There’s nothing that I love more than a trip to Charleston. It’s one of my favorite southern cities. It’s only a 5 hour drive from Atlanta, or a quick 30 minute flight. And really no matter where you are on the east coast, it’s pretty easy to get to.
There’s a great, but small, airport making it a great weekend getaway. I’ve visited the Holy City quite a bit in the last decade. Staying at new hotels whenever possible to try them all.
And there’s one that’s fairly new to the city, and it’s Emeline. Located right off Church street, you’re walking distance to just about everything you’d want to do in Charleston. Here’s my review of the Hotel Emeline in Charleston.
Why Emeline Stands Out Among Charleston Hotels
I’ve stayed at my fair share of Charleston hotels. With multiple trips to the city for work and for fun, it’s hard not to. Plus, anytime I visit, I do try to stay somewhere new. It’s one of my tricks to making an old favorite destination feel new again.
So for this Charleston weekend getaway, I called Emeline home. It’s brand new, just opened and dare I say, might be my favorite Charleston hotel. Hotel Emeline is located at 181 Church Street, Charleston SC 29401. It is truly right in the heart of it all in Charleston.
The architecture of this hotel is simply stunning. The lobby is decorated with a nod to boho and mid-century modern. I took mental notes of interior design ideas for my own home that’s how much I loved this new hotel in Charleston.
A Review Of The Emeline Hotel
I’ve never had a BAD stay in Charleston. Every hotel I’ve been to has been incredible. You can check out some of the ones I stayed at in this Charleston guide here. But Emeline definitely matched my personal style more so than any other in the city.
Charleston is obviously a southern city, a traditional town and the hotels definitely reflect that in their decor. I’d say Spectator Hotel (a personal favorite) was more modern, cool and less traditional. But now that Emeline is on the market, it just may be the clear winner of the cool kids club.
The lobby is stunning and massive. There’s plenty of places to grab a seat while you wait for the rest of your family to get ready. There is also a small shop sourced with local products from clothing, jewelry, books and more.
Experience Charleston on Wheels: Complimentary Bikes at Emeline
The hotel also offers complimentary bikes to use throughout your stay. Just reserve your 4 hour time-slot with the concierge and explore the city. I think it’s the only way to get around town! We were able to bike to The Battery and Rainbow Row in just a few minutes.
This is actually hard to find in Charleston. Very few hotels seem to offer these and instead, you have to rent bikes. An added expense to your travels. I loved that these were available for reserving as hotel guests.
Indulge in Luxury: The Stunning Rooms at Emeline
Just like the lobby, the rooms at Emeline are absolutely stunning. The caning furniture, velvet headboards and beautiful detail made for a luxurious stay. The beds were insanely comfortable too which is always a plus.
We stayed in the exclusive two-bedroom suite which was a great way to travel with a friend! We had separate rooms and an open living space which was nice. I definitely took several mental snapshots of the decor as I was in love with every little detail.
Each floor also had a water station with still or sparkling water. And in every room were a handful of refillable glass tumblers so you can have water in your room or on the go while running around town. This was such a nice amenity versus just a small plastic bottle in the room that always feels like a waste of plastic!
Included Room Ammenities
Room amenities felt updated and modern. A smart TV is in every room. And you can easily plug in your devices into the USB ports on the bedside tables. Hairdryers and makeup mirrors make getting ready a breeze. And of course, complimentary wi-fi.
Culinary Delights: Where to Eat at Emeline and Beyond
The great thing about Hotel Emeline is you don’t have to go far for your morning coffee, an afternoon pick me up, or even dinner. Right in the hotel are two places to get everything you’d need.
Clerk’s Coffee Company
For breakfast, or an afternoon pick me up, head to Clerk’s Coffee Company off the lobby. We had their avocado toast and farro salad that was divine. They also had a stack of pancakes that looked heavenly. It’s great for a quick coffee, chai latte or espresso when you’re heading out the door to explore the city.
Frannie & The Fox
But my favorite meal of the trip may have actually been from Frannie & The Fox. This Italian restaurant was packed with locals which is always a good sign of a great restaurant. Enjoy a cocktail at the bar or lounge for happy hour too if you like. But I highly recommend dining here as I am still thinking about this meal.
Sitting outside under the string lights, we ordered several delicious things to share. The corn salad as an appetizer which was hands down one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. There are few dishes that stick in my mind for years to come and this is definitely going to be one of them.
We then did pepperoni pizza which was made in their big wood-fired oven. And for a homemade pasta dish, we did the lamb ragu rigatoni that may actually rival my mom’s! It was one of my favorite meals and honestly, a nice change of pace of ALL the seafood I typically eat when I head to Charleston.
