Where to Stay in Charleston: Belmond Charleston Place
Belmond Charleston Place: Where Sophisticated Luxury Meets Southern Charm
There’s something special going on in the southern part of the United States right now that’s attracting travelers from around the globe for a myriad of reasons. A refreshing, modern revival has been hitting places that used to fly pretty under the radar for most travelers. A southern renaissance, if you will.
We’re seeing a rise of fresh and new fusion cuisines, exclusive and trendy restaurants, very unique local boutiques, and cocktail lounges that could rival those of Manhattan or London. Charleston, South Carolina has been one of the cities at the forefront of this incredible rebirth of the modern-day “south,” and it’s definitely not a city to be ignored. The cobblestone streets, the candy colored houses, and the quintessential southern charm all make for quite the fairytale destination—and it’s all located right here in our very own backyard.
After doing a little research on the city and getting an idea for where everything was, I knew I wanted to stay somewhere that was centrally located so that I could walk around as much as possible. You know me... I’m a city girl with a natural disdain for cars and driving. Give me my walking shoes, public transit, and taxis and I’m a happy girl!
The Belmond Charleston Place seemed to be the absolute perfect location for getting around town and seeing everything that I wanted to see. It was never more than a 10-15 minute walk to get anywhere I wanted in all of downtown Charleston, with many of the places I wanted to check out just literally steps from the front door. You really can’t get much better than that!
Arriving at the Resort – Location, Location, Location
Like I said, the prime location of Belmond Charleston Place is one of the hotel’s strongest attributes that set it apart from any other hotel in the city. Getting to the hotel from the Charleston Airport was a quick 20-minute drive (on a good day with hardly any traffic). Once you pull up to the hotel, the magnificent Quadriga Fountain greets you as you begin your stay.
Walking into the lobby felt like stepping into the luxurious mansion of your long-lost southern relatives. I’m not sure which one made me feel more cozy and at home first—the breathtaking spiral staircase fully decked out in holiday decorations (with an electric train chugging around the perimeter), or the warm hospitality of the concierge staff greeting me as I walked in.
Image courtesy of Belmond Charleston Place
*Notable Mention: The concierge staff is incredible, by the way... When I arrived, I told them I wanted somewhere trendy and local with great seafood to take my mom over the weekend and their recommendations were on point every single time. I never felt like I was heading into a tourist trap, which is the last thing I want when I’m traveling.
Modern Luxury and Urban Elegance Meets Southern Charm
There have been a small handful of times in my life where I’ve walked into a hotel suite and thought to myself, “Um...is this real life???” Stepping into my room at the Belmond Charleston Place was one of those moments.
The luxury accommodations and signature suites at Belmond Charleston Place are a perfect marriage of modern, sophisticated grandeur and old, southern style elegance. The entry hall of our suite led us into a grand living room that was full of bright, natural light and Charleston’s historic city views. The living room came with a smaller dining area attached, where I was able to enjoy a lovely breakfast while overlooking the city every morning.
As if it couldn’t get any better than that, the living room led to a set of French doors (yes, please!), which welcomed us into our spacious king-bedded room with an ensuite bathroom. The bathroom—which gave me total bathroom envy—included an Italian Carrara marble vanity and a walk-in rain head shower. One step into that shower and I felt like I could just stay there the whole time... It was quite relaxing (especially once you slip into one of their signature robes)!
One of my favorite conveniences of the room was the master controlled lighting, which was just on the side of the bed. One touch and you can control all the lights in the suite—which was really great for my lazy bum when I didn’t want to get out of bed :) It’s the little things, ya know?
How to spend your time here
Book a stay with access to the Club Level Lounge
Having access to this part of the hotel was what took my stay at the Belmond Charleston Place from great to EXCELLENT. On the top 2 floors of the hotel, there is an exclusive VIP Club Lounge for guests who are staying on the 7th and 8th floors (or guests with suites that permit access) to enjoy 24 hours a day.
What’s included in the lounge, you ask? Oh, just breakfast, snacks, high tea with little sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres, and dinner appetizers... Oh, and also complimentary cocktails and beverages. Yes...all of that. All day.
You have 2 spacious floors to come, kick back, eat, drink, relax, and take in the views of Charleston (especially gorgeous views of the city at sunrise and sunset from the club level). AND the food menu changes on a daily basis, so you’ll always be getting new tasty treats up there! I made it my ritual to go there basically before and/or after every meal to enjoy a glass of wine or some appetizers. It was simply divine.
I highly encourage booking a stay on the Club Level for the sole purpose of getting to enjoy this lounge every day. It is worth every penny. And a special shout out to the staff up there that made each visit to the lounge an absolute delight! These guys are seriously awesome!
Spend some time at the pool and rooftop area
The pool at Belmond Charleston Place looks like something fresh out of a Greek mythology textbook. Something about the large, white pillars on both sides of the pool and bright, open skylight make this room marvelously irresistible.
If you want to catch an incredible view of King Street, head to the rooftop area to catch a glimpse at any time of the day. There are even lounge chairs, tables, and an outdoor bar and grill area for guests to enjoy during their visit. If anything, you should at least head up there to grab a picture of the cute and colorful buildings along King Street.
Do some shopping
If you’re looking to shop and splurge a little bit on your trip, consider taking a look through the shops downstairs on the main floor of the lobby. There are luxury boutiques, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and a few mid-range ones, such as White House/Black Market or Tommy Bahama. If this is the sort of thing you’re into when you travel, then you’re in luck because it’s right downstairs in the hotel! No need to travel too far.
Other notable mentions:
Spa and Gym
Located on the same floor as the pool, the spa and gym area offers a great escape into the tranquil oasis that this hotel has to offer. Book a massage or beauty treatment during your stay, or hit the gym to work off all that delicious southern food (like shrimp and grits) you’ll be eating.
Dine at the many Restaurants
Charleston is becoming widely known as a being an epicenter of food culture in the south (Top Chef, anyone?), so it comes as no surprise that Belmond Charleston Place has its own gourmet cuisine right on site.
Right on the first floor, you’ll find the Charleston Grill, which I particularly loved in the evening times to sip on some cocktails and listen to live jazz music. Just around the corner from that is The Palmetto Cafe, which has an incredibly gorgeous garden-style courtyard just along side their bright, spacious indoor dining room. It’s a great place for weekend brunch if you don’t want to venture out too far.
Also located within the hotel grounds is Meeting at Market, an upscale pub for those looking to relax with a beer and burger while watching a game. Their menu does offer a slightly elevated take on traditional bar food, which makes total sense considering the upscale amenities of the rest of the hotel.
Guests can also enjoy tapas and drinks at the Thoroughbred Club, or order an assortment of appetizers and hors d’oeuvres with afternoon tea (for parties of 10 or more). You’re definitely taken care of when it comes to dining and drinking here!
Book a Tour
Belmond Charleston Place offers their guests the convenience of booking tours and excursions right with the concierge. You can browse their itineraries, visit the historic sites or plantations, or even play a round of golf. You can book these services once upon your arrival with the hotel or on their website right here if you’re a current guest.
Good to Know information
Like I said earlier, Belmond Charleston Place is within perfect walking distance to just about anywhere you want to go in the downtown Charleston area. You will not need a car to get around from the hotel. You have King Street, the waterfront, and all kinds of historic areas literally just steps away from the front door.
If walking isn’t your jam, you can always use ride share apps like Lyft to get around just fine!
Use the concierge for recommendations on places that you’re interested in going, seeing, or eating at. I’m telling you—they were absolutely on point with all the places they told us to check out!
Overall, I really loved my time at Belmond Charleston Place. The hotel's location is absolutely perfect for getting around anywhere you need, the staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgable about the city, and the conveniences and amenities of the hotel made me feel cozy and right at home. It doesn't get much better than that! I would highly recommend this urban, luxury experience to anyone traveling through Charleston and look forward to returning one day myself!
Belmond Charleston Place
205 Meeting Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS HOTEL, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
Thank you to Belmond Charleston Place for hosting our stay. And a special thank you to all of the incredible staff members who made our visit spectacular. This post may include affiliate links, which comes at absolutely no cost to you. All proceeds go directly back into maintaining this website and making it better for you.All opinions are my own.
