Charleston, SC Weekend Vacation Getaway
Where To Stay
Anyone can find a room in any destination, you don’t need us for that. But not everyone can find those special places with a particular charm to them. That takes time, tenacity and a special perspective. We try to find places that evoke a “wow” when you open the door to your room, places you’ll tell your friends about when you get home.
Planter's Inn
|
The Cottages on Charleston Harbor
Harbourview Inn
|
French Quarter Inn
Planter's Inn
112 North Market Street
HALL OF FAME
This is, without a doubt, my favorite place to stay in Charleston for many reasons. With 56 rooms and 6 suites, this delightful haven is ideally located in the center of the historic district. The owner and innkeeper, Hank Holliday, is particularly committed to maintaining a world class inn and restaurant. He just seems to "get" what it takes to stand above the crowd.
From the time you arrive until your departure, you are treated to a level of service found in very few places. Your arrival greeting, a speedy check-in, friendly bell service, prompt room service all contribute to a sense of well-being.
Over $22,000 has been spent decorating each room with original art, mattresses made specially by a local family who has been making them since the 1800's, bed canopies made in the Carolina's, custom made carpeting from England and more.
On my last visit, I stayed in one of the new Penthouse Kings (#402) and it was one of the most luxurious and comfortable I have ever enjoyed. Particularly spacious with 20ft ceilings, it had a hand carved 4 poster bed, luxury linens, soft beige walls with sparkling off-white moldings, a fireplace, a sitting area, a terrace overlooking the City with table and chairs, a large marble bath with a huge soaking tub and separate glass enclosed shower.
Now that would be enough for most places, but it is the attention to detail that separates the men from the boys, as they say. Things like double glazed and laminated windows to keep out the noise and glare, heavy lined draperies to allow you to sleep in undisturbed by the morning sun, door "sweeps" to keep out the noise and light from the hallways, a sound machine to lull you to sleep, vases of fresh flowers, a silver soap dish, dimming light sconces in the bathroom and a small bottle of cognac at turndown. The temptation to never leave your room is overwhelming..shall we have dinner sent up and eat around the fire or on the terrace?
Speaking of dinner, the Inn's restaurant, the Peninsula Grill, is one of our Hall of Fame selections (see below)and is a must for your trip to Charleston.
This Inn and this restaurant will make you want to come back to Charleston again and again.
The Planter's Inn is a Relais & Chateau property and has been awarded the AAA 4 Diamond Award.
RATES: $175-$625 Summer and Winter, $250-$695 Spring and Fall. Excellent packages are also available.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
"Ideally located in the heart of old Charleston, this intimate Relais & Chateau boutique provides a "memorable experience" thanks to its beautiful rooms with fireplaces and tasteful furnishings, service that exudes "Southern Charm" and most of all "top notch" (but expensive) dining from "one of the best restaurants in town"; despite otherwise "limited facilities", this "quiet, Lovely spots leaves some guests feeling like they had been "transported to another time or planet."
ZAGAT 2010
Want
to save time? Let us make all your travel plans for you including air,
car rental, accommodations, dining and activities. You'll even talk to
a "live" person and be able to request specific rooms and tables. Just
click here. Reservations.
The Cottages on Charleston Harbor
16 Patriot's Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
SPECIAL OCCASION
One of the fun things about what we do is finding those undiscovered places that didn't show up in any of our research. Such is the case of the marvelous Belvidere in Mt. Pleasant, SC just over the bridge from Charleston. We were staying next door at the Charleston Harbor Resort and were surprised to find that these beautiful cottages were not private homes but part of a small resort.
All but one of the 10 cottages sits right on the harbor with spectacular views, from your screened in porch, of Fort Sumter and historic Charleston. The cottages wrap around the Belvidere Lagoon filled with turtles and fish and home to herons and other birds. Morning coffee or a late day cocktail from one of the rocking chairs or the hammock on the porch is the ideal way to start or end any day.
While best suited for 2 couples or families traveling together, these luxurious 2 bedroom/3 bath cottages are so comfortable, you may want to splurge and just get one for the two of you. You'll find it hard to find the motivation to leave each day and go explore.
Cottage interiors are bright and crisp with white clapboard walls offset by dark walnut tables, mirrors and an entertainment center. The furniture has a kind of Pottery Barn look with a pale green couch and leather club chairs and ottomon. The floors are polished wide plank pine covered with beautiful woven area rugs and plantation shutters filter out the early morning light. A plasma TV tops a gas fireplace and the entertainment center houses a DVD player, DVD's, a Bose sound system and books from local writers.
The full kitchen has dark green walls that contrast wonderfully with white cabinetry and top-of-the line white appliances. Williams Sonoma cookware, tea and coffee, bottled water and a welcome basket of cheese and crackers were just some of the nice touches.
The Master was decorated in pale yellow with blues and greens, had a 4 poster iron bed sheer curtains surrounding it. The furniture was a casual rattan (ala Tommy Bahama). The other bedroom, also done in pale colors had two full size beds and its own bath as well. The beds are luxurious pillowtops with high count linens and embroidered with a "B". Bathrooms are large, equipped with Molton Brown toiletries, Frette robes and towels. The Master also has a jacuzzi for two.
The resort has a beautiful clubhouse overlooking the pool and heated spa and is available just to relax or for private functions. Guests have access to the adjacent Patriot's Point Links or the Arnold Palmer designed RiverTowne Golf Club, named South Carolina Course of the Year. There are old time Schwinn bikes for a little exercise, Adirondack chairs on the small sandy beach for daydreaming and a BBQ if the cooking urge sneaks up on you.
In the evening a card is left in the cottage to fill out for the complimentary continental breakfast, which was delicious and delivered promptly at the time we specified, just another indication of a high level of service.
Charleston is just a few minutes over the bridge by car or there is a water taxi at the pier next door that will take you downtown.
Don't miss this wonderful place!
RATES: $500-$770 for a two bedroom cottage.
To make your travel plans you can go to our Weekend Planner for all the contact information.
Want
to save time? Let us make all your travel plans for you including air,
car rental, accommodations, dining and activities. You'll even talk to
a "live" person and be able to request specific rooms and tables. Just
click here. Reservations.
Harbourview Inn
2 Vendue Range
EXCELLENT
A delightful recent addition to the hotel/inn scene, the Harbourview Inn is ideally located in the heart of the historic district, within walking distance to just about everything. It offers the best water views in town and sits next to Waterfront Park, a great place for walking or biking.
The 52 warmly decorated rooms, in shades of brown, are spacious with 14' ceilings, triple sheeted 4 poster beds with luxury linens and coverlets, custom made armoires and original art. Many have overstuffed club chairs with ottomans. The large, European tiled baths are outfitted with replicas of old Charleston features.
The Historic Inn rooms have a special charm with old Charleston brick walls and plantation shutters and the Harbourview Rooms, offer, obviously views of the Charleston Harbor. The Penthouse Rooms are our favorite and even at the height of the season on a weekend, they are only $339 per night. Furnished in much the same way as the other guestrooms, the Penthouse also offers a working fireplace, whirlpool tub, a mini bar stocked with complimentary snacks and a private balcony overlooking the harbor. The view of the harbor at night from your room is just wonderful.
The Inn does not have a restaurant or bar, but breakfast is served in your room, the Rooftop Terrace or the Atrium lobby. Complimentary wine and cheese are served in the afternoon.
RATES: Off season-$149-$249 (December1-February 10), Summer $159-$289 August 1- September 15), In-season $209-$339 (February 11-July 31, and September 16-November19). Rates include breakfast delivered to your room, the Atrium lobby, snacks and iced tea during the day, an afternoon wine and cheese reception, evening milk and freshly baked cookies and turndown service.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
AAA 4 Diamond
Top 100 Hotels-Conde Nast Magazine
To make your travel plans you can go to our Weekend Planner for all the contact information.
Want
to save time? Let us make all your travel plans for you including air,
car rental, accommodations, dining and activities. You'll even talk to
a "live" person and be able to request specific rooms and tables. Just
click here. Reservations.
French Quarter Inn
166 Church Street
EXCELLENT
The 50 room French Quarter Inn is a sister property of the Harbourview Inn and overlooks the Market Square in the heart of the historic district. Designed in an 18th century French urban style, the Inn's oversized rooms boast 14 ft. ceilings, luxury bedding, large marble bathrooms and all the other amenities you would expect of a first class inn. They even offer you a selection of six different types of pillows to insure a great night's rest.
Up the mahogany railed stairway from the street level, you enter a large richly appointed lobby and upon check-in are offered a glass of champagne and lady fingers. The lobby serves a number of functions for the inn; a wonderful gourmet breakfast each morning, a lavish (and complimentary)afternoon wine and cheese reception when guests gather in the Southern tradition to recount their days activities and mango and peach tea and lemonade throughout the day. There's also jars of gummy bears and M&M's around! The lobby has a wonderful large fireplace for colder days and a delightful terrace when the weather turns warm
There is only a $60 difference between the lowest category room and the one bedroom suite, so that's the way to go. They are spacious and have a separate sitting area. Decorated in light colors with dark patterned carpeting, they are a picture of simple elegance. Be sure to ask for one with a fireplace, Jacuzzi and balcony, not all have these amenities.
RATES: Out of season $269-299 weekday/weekend(one bedroom suite). In season $309-$359 (one bedroom suite). Rates includes gourmet continental breakfast (served in your room, the lobby or the patio), all day snacks and flavored teas, afternoon wine and cheese reception, home made cookies and milk at bedtime and turndown service with sweets. Some excellent packages are also available.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
"The “prompt” and “friendly” staff at this “conveniently located”, utterly “romantic and charming” old-world hotel “pampers” guests with “champagne and ladyfingers” upon check-in and uniformly “stellar service”; the “hot coffee and tea” available on every floor and “high-quality” Colonial “room decor and furniture” earn further kudos, although some feel the baths could use “updating” and others note that “a pool would be nice.” ZAGAT 2010
AAA 4 Diamond Award
To make your travel plans you can go to our Weekend Planner for all the contact information.
Want
to save time? Let us make all your travel plans for you including air,
car rental, accommodations, dining and activities. You'll even talk to
a "live" person and be able to request specific rooms and tables. Just
click here. Reservations.