Advisor, Jennifer Templeton, recently spent a weekend in Charleston, a city she truly loves. Jennifer had the privilege of staying at a true boutique gem, The Dewberry Charleston. She immersed herself in the timeless elegance and southern hospitality that define The Dewberry experience and make Charleston what it is!
Why She Went:
Charleston is a place that is very near and dear to my heart for many reasons. Not only is it the place where my husband and I said our “I do’s”, but Charleston is a beautiful and charming city with so much to offer. Being a lover of the water and of great food and wine, the quick and easy 1.5 hour drive from Columbia to The Holy City is an obvious go-to for me!
Getting There:
Getting to the The Dewberry in Charleston is incredibly easy. While drivable for many who live in South Carolina or nearby big cities, such as Charlotte or Savannah, the Charleston International Airport has several direct flights from many major cities across the US, including NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas Fort Worth – just to name a few! Once landing in Charleston, The Dewberry is less than 20 minutes from the airport.
This stylish hotel is conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Charleston. Its location, which borders Marion Square, allows for easy, walkable access to King Street (only one block away), many historical landmarks, and several amazing restaurants- all while being able to maintain a quiet and luxurious ambiance.
Where She Stayed:
The Dewberry, which opened in 2016, was originally a federal landmark dating back to 1964. Today, it is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. Upon entering this stunning home away from home, you are greeted by immaculate, custom marble flooring and floor to ceiling warm, wood paneling. The ambiance creates a sleek, yet inviting vibe, all while honoring the history of the original building.
This boutique hotel houses 154 beautiful and perfectly crafted guest rooms and suites. The owner, John Dewberry, collaborated with designers and architects from near and far to ensure that each piece of this hotel was curated from the best sources found during his personal travels, including marble from Vermont, bed linens and mattress imported from Ireland, and custom designed armoires featuring their signature pattern (which includes a dewberry plant). Each room also features floor-to-ceiling windows, a rarity in downtown Charleston, allowing for plenty of natural light and views of the historic downtown.
The rooms are fitted with flat-screen TV’s, a locally curated minibar, plush bathrobes and signature Dewberry toiletries, featuring their custom made scent. The Dewberry signature aroma is an incredible combination of full-bodied berries, botanicals, and warm woodsy spice. This quickly became my new favorite smell, and I most certainly purchased several of their products to take home with me! During my visit, I had the pleasure of staying in their one bedroom suite. I loved the separate living room, spacious bathroom, and stunning view overlooking Marion Square.
The hotel also offers several fun amenities for hotels guests, including but not limited to a spa, fitness studio with Peloton bikes, complimentary bicycles that can be used to explore downtown Charleston and full concierge services.
What She Did:
I’d venture to say Charleston is a great place to visit for just about anyone. If you are a history-buff, food and wine connoisseur, architectural aficionado or lover of the water (or even none of the above!), you will be hard pressed to NOT find something in Charleston to enjoy.
During my stay at The Dewberry, I got to experience the well known Citrus Club. The Citrus Club is a gorgeous rooftop bar located on the 8th (and top) floor of the hotel. It has an indoor space as well as a large outdoor terrace with unbeatable views of historic downtown. Did you know the Citrus Club is the highest rooftop in Charleston?! Also, while you can often expect a wait during peak hours to get into the sought after cocktail bar (seating is first come, first serve), The Dewberry gives all hotel guests first priority for entry. At the Citrus Club you can find a menu of delicious light bites (the crispy brussel sprouts & crispy pina colada shrimp were my favorites), hand-crafted cocktails (I am still drooling over the spicy coconut margarita!), wine and zero-proof options.
Prior to going off-site for dinner, I popped by The Living Room for a pre-dinner aperitif. The spot is warm and versatile and located just off the hotel lobby. It acts as a work space during the day, dining spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner; and a place to relax in the evening with a hand-crafted cocktail (or zero-proof cocktail!) and live music. During my stay, I chose a classic gin & tonic (which was exceptional), paired with the complimentary spicy caramel popcorn. And you guessed it, I am still drooling over the popcorn!
Had my dinner reservation not been within walking distance of The Dewberry, I could have taken advantage of the hotel’s Luxury Volvo House Car Service, which can be used for transportation to select downtown Charleston locations on a first come, first serve basis. The cars can also be scheduled for a trip to the beach, which includes a pair of beach chairs, umbrella and beach bag with cold water and towels.
What She Loved:
The question is, what didn’t I love?! I absolutely enjoyed every minute of my stay at The Dewberry from start to finish. From their signature scent (I am currently burning their candle as I type this), to the handpicked details, furnishings and comforts throughout the hotel, to the well crafted cocktails, there is such significant attention to detail and purposeful intention in every aspect of this hotel, and it shows.
