Belmond Charleston Place

Belmond, owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton as of 2019, is one of the world’s most iconic and well-respected hospitality providers. If you ask me, they are the blueprint for luxury travel experiences. I’ve always dreamed of traversing Europe via their Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, and the Belmond hotel was our first choice when we visited Venice, Italy, back before I really started writing about our travels. I was thrilled when they wanted to work with me during our travels to Charleston, South Carolina. A visit to Belmond Charleston Place is a vacation in and of itself, so allow me to introduce you to all that they offer in this elegant Lowcountry hideaway.

Belmond Charleston Place

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Address: 205 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29401
Rating: 5-Star Hotel
Staff Helpfulness & Friendliness: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Room Amenities: 5/5
Room and Bed Comfort: 5/5
Valet Parking: Yes
Pool & Hot Tubs: Yes
Golf Course: Affiliated with Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course
Spa: Yes, The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place
Proximity to Other Points of Interest: 5/5

Arrival at Belmond Charleston Place

We drove from Washington, D.C., straight into Charleston, and arrived around 11 pm. We parked outside of the hotel, near Quadriga, the statue fountain of four horses and bird of prey made of bronze, and the hotel’s staff immediately sprang into action, helping us load our bags onto a bag trolley, which they brought directly to our room for us, guiding us to the check-in desk, and parking our car for us. It was entirely effortless on our part, and all we had to do was be swept along up into our room. Overall, the check-in process took less than a couple of moments, and before we knew it, we were in our room, getting ready for bed after a long day of sightseeing and driving.

Ambience of Belmond Charleston Place

The hotel has a very coastal feel to it, with cool white Italian marble tiles covering the flooring and a massive Georgian-style, open-arm staircase, which looks to be hugging the large crystal chandelier in the center of the hotel’s lobby.

Around the hotel, verdant tropical plants add a touch of comfort to the elegant and sophisticated hotel lobby. Blues, creams, and white are the primary colors around Belmond Charleston Place, and it’s one of the most striking and inviting color palettes I’ve seen within a hotel.

Beyond the staircases lies another entrance to the King Street side of the hotel, which opens up to an incredible shopping experience at the Shops at Belmond Charleston Place. Shops include Gucci, Louis Vuitton, St. John’s, Tommy Bahama, local artisans, and many others, all accessible from the hotel.

Behind the staircase are the elevators which lead guests up into the 8-story tower that’s not quite visible from the street level. Once we stepped off the elevator, I instantly fell in love with the custom map-printed wallpaper that’s in the hallways in the guest areas. Featuring Charleston Harbor, Mount Pleasant, Cape Roman, the Isle of Palms, Charleston proper, and beyond, the wallpaper lends a sense of charm and adventure to the hallways.  Seeing this made me want to wallpaper our Connecticut home with map-printed wallpaper too!

Overall, the hotel felt so inviting and refreshing, particularly after a long drive or a day sightseeing under the Charleston sunshine. Everything was spotless the entire time we were there, and the staff were so kind, knowledgeable, and helpful that it seemed as though we had our own personal team of assistants ready to help us at the drop of a hat. It was an incredible experience.

Our Room & Its Amenities 

Our Premier King Room with a balcony overlooked Charleston and the hotel’s courtyard area and gave us an incredible view of Charleston Harbor, the city, and beyond. Standing on the balcony, with a cup of hot tea in hand, watching the sunrise over the Holy City was a true delight I won’t soon forget.

The room had a king bed, a large armoire, dresser, writing desk & chair, as well as a table and chairs in the sitting area, all of which gave us plenty of space to relax whenever we were back in our room. Despite being somewhat near King Street in our room, we didn’t hear any street noise, nor did we ever hear other guests in the hotel. This delightful tranquility, paired with the indulgent comfort of our room, meant we slept soundly every night of our stay.

Our room also had Italian marble in the bathrooms, and a large walk-in shower with large rainfall showerheads, and a marble nook for toiletries like shampoo & conditioner and a razor. The hotel’s towels were also so plush and soft; I would love to know where they found those or if they sell them because even though it may be a strange thing to remark on, they were incredible. This shows that Belmond puts so much care into every aspect of the hotel and the guest experiences they curate.

Everything about our accommodations was so superb that we were tempted to stay in our room rather than going out to explore. When out and about in the city, I sometimes suddenly remembered how wonderful everything about Belmond Charleston Place was, and I’d be struck with this urge to go back and take a nap or relax. Of course, I was in town to see and do as much as possible, so spending the day lounging around simply wasn’t in the cards for us. However, if we ever want a “staycation,” this hotel is at the top of our list for a home away from home.

Upon arrival to our hotel room on our second day in Charleston, I found several Louis Vuitton bags waiting for me on the bed, a surprise for me organized between my husband and the Louis Vuitton store located within Belmond Charleston Place. I had been on the hunt for their Medium Agenda for some time now, but it’s been sold out for ages, and I’ve been in the market for a new, compact wallet (I like to travel light), and they surprised me with both! Should you wish to surprise a loved one (or pamper yourself) with something from the shops, Belmond Charleston Place can help arrange to have your purchases delivered to your room and truly delight the recipient.

The Art of Gastronomy 

In addition to convenient shopping, a fantastic location right downtown, and incomparably comfortable accommodations, Belmond Charleston Place offers numerous exquisite dining options, all without having to leave the property. Check back over the next few days as my dining guides go live, and explore more in-depth what we enjoyed at each of the hotel’s restaurants.

Charleston Grill

We had a phenomenal meal at Charleston Grill. Live musicians and a singer serenaded us throughout our meal. Our table by the courtyard meant we could enjoy the beautiful variety of plants thriving in the square that sits in the middle of the restaurant and The Shops Belmond Charleston Place. Everything we ate here was out of this world and very representative of Lowcountry fare. I can’t wait to share the entire meal with you in my dedicated post about Charleston Grill, which I have linked here.

Palmetto Café

This darling café occupies the courtyard space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows visible from Charleston Grill and The Shops at Belmond Charleston Place. If dining al fresco doesn’t entice you, step into Palmetto Café’s indoor restaurant space, with generous skylights, trickling fountains, and an abundance of lush plants for a luxuriant dining experience.

We savored an incredible brunch here, our last taste of Charleston before we headed home, and it was the perfect Lowcountry send-off to keep us satisfied as we headed home from the Holy City.

Once my full breakdown of this incredible brunch is live on my website, I’ll link to it here, so please keep an eye out and sign up for updates should you wish to be notified of new posts.

24-Hour In-Room Dining

Most hotels & resorts cut off in-room dining after a certain time, but Belmond Charleston Place certainly doesn’t. Check out their extensive in-room dining menu, and order a snack or a full meal anytime of day or night. Be sure also to explore their in-room welcome amenities list, which is an awesome surprised for a loved one, or yourself, particularly after a long day of traveling or exploring the city.

Experiences 

Belmond is famous for their curated experiences. They can make just about anything happen, from arranging for private sailing excursions with a custom-planned picnic basket and bike rentals once you reach your destination to private tours of exclusive historical sites. If you can dream it, they can plan it for you. They offer several delightful experiences that help guests plunge headfirst into all Charleston has to offer. Here are some of the coolest experiences.

Anchored in History

Sail to Middleton Place and learn about the history of the area and the waterways while you wind your way to the storied grounds. Upon arrival, Belmond’s team will pick guests up in a horse-drawn carriage. An expert historian will accompany participants, informing them about the good, the bad, and everything in between in the area. At the end of the tour of Middleton Place’s 300 acres, a private tasting experience awaits, handcrafted from farm-to-table.

Charleston is Your Oyster

Part sailing adventure, part environmental science education, and part cooking class, learn about the lifecycle and sustainability of Lowcountry oysters, all from a privately chartered boat that travels up and down the estuary creeks of South Carolina.

Other Bespoke Experiences

Rent a bike with a custom plotted historical tour for you and your travel companions and explore Charleston by bike, all while sneaking in a workout. Speaking of tours, let Belmond’s team know what you’re interested in seeing and doing, and they can custom craft itineraries that include all of the things to see and do in Charleston that best suit your interests. Feeling like a picnic? Belmond’s chefs will prepare a picnic basket for you and your travel companions to take to a local park, beach, or garden to enjoy some of Charleston’s best cuisine, all without having to lift a finger.

To learn more about their experiences and how to reserve one today, click here.

The Spa at Charleston Place

If you’re a regular reader, you know that one of the ways I get to know a place (and recuperate from walking 15+ miles a day when I travel) is by visiting a spa and checking out their local specialty spa services. Belmond Charleston Place’s spa, The Spa at Charleston Place, was an oasis of relaxation and healing. When I entered, I felt a bit haggard from packing our days with as many adventures as we could. Still, I left feeling completely rejuvenated, energized, and ready to continue our expedition.

The spa uses a sophisticated blend of high-performance botanicals and clinically proven techniques to pamper guests on a molecular level. Experience a wide array of therapeutic massages, each with its own unique spin and set of benefits, reflexology, facials, microdermabrasion, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and even spa treatments for children with the most discerning tastes. If you’re unsure which treatment option is best for you, give their spa a call at (843) 937-8522, and their staff will give you a complimentary consultation over the phone to help you book the treatments that best suit your needs.

My husband and I indulged in a couple’s treatment, and I can’t wait to share our experience with you in my upcoming post in my Luxury Spas of the World vertical. Please check back often because once that post goes live, I will link to it here.

After your spa services, or before, indulge in the hotel’s saltwater pool and hot tubs or enjoy a nourishing treat at the hotel’s rooftop bar & snack lounge, The Clocktower Terrace.

Final Thoughts on Belmond Charleston Place

Belmond Charleston was one of the most perfect and most hospitable hotel visits we’ve ever enjoyed. Throughout the duration of our stay, while within the confines of the hotel, we didn’t want for anything, nor did we need to lift a single finger. The staff were attentive and somehow managed to anticipate our needs, and they always seemed one helpful step ahead of us, ready to lend a hand without us ever needing to ask for assistance. The food here was some of the best we had in the city, which is really saying something because Charleston is widely regarded as one of the best culinary destinations in the United States and the entire world.

Our stay was everything I expected from Belmond and so much more. If you’re looking for the perfect place to set up base camp during your exploration of the Charleston Area, I can’t recommend Belmond Charleston Place highly enough. By staying here, you’ll quickly come to realize why so many people, ourselves included, plan their travels around where Belmond hotels are located. Hospitality doesn’t get any better than this.

See more travel adventures on my Instagram @AnnieFairfax.

Thank you to Belmond Charleston Place, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and Explore Charleston for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions, photographs, and text are of my own creation.