Hotel Bennett - Charleston
I would start off with a list of awards, but honestly, they would take up the entire page. Charleston’s historic Hotel Bennett is considered the most charming stay in the Holy City. With a rich heritage, Southern charm, and the spirit of the native Charlestonians, this magical hotel is a classy, divine getaway in South Carolina.
Hotel Bennett really has all the things. Rooftop bar? Got it. Afternoon Tea in an all pink Alice in Wonderland oval room? Something I never knew I needed so much, they got it. Pool? Yep. Excellent dining, brunch, cocktails, and wine? The list really does go on and on.
The charming European-inspired architecture is just a start. The hotel layout makes it easy to get in and out of the rooms, straight to valet, and you’re welcomed by a gorgeous staircase and huge arrangement of flowers upon a marble, limestone, tile, and copper entrance.
It’s incredibly unique and everything is clean, pristine, and to-the-nines.
The rooms are bright, almost like you’re visiting a rich Aunt in the South who makes you feel really special and gets all new bedding just for your stay.
You can tell that the interior designers had the word “refreshing” in mind. Blues, greys, books, and bright white. I appreciate the contrast between the rooms and the pool area/deck because the rooftop bar has a much moodier “Charleston nightlife” feel. If I revisit Charleston, you’ll most likely find me up there again for the signature cocktails. There are not many pools with views, but you can see the expanse of the city every which way on the Hotel Bennett rooftop.
Highly suggest making Charleston your next big trip!… Oh, and staying at Hotel Bennett, of course.
Something that stands out from the dozens of hotels The Wine Shutter has reviewed was the exceptional professionalism of service, but it doesn’t stop there. They weren’t cold and dry, they weren’t distant and stuck-up… they were actually fun, engaging, and personable. It’s a hard mix to master, but Hotel Bennett did it well. When Dasha and I arrived, we had a stack of 15 beachy hats towering above our luggage cart. The man at the front desk laughed and joked with us and then when we returned back to the lobby all “done-up” for high tea, we murmured “we clean up well, right?” and he laughed with us like we were old friends.
Let’s talk about high tea. Or, I guess the PC way to say it is “afternoon tea,” nowadays.
Camellias is the literal dream. I respected a few unique qualities about the experience, like the fact that they brought out all savory first, then all sweet on a different platter (you know, it’s hard to keep little sandwiches and crumpets in line when you’re busy enjoying sparkling pink rose!). The room was intimate but stunning. There was a couple enjoying a glass of wine in the room without the tea as well, which I loved. Maybe you just want to stop in for a drink without the whole sha-bang! Our server was from Seattle, so it was fun to go back and forth about what a year it had been for the PNW--- rough!
