Belmond Charleston Place. Credit: Belmond Charleston Place
Sitting on the city’s iconic King Street, Belmond Charleston Place is a timeless gem in this historic South Carolina town. Boasting more than 400 spacious accommodations, it is the largest Belmond property in the world and, with a renowned restaurant, stylish Southern charm and live music seven nights a week, there’s a lot to love about this Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star retreat.
These are just a few of the reasons we’re checking into Belmond Charleston Place right now.
Charleston Grill. Credit: Sarah Chanin
The Food
In a city known for its cuisine, standing out can be a challenge. But the dining outlets at Belmond Charleston Place make this feat deliciously simple with a blend of classic and contemporary fare.
The undisputed crown jewel is the Four-Star Charleston Grill. Dark wood paneling, live jazz and a white-tablecloth-clad dining room exude elegance, while beautiful plates bursting with local flavor provide a sense of comfort. Don’t miss chef Michelle Weaver’s crab cakes — a longtime favorite — or any of her exquisite fish dishes.
For more casual fare, stop by Palmetto Café, a light and airy space serving breakfast and lunch daily. Weekend brunch is a must, with a bountiful buffet of Southern delights (like buttery stone-ground grits) and an à la carte menu of standards (try the Palmetto Omelet packed with crabmeat and lobster knuckles).
And when you’re just looking for a classic nightcap and a taste of something sweet, Thoroughbred Club offers delivers both alongside nightly live music.
The Club Lounge. Credit: Sarah Chanin
The Club Level
Capping off the storied Charleston stay is the two-story Club Level. Available exclusively by key card access, these seventh- and eighth-floor accommodations provide complimentary Wi-Fi and some of the best views of the city, but the pièce de résistance is the Club Lounge.
Perched on the eighth floor, the sophisticated spot has plenty of plush seats and a well-stocked marble bar, where gratis libations are poured daily from 5 to 10 p.m. (and 11 p.m. on weekends).
Your Club Level stay includes some sustenance as well. Nibble on a pleasant breakfast spread, inclusive of hot options, followed by afternoon tea, happy hour options (loaded potato skins and lobster mac and cheese were among the recent offerings), and decadent desserts after nightfall.
The Shops at Charleston Place
Even though King Street’s luxe shops are just steps from the property’s doors, you won’t have to leave the building to get in some retail therapy. Sprouting from the lobby are two marble hallways lined with outposts from international brands like Gucci, Kate Spade and L’Occitane.
Along this stylish alleyway, you’ll also find an Elysium Salon for a blowout as well as a few casual hangouts, such as the new Community Perk coffee shop and Meeting at Market pub, where 16 TVs air the day’s biggest games and 22 taps pour refreshing brews.
Riviera Theatre. Credit: Sarah Chanin
The Event Space
Not only is the 434-room luxury hotel one of the largest in the city, it also has 40,000 square feet of recently renovated event space. Taking up the entire second floor, the venue feels less like a banquet hall and more like the corridor of a graceful Southern estate, complete with crystal chandeliers, sky-blue wall paneling and classically patterned drapes over large, double-height windows.
With more than 20 meeting rooms of various sizes and a 14,000-plus-square-foot ballroom (to accommodate up to 1,700 of your closest friends), it’s no wonder the Four-Star property is one of Charleston’s most popular convention destinations.
But just in case the onsite space isn’t enough, Belmond also owns the art-deco-style Riviera Theatre across the street. Equipped with a ballroom, a screening room and even a rooftop terrace, this intimate spot is another crowd-pleaser.
Belmond Charleston Place’s Pool. Credit: Sarah Chanin
The Fourth Floor
Whether you’re looking to burn off those extra crab cakes or just to unwind, the fourth floor is where you want to be. In addition to housing the Charleston hotel’s imitate spa and boutique, the space has a spectacular salt-water mineral pool with a retractable sunroof and a Jacuzzi that beckons for a soak.
If you’d rather hit the gym, adjacent to the pool is a small but well-equipped fitness center with Peloton stationary bikes.
No matter what draws you here, don’t leave without savoring a sundowner or two on the floor’s terrace bar. Decked out in blue-and-white high-top tables, loungers and umbrellas, this picture-perfect place affords some of the best vistas over King Street and an Instagram-worthy backdrop for sunset selfies.
