Best Boutique Hotels in Charleston

Whether you are visiting Charleston for a weekend getaway or want to explore the Holy City for a staycation, staying in one of Charleston’s boutique hotels is a must!

The Dewberry Hotel

The Dewberry Hotel is a local landmark situated on the border of Marion Square within walking distance to numerous attractions in downtown Charleston. Not only is the Dewberry a beautiful hotel, it also has a long list of amenities including a spa, fitness center, library, rooftop cocktail bar and decadent restaurant.

Hotel Bennett

In 2021, U.S. News and World Report named Hotel Bennett the #2 Hotel in Charleston. Hotel Bennett is most known for their colorful Champagne Lounge – Camellias. However, the hotel is full of activities for guests to enjoy. From lounging at the rooftop pool to relaxing at the spa to exploring Marion Square across the street, Hotel Bennett has got it all.

Hotel Bella Grace

Located in the Ansonborough neighborhood of downtown Charleston, Hotel Bella Grace is a modern boutique hotel. According to their website, “the circa 1830 Delaney House offers a personal connection to Charleston’s layered history, and is in beautiful combination with our 50 new built modern guest rooms, arrival lobby, and a fitness center.” Many of the rooms are suites with built in kitchens – perfect for longer stays in the Holy City.

Hotel Emeline

Hotel Emeline is located on Church Street in Charleston’s historic district and is “for the soulful sojourner, for the inquisitive local.” The hotel is also an ideal place for foodies to stay, providing a variety of delicious dining options including Frannie & the Fox, Clerks Coffee Company and Hank’s Seafood Restaurant.

News

$300 Million Downtown Nexton Development is Underway

A multi-million dollar development in Downtown Nexton is currently underway.

The $300 million development, which is being developed by Sharbell Development Corp. out of New Jersey, will include everything from restaurants, apartments, hotels and retail stores. In addition, outdoor amenities like walking trails and parks will also be available.

The development will cover over 99-acres in total between Sigma Drive and Brighton Park Boulevard.

Tom Troy, president of Sharbell Development Corp, said “Our intent with this project is to provide residents with their own version of a downtown where they can find everything they need, from groceries and dining experiences to fitness classes and boutiques, without having to ever get in their car.”

Construction on the development will occur in phases over the next five years, starting with an apartment complex that will offer units from studio apartments up to three bedrooms.

Officials are hopeful this development will continue to revitalize the area.

News

Lowcountry Woman Seeks to Help Students ARISE to Their Full Potential

Students at CE Williams Middle School South are being taught to Aim, Reach, Inspire, Succeed, Enrich.

That’s the goal of ARISE, a local non-profit that helps students reach their full potential.

ARISE was founded by Angela Henderson, whose mission is to help students believe in themselves and their dreams. One of the ways Henderson makes this dream a reality is by encouraging students to write positive affirmations on sticky notes that are then placed on lockers throughout the school.

The messages are enriched by Henderson’s mantra – “It’s a good time to be you!”

Through the program, Henderson hopes students understand that “It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to dream and it’s okay to really believe in your dreams and live those dreams.”

This is only the beginning though. The program is expected to expand to different schools throughout the lowcountry – and, Morningside Middle School is up next!

Follow ARISE on social media for updates on all the great work they are doing in our community.

Eat & Drink

Pakistani Restaurant Opening in Downtown Charleston

Ma’am Saab, a Pakistani Restaurant is coming to downtown Charleston.

Ma’am Saab first began as a pop-up at the popular exploratory restaurant venue Workshop Charleston and was widely popular amongst patrons. The concept was even able to deliver food to customers during the pandemic while Workshop was closed.

Raheel Gauba, co-owner of Ma’am Saab, said “Workshop was a true incubator. It truly served its purpose. We got 10 years worth of experience in one year.”

According to Maryam Gauba, chef and co-owner of Ma’am Saab, is eager to continue to share her culture and love of food with Charleston. She said, “Growing up in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, one can say that I have enjoyed some of the most flavorful foods from an early age….Ma’am Saab was born out of my incurable insistence to share the flavors I crave with my fellow Charlestonians.”

The new restaurant will be located at 251 Meeting Street, where they will be taking the place of Jestine’s Kitchen, a beloved Charleston staple that was forced to close during the pandemic.

Ma’am Saab is expected to open this summer – either by July or August.

Eat & Drink

Frothy Beard Brewing Company Announces New Brewery Location

Frothy Beard Brewing Company is expanding into Summerville!

In a recent post on Facebook, Frothy Beard announced their expansion saying, “The partners of Frothy Beard Brewing Company are excited to announce that they have acquired Homegrown Brewhouse in Summerville with plans on converting it to a second location by a projected date of mid-June. Until then the establishment will continue operating as Homegrown Brewhouse.”

According to the post, the new brewery will have both a taproom and kitchen. “It will be open for lunch Friday through Sunday, dinner every night of the week, and will have a special Sunday brunch menu. The new location will be used to create special small batch beers in rotation with all the flagship Frothy beers beer nerds have come to love.”

Frothy Beard’s flagship brewery is on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard in West Ashley. This new location will be on S. Main Street in downtown Summerville.⁠

Be sure to follow Frothy Beard on social media for updates on the new brewery!

Eat & Drink

Best Brunch Spots to Celebrate Your Mom this Mother’s Day

Spoil your Mom this Mother’s Day the best way we know how – brunch! Check out these brunch specials around Charleston for an unforgettable Mother’s Day.

5 Church Charleston

What better way to celebrate Mom than with a brunch buffet? 5 Church is offering a special brunch buffet on Mother’s Day from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Guests will be able to enjoy dishes like biscuits and gravy, French toast, snow crab and wild mushroom risotto. Tickets are $55 per person and $25 for children 12 and under.

The Carolina Girl Yacht

Cruise around the Charleston harbor on a yacht this Mother’s Day! The Carolina Girl will depart from St. John’s Yacht Harbor at 11:00 am on Sunday, May 9th for a three hour cruise filled with unlimited beer, wine and mimosas as well as a delicious brunch prepared by Charleston Bay Gourmet.

Gabrielle Charleston

Located inside Hotel Bennett, Gabrielle Charleston is the perfect spot to celebrate your loved ones. This Mother’s Day, Gabrielle is hosting a Rosé and Rose brunch, where guests will be able to enjoy a special menu and receive a complimentary glass of Rosé as well as a chocolate rose for dessert.

The Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion Hotel

Enjoy live piano music and a special a la carte brunch menu this Mother’s Day at The Swamp Fox. Located in the heart of downtown Charleston at 387 King Street, The Swamp Fox has been recognized for their delicious and classic southern cuisine. Their Mother’s Day brunch will take place on Sunday, May 9th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Eat & Drink

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Around Charleston

Let’s taco ‘bout Cinco de Mayo, which is coming up on Wednesday, May 5th! Here’s how you can celebrate the upcoming holiday with a fiesta of your own.

Cinco de Mayo at 3 Matadors

Cinco de Mayo wouldn’t be complete without tacos and margaritas – both of which the 3 Matadors prides themselves on. On Cinco de Mayo, 3 Matadors is having a special celebration for the holiday with live music, food and drinks!

Cinco de Mayo at Mex 1

Mex 1 is bringing out all the stops for Cinco de Mayo this year. The West Ashley location is hosting a Cinco Block Party with live music from Yellowknife and Friends. The Park West and Sullivan’s Island locations will also feature live music. In addition, each location will have $5 margaritas all day long on Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo Day Sip n’ Paint

Sip and Paint at this Cinco de Mayo themed painting class. Enjoy a variety of assorted tequilas while exploring your creative side. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 5th at the East Cooper Disco. Tickets are only $35 and include a complimentary drink, apron and painting supplies.

Eat & Drink

Summerville Welcomes New Seafood Market

Summerville has recently welcomed a brand new seafood market to the area – Blue Boat Seafood Market – just in time for your summer cookouts.

Owner of Blue Boat Seafood Market, Jason Seabrook, is a Charleston native who is eager to bring a polished look to the market while offering unparalleled customer service.

In addition to the look and feel of the market, they also offer a wide variety of seafood. Seabrook said “We’re definitely trying to specialize in the first that’s local to our coastal waters, but with the influx of people from out of state we’re also going to halibut and codfish – things different than what we’re used to.”

In addition to halibut and codfish, the seafood market also has shrimp, oysters, clams, mussels, crab, crawfish, red snapper, salmon, tilapia and more!

Blue Boat Seafood Market is located on 1314-A College Park Road and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. In addition to in-person browsing and ordering, they also offer curbside ordering for easy pickup.

Be sure to check out their social media for updates on what they have in stock.