Charleston
South Carolina


The Experience

The gracious grandeur of Charleston Place is evident immediately upon stepping into its marble lobby: a magnificent Georgian open-arm staircase practically reaches out to hug you, while a 12-foot-tall crystal chandelier sparkles over a display of flowers of equal grandeur. Even Tara was never like this. And this hotel, located in the dead center of the historic district, fits seamlessly into the city of Charleston -- one of America's most gracious. It's a place where women are called ladies and afternoon tea is de rigueur, served in the formal elegance of the Thoroughbred Club.

The Rooms

Not surprisingly, the room decor is steeped in tradition. This is not a chrome and stainless kind of place: Bathroom fixtures are brass, and in your bedroom you'll find bedspread and swagged curtains, wing chairs and tapestries, lace, chintz and damask. While complimentary high-speed Internet shows the hotel's modern face, the VCRs -- even in the high-end suites -- are evidence that there's still a technological lag. Suites are simply more of the same, decor-wise, while rooms on the top two floors give you access to "The Club," which includes breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails with hors d'oeuvres, and after-dinner drinks and desserts.

The Service

Whether or not Southern hospitality is a cliché, Charleston Place has it down pat. Accustomed to taking care of royalty (Prince Charles, Oprah, grand dames of Southern society), the staff is also attentive to the many families that come to stay, arranging babysitting and customized sightseeing.

The Highlights

The hotel is like a clubhouse for members of Charleston society. They gather in the Thoroughbred Club, a nod to the city's former horse-racing days, sipping their Seattle Slew Cocktails. They dine in the wood-paneled Charleston Grill. They show up for afternoon tea, dressed in their finery, with hats and gloves. You can escape the scene in the top floor's spa and fitness center, a nifty space capped off with a heated indoor/outdoor pool with retractable roof and a sunning terrace with views of the city and its gardens.

-- Kathleen Beckett

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