"Holiday Inn-->Express" to the Pier
We stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn Express Baltimore at the Stadiums on March 18, 2012.
Our travel agent booked a package which included the Express Start Breakfast and seven nights free parking with shuttle service to the Baltimore Cruise Terminal the next morning. Our cruise was 12 nights; we paid an additional $5 parking per day for parking for the remaining 7 nights. This was a nominal charge for secured parking in a gated area along the side of the hotel, accessible with the room key. Additional parking is available in the back of the hotel in a large lot, also the location of the outdoor pool. 
Leon ensured a smooth check-in. We registered for a 10:30 a.m. shuttle with our 5 checked bags. Shuttle service also is provided to the Inner Harbor every 30 minutes. It is suggested that guests not walk to the Inner Harbor or M&T Bank Stadium, even though these venues are within walking distance. We walked around the property and found a paved path one block away for exercise purposes. We did not use the path the following morning but opted for the Fitness Center. The hotel is in a commercial and industrial area. Several gas stations (BP, Shell, Exxon) are very near the hotel. Exxon sells Subway and the BP sells gyros.
Room 434 is a non-smoking room with two queen beds overlooking Russell St. We were not bothered by street noise but, rather, entertained by a diverse parade of passersby. The hotel is a 
“re-launched” Holiday Inn property, decorated in neutral colors. The room (and hallways) are well lit with a spacious desk and internet port. There is a refrigerator but no microwave, which we are accustomed to having in all HIEX properties. We found a powerful microwave at the end of the hall in the “Priority Club Lounge,” available to any guest with a room key. The internet description lists microwave and refrigerator among the amenities – a little misleading. Our room had great water pressure in the sink and tub. The bath towels were quite rough but not stained; there were plenty of towels and washcloths. The beds were very comfortable with four pillows and triple sheeting with a duvet. The bathroom had the usual amenities: two bars of soap; shampoo, conditioner and lotion. There is a grab bar in the tub and a curved shower rod. The room has a flat screen LG TV and a four-cup Hamilton Beach coffee pot with a deep basket. I mention this feature since we prefer to bring our own filters and coffee. 
There is a nice lounge area in the lobby and the largest breakfast area I’ve ever seen in a HIEX including two large flat-screen TV’s at one end of the room and several smaller flat-screen TV’s above the tables for two on the room’s perimeter. Other public spaces include one nice-sized meeting room with round tables and one smaller meeting room. Also available is a well-stocked display of brochures for area attractions and transportation.
The Fitness Room is available 24/7 including one universal weight machine, two treadmills,
 a stair stepper and 2 TV’s. The Business Center, also available 24/7, has two computers and a printer. I was able to access the Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor websites with no problem.
We departed the hotel at 11:00 a.m. on March 19 and arrived at the port at 11:10 a.m. Since there were several cruisers at the hotel, one van held the luggage while passengers went in a separate vehicle. Hotel personnel took charge of the bags and handed them off to the port handlers. Be certain to keep your carry-on with you in the van or it may go to the ship as part of the checked bags.
We had a business card to call the hotel after the cruise. Hint: store the phone number in your cell phone; on disembarkation day, the port is congested and busy with many cruisers and their luggage with no time to search for the business card. We were off the ship (Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas) by 9:20 a.m. We waited 30 minutes for the shuttle, a normal wait time. There is only one way for vehicles to enter the port parking area so it is easy to see the shuttle arrive. You may need to walk to the end of the parking lot with your luggage if the driver is not able to park directly in front of the ‘pick up lot.’ We arrived at the hotel at 10:20. After loading our luggage in the car, a restroom break, and a cup of coffee, we were in our car by 10:45 a.m.
I can recommend this HIEX for a comfortable stay, reasonable rate, free breakfast, free parking for seven days and an “express” shuttle to the pier. Bon Voyage!