With baseball season in full swing, it’s time for fans to make their game-day plans. For those traveling to the game, that can require finding a hotel to serve as a home base.
After all, sports and travel go together like peanuts and Cracker Jack. According to an American Express survey conducted in early 2024 of people who travel at least once a year, 58% of respondents said they were interested in traveling for sporting events in 2024, with 67% of millennial and Generation Z respondents citing interest.
When it comes to lodging, the best hotels for baseball fans include memorabilia tied to local teams or views of the stadiums. Some offer discounts or promotions centered around the team’s performance. Here are five hotels that are a home run for baseball fans.
HILTON BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR — BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Located next toOriole Park at Camden Yards, this hotel makes it easy to get inside the ballpark. But you might not even need to buy a ticket to watch the game, as many of the hotel rooms overlook the stadium.
If you intend to watch from your room, request a higher floor for a better view.
HOTEL COMMONWEALTH — BOSTON RED SOX
Multiple rooms within Boston’s Hotel Commonwealth embody the spirit of baseball. For example, the Fenway Park Suite patio features original ballpark seats. Inside, there’s Red Sox memorabilia, including vintage baseball cards and the “6” from the Green Monster scoreboard.
The hotel also sells game packages, which include an overnight stay and game tickets. Depending on the package, you’ll get extras such as a signed baseball or a personalized message on the scoreboard during the game.
HYATT REGENCY SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco embraces not just the Giants, but also all the city’s sports teams. Through the end of 2024, the hotel is running a promotion for free valet parking and a room upgrade. Plus, if a San Francisco home team wins, you’ll be treated to two complimentary drinks from the bar in the hotel’s iconic brutalist-style atrium.
LIVE! BY LOEWS – ST. LOUIS— ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Located across the street from Busch Stadium and in the heart of Ballpark Village, the Live! by Loews – St. Louis is not only convenient, but its particular location also holds serious Cardinals history. The 216-room hotel sits on the former site of Busch Stadium II, which operated until 2005.
TORONTO MARRIOTT CITY CENTRE HOTEL — TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, located within the Rogers Centre, offers a unique viewing experience for Blue Jays fans. Book one of the field-view guest rooms for floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the field and stadium.
You can also watch from the hotel’s restaurant, the Sportsnet Grill, which has giant windows overlooking the field, while the restaurant’s speakers stream the game’s audio. Baseball-inspired menu items include the 24-inch Slugger hot dog.
HOW TO SAVE ON HOTELS DURING BASEBALL SEASON
The hotel for your next baseball pilgrimage might cost more this year than in previous seasons. According to Hotel Monitor 2024, a forecast from American Express Global Business Travel, a post-pandemic return to in-person meetings and ongoing inflation have contributed to higher hotel prices.
Certain cities with strong connections to baseball will experience particularly significant price increases. For example, in Boston, room rates are set to rise by 11.3% compared to last year, according to the Hotel Monitor report.
If you have flexibility in your schedule, consider traveling later in the baseball season to avoid competing with summer vacation crowds. Alternatively, be open to adjusting your travel days. A 2023 analysis of MLB ticket sales by TicketCity found that midweek games offer the best deals.
The report examined ticket sales from 20,000 MLB games between 2014 and 2022, revealing that Saturday games have the highest demand and highest prices, averaging $78.61 per ticket. In contrast, Wednesday MLB games are the least expensive, with an average ticket price of $56.19. Lower ticket demand for midweek games may result in lower hotel rates near the stadiums.
To save more money, consider enrolling in the hotel's loyalty program if available. These programs provide an easy way to earn points for future stays and sometimes offer discounted rates. Higher tiers of the hotel's elite status can also provide room upgrades or complimentary meals.
Another option is to take a chance with prepaid room rates. While these rates are usually nonrefundable, they can secure lower prices.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by NerdWallet, a personal finance website. The author, Sally French, is a writer at NerdWallet and can be reached via email at [email protected].
