French Quarter Inn

his is a pleasant hotel, but by no means “the best hotel in the U.S.” pleasant. The reputation seems driven more by strong marketing than by an exceptional guest experience. Overall, it feels overrated for the price. We stayed four nights between Christmas and New Year’s. Pros • Generally friendly staff. Most employees were courteous and helpful, though a few came across as somewhat snobbish or distant. Given how busy the holiday period was, I still count this as a positive overall. • Thoughtful add-ons. Complimentary wine and cheese, cookies, and a broad pillow menu are nice touches. If you enjoy boutique-style perks and are willing to pay a premium for them, you’ll likely appreciate these. • High-end in-room products. It’s clear they try to use upscale items. The hair dryer, in particular, stood out—easily the nicest I’ve ever seen in a hotel room, comparable to a Dyson. • Excellent location. Walking distance to most major sights in Charleston’s historic district, which is probably the hotel’s strongest selling point. Cons (Based solely on our experience; others may differ.) • Very inefficient valet service. There appeared to be essentially one person handling valet. We were told to expect a 5–10 minute wait, but 30 minutes later, guests who had requested their cars before us were still waiting. Because we were about to miss a scheduled activity, the front desk agent had to retrieve our car herself. We barely made it on time, and the situation was unnecessarily stressful. • Dated and poorly maintained room. Cabinet doors were misaligned, the fridge was noisy, the toilet constantly leaked, and the HVAC system was loud, with an abrupt burst of air every time it kicked on—even when set to auto or low. • Limited amenities. There’s no pool and no fitness center, which feels like a major omission at this price point. • Underwhelming breakfast. The complimentary breakfast was comparable to what you’d find at a suburban Marriott Courtyard. The dining area is also very small; we were never able to find a table that accommodated our group (four adults and two kids). Conclusion I can see why French Quarter Inn receives rave reviews: it’s well-suited for couples or casual travelers who value small luxury touches, personalized service, and plan to spend most of their time walking around historic Charleston. That said, it was not a good fit for us. We were traveling with two kids, wanted to explore areas outside the city, and prioritized comfort and amenities over boutique-style add-ons. For our needs, French Quarter Inn simply doesn’t deliver. At $500–$600 per night for a basic room, the value proposition falls short. Under different circumstances I might rate it three stars, but considering the price, I’d give it two stars

We had a WONDERFUL stay during Christmas week. We planned somewhat at the last minute and found restaurants booked for the holidays. By calling ahead a few days, Kimberly was able to step in and secure reservations at three terrific restaurants. Bob at the front desk really loves his job and did everything to make our stay feel welcome. We were treated to carolers and even Santa and Mrs. Claus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Eve. The hotel is in the ideal spot as a historical jumping off point of Old Charleston, walking tours, carriage rides and just strolling through neighborhoods. Rooms are large and comfortable, well appointed. The hotel is kind of like Goldilocks -- just the right sizer. Our son had stayed there a year ago and raved about the Inn. "Ditto" from us!

Great location center of downtown Charleston near the restaurants and lots of site seeing with in walking distance of the hotel. Also the bikes were a great amenity. Atmosphere is very relaxed and the staff are extremely accomodating, no detail has gone unnoticed in making the stay luxurious and relaxed. The breakfast, cheese and wine hour and cookie hour were all done so well. Staying here was such a pleasure. Best sleep I've had a hotel in a long time, the pillow options were really a nice touch. Reallly, everything was thought of and it's worth every penny. We are looking forward to our next visit. Left feeling more relaxed and rejevenated than we came.

We had a fabulous experience at this great hotel, for my wife’s Birthday and our 40 year anniversary. The hotel’s specialized services, for a flower arrangement, dinner reservations, a tour was superb. I have stayed at some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, especially in Dubai, and I can attest that this hotel is at par with them. We will come back!

We had a wonderful stay at the French Quarter Inn celebrating our wedding anniversary. We arrived well before check-in but decided to stop at the front desk to get parking recommendations (they have valet) and ask a few other questions. Kim and Neal at concierge were wonderful and arranged it so we could check in early. Additionally, when they found out it was our anniversary we were upgraded, which was unexpected and a lovely bonus. Champagne upon check in felt decadent and set the mood for being spoiled. Neal provided us with a few non-touristy routes around the city when we said it wasn't our first trip to Charleston. Kim was able to book a service for us, and everyone we met from the valet to housekeeping were very friendly and helpful. Our room was great with a view of the bridge and a small balcony. Everything was spotless and high quality. I ordered off their "pillow menu" to try a Buckwheat pillow, which I have been debating buying for home, so it was so fun they had that option! (yes, I'm going to get one now) Upon arriving back to our hotel after exploring the city (it's in a very convenient location) we found a bottle of champagne and a sweet note waiting for us. The hotel has a great breakfast, offers wine and appetizer evenings and warm cookies and milk. There are even more amenities that we didn't have time to try, as well as small little things here and there that really make it worth every penny. Overall, this is a beautiful hotel, in a great location with luxurious amenities. The helpful and friendly employees plus small personal touches made it a memorable trip.