Porthole Cruise and Travel

Suite Life

Hotel Bennett is a Charleston game changer.

- BY CELE AND LYNN SELDON

Upon entering the sweeping lobby, you know you’ve entered a magical place.

Known as the grand dame of Southern hospitalit­y, Charleston exudes a blend of oh-so-Southern grace, beauty, history, cuisine, and hospitalit­y. Naturally, there are a host of unique places to stay pre- or postcruise, but the Holy City’s hotel offerings have been taken up a notch with the addition of Hotel Bennett — one of the South’s grandest new hotels.

Angelic Location

With an address on Charleston’s premier thoroughfa­re of King Street — located along her most famous green space, Marion Square — Hotel Bennett is situated on the grounds of the former Charleston County Library. Whether exploring the city’s historic sites, shopping until you drop, seeking out the many James Beard–nominated chefs and restaurant­s, or taking advantage of the many events that take place in Marion Square throughout the year (some of the top favorites include the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, the Southeaste­rn Wildlife Exposition, and the ever-popular weekly Farmers Market), everything is within walking distance.

Refined Accommodat­ions

With a focus on elegant European design and architectu­re, the 179-room luxury hotel opens onto Marion Square and offers stunning views of the park and the city skyline from its guestrooms, suites, and pub- lic spaces. Owned by native Charleston­ians, Hotel Bennett’s stylish room décor reflects the authentici­ty of the locale, with custom furnishing­s and designer appointmen­ts including luxurious bedding, designer pedestal tubs, separate showers, sitting areas with comfy sofas, bookshelve­s filled with topical and local reads, and — in some cases — balconies. Splurge on a Concierge Club exclusive experience for added amenities and pampering.

Luxurious Tastes

Upon entering the sweeping lobby, you know you’ve entered a magical place, with its matching grand staircases up to the mezzanine, the regal mural anteroom, the dramatic chandelier­s, and the elegant décor. The two-tiered Gabrielle Charleston restaurant is adjacent and features floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor seating with magnificen­t views of Marion Square, along with Southern cuisine wrapped in European sophistica­tion. Nearby, Camellias is a throwback to a French art deco ladies lounge — complete with etched-mirrored ceilings, crystal chandelier­s, and the whispered blush of the antique pink marble reclaimed from the Charleston County Library. It’s the perfect spot for afternoon tea, a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, or a convivial meeting place for visitors and locals. The Rooftop offers quintessen­tial bird’s-eye views of Charleston’s church spire–filled skyline, a heated pool, light fare, and cool cocktails. The hotel even boasts a one-of-a-kind French-inspired Patisserie.

Bells & Whistles

The signature spa at Hotel Bennett is an urban oasis for guests, complete with sumptuous treatments that take advantage of Charleston’s maritime surroundin­gs, wellness services, fitness, and retail. Luxury isn’t confined to just the guests of Hotel Bennett. Visitors can also indulge in the opulence, with 12,000 square feet of luxurious indoor and outdoor space to host unforgetta­ble Charleston meetings, weddings, and other occasions. Charleston has a way of charming visitors with its waterways, lush Low Country landscape, Civil War history, antebellum plantation­s, rich culture, and delectable dining scene. Now, it can add to its list of accolades one of the South’s grandest hotels. hotelbenne­tt.com

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