HHI and Charleston, SC

[disfan100]

DH and I will be at HHI in September. We want to visit Charleston, SC. Is this a day trip? In case it isn't, does anyone have any recommendations about where to stay in Charleston. Thanks!

 

[Candace]

Last summer, it took us about 2 hours to drive to Charleston from HHI. There are street signs when you enter the city which direct you to the visitor center. It's a wonderful city and I would like to go back and stay there sometime, there is so much to see. It made for a good day trip, however. You might want to stop by Charleston Place if you are downtown; it is one of the hotels in the Concierge Collection for DVC.

 

[Sammie]

The Best Western King Charles Inn is very nice, as the Embassy Suites.

 

[JudithM]

In Charleston, SC I would highly recommend the Holiday Inn at Marion Square or the relatively new Courtyard by Marriot near the marina.

I would NOT recommend the Francis Marion Hotel on Marion Square ...

 

[vanstoj]

Charleston Place is beautiful, but pricy. If you plan on staying overnight, I would look into some of the lovely bed and breakfasts that are in Charleston. You will get a real taste of the old south with them.

 

[JonHM]

Anyone have an opinion between these 3 hotels?

Best Western King Charles

Mills House

and the

Embassy Suites on meeting st.

My biggest concern, I guess, is that the embassy suites is further from everything that we walk to, like the market and the battery. Anyone have any comparative opinions on these 3?

 

[disfan100]

Thanks for all the replys! Does anyone have a bed & breakfast they would recommend? We have never been to Charleston and aren't really sure which areas within Charleston to look for lodging.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by JonHM
Anyone have an opinion between these 3 hotels?

Best Western King Charles

Mills House

and the

Embassy Suites on meeting st.

My biggest concern, I guess, is that the embassy suites is further from everything that we walk to, like the market and the battery. Anyone have any comparative opinions on these 3?

We walked from the Embassy Suites to the Battery and Market Square with no problem at all. The King Charles is just down the street toward Market Square, but not really enough to make a difference to me. The Mills House I have seen but can not remember the exact location compared to the other 2.

We loved the Embassy Suites and would stay there again. I have seen the other 2, they both get great reviews also. I like the ES for the larger room, great breakfast and the historical aspect that it is in the old Citadel.

I don't think you would go wrong with any of the 3. I know Fodors highly recommends the King Charles.

 

[kweaver]

Trip advisor shows several reviews for:

BW King Charles
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ng_Charles_Inn-Charleston_South_Carolina.html

Mills House
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ls_House_Hotel-Charleston_South_Carolina.html

Embassy Suites
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...tel_Charleston-Charleston_South_Carolina.html
(mixed reviews on this one)

I stayed at a nice hotel downtown years ago...cannot, for the life of me, remember what it was. Hawthorne Suites sticks in my head...but Expedia doesn't list it. If you get the chance, Charleston is a lot of fun.

(Hopefully it will be cooler in September. I was there in August...hot!)

 

[LovetoTigger]

I went to Charleston for a couple of days in May before heading to HHI. Originally I was planning on a day trip, too, but was glad I stayed overnight. It is about a 2 hour drive - further than I realized. I stayed at the Hampton Inn - Historic District on Meeting Street. It was very nice, staff was friendly, and it has a bigger/better than usual continental breakfast. It was not as close to the Market, etc. as other places (saw the Embassy Suite, Doubletree) but the walk was not that far and a pleasant one. Have fun! I can't wait to go back! Oh, try Sticky Fingers for ribs and BBQ on Meeting Street as well as other locations!

 

[Judique]

Originally posted by JonHM
Anyone have an opinion between these 3 hotels?

Best Western King Charles

Mills House

and the

Embassy Suites on meeting st.

My biggest concern, I guess, is that the embassy suites is further from everything that we walk to, like the market and the battery. Anyone have any comparative opinions on these 3?

The Mills House is only about 4 blocks from the Battery and maybe 3 to 4 blocks in the opposite direction from the Market area. It's been a few years since I stayed there, but it was fine, although I remember my room being fairly small. There was municipal parking right behind the hotel at the time, for something like $15 per night. The location is excellent, hence the price tag on the rooms. You can walk about a block or two and see historic homes, buy a sweetgrass basket, go to a catholic mass in a historic church, take a carriage ride or do a guided walking tour. There are some good restaurants in the area. Hyman's Seafood has great hush puppies and good fresh food. It is not fancy, just a good place to go, with reasonable prices. There seems to always be a line to get in, but it moves fast.

This is a fairly easy day trip from HH, but I prefer to do it as either a beginning or ending to my HH stays. It's about 90 miles, if you take the route through Beaufort. I'll be heading down there next weekend, and can't wait!

 

[Lesley]

I'll second the recommendation for Sticky Fingers....very good BBQ. We have 2 of them here in Columbia.

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by Lesley
I'll second the recommendation for Sticky Fingers....very good BBQ. We have 2 of them here in Columbia.

We, too, ate at Sticky Fingers in Charleston! And in columbia you also have my favorite - Maurice's!

 

[JudithM]

That Embassy suites was near us when we were at the Holiday Inn Marion Square & the Francis Marion Hotel. I have knne problems & use an ECV at WDW. I had no problems walking from our hotels to the Market & beyond. Enjoy your visit to Charleston!