I have read and plan to read again "Go Travel's infamous Charleston Report"
But, at the risk of being repetitive what do would be a great hotel for six 30 somethings to stay for a weekend getaway.
Cleanliness is one of top 3 concerns for us, location and potentially a pool? Not sure what places have pools in CHS but either way...we like to have a drink after getting ready and pre- dinner so, a place that has a bar in it would be great.
Price is not so much the issue. We will be sharing 2 rooms...
One of my first thoughts was the Harborview or French Quarter Inn. We also, were wondering if there are any nice day spas in Chs? We would like to stay in the thick of things...I have stayed at the Planters Inn and at the Doubletree in the past...the Planter's Inn I feel may be too couply and the Dbltree too family.
We want girly, silly and appletini's....
Thanks much!

I'm thinking Charleston Place might be good for the girls. Lovely place, has its own spa, good restaurants and a nice club/bar off the main staircase. Rooftop pool. Close to everything. Enough people that it doesn't feel overly "intimate" ie, meant for couples.

We were there in February and loved the room and the service.

Have fun!

I agree. It sounds like you were describing Charleston Place. Spa, central location, pool, bar, price not an issue

They have a club floor too, if you like the idea of having your cocktails in a private spot.

Topping ~
Also looking for a girls only
trip locale.

thank you much.
now, what would be a good backup.
the price is about 400.nt. which is not a problem but we can do the renaissance for $200/nt. big savings.
is there a huge difference between the 2?

My first choice would be The Market Pavillion (rooftop pool and bar/lounge). I think it is much nicer than Charleston Place.

Yes, I'd say there is a bit of difference between the Renaissance and Charleston Place. On a scale of 1-10 the CP would be a 9 and the Renaissance would be a 7. The Market Pavillion is more like a 12.

Does The Renaissance have a pool?

What is a really good deal for the money is the Best Western King Charles Inn. Don't think of it as a Best Western. Plus, the pool is great for people watching.

oh you are funny gt.
my one friend read your trip report and is so excited to go now...
we like people watching...alot.
renaissance does have a pool however we changed our dates and are traveling 4th of july weekend. fri -sunday so, there is only a $100 savings as opposed to a $200 savings per nite per room. we ended up having to spend almost $300 on flight which is awful.
i remember flying to chs as a kid and it being like $120 round trip. its a hot hot place now.
if we do market pav. which i am leaning towards now is there a day spa you are familiar with? also, what about harborview? i know in your report you write that it is wonderful.
and on trip advisor it gets better marks than mkt. pav.
let me know.
thanks

The Market Pavillion had some problems in the very beginning when they opened and I'm pretty sure they've worked them out.

To be honest, Fourth of July Weekend it will be too hot to sit by a pool. Think really hot, really humid, and really sticky even at night.

The Harbourview is a really cool hotel if you can get a room with a Harbourview. The location of the MP is a little better. The Harbourview is very close to the rooftop bar at The Veneue Inn. Make sure you check out both levels.

Now for the important thing: shopping.

King Street has some of the best shopping in the southest. For shoes: Pete Bannis, Ragoni, Copper Penny, and the mothership; Bob Ellis.

Very cool boutiques and designer shops. Saks is also on King Street. Funky antiques stores, home furnishings, bookstores, etc.

Are y'all looking for anything in particular?

The Market has great tchotchkes.

Why sit by a pool when the Atlantic ocean is a 20 minute drive away? Forget scenic beauty, think about cool (ok, cooler than downtown) ocean breezes while you people watch. And if you're looking for eye candy...those boys are surfing, not hanging around some pool in the historic district. IMHO. ;-)

yes to the beach, if our friend from outside atlanta comes to meet us we will have a car and then do one of the beaches.
i prefer pools though...and then, its not a whole day affair. the traffic out to the islands can be absolutely brutal. we only have 3 days 2 nights. so it will depend...

and to answer you GT we like shopping.
me not so much...i am like the tomboy in the group and they are girly girls.
they like shoes, and neiman and jewelery - i like the way it all looks but dont want to spend the time looking for it all...(oh well. meet me at the pub having a guiness)
we are all from the northeast and some of us right outside NYC but, getting nice stuff in a pretty locale is much better than buying it at a mall.

i think we think we will do a historic tour one am, lunch, shop and then, a spa treatment one half day and pool the rest of the day and maybe a bit more shopping, walking, pubbing the last day. looking into MP seems their server is down.
thanks for all the advice.
going to cancel res's at CP. keep the reni res's and book MP and let my friends vote on it.

We're NYers who recently went to Charleston, and I can't recommend the Charleston Place enough (especially Club Level--they put the Champagne and wine out at 11 and there are awesome snacks all day long, basically) enough!!! What a beautiful place, amazing restaurant, great spa, excellent service. There's an indoor pool and jacuzzi too.

It's an Orient Express property. A friend is the catering manager (I think).

You might investigate Stella Nova Spa and Salon for your spa needs. I have not used any of their spa treatments,so I can't vouch for them, but I love prowling their shop filled with all sorts of unusual and hard to find cosmetic/beauty lines. The staff is always friendly and helpful and they have been metioned in magazines like Lucky. They are located downtown. Their website is www.stella-nova.com and their phone # is 800-577-NOVA.

Any place downtown would be good, especially in your price range. I've stayed at many and have never been disappointed.

The Vendue Inn has a great rooftop bar with frequent live entertainment. We have had some wonderful evenings up there enjoying the view and sometimes singing along (pretty badly) with the band.

Sigh . . . I wish I was there right now.

Please let us know what you thought

now i am totally confused as to where to stay. most of these places aside from CP are $20-280 a night so, its a crap shoot. I am leaning toward MP for a few reasons, the rest. on site, the bar on site and pool and location.
It basically has everything. Now, with the Reni I can gain points on my Marriott...(how cheesy - I know) but I love getting something for something...
hmmmm will let you know what we all decide. Thanks for the input and I will check out the spa that was mentioned.

Unless they have more than one rooftop pool, the pool at the Market Pavilion is adjacent to/part of the rooftop restaurant/bar. I wouldn't feel comfortable swimming there in the evening (if that is when you'd go)when everyone is having drinks and enjoying the sunset over Charleston. I don't know how busy it is at other times of the day and whether it would be an issue for others besides myself. I also don't know if it's unbearably hot up there in the afternoon in July. When you walk out of the doors to the rooftop, the pool is immediately in front of you. You have to walk around it to get to the tables. It is quite the lovely setting, especially in the evening as they have it lit. My DH, sis and BIL had quite a nice time the last time we were up there.

ok we are all set. ready to leave next friday. need some recos for dinner.
have the penisula reserved for fri nite.
need another suggestion for sat. mc grady's, basils? cafe lana? also, should we make reservations for lunches.

I really like McCrady's (w/ a C). I have heard great things about Basil, haven't been there yet, understand it attracts a bit younger crowd than some stuff in the historic district. You can find lots of recs for Chas. restaurants on Chowhound, but mine would be:

Sermet's Corner (lunch or dinner)
Garibaldi
Ad Di La
Hanks
Il Cortile de Re
McCrady's
FIG
Andolini's Pizza (lunch)

I would add Magnolia's and Blossoms to the recos for restaurants. I went to McCrady's about six weeks ago and it was not impressive. Unbelievably affected servers, average food. I understand there has been a change in owners and chefs and that may be the issue. On prior visits, McCrady's was fabulous so this was a big disappointment.
Also catch a drink on the rooftop of the Marketplace Pavillion. Great views, nice crowd...sometimes there is also music.