O’Callaghan Hotel Annapolis…

March 28, 2008 | 11:00 AM

[Written on March 25, 2008, but published once I left the hotel.]

Yesterday someone asked where I was staying in Annapolis and I responded, “the O’Callaghan downtown.” He said, “You’re really doing it right.” So here’s what I’m going to say…

Nah. The location is the only reason I’m here. The room I’m in has no working A/C (which might just be a “Maryland in March doesn’t need A/C” kind of thing), so I’ve had to leave the window open. I have to close it because West Street in Annapolis is busy, and last night someone drove by honking their horn like some kind of demented musical instrument (it wasn’t a Dixie horn, just a regular maker of obscene noise) no less than four times. The police seem to drive up and down the street pretty often too, which makes me wonder if downtown Annapolis is really that safe of a place.

Back to the hotel. No air conditioning. Wallpaper is peeling off the walls in every corner. O’Callaghan was advertised as having “distinctive furnishings custom-made in Ireland.” I didn’t book the hotel for its furnishings, but I can tell you there’s absolutely nothing here that’s of better quality (or any different, really) than your average Holiday Inn Express. Certainly not the chairs or beds. I was also surprised that the room had no refrigerator. Again, I’ve stayed in business-class hotels with more amenities- ones that I just expected at a hotel that seems to bill itself as on par with The Westin, the several Mariotts, and the Loews in Annapolis. I was surprised.

They do have nice pillows, valet parking, and a restaurant/bar downstairs that I probably won’t visit. So at least they have that going for them. Most of the staff are friendly and helpful. I guess that’s the something O’Callaghan has over that Holiday Inn Express or Super 8 Motel I’m used to.

— [Update on the A/C]: They gave me a new room so they could fix the A/C in the old room. The manager was very nice about it, and the new room is actually nicer than the previous one, even though they’re next door to each other. This one is missing the stand-up lamp in the corner, but has a longer desk, second phone, and a newer alarm clock (still no robe). I can handle that. Too bad now they’re making insane racket in my old room trying to fix things, while I’m studying for a mid-term. —

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