The Spectator Hotel, Charleston

The Lowdown:

The multi award winning Spectator Hotel’s famous lobby bar is a suave tribute to the Roaring Twenties. The rooms are a bit more modern in appearance, as are the exteriors, but the bygone-era like effect remains throughout.

Service is legendary here – they have a small team of classically trained butlers wandering around, always at your service.

The focal point lobby and bar serve as a kind of living room here for guests, and with such small numbers staying at any one time the atmosphere is intimate and friendly.

It’s a very popular hotel, and also very small – it has just 41 rooms – so booking your stay in advance is recommended.

Rooms:

Just 41 rooms in total then but you have a deal of choice – from 377 sq. ft. entry level rooms to 538 sq. ft. Premier Penthouse Suites.

Their entry level rooms are good value relative to the upper end suites we think, especially the ones with the balconies, and all the rooms seem to come with good views.

None of them are particularly spacious though we have to say. But once that’s out of the way it’s very difficult to find fault with anything.

They are bright, cheery and mainly dressed in white. They have king size beds, stylish lighting, plush carpets and velvet headboards alongside modern hotel amenities such as Nespresso coffee machines and cable TV.

The bathrooms are white marble, and come with double vanity sinks, walk-in rain showers and locally made, Deep Steep luxury bath products.

Prices & Availability:

Enter your dates and check prices at Booking.com here.

Food & Facilities:

Surprisingly perhaps, there isn’t much in the way of food made at the hotel itself. Gourmet continental breakfasts are ordered in fresh from a local bakery and delivered to your room for example.

There are many good restaurants nearby though, and your personal butler can pick up food from any number of them and deliver it to your room.

There are drinks though in abundance at the marvelously atmospheric bar, which is also a popular spot with locals. It does snacks and small bites alongside its famous retro cocktails.

There is also a daily ‘Butler’s Reception’ for guests to be served up cheese, charcuterie and other nibbles.

These butlers are each assigned to different guests and are at your beck and call for room service, concierge service and more.

The hotel has complimentary vintage city bikes for guests to use and also offers complimentary access to a nearby fitness center/gym.

Location:

The Spectator is right outside City Market, Charleston’s 18th century era former slave market near Waterfront Park.

It’s about 5 minutes walk to King Street, and about ten to fifteen to the Historic Center, which makes for a very pleasant walk.

Some Guest Reviews:

“Thank you to the entire butler staff for surprising me with a cake from Carmella’s and a bottle of champagne to celebrate my birthday and master’s graduation!! Very thoughtful staff!! Will definitely be back to visit Charleston again and I will make sure to book the Spectator when I do!!……”

“The accommodations met all our requirements, which in itself was hard to find. Mostly, I appreciated the exceedingly friendly, helpful and professional staff, whatever their position. All did whatever they could to make our an enjoyable and comfortable visit……”

>> GO HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE SPECTATOR HOTEL