Arrival/Check-In: I spent a long weekend in Charleston following a friend’s wedding on Folly Beach. As I arrived at Belmond Charleston Place well before check-in time, my room was not ready, so I ventured to brunch — a short walk down King Street that felt much longer when the skies opened up into a full-fledged storm. Needless to say, after a soggy meal I was relieved to receive a call from the hotel telling me my room was ready. I picked up my bags and keys and was on my way to my third-floor room in a matter of minutes.

Guest Quarters: My club-level guestroom, with an understated but elegant décor reminiscent of old-fashioned Southern charm, opened into a short hallway with the bathroom to the left. The marble-accented bathroom featured a spacious shower with a rainfall showerhead — my favorite. The in-room toiletries in club-level rooms are exclusive for the Belmond Charleston Place, and I was obsessed with the smell of the hand soap. I had to stop the door with the trashcan if I wanted to keep the bathroom door open.

As I was traveling with a friend, I requested a room with two double beds, which were exceedingly comfortable to sink into at the end of the day. A nightstand with ample lighting and outlets separated the beds, situated across from a credenza housing the minibar and flat-screen TV. A reading nook with two chairs and a desk rounded out the offerings.

Services/Amenities: The multiple award-winning Belmond Charleston Place shines when it comes to services and amenities. While my stay wasn’t long enough to include a visit to Charleston Grill, it is on the top of my to-do list for a return stay. The menu is divided into Executive Chef Michelle Weaver’s four inspirations: Southern, Pure, Lush and Cosmopolitan. The Palmetto Café serves American Lowcountry cuisine, while Thoroughbred Club offers a tapas-style menu and live music. Meeting at Market is an upscale pub.

The spa boasts 10 treatment rooms, a pool, a eucalyptus dry sauna and a fitness center. I think this will be my second stop next time I visit Charleston, right behind Charleston Grill. More than 40,000 square feet of recently renovated event space ranges from a grand ballroom to boardroom-style meeting rooms, suited to host weddings, corporate functions and everything in between.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ While the accommodations were tops, the real perk of my guestroom was the access to the club-level amenities, of which I made good use, including hot breakfast, afternoon snacks and cocktails.

◆ Belmond Charleston Place is perfectly situated for exploring the city, including King Street, the main thoroughfare, and I was happy to be able to take off on foot from the hotel to most of my planned activities — once the sun came out.

◆ In early 2016 the property completed a $34 million renovation of its guestrooms.

◆ Some of the many Shops at Belmond Charleston Place include Gucci, Kate Spade New York, Louis Vuitton and St. John.

Belmond Charleston Place

205 Meeting St.
Charleston, SC 29401
tel 843 722 4900
belmond.com