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Latest Tourism Trend Comes To Baltimore Hotel

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The latest hotel trend has come to Baltimore, but it's not about the softness of the sheets or the gourmet items at the mini-bar.

As Mike Schuh reports, a downtown hotel wants you to remember your stay by getting out to see Baltimore.

Tourists are introduced to Baltimore in a cab, in traffic. But a hotel here thinks the best way is on two wheels.

"We are taking a bike ride on our new Kimpton bikes," said Monaco Hotel general manager Joe Pagone. "We're doing it, not only to promote not only that we have bikes that are free for our guests, but we've created a War of 1812 map to visit significant sites via cycle."

The luxury Hotel Monaco in the rebuilt B&O headquarters is owned by Kimpton, and Kimpton has put bikes in all of its hotels.

"Well, I really think the bicycle program really gives the guest an opportunity to live like a local and see the city through the eyes of the people that live here. There's nothing better than seeing a city close-up and I think a bicycle allows you to do that," Pagone said.

So on this day, a group of those tied to local tourism took the hour and a half tour.

Katie Marks works for the park service.

"We have the trail that goes through the city. I don't know if you've seen the brown signs that mark the trail. And so we're trying to work with outfitters to develop these types of things for tourists," Marks said.

The first stop is a tour of Poe's grave and the cemetery grounds. They then go down to the Flag House and later down to Federal Hill and Ft. McHenry. Guests can follow the tour or do what they want. The hotel has six bikes and a gourmet backpack lunch available.

Kimpton Hotels owns the Monaco and offers bikes at all of its 100 locations around the country.

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