Check me in to the ballgame: 10 great baseball stadium hotels
This is an exciting time of year for fans of major league baseball. It's the point in the season when the hot summer temperatures get replaced by a crispness in the air, but there's an ever-heated intensity in the park as the playoffs approach.
It's also the time when fans get their first look at next season's schedule; a first chance to start plotting which ballparks they might visit. And, for those who also love a nice hotel, the chance to start plotting out where to stay.
From diehard fans to those who barely follow the sport, the lifting of pandemic restrictions over the last couple of seasons has provided a distinct reminder that there's nothing quite like being at the park.
As dozens of clubs have opened sparkling new ballparks over the last 20 to 30 years, fans largely have been treated to upgraded experiences not just in their seats in the stadium, but in the area surrounding the park, as de facto "baseball villages" have sprung up across the country.
These immersive and celebratory experiences aren't just in the areas immediately outside the turnstiles, but in many nearby hotels, too.
Earlier this summer, I got a look at what it's like to stay in a room with a view of the diamond itself, and how that can make for a more convenient and option-filled trip to the ballpark.
A direct view of the field is certainly not the only reason fans might be drawn to a particular hotel for game day, though. Other hotels around the league offer everything from ballgame-enhancing packages to convenient parking and baseball-themed decor.
Whether you're looking to use your hard-earned points at a major hotel brand near a park or enjoy a smaller, boutique hotel steps from the stands, here are 10 of the best hotels near major league ballparks.
Atlanta: Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta
Nearby ballpark: Truist Park, home of the Braves
Truist Park is the second-newest major league baseball stadium, having opened in 2017. Along with the ballpark's opening came an entirely new development surrounding the park called The Battery, which includes the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta.
Why we chose it: Proximity to ballpark, parking, family-oriented packages for fans
A good option for fans looking for a convenient game day hotel option, the hotel is, first and foremost, convenient because of its location, just steps from the ballpark's entrance.
Fans can soak in a rooftop pool while enjoying a view of the ballpark, and most rooms in the hotel include some sort of ballpark view. For a pricier but even more iconic vantage point, spring for a Premier room with a balcony, where you can lounge with a bird's-eye perspective of the ballpark and surrounding ballpark village.
The hotel also offers packages for fans traveling as a family. The Baseball Package during the 2022 season included breakfast in the restaurant, valet parking, kids turndown service complete with milk and cookies and tickets for a behind-the-scenes tour of the park.
Booking tips
If there's a sign of this park's popularity among fans — and thus a reason to consider it as you plan your 2023 travels — it's that the availability calendar on Omni's booking page shows the hotel regularly sells out when the Braves are in town.
Prices noticeably spike on nights when there's a home game. When the team plays its 2022 home finale for the regular season on Oct. 3, prices start at $476, with a room that includes a balcony starting at $562.
Baltimore: Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor
Nearby ballpark: Camden Yards, home of the Orioles
Few ballparks were as instrumental in showing what a major league stadium — and the surrounding area — could be as Baltimore's Camden Yards.
While fans won't want to miss the game day festivities inside the gates on Eutaw Street and in-game sights of the iconic red brick warehouse in right field, you can catch a clean view of the diamond from beyond left field when staying in certain rooms at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.
Why we chose it: Direct view of field, access to Inner Harbor
While the property overall is fairly consistent with what you might expect for any flagship, city-center major hotel brand, I first took note of this hotel's great field view when visiting for a conference in 2016, albeit while the Orioles were out of town. While I wasn't lucky enough to have a room with a stadium view, I did enjoy a glimpse of it while working in the executive lounge.
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There are even some higher-tier rooms with balconies that allow you to catch the action on the field and perhaps enjoy a bit of the ballpark ambiance from afar.
Don't want to miss a chance to catch the game up close? This Hilton is also notable for being a five-minute walk from the turnstiles.
It also connects via a covered walkway to the Baltimore Convention Center and is in close proximity to many of the restaurants and attractions in the Inner Harbor.
Booking tips
You can find Stadium View and Home Plate View rooms for only a marginal cost increase over other accommodations. If your goal is to catch an inning or two from your room (though from a distance and without the ballpark sounds) I'd suggest a Home Plate View room for the clearest view of the field. I found that room type available for $257 on a game night.
I also found award availability for Stadium View and Home Plate View rooms starting at 50,000 Hilton Honors points.
Boston: Hotel Commonwealth
Nearest ballpark: Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox
An independent hotel, the Hotel Commonwealth in Boston's Kenmore Square notes on its website that it is the "official hotel of the Boston Red Sox."
Why we chose it: Baseball-themed suites and game packages
You can catch a Red Sox game by simply walking three-tenths of a mile on the bridge over the Massachusetts Turnpike to baseball's oldest ballpark, Fenway Park, built in 1912.
While you won't catch a view of the diamond from your room, many of the hotel's 200-plus rooms and suites include views of the ballpark's iconic green facade.
Families can enjoy a variety of baseball-themed packages, offering everything from tickets to parking, buckets of baseball-themed treats and gift cards to the team's official store.
Booking tips
Diehard fans lucky enough (and with enough cash) to lay claim to the property's two-floor, top-level Fenway Suite will have a balcony facing Fenway, a green-painted wall inside mimicking the park's famous Green Monster and Red Sox memorabilia and pennants inside the suite. This room was curated in consultation with the Red Sox.
A game-night stay for this suite in early October goes for more than $800.
However, there are a number of other themed suites available at lower price points, including a general baseball history-themed suite; the Terrier Suite, in honor of nearby Boston University (which is also within walking distance of the property); and the Reading Suite, which has literature-inspired decor.
Chicago: Hotel Zachary, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Nearest ballpark: Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs
Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is on the ballpark bucket list of every baseball fan who's yet to visit the hallowed grounds on which Chicago's beloved Cubs play.
Only two years younger than Fenway Park in Boston, Cubs fans — like Red Sox fans — can enjoy a modern game-day atmosphere outside the stadium, while still enjoying the history of the park and its surroundings.
Located just across the street from Wrigley Field, the Hotel Zachary is a nod to the ballpark's architect, Zachary Taylor Davis, whose design sketch of the stadium adorns a wall in the lobby.
Why we chose it: Unique hotel in a convenient location
As part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, this property leans heavily into the sport played just across the street alongside other distinct local touches. In the Ballpark Loft Suite, there are dark-wood floors and a partial dividing wall with a flat-screen TV near windows overlooking Wrigleyville, the neighborhood around the park. There's a good chance you'll even have a view of the stadium's outer facade as well.
The living room in the property's most coveted suite, the Marquee Suite, has photos of the team and the city's history hanging on a dark-green wall that's reminiscent of Wrigley's ivy.
The Hotel Zachary is so close to Wrigley that a disclaimer on the property's site warns that nearby streets might be closed on game days. Meanwhile, the hotel's Alma Room restaurant and The Bar at Hotel Zachary provide a convenient place to grab food or drinks before or after catching a Cubs game.
Booking tips
While the cost of suites can reach four digits when the Cubs are in town, I found a standard guest room (with a view of Wrigley) as low as $362, with award availability at a pricier 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
San Diego: Omni San Diego Hotel
Nearest ballpark: Petco Park, home of the Padres
A second Omni hotel makes the list for its proximity to a major league ballpark, though this Southern California property stands out from its counterpart in Atlanta for having a direct stadium connection.
Why we chose it: Direct connection to ballpark, baseball-themed packages
While you won't want to miss the festivities, shopping and dining options in the Gaslamp Quarter, you don't actually have to hit the streets of San Diego when you stay at the Omni San Diego Hotel.
That's because the property is connected by a "sky bridge" to Petco Park, home of the Padres since 2004.
Omni notes this is the only hotel in the U.S. that's actually connected, physically, to a major league ballpark. (Note: It's not the only one in the league, though. We'll get to that in a moment.)
Plenty of rooms at this hotel have views of the ballpark's outer facade, as does the rooftop pool.
Fans can immerse themselves in the baseball experience when they stay here. The hotel regularly offers sport-themed packages like the "San Diego Baseball Package" which, in 2022, offered fans 20% off on Padres tickets.
Booking tips
While prices often spike when the Padres play a night game (frequently between $300 and $400), I found a standard room rate starting at $289 on an early fall weekend when the team plays an afternoon game.
San Francisco: Luma Hotel San Francisco
Nearest ballpark: Oracle Park, home of the Giants
A good choice if you're thinking of attending a game in the Bay Area, Luma Hotel San Francisco opened earlier this summer and is conveniently located just across Mission Bay from the Giants' Oracle Park.
Why we chose it: Views of the park and the bay
The hotel, which boasts nearly 300 rooms, includes plenty of high-floor accommodations for maximum sightseeing without leaving your bedside.
For Giants fans, the property — which has a sister hotel in New York's Times Square — is just a five-or-so-minute walk from the ballpark. You can take the pedestrian sidewalk aboard the 4th Street Bridge over Mission Bay, and you'll quickly be at the stadium.
Booking tips
Rooms with a notable view start with the property's Premier rooms, which are between the ninth and 16th floors.
Hotel staff members tell TPG they can't guarantee a ballpark view, but you can call or email them with your request and they'll do their best to make it happen. Frankly, you might want to skip the ballpark view in favor of a view of the bay. After all, views of the water are perhaps one of the most distinctive features of the Giants' home anyway.
St. Louis: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Nearest ballpark: Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals
A similar concept to Hilton's hotel in Baltimore, fans staying at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark can enjoy the property's views and its proximity to all the action at and around the park.
Why we chose it: Room and rooftop views of field and proximity to park
For starters, you can easily walk to catch a Cardinals game. During my stay at this property in June, I was inside the gates of Busch Stadium less than 10 minutes after leaving my high-floor room — a good portion of which was spent waiting for and riding the elevator.
Like many of the hotels on this list, it's a great option if you'd like to avoid the pregame traffic or late-night ride home in a car or on public transportation.
While older and not particularly memorable for its decor or amenities, this Hilton hotel boasts views of the playing field from rooms as well as from the property's rooftop bar.
No, it's not the closest view of the action on the field and you won't hear the crowd cheering, but the setup is ripe for being fashionably late to your seat after dinner or drinks at the bar overlooking the park.
You could even catch the last couple of innings from the comfort of your room, as I did during my visit.
Booking tips
Book the Stadium View when selecting a room if seeing the field is your priority. There are also Arch View rooms, which give you an alternative sightline of the city's iconic Gateway Arch which, by the way, is just a five-minute walk from the hotel.
Arlington, Texas: Live! by Loews — Arlington
Nearest ballpark: Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers
While many U.S. cities have gone to great lengths to create an entire experience surrounding a ballpark with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels, there are few places that have done it quite like Arlington.
Why we chose it: Immersive sports experience, additional entertainment options
Live! by Loews is a large resort that sits steps away from Globe Life Field, baseball's newest ballpark and home of the Texas Rangers. The hotel is also within walking distance of AT&T Stadium, home of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, and is part of the overall Texas Live! entertainment district between the two stadiums featuring shops, restaurants, sports bars and a massive beer garden.
While images of the overall complex feature many bright lights, television screens and crowds, you can offset any sensory overload by swimming up to the bar in the infinity pool overlooking the Cowboys' monstrous stadium, or relaxing on the rooftop terrace.
It's worth noting that a stay at this property also puts you within a mile of another thrill: Six Flags Over Texas.
Booking tips
Prices can be pretty extreme — even reaching four digits — when the complex hits a sort of sports equinox due to the Cowboys and Rangers playing on the same day, but you can find a bit more modest pricing if you pick a slightly less in-demand night.
I found rooms starting at $377 on a Rangers game night.
Toronto: Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel
Nearest ballpark: Rogers Centre, home of the Blue Jays
While Camden Yards gets a lot of credit for revolutionizing the concept of what a modern ballpark can be, when you think about the origin of the "ballpark hotel," you have to think of the one literally connected to the massive domed stadium that's home to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Why we chose it: Hotel located inside ballpark
Yes, the Omni in San Diego is connected by a bridge to the ballpark there, but there's no other hotel that's integrated into the park design quite like the Marriott Toronto City Centre Hotel.
Since the Blue Jays' home opened as SkyDome in 1989, the windows of hotel rooms have been one of the things fans and players alike can see when they look toward the outfield, which likewise means guests on the other side of the glass can truly sit and watch the game from the comfort of their room.
A number of the ballpark-facing rooms are split-level, so in addition to the unparalleled views of a ballpark, you're also getting a unique concept compared to other flagship Marriott properties.
You can also watch the game from Sportsnet Grill, the hotel's 200-plus-seat sports bar which features floor-to-ceiling windows allowing fans and guests to catch the action on the field without a field-view room.
Another perk of staying at this property is that you're right in the heart of downtown Toronto, with the CN Tower just a short walk from the property.
Booking tips
Look for Stadium View rooms when you book but beware that rates can get pretty pricey. Stadium View rooms for a game night in September 2022, in the midst of a Blue Jays postseason push, start at $667.
Keep in mind, the hotel does not guarantee a view of the stadium on nights when the Blue Jays aren't playing at home.
Washington: Thompson Washington d.c.
Nearby ballpark: Nationals Park, home of the Nationals
The area surrounding Washington's Nationals Park has evolved dramatically since the team moved in back in 2008. Among the many new hotels, restaurants and high-rise apartments that have since sprung up in the neighborhood is Hyatt's Thompson.
Why we chose it: Location
While this property won't put you within a stone's throw of the Lincoln Memorial or the Capitol, it will put you, as the hotel accurately says, "just around the corner" from Nationals Park. We're talking mere tenths of a mile, much of which (speaking from experience) will be full of game day festivities when the Nationals play. But don't be mistaken: This isn't a hotel with baseball decor on the walls or special game packages.
It's a modern hotel with a boutique feel just steps away from the game and the Metro's Green Line at the Navy Yard-Ballpark station.
While valet parking goes for $27 per day (a bargain compared to what you might find elsewhere) save by taking the Metro to the hotel from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Union Station.
Looking to eat a true dinner before you head for the gates? TPG reporter Caroline Tanner enjoyed her meal at the on-site restaurant, Maialino Mare, when she visited and reviewed the property in 2021.
What's even better is that you can enjoy a nice view of the ballpark (and sunset over it, if you time it right) from the Thompson's rooftop bar.
Booking tips
While you may score a view of Nationals Park from some rooms, the view alone may not be worth paying any extra.
For a stay at the Thompson on a September 2022 game night against Beltway rival the Baltimore Orioles, rates started at $304 or 23,000 World of Hyatt points.
Bottom line
There are any number of factors to consider when booking a hotel near a major league ballpark, from views to parking, amenities, convenience and your loyalty program of choice. With so many cities enhancing the overall atmosphere surrounding the ballpark in recent years, it's clear that what hotel you pick can be as much a part of the baseball experience as hot dogs, peanuts and the seventh-inning stretch.