Charleston Place

South Carolina
United States

The Experience

The distinctly Southern gracious grandeur of Charleston Place hits you immediately upon stepping into its sweeping 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. Suites are simply more of the same, decorwise, 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

Cliché or not, Charleston Place has Southern hospitality 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, one of the top-rated hotel restaurants in the country that blends Southern, French, and contemporary influences. 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.

 

 

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