SOUTHERN CHARM

Charleston, South Carolina is a great city, with a rich history, beautiful architecture, an incredible food scene, and a beach nearby. Water sports, history, shopping, great culinary adventures – you really can do it all in this coastal town. Where you stay in a city like Charleston is always an important decision. You want to choose a property that highlights the uniqueness of the destination and is a respite itself. To fully enjoy one’s time in a vibrant place, a central location and walkability are key. The Charleston Place offers both in addition to luxury amenities, a top-notch spa and A+ service, It’s a perfect place to stay whether this is your first trip to the city, or you are a regular on King Street.

Upon arrival guests are enthusiastically greeted by valets dressed in southern charm style. A fleet of bicycles strapped with oversized clasped baskets perfect for picnicking enjoyment in one of the city’s many parks stand at the ready. Walking into the grand lobby area, the artwork is astounding—as is the hidden engineering that keeps a glorious 2.5-ton chandelier in place. In its three decades of existence, The Charleston Place has become a sort of opulent living room for locals. When built in 1986, The Charleston Place answered a call to be part of a larger, audacious vision for the city of Charleston — a catalyst for its revival and resurgence as a world class travel destination. People love to pass through its lobby to check out seasonally themed exhibits, to grab a drink at the Thoroughbred Lounge, or to celebrate milestones, even if they are not staying here.

After settling in, take a few minutes to explore the first floor of the property. Be sure to find out what brilliant happening is taking place on the courtyard. The Charleston Place partnered with Short Court Sports to transform Market Street Circle into the ultimate pop-up pickleball court during the Charleston Open. There’s also a southern style bar serving mint juleps (of course) and a large screen television airing live tennis matches. The whole environment resembles something out of a Merchant Ivory film. Grab a glass of rosé, sit in the sunshine, and take it all in.

For lunch dine at the garden-inspired Palmetto Cafe, which features favorites from Lowcountry classics to French-inspired dishes, The crab salad is perfection: a tower of locally sourced jumbo lump crab meat, whipped avocado, and zingy golden tomato vinaigrette, topped with shatteringly thin shards of multigrain cracker The portions were plentiful and enough crab for two hungry people. Guests always return to try more from the menu in this light-filled cafe.

After lunch you might be lucky enough to join Catherine Woods, Director of Communications, for a tour of the property and their newly acquired Riviera Theater conveniently located across the street. This historical, revitalized art deco theater welcomes talented acts such as Jewel, Colbie Calliat and Christopher Cross.

Book into a Club Level rooms, which allows access to the Club Lounge. This enclave is a little slice of food and drink heaven with easy access to a quick, but hot breakfast with fresh coffee. Additionally, throughout the day there is a rotation of snacks offered, beer, wine, and cocktails are available later in the day. Families will feel at home with the spacious connected suite on the 8th floor not far from the on-site pool, but best of all, pets are welcome, with pet sitters on call, and custom designed doggy beds.

Those special perks aside, all the hotel’s 434 guest rooms enjoy glorious views over the city and have comfortable, traditional mahogany beds, free-standing armoires, Carrara marble shower with striking herringbone accents, and a refreshed color scheme of soft grays, subtle blues, and greens. The effect is one of tranquility. Be sure to notice the subtle wallpaper at each landing that was reproduced from a 19th-century map of Charleston.

On the top floor find the pool, spa, and fitness center. The hotel has arguably the best pool in the city, rain, or shine, thanks to its massive retractable glass roof and a steaming jacuzzi tucked within the clock tower. This is a family-friendly hotel, so if the echoes of joyful kids in the pool gets to be too much, one can just head outside to the V-shaped deck, grab a lounge chair and a cool drink from the self-misted bar on deck. A major highlight is the spa, where treatments are created with holistic, therapeutic practices and products are made to alleviate and rejuvenate. The light and soothing atmosphere immediately took my stress level down to a negative. With ten treatment rooms, two couple treatment rooms, all-natural Tata Harper skin products, and Butter London polish, it is the perfect way to relax.

Despite indulging in the libations each evening, many find themselves each morning at the doorway of their gym with friends old and new. This is no ordinary hotel gym. The gym at the Charleston Place has great equipment – including Peloton bikes to keep up that streak. It is spaciousness and stocked with an array of state-of-art equipment. Finish up with chilled towels, a selection of fresh fruit, and filtered waters nearby.

After sightseeing or shopping, enjoy a happy hour cocktail and wonderful charcutierie board at the in-house Art Gallery, Charleston Artist Collective. Nibble, taste champagne, and enjoy the works of artists such as John Duckworthm, Janie Ball, Susan Trott, and Anne Keane. In addition to this fantastic gallery, the first floor features high-end retailers like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, along with mall favorites like Soma and White House Black Market.

Try dinner at restaurant partner, SORELLE, where Southern Italy meets Southern hospitality. A restaurant, bar, and market located in the heart of Historic Downtown Charleston. This is BHC’s first stand-alone fine dining restaurant where guests can anticipate the same level of extraordinary service as they do at The Charleston Place. Do not skip the zeppole (a small Italian donut) topped with Petrosian caviar, of course accompanied by champagne.

Tyler Page Wright is the best guide to city. Join his personal History and Historic Gossip Storytelling walking tour. Feel the warm sun and take in the historic southern charm and beauty while strolling the historic alleyways and along the glittering waterfront. Your guide will fill the group in on the local Charleston gossip of both current and of days past. Ask her about the opening of the new International African Museum. She also recommended trying a hand at crabbing or an aquatic adventure kayaking on Shem Creek. There are even opportunities to visit the Ace Basin to search for oysters.

Be sure to dine in-house at The Charleston Grill listening to live-jazz- music, With advanced sommeliers, smoothly choreographed French-style service, this award-winning fine dining, gastropub cuisine, is a most delicious experience. A Charleston classic, the refined, award-winning Charleston Grill is renowned for its unparalleled dining experience and warm hospitality. Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Suzy Castelloe, who was mentored by Michelle Weaver, the seasonal menu showcases imaginative dishes that honor the purveyors of the South.

The hotel was hosts Charleston’s largest Easter egg hunt, which shuts down Market Street as participants searched for over 10,000 eggs. Managing Director Bob Megargle said in a press release. “We love working with the City of Charleston to create this magical event on Market Street for all members of the community to enjoy. We’ll have entertainment, a delicious brunch, food trucks, animals, visits from the Easter Bunny, and a huge Easter egg hunt. It is our hope that this continues to be an annual tradition for guests and locals alike.”

Before heading for the airport, pull up a barstool at The Thoroughbred Club. With its dark, rich walls, dim lighting, and beautifully upholstered furniture, it feels like walking onto a set of a Ralph Lauren photoshoot. The Charleston Place’s very own living room lounge is reminiscent of some of the finest clubs in the world. There is nightly live music and a well-traveled spirit selection. Their talented mixologists, paired with bespoke bites and desserts was the perfect way to end a stay.

The service and comfort at The Charleston Place were outstanding, the food on property, and the incredible location of the Charleston Place is ideal for exploring the city. Stately European elegance with a heap of Southern charm. the iconic luxury hotel in the heart of Charleston’s historic district will fulfill your every need, wish, and expectation for a relaxing, stylish, and educational visit.

The Charleston Place Hotel is a 2024 Conde Nast Gold List Winner. charlestonplace.com