My usual escapades in the Lowcountry of South Carolina take me to the fringes—Kiawah River, Mt. Pleasant and even a tent in the forest. I'm drawn to the untamed, like the thrill of hiking, kayaking and, occasionally chasing alligators. However, on a recent trip, my husband and I decided to embrace a different kind of adventure, a more refined one in the heart of Charleston. Our base was Emeline, a delightful boutique hotel nestled in downtown Charleston, known for its unique blend of modern comfort and vintage charm.
As we approached the hotel, its unassuming exterior gave no hint of the vibrant energy that awaited us. Stepping through the front door, we were greeted by a lively atmosphere. To our left, Clerks Coffee Company was abuzz with friends enjoying a fresh cup or a leisurely Sunday brunch, setting the tone for our stay.
We walked up the stairs to check in and were immediately offered a round of Plantar’s Punch, a Charleston favorite. We quickly dropped our bags off in our suite before tackling brunch at the hotel’s main dining establishment, Frannie and The Fox, a wood-fired eatery with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces. Tables were covered with sumptuous food offerings and pretty cocktails. I am a pizza connoisseur, and though not particularly brunchy, I had to sample one of their wood-fired pies. It did not disappoint.
For all the energy in Emeline's common areas, our suite was a quiet oasis. Once inside, we were sheltered from the bustling city and hotel noise. The little things make an overnight experience unique, and Emeline delivered those in spades. The linens were luxurious and quite spectacular. The suite was spacious and equipped with state-of-the-art technology with a vintage feel. The turntable and LPs were a nice touch.
We planned to walk the city, immerse ourselves in its history and architecture and maybe do a little shopping on King Street. The weather did not cooperate, so we punted and visited the South Carolina Aquarium, the perfect place to spend a rainy day (or a hot one) in Charleston. I got my wildlife fix, and we especially enjoyed watching the river otters frolic about.
For us, the highlight of any trip to Charleston is usually the food. In addition to our fabulous brunch at Frannie and The Fox, we indulged in a variety of cuisines at Virginia’s on King (southern fried chicken!), Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit and Page’s Okra Grill. Page’s is a favorite of ours near Shem Creek, and we hit it on our way out after a short beach day at Isle of Palms (less than 20 minutes from downtown Charleston).
Emeline was the perfect host. Its prime location allowed us to explore downtown Charleston on foot and enjoy the beach with just a short drive. We were within walking distance of any place we wanted to visit downtown and only a short drive to the beach. We enjoyed our stay there and will visit next time we return to the Holy City. Next time, we will bring our pooch, Roxie, as Emeline is extremely dog-friendly - their Pawsome Package includes a comfy bed and special dog treats made by their in-house pastry chef.