The Charleston Place

In more serious Hotel-Management schooling, they tell you that the first 10 minutes of a clients arrival are the most important for the guest to make an impression. The Charleston Place never attended Hotel-Management-School. This was my second and last stay at the hotel and other guests need to be aware that what shines from the outside may not all be so inside, this is particular try for this hotel. Upon checkin, there was a long line of guests checking in, it was a busy afternoon. The reception offered glasses of drinks for guests. One of the receptionists responsible for checkin was more involved giving a family who had already kept everyone up for the last 20 minutes second and third refills (management, check the tapes at checkin) to the family with some members being clearly underage. After longer than endurable wait, management decided to call others to help with checkin. Our corner suite with balcony (this was booked) was not ready, it was not 4pm yet and I would bet messages when the room was ready to pick up keys. Number and email address were taken. Shortly before 4 I called the hotel as I had no news about the room, telephone operator told me that I would be contacted. At about 30 minutes after the time I should be given a key for my suite - still no keys. After speaking to management about my frustration and went into the back room and did not come out for another longer wait. Finally, I received my keys, but for a room I did not book. Really a humiliating experience with this hotel. Not a redo.

Unfortunately, we have the displeasure of staying at this hotel currently for two nights. This is a hard pass for travelers to Charleston and there are certainly better options. First, the hotel is under construction. We did not know that as no one at reservations told us upon booking. No pool. Revised entrance. Club "access" has been moved. First, the staff, upon calling is unable to accurately tell you where to go for valet parking. After driving all day, we spent 20 minutes on the phone with staff who were really struggling with guiding us into the entrance. GPS does not accurately bring you to the address and the staff just wants to give you this incorrect address and be done with you. Very frustrating. Then, upon arrival, the bell staff left our luggage in the lobby and we just took it upon ourselves to grab it and take it to the room. The "reimagined" double is not worth the extra charges. Very nice but overpriced and small. You can hear your neighbors and those in the hall. The club lounge is not a lounge but an old suite that has been revived to act as a lounge during constructions. Not worth it. Hard to find as you wind through passages on the 4th floor and the offerings are just okay. Save the money and pay for options withing walking distance. The concierge folks are very nice but absolutely unhelpful. I spoke to one prior to coming and one in person and they can only push their property restaurants and generalities. No real assistance at all and very disappointing. Just do it yourself. Everyone is very nice but I really regret this stay as there were surely better luxury options and at this price, with the aforementioned shortcomings, the stay was a one star. I just want everyone to know and consider as you book.

Before choosing to stay here, understand all the included items as you may be disappointed to know everyone walking through the hotel will receive the same amenities, yet you are paying for them.

Valet was a major pain point during our stay and I felt bad for the valet guys. There were a lot rude guests that ended up taking precedence over my family when it came to the valet stuff and all we got were apologies. When we are told to wait and wait and it takes about 30 minutes or more for a valet guy to get our car, but then other guests get out of their cars and leave them unattended while we are following the rules and procedures is not the best look. Especially when these guests are being extremely rude, but my family just sat in our car and watched our mpg drop from 25 to 17 says a lot for how long we were in idle for and the one night my family needed to get to a reservation which they were 10 minutes late for which was fine thankfully. Check out and check in usually takes a while whenever we stay which is somewhat frustrating but I just stay patient and feel bad for the front desk people because again there are rude guests. Pool not being opened is disappointing since this has been our 2nd time staying this year and last year the pool was closed when we stayed in December. We have made this somewhat of a tradition over the last few years. Hearing the spa is going away for the next couple or few years is disappointing too since my daughter and I use the spa as a tradition too. I feel bad for the people who work at the hotel at the end of the day because it is not their fault the renovations are taking longer than anticipated and all of the employees seem to be working extremely hard. I love this hotel ever since my family started going to it in the early 90s so there is definitely sentimental value. The hotel has a lot going for it but this past visit my family and I were just disappointed in the pool not being finished, hearing the spa is going away, and valet.

This was our family staycation for the second year in a row. The Christmas decor and event offerings were wonderful and the food at the Club Level was delicious. We also had a very friendy bellman and overall ths staff was kind and accomodating. However, we were very disappointed with that the check-in was over an hour late (and for a one night stay this was a lot of time and didn't give us much time to change for our evening activities) and valet service to leave took an hour for the car to come around.