The Hotel at Arundel Preserve Review: A Foodie Staycation Worth Every Bite

Sometimes the best trip is the one closest to home. We spent two nights and three days at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover, Maryland, eating incredible food, staying in a gorgeous suite, and never once wishing we were somewhere else.

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The Hotel at Arundel Preserve at a Glance

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Why We Chose a Staycation This Summer

Between rising airline prices, baggage fees, and the general chaos of summer travel, we found ourselves wanting to get away without actually going very far. A few years of exploring the mid-Atlantic have taught us something useful: you don’t need to travel far to feel like you’re far away. A great hotel, delicious food, and a suite you don’t want to leave will recharge you every time.

If you’re looking to get away for a few days, eat wonderful meals, enjoy patio cocktails, do some shopping, and just relax in a cozy new hotel, The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is the place. It’s an easy drive, less than two hours from Philly, and you feel worlds away. For the food quality and room amenities, the hotel and both restaurants provide incredible value.

The Hotel at Arundel Preserve checked every box before we even packed. It sits five minutes from Maryland LIVE! Casino, walking distance from Arundel Mills Mall, and right alongside a quiet nature preserve. The hotel recently completed a full renovation, and we love that fresh hotel smell. But honestly, what sealed the deal were the menus.

Two restaurants, both managed by the George Martin Group, both with outdoor patios, and both with menus we had already studied before arrival. We love Mexican food, and the menu at Añejo Rose Cantina and Tequila Bar looked like our kind of place. Grillfire had something for everyone across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The portions, we would learn, are substantial. We came home with leftovers and were still working through them as we wrote this.

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The Suite

The whole arrival process is smooth from start to finish. Before we even left home, the hotel sent emails confirming our parking and allowing us to pre-check in, so by the time we pulled in everything was already sorted. No stress, just a quick confirmation, grab the keys and head up. You can tell the rooms have been recently updated. Walking in and seeing the robes, slippers, and premium Illy coffee waiting was the kind of detail that immediately elevates the whole experience. The bed was super comfortable and we slept great both nights.

We were in a two-room suite, which turned out to be the perfect setup for a stay like this. The second room had a full sofa, wet bar, desk, and its own bathroom, so there was plenty of space to spread out and relax between meals. There were two mini fridges, which was genuinely helpful for all the leftovers we kept bringing back from both restaurants. Plenty of outlets and charging stations too for all our devices.

The soaking tub in the main bathroom was pure relaxation. The rainfall shower with river rock flooring was luxurious. And the preserve view from the living area windows was the part we didn’t see coming. We watched hawks perch on the rooftops, songbirds in the trees, swallows sweeping up close to the glass. A genuinely peaceful way to start each morning with a coffee in a robe, in no particular rush to be anywhere.

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The Lobby and Property

The renovation shows from the moment you walk in. The lobby is open and well-lit with a long gas fireplace, comfortable seating areas, and both restaurants right off it. The fitness center has Star Trac treadmills facing floor-to-ceiling windows. The indoor pool is clean and calm, open every day from 9am to 9pm.

The hotel is dog friendly through the PAWs program, which sets up your room with bowls, a mat, and a welcome amenity for your pet. We loved seeing guests out and about with their dogs throughout the property. The hotel is also LEED Silver certified, built to green building standards with energy-saving lighting, electric car charging stations, and environmentally friendly products throughout.

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Dining at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve

The food here is not an afterthought. The two restaurants inside this hotel were a big part of why we visited. George Martin’s Grillfire covers breakfast through dinner and does all three well. Añejo Rose is a full cantina and tequila bar featuring more than 200 tequilas and mezcals, with a menu that features authentic Mexican favorites with creative fusion dishes. The vibrant dining room is every bit as memorable as the food. Both are managed by the George Martin Group. Both have outdoor patios. And between the two of them, we never once felt the need to eat anywhere else.

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George Martin’s Grillfire

 

We ate at Grillfire several times and each meal was fantastic. The dining room is warm and comfortable, one big well-divided room with stone columns, chevron wood floors, leather booths, and amber lighting. The bar runs along one side and gets lively in the evenings with TVs above the bottles and a full crowd. Lunches were relaxed and easy, but even midweek the dinner crowd filled the room. We’d recommend making a reservation for dinner regardless of when you’re going.

The servers knew the menu well and made excellent suggestions every time we sat down. Food came out fast and beautifully plated across every meal, consistent from the first breakfast to the last dinner. At breakfast, our server Cointa made perfect suggestions and made sure our coffee was full and hot throughout the entire meal. At lunch, Xavier guided us through the whole menu with confidence, making sure every dish was plated and served to perfection. Service at this level makes a real difference in a stay like this.

Breakfast here is genuinely good across the whole menu. The Avocado Toast on whole wheat with lemon avocado mash, Maldon salt, sunny eggs, tomatoes, and bacon crumble is one of the better versions we’ve had anywhere. The Frittata with wild mushrooms, goat cheese, and balsamic reduction comes with golden crispy home fries and is a perfect way to start the day. The Cinnamon Rolls with caramel and vanilla sauce are the move if you want something sweet, and the French Toast buried under fresh strawberries and homemade jam is worth every calorie. They serve Lavazza coffee, and the full bar means you can get mimosas and Bloody Marys with breakfast too.

We covered a lot of ground at lunch over two visits. The Crab Deviled Eggs topped with lump crab are a great starter, especially with a dash of Tabasco and sriracha. The Tuna Tartare Nachos on crispy wontons with Ahi, jalapeño, and wasabi aioli are a shareable order that never made it past the two of us. The Roasted Beet Salad with candied walnuts, feta, and strawberries, the Poke Bowl with Ahi and seaweed crisps, the Crab Cake Miniatures. We ordered a lot and nothing missed.

Xavier told us not to leave without trying the Cheesecake, and he was right. It’s one of the best we’ve ever had anywhere, somewhere between an Italian ricotta style and a classic New York style, light and creamy without being overly sweet. The portion is generous enough to share and still take some home, which we did.

Dinner at Grillfire was the highlight. Two dishes have stayed with us long after the trip and we’d order both again without hesitation.

The portions at Grillfire are substantial across the board and the prices are more than fair for the quality. We brought leftovers home from almost every meal.

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Añejo Rose Cantina & Tequila Bar

 

Dining at Añejo Rose is a whole vibe. Awesome tacos, incredible Carne Asada, fresh margaritas and cold Negra Modelo on tap in that vibrant, gorgeous space. Lunches here are more low key and a great time to come in and take your time with the menu. Dinners are a different story. Even midweek the room fills up fast, so make a reservation. Keep the margaritas flowing and you don’t have to worry about the drive home. Just take the elevator right to the room.

The bar is stocked with over 200 tequilas and mezcals and the cocktails are outstanding. The servers knew the menu and the tequila list equally well. At dinner, Byron was fantastic: warm, knowledgeable, and steered us toward the right dishes and drinks all night. Food came out beautifully presented every time.

We ate here twice and worked through a good portion of the menu both visits. The Birria Empanadas with braised short rib and Oaxaca cheese in a crispy shell with guajillo lime broth started our first lunch the right way. The Guacamole Molcajete comes out made to order in a volcanic stone mortar, fresh and properly seasoned, and sets a high bar for everything that follows. The Nashville Hot wings are deeply red, crispy, and build heat in a way that keeps you going. The Wet Burrito with chicken is enormous, smothered in both red and green sauce with crema and cilantro. One is enough for two people and we still took half of it home.

If we had to pick the two dishes that define a meal at Añejo Rose, it’s these.

The Sweet Plantains, Tres Leches, and Churros are all worth ordering too. The plantains especially were a late addition we almost skipped and would have regretted. The Tres Leches is a unique version, soaked through and topped with fresh strawberries and caramel. A decadent way to close out a meal here.

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The Bottom Line

We came home with leftovers, great memories, and zero regrets about not getting on a plane. Two nights, two incredible restaurants, a suite we didn’t want to leave, and plenty to do a shuttle ride away. If you want to hit the casino or do some shopping, the complimentary shuttle is a fabulous amenity. The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is proof that the best getaway doesn’t require a flight or a long drive. It had us at the menu.

For more Maryland travel, check out our guides to St. Michaels, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel, Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia, and our full Maryland travel guide. Planning a trip from Philly? We have you covered with our weekend getaways from Philadelphia too.

⭐ Book your stay at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve at (410) 796-9830 or visit thehotelarundel.com to check availability and rates.

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Things to Do in the Area

We stayed mostly on property because that was the point, but there is plenty around the hotel if you want to get out. Maryland LIVE! Casino is literally 0.4 miles away. Arundel Mills Mall with 200-plus stores is less than a mile. Medieval Times and a 24-screen theater are both within a mile. It’s a well-located spot.

For a half-day out, Historic Ellicott City is about 9 miles east with a well-preserved main street full of shops and restaurants worth a few hours. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery is 11 minutes away and a fun stop for a tour and a pint.

Baltimore is 10 miles north and has more than enough to fill a day. The National Aquarium at the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium for sports fans, the Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art (both free), and Port Discovery Children’s Museum and the Maryland Science Center if you have kids along.

Washington D.C. is 24 miles south. Check our day trips from Washington D.C. guide for ideas on making a full day of it. Annapolis is 21 miles east with the U.S. Naval Academy and the Maryland State House as the main draws.

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Flying Out of BWI? This Trip Works as a Pre-Flight Stay Too

If you’re flying out of Baltimore-Washington International Airport, the hotel offers a Park and Stay Package worth knowing about. It includes a night in a newly renovated room, a complimentary shuttle to and from BWI, and up to 10 days of covered parking with in-and-out privileges for one vehicle. Much better than the airport garage. Check all current packages at thehotelarundel.com/offers.

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Frequently Asked Questions