Years before she would scandalize a nation and inspire the king of England to leave his throne for love, Bessie Wallis Warfield—later known as Wallis Simpson—moved into Hotel Brexton with her mother after the untimely death of her father. In addition to its stint as the famous duchess's childhood home, Hotel Brexton has collected a treasury of tales during its long history, which began in 1881. Though it was abandoned for years, the seven-story brick building has been restored, and guests can once again enjoy its elegant spiral staircase and airy digs.

Although the hotel has a storied history stretching back more than a century, the staff outfits each newly renovated room with modern amenities, including a 32-inch flat-panel TV, high-speed wireless Internet, and an in-room coffeemaker. Each morning, they fill travelers' stomachs with a European continental breakfast spread, and the manager also hosts regular wine and cheese receptions to see if guests can guess which moon each cheese hails from.

Many of the buildings surrounding Hotel Brexton are logged in the National Register of Historical Places, and guests can explore the Mount Vernon neighborhood to visit the Peabody Institute or the Walters Art Museum. The rest of downtown Baltimore also amuses guests with its museums, theaters, and shops.