We spent 3 nights at the Doubletree in June and I am pleased to report beachdreams that we did everything on your "to do" list. The Doubletree while very centrally located was not noisy at all.

starrsville, GoTravel very clearly said she was just curious. Everyone on this board is way too inclined to see bad intent where there is none.

We just got back from a stay at the Holiday Inn Historic in Charleston and enjoyed our stay there very much. It is located on the corner of Meeting and Calhoun - a short walk (5-10 min?) from the Market. The rooms were roomy, quiet and nice and the service overall was very friendly and helpful. What made our stay special though was the concierge. He obviously loves his job as well as Charleston - was extremely helpful with recommendations for tours and restaurants.

The restaurants we went to were all outstanding: 39 Rue de Jean (casual french w/ great atmosphere - onion soup grateniere and creme brulee to die for), Hank's Seafood (the best, fresh oysters on the half shell, she-crab soup), Magnolia (wonderful shrimp & grits), and High Cotton (Sunday jazz brunch). All were easy walking distance from our hotel.

We took a history walking tour with Tommy Dew which we really enjoyed. It entailed an hour and a half, roughly one mile walk in the historic district with much fascinating historical and personal information. We did not take a home and garden tour but would like to on our next visit.

Suki I am impressed. But, the real test is, did you also eat at Hymans? I am one of the few that actually likes that place. I also love its sister restaurant Aaron's Deli for a good sandwich. Other cheap eats I like are AW Shucks for their raw bar and their sandwiches at lunch and I adore the deck at Tommy Condons and their crabcakes and shrimp and grits. MMMMM

Scubalinda - I have stayed at Planters Inn plenty of times but not in the last few years. I have never had problems with noise from the street, however it is right in the heart of Charleston. So is Indigo Inn as a matter of fact and I have stayed there and have not heard much noise. You could express your initial concerns to the reservationist and perhaps they could place you in a quieter location.

Starrsville - Gotravel was not jumping on deborah. It is often hard to read a person's intention on the internet but she was just curious.

We missed Hyman's but did enjoy a few beers on the deck at Tommy Condon's. We also enjoyed a flight of wine and a cheese tray at McCrady's - wait, it was a bottle of wine and a flight of cheese! All in all, it was a very enjoyable visit.

beachdreams and suki, thank you very much for being able to see my intent. I truly honestly was not jumping in Deborah but I was curious about her statement.

beachdreams, I love Hymans! I will qualify that statement by saying the only thing I've ever ordered there is the crispy fish (whole fried baby flounder served on the bone and scored) and it is excellent. We try and eat there a half dozen times a year.

Suki - flight/bottle, who cares. After a few glasses it does not make one bit of difference. I love Tommy Codon's deck. Hymans is a must the next time you visit.

GoTravel - You are more than welcome. I have never known you to be short or rude without being provoked. Also, I can not believe there is someone else, beside DH and myself, who actually admit to loving Hymans. What does crack me up is that I hear all the time how horrible it is, yet there are always a zillion people waiting to eat so someone must be lying.

Their flounder is wonderful. The last time I was there, they had a lobster special that was quit good as well. I ate every bit of it. I find their she crab soup to have its on and off days and I do not car for their "cajun" seasoning as it is more salty than actually flavored but their boiled shrimp are pretty yummy and their blackened fish is pretty good as well. Oh, I have heard that their fried shrimp are fabulous but I prefer my shrimp cooked other ways so I have never sampled it. If they have a special and it sounds pretty good, I inquire about it and have enjoyed it about 90% of the time. I also find their service to be quick and pretty efficient.

All of this talk about Charleston food really has me down and out and really missing the place. I am always so sad to go home. What a fabulous city!

At a place like Hyman's, I think if you go there in search of anything other than basic low country seafood, you would be disappointed.

On the flipside, I wouldn't to into The Peninnsula Grill looking for a fried shrimp platter.

I enjoy Hyman's for what they do well and agree, we may be the only people that admit they like Hyman's.

Are any of you ladies familiar with the Boathouse seafood restaurant? When my nephew lived there for a couple of years, he loved it....... it was his favorite. Although we have been to Charleston several times, I have not eaten there.

Bonnie - I have eaten at two locations (I think there are three but I could be wrong; the Isle of Palms one and the one on East Bay. I like the setting of the Isle of Palms one better. It has that fabulous deck where you can have drinks over looking the water. However, I have not been back to either since 2001. I remember the food being pretty good and if I recall correctly, I really liked their Tune with a ginger glaze.

Beachdreams, my nephew is a great big athletic guy, who loves QUANTITY as well as quality. My sister was telling me, over the weekend, that she ate at the Boathouse with my nephew, that the food was basically good fried seafood, mostly, and you get A LOT OF IT. She thinks that influences his choice of restaurants! :-d

Hmmm, I wonder if I enjoyed their Tune as much as their Tuna? It must have been too early for my response. I seem to recall getting nice sized portions as well. I am not sure why I have not been back there since then. I tend to go to places I can walk to rather than drive because I have that luxury in Charleston and I do not in Atlanta.

I tend to like restaurants that are good and give lots of food because I love leftovers. There is nothing like the sight of a restaurant to go box in my fridge when I do not feel like cooking. It makes me smile.