VRA 2020 Baltimore: Welcome to the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore, the Home of VRA 2020

So what will you find at the conference hotel?  The recently renovated guest rooms offer a combination of modern amenities and architectural elements and furnishing. The second floor boasts a rotating Art Gallery, curated by a local artist.  And from inside the hotel you can view the seasonal, urban apiary on the third-floor garden plaza. At the center is the functioning golden beehive sculpture created by Bob Benson and Rick Ames, local Baltimore artists.You will also find an indoor swimming pool, racquet ball courts, and tennis courts on the roof with the 24-hour fitness center.  Complimentary high-speed wireless internet is available in the guest rooms as well as many of the amenities you have come to expect of the conference hotel.There are two in-house restaurants.  The first location is Explorers, an American Gastropub ideal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  For those of you arriving on Monday – apparently Monday is trivia night at Explorers.  The second is Formula Espressos, the lobby café, ideal for breakfast and lunch items, and of course coffee (illy coffee to be exact).Out the front door of the hotel you will find the Inner Harbor with the Maryland Science Center with the Davis Planetarium and the Baltimore Visitor’s Center.  Within a fifteen minute walk north or south you will find several restaurants, watering holes, Camden Yards, the American Visionary Art Museum and parks.Remember that staying at the conference hotel is not only convenient for you, it also helps the VRA meet its contractual obligations.  Our $149/night rate is lower than we have had the last few years.  If you are in need of a roommate to split the cost of the conference hotel, consider checking out the roommate spreadsheet (link sent in your registration confirmation email).  Be sure to reserve your room today and I look forward to seeing you in Baltimore in March!Jeannine KeeferPresident-Elect, VRA Executive BoardVisual Resources Librarian, University of RichmondPhotos Courtesy of the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore