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Welcome to our weekend getaway recap at the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina! It’s no secret that Charleston is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country, and top rated amongst foodies. Travel & Leisure readers have voted it the best city in the country for six years in a row now, and I’m right there with them! Being that it’s literally in Charlotteans backyard (it’s a little over a three hour drive from us), I’ve spent quite some time eating, sleeping and exploring my way around the Holy City. So much so, Shane and I even got married in Charleston! See our wedding details here.
Today I will be walking you through where we stayed, what we ate, things to see and do, where to shop and what to wear! Charleston is the perfect place for a weekend trip, and here is why:
As mentioned above, I’ve spent a lot of time in hotels in Charleston but the Belmond Charleston Place is truly one of a kind and probably my favorite hotel stay in the city thus far. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a beautiful bronze fountain, marble floors, a Georgian staircase and staff who truly understand the southern mentality (Jimmy was fantastic in helping us with our bags/check-in).
Rooms // No matter what room type you book, you can expect the finest luxury. Each room is equipped with Carerra marble vanities, a cozy reading nook and a large armoire for storing your clothes. We stayed in a club level room this go around and if you have the option, I highly recommend going this route! These rooms are located on the 7th and 8th floors and give you access to the Club Lounge. Wondering what that means? The Club Lounge offers all day complimentary food and beverage service, including a fully stocked bar, continental breakfast, tea, appetizers and desserts. Essentially, you never need to leave the hotel for food with this option! It was amazing.
Believe it or not, this small city is home to world famous chefs, and restaurants that have been around long before my existence. Despite my many trips to Charleston, I still haven’t tasted all the flavors Charleston has to offer because the food scene is just that good! Every corner, and every street is lined with the best low country cuisine I’ve ever tasted. However, I have definitely hit the big hitters and can recommend tourist and local favorites alike. Here’s what we tried out this trip:
Hanks Seafood – number 1 seafood spot in Charleston
Magnolias – get the shrimp & grits
Rise Coffee Bar
Basic Kitchen – try the Avo Toast & Carrot Juice
Belmond Charleston place also has two great restaurants on site if you’re looking to hang around the hotel! I heard the brunch at Palmetto Cafe is fantastic. For additional Charleston restaurant recommendations by yours truly, check this blog post.
Great food isn’t the only thing Charleston has to offer for a weekend getaway! The city is packed with activities of all sorts. If this is your first time visiting, here are my recommendations on what to see and do over the weekend to get the most out of your experience:
Take a walk down King Street and explore the local antique and home goods stores – it’s walkable from the Belmond!
Walk over to Rise Coffee Bar – grab an iced latte, Charleston is hot.
While you’re out, venture over to the Vendue or Stars Rooftop for happy hour – The views are awesome!
Or, grab a drink at the Clocktower Terrace at the Belmond before dinner – If you prefer to hang at the hotel before dinner and still want the views – great rooftop vistas and snacks.
Take a Rickshaw to dinner – this will give you a little tour of Charleston’s historic homes and the riverfront.
Eat dinner on East Bay Street –You’ll find some of Charleston’s finest eateries on this street.
Visit a plantation – I recommend Boone Hall, Magnolia Plantation, or Middleton.
If your into food, try the Chefs Tour of Charleston – go behind the scenes with Charleston’s most renowned chefs.
Take a walk on Rainbow Row – one of Charleston’s most iconic streets lined with pastel colored homes
Stroll through the Battery – features beautiful historic oak trees and multi-million dollar waterfront homes.
Head to the beach – I recommend Folly beach, it’s about a 25-30 minute drive from downtown but has lots of fun beach bars, and local fare.
Take a late night dip in Belmonds heated pool – don’t feel like leaving? Belmond Charleston Places pool is heated year round!
End the weekend with a trip to the market – If you’re doing this on a Saturday, head to Marion Square! If you’re doing this on a Sunday, check out the market off Meeting Street.
Summer in Charleston is hot! Pack your sandals for exploring the markets and downtown, and switch over to a strappy heel or wedge for the evening hours. Charleston also has a ton of cobblestone, so be mindful of the heel thickness! Flirty dresses and rompers are encouraged for night life, but the day time vibe is pretty casual. Think shorts and a cute tank! You definitely want something light and airy to combat the sweltering day time heat. Evenings typically cool down to the low 70’s, so ankle pants and a cute blouse are appropriate too!
So there you have it friends, the perfect weekend guide for a trip to Charleston! We couldn’t have been more impressed with the service and amenities at the Belmond Charleston Place, which is key for setting the tone of your trip. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re in the market for a stay, and know we will be back again in the near future!
Photography By Rachel Red Photography
*In partnership with the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel. As always, all opinions are my own.
