Hello friends,
Husband and I plan to attend our nieces college graduation May 15th in Charleston and would like some recommendations for a quaint place to stay. I looked at the Mills House but thought it might be a bit fancy for my taste. We love the historic aspects of the city and also the many antique shops. Perhaps we can get a nice B&B or small boutique hotel. We will probably rent a car and do some sightseeing while there. Thank you for your help

Check out the Planter's Inn on Meeting Street. It's right next to the market, and you can walk to antique shops (most are a block away on King Street), restaurants, bars, etc. Planter's is a fairly small hotel with regular rooms and a number of small suites in their annex. If you've never been to Charleston, you may not need a car. You could walk to the Battery and the residential areas from your hotel. Even if you don't stay at the Planter's, do have dinner at the Peninsula Grill on site. It's one of the best in Charleston.

I happen to LOVE the Elliot House- right around the corner from the Mills House..

It is an authentic BnB from the 1800's..

Room rate includes continental bkfst delivered to room on silver service..

Wine and Cheese daily out by the HOT TUB that is covered by a grape arbor..

Bikes are loaned free of charge to explore the historic area and the BnB is right in the hub of EVERTYHING>>.

If you think the Mills House is too fancy, it's a Holiday Inn, forget the two places listed above. The Planters Inn, in my opinion, is the nicest place to stay in Charleston.

There is a Days Inn just up the street from the Mills House towards Market Street that should fit your needs.

The Mills House is a lovely hotel and it isn't snooty at all if that is what your are worried about.

Book your room as soon as possible. There are a couple of colleges (The Citadel, Charleston Southern, College of Charleton, Charleston School of Law, and The Medical University of South Carolina) that will have graduation around that time and Spoleto is right after that so rooms will go quick.

Hey, GoTravel, could you be any more condescending? I've been to Charleston many times, but I've never stayed at the Mills House. It certainly doesn't look like a Holiday Inn -- either in person or on the website. I don't think bogger is looking for a Days Inn, based on her original post. The Mills House may not be too snooty, but you certainly seem to be.

Hi jhk3rd, I agree. There seem to be too many people on this site who are incapable of offering a suggestion without putting down the opinions and experiences of others. I wonder why they want to bring a sour note to what should be a pleasant experience.

I will be in Charleston in April, and I thank you for your suggestions.

lovingheart, is this your first visit to Charleston?

Why be offended by anyone, you got some good recommendations? Also, nothing wrong with Days Inn, some people may not like the B&B experience, I think I'm one of them.

How am I condescending?

bogger said he/she thought the Mills House was too fancy. I pointed out it was a Holiday Inn and it wasn't a snooty place to stay. I also pointed out that I love The Planters Inn, it is my favorite in downtown and it is much nicer than the Mills House which is a fact.

How is that condescending?

Here is a link to The Mills House:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/...chsmh?irs=null

By the way, I've stayed at the Days Inn and think it is just fine.

Here is a link to the Days Inn.

http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/contr...2&brandInfo=DI

GoTravel, if you weren't being condescending and snooty, then I apologize, but I don't think I'm the only one who inferred that from your post. Bogger asked for recommendations on a nice B&B or small boutique hotel. The Days Inn is neither. While the Mills House may, indeed, be a Holiday Inn, you wouldn't know it from their website or a casual walk by the property. I can see where bogger might have thought it a bit fancy. The Days Inn, on the other hand, while perhaps a very nice place to stay, looks exactly like a Days Inn, which led me to believe you were being condescending. If you were not, then again I apologize. Cheers.

I perfectly understand your point ink3rd.

Honestly, I think the Days Inn downtown is very quaint. It was probably the nicest Days Inn I've ever seen.

I've stayed at the Vendue Inn in Charleston and enjoyed it very much. The staff was helpful, the location good, the rooms very comfortable, the breakfast delicious, and the rooftop bar was nice for a late afternoon cocktail.

GoTravel, I have seen a lot of your posts and usually find them to be informed and helpful. I think the problem here was when you said "forget the two places above," you seemed to be dismissing the contribution of another person.

In the Washington State forum we have a frequent contributor who always recommends The Edgewater Hotel in Seattle no matter what the preferences stated in a request for information. The Edgewater has its good points, but central location isn't one of them. If I suggest The Edgewater is not conveniently located to shops, restaurants, etc., I inspire a flood of complaints. "What do you mean by central, convenient, etc. blah, blah."

jhk3rd, I loved Charleston when I was there in 1975 and I'm looking forward to sharing it with somebody new.

The Vendue is a very nice inn, but about four blocks further away from all the antique stores on King Street -- still not an unreasonable walk, however. I haven't been to the rooftop bar, but I can imagine the views are spectacular from up there. It's also very near the water on the eastern side of the peninsula. Lots of nice restaurants and nightclubs in that area. Magnolia's (traditional, fancy) and its sister restaurant, Blossom's (contemporary, much more casual) are just down East Bay Street from the Vendue. Both are worth checking out.

Try Mistral for lunch, High Cotton for brunch, and yes, Magnolia's (a touch better than the Peninsula Grill). And avoid the Francis Marion Hotel at all costs!!! Use the pedicabs - $7 anywhere.

lovingheart, the original poster said they thought the Mills House was "a bit fancy for my taste".

I've stayed at the Mills House a bunch of times and I'm very familiar with this hotel. It is a very middle of the road hotel and a bit upscale for a Holiday Inn.

The two suggestions that were given were The Planters Inn and the Elliott House. The Planters Inn is the nicest property in Charleston and it also houses the best restaurant in Charleston, The Penninsula. Room rates for peak Spring season probably average $400 per night.

The Elliott House is a very nice B&B and I would stay there in a skinny minute however it is also much nicer than the Mills House.

I live south of Charleston on a barrier island and stay in town quite often.

Out of curiosity, since you have not been to Charleston in 30 years, why are you criticizing my post?

I cry uncle.

My husband and I stayed in Charleston last May and really like the Governor's House Inn - quite reasonable, beautiful, and great location - we walked everywhere. We stayed in the St. Michaels room - their least expensive, and it was spacious, comfortable, and very well appointed. Would definitely go back. Run by the same family that runs Meeting Street.
http://www.governorshouse.com/