, the hotel offers several Pet Parlors…inventive guestrooms that feature a variety of special pet amenities including high-end food and water bowls, plush beds, gourmet snacks and animal toys. Regardless of whether guests choose to reserve a Pet Parlor Room or not, the hotel welcomes pets in any of its guest rooms.

The Hotel Monaco's signature anticipatory service goes beyond guests' expectations with surprising and delightful offerings, such as a companion goldfish to keep travelers company during their stay.

For meetings and special events, the Hotel Monaco offers more than 6,000 square feet of fully equipped, elegantly-appointed meeting space, perfect for any occasion whether for business or pleasure. There are six separate meeting rooms-including break-out space and a permanent board room. The rooms—Athens, Vienna, Caracas and the Tokyo Board Room—are all named after international cities, adding to the hotel's Grand Adventure atmosphere, and are conveniently located on the second level near the hotel's living-room lobby.

ABOUT HOTEL MONACO BALTIMORE

Located in the heart of the bustling Baltimore business district, Kimpton's Hotel Monaco Baltimore artfully blends historic architectural elements with a bold, sophisticated and contemporary style. Originally the site of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Headquarters, this distinctive hotel features 202 luxurious rooms and suites with upscale amenities that create the perfect oasis for leisure and business travelers alike. This elegant boutique hotel will open in Summer 2009 and is located at 2 North Charles Street, just a short walk from the picturesque Inner Harbor and Baltimore Convention Center. For hotel reservations, call 443.692.6170 or visit www.monaco-baltimore.com.