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The Honeymoon Charms of Charleston

By Linda Holloway, Aug 06, 2023
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Your perfect honeymoon destination--Charleston, South Carolina, a city where history and romance have conspired to attract couples from around the globe.

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Hotel  Bennett

Hotel Bennett (pictured above - photo provided by Hotel Bennett), with its world class accommodations and  touches of southern charm, have intertwined to bring newlyweds the ideal  honeymoon accommodations. Your honeymoon should be your time to indulge in a  hotel with sophistication--topped with luxurious amenities. Overlooking  Charleston’s historic Marion Square, Hotel Bennett is in the heart of downtown  Charleston. The hotel features vibrant and classical architecture overlooking  stunning scenery.   The awards and  accolades speak to the excellence of the property with AAA Four Diamond (2022)  and awarded Top 500 Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure (2022 and  2023).   Upon arrival, guests are greeted  by a magnificent double-sided staircase. The foyer will delay you every single  time you pass by with the remarkable detailed mural of the city’s early days.  In the center, an elaborate, live flower arrangement is so tall, it invites you  to gaze upward. Notice the stunning chandelier enveloped by the elegant  staircases.

Hotel Bennett Foyer
Photo provided by Hotel Bennett

Hotel Bennett Deluxe King Suite
Photo provided by Hotel Bennett

Hotel  Bennett evokes visions of grand European hotels, but there are modern touches  throughout--complete with genuinely warm hospitality dispensed from the entire  staff. The hotel features 179 guest rooms and suites. We lodged in a Deluxe  King Suite. I flung open the door and was first impressed with built-in  bookcases with dozens of books; many of the books were by local authors. The  suite made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The rooms have the  finest bedding and a soothing color palette for relaxation. Press the remote  and the floor to ceiling curtains will open to reveal one of the most romantic  cities in the world. Reserve suites boasting views of Marion Square, King  Street and Saint Matthew’s Church. Charleston has been tagged, the “holy City”  because of its history of religious tolerance and various places for worship--complete  with soaring steeples.

If you want to kick it up a notch, reserve the  Ambassador or Presidential Suite featuring balconies. All suites feature  upscale amenities such as flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and  complimentary Wi-Fi. Be sure to ask about the King’s Club with over-the-top  amenities. The bathrooms should be renamed, “sanctuaries.” Far from the  ordinary, these spacious marble-clad rooms come with large glass showers and  deep soaking pedestal bathtubs. Management could easily give couples a written  guarantee that the suites will captivate you into a desired post-wedding state  of relaxation you crave.

Hotel Bennett Rooftop Pool
Photo provided by Hotel Bennett

Enjoy the  rooftop pool with cabanas, decked out with a daybed, television, and a nearby  bar. Untie the canvas and enjoy your private world. Be sure and reserve a  treatment in the hotel’s luxury spa, and go ahead and indulge in freshly-made  pastries from the French patisserie.

Camellias and Gabrielle

Camellias
Photo provided by Hotel Bennett


Camellias, a  stylish Champagne bar, features reclaimed pink marble and a mirrored ceiling.  The visual allure of Camellias is created in-part by the elaborate, sparkling  chandelier cavorting with the unique oval space enhancing the famous pink hues.  Try something different and reserve Afternoon  Tea here as well. Camellias was named “Most Instagrammable Restaurant in South  Carolina” by Food Network. Enjoy, charcuterie, local seafood, and homemade  desserts.

Hotel  Bennett’s signature restaurant, Gabrielle, has a reputation for fine dining in  Charleston. The Gabrielle terrace overlooking Marion Square Park, the most  famous green space in Charleston, creates an ambient romantic dining experience  with soft, outdoor lighting and views of St. Matthew’s Church. The church lit  at night is an undeniable majestic wonder.   We both started with She Crab Soup and Strawberry Salad—delicious. You  cannot go wrong with the fresh fish of the day and my husband declared the  Shrimp and Grits (a Lowcountry staple) was delectable.

For those  who would like a honeymoon and destination wedding venue, Hotel Bennett’s  Piazza and Observatory are very popular for couples seeking an intimate wedding  experience. The hotel has the amazing Crown Ballroom for larger weddings.  Indulge your guests in a setting that is upscale and warm with local art pieces  and architectural statements as well as design details like cypress and copper  accents. The hotel has combined every romantic element to ensure your first  days as Mr. and Mrs. are everything you have envisioned.

Exploring  Charleston and Beyond

Rainbow Row
Photo provided by Larry Holloway Photography

From the  front entrance of Hotel Bennett, you can explore romantic spots from  cobblestone streets lined with restaurants and shops to nightlife. Ask the hotel’s  concierge to point out Charleston’s romantic forgotten lanes and allies. Our  favorite is Stolls Alley leading to a secret passageway that funnels you onto  the Battery.  Beach lovers should plan a  day trip in advance to nearby Folly Beach where you can rent a surf board or  watch the pros. There is something exceptional about this city where the people  are mannerly, helpful, and engaging—complete with a generous dose of southern  charm. It is no surprise Charleston has received the title of: 2023 World’s  Best Awards’ favorite cities in the U.S. category for the 11th year  in a row.

Most  Romantic:  Everything Zen Sailing  Charters  

Everything Zen Sailing  Charters
Photo provided by Larry Holloway Photography


Our favorite  activity in Charleston was an exclusive private harbor sail on the 40-foot  catamaran, Everything Zen. The friendly crew, Todd Gallati and wife Kathy,  captain all charters.  Reserve before the  wedding for a relaxing expedition where the gentle waters around historic  Charleston Harbor will lull you into relaxation. With cushions on the bow and  music of your choice playing inside, this experience will be the most memorable  of your honeymoon. I recommend the sunset cruise. Imagine… engines off and  sails full—gliding toward the sunset. Ask about customizing your trip with a  variety of amenities including collaborations with chefs for special catering.  Located at Charleston Harbor Marina, couples will  enjoy stunning views of Charleston Battery, Fort Sumter, Waterfront Park, and  other sites only seen best from the water. Our guest Steward was Maddison  Stalker, from the TV reality show, Below Deck.

Dining in  Charleston

The  restaurants are remarkable in Charleston—earning the city a well-deserved  reputation as a foodie town.

Dine while enjoying the ambiance of  heart pine floors, exposed brick walls, and soothing live entertainment at High Cotton.  Mark Horton’s mesmerizing painting begs you  to walk into the scene of marshlands—pure Low Country.  Ask in advance to sit at the exact table used  in the film, The Notebook. I could envision Noah, (Ryan Gosling)  staring at me through the window. Try the buttermilk fried oysters,  truffle-parmesan fries, and Low Country boil—delectable.

King  Street’s, Miller’s All Day  is the place to start your day.  The menu offers all-day breakfast and focuses  on traditional Southern fare and specialty produce from Johnman’s farm.

Palmetto Cafe
Photo provided by Larry Holloway Photography


One of  our favorite places for lunch was the Palmetto Café. Their Peach Tea with simple syrup is  renown. Dine al fresco in the courtyard or indoors in a luxurious garden-style  setting.  The Low Country She Crab Soup  and Baby Gem Salad were perfect. Savor Four Diamond dining with Braised Lamb  Shank with Grilled Vegetable Salad.

 Dine where  the locals go at Leon’s Oyster Shop.   Known for serving  fresh seafood and fried chicken, the restaurant is housed in a refurbished  garage, so come casual. The Chargrilled Oysters with parsley and parmesan and  the Fried Chicken sandwich were great.

If it is a  sandwich you crave, visit Bodega, where you can order a lunchbox meal and enjoy a  picnic while exploring the parks in Charleston. Try the delicious Chicken Salad  with fries, and of course, a cookie!

Just outside town, dine in Middleton Place Restaurant, a  restaurant that dates to 1928. Overlooking the Ashley River, the atmosphere and  Low Country dishes are amazing. Ask about a picnic under the stunning oaks.

Shopping,  Historic Sites, Museums and Parks

The best way to understand the pulse of the city is to head  over to Charleston City Market, one of the oldest public markets which dates to  1804.  Be sure to purchase a coveted  Sweet Grass basket, one of the nation’s oldest handicrafts for your home. City  Market   currently houses more than 140 permanent merchants. You will  find dozens of local artists here showcasing their unique crafts and art.

imagesCharleston
Photo provided by Larry Holloway Photography


Our favorite  shop on King Street was imagesCharleston. This is  photography/art at its best. Many of the items have frames from reclaimed area  buildings—take a piece of Charleston back home. The Cross My Heart piece is perfect  for newlyweds.  Phillip Simmons was a  famous African American blacksmith in Charleston. His detailed iron gates are  sprinkled throughout the city. The original Heart Gate can be found along 91  Anson Street. Visit Gibbes Museum of Art,  home to  the foremost collection of American art. The International African American Museum — decades in the making - is a must-visit. In addition to  more than 700 artifacts from the 17th century to present day, the  building also houses the Center for Family History, a genealogy and ancestry  resource center. The museum tells the unvarnished stories of the  African American experience across generations.  

The  Battery, White Point Gardens, Rainbow Row and Historic Houses

Heyward Washington House Museum
Photo provided by Larry Holloway Photography


The Battery  is a historic landmark defensive seawall where you will find couples gazing at Charleston  Harbor with elegant historic houses in the background. White Point Gardens is  great for a picnic and is the location of Charleston’s iconic Pineapple  Fountain.   A “selfie worthy” spot is Rainbow Row. Located  on East Bay Street, is a row of 13 historic homes painted in bright pastel  colors. This area is one of the most photographed in Charleston. The  Heyward-Washington House Museum was fascinating. It was built in 1772 for  Thomas Heyward, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. George  Washington was a guest here when he visited Charleston in 1791. Take a walk in  the formal gardens in the rear. Tour the Edmondston-Alton House that was built  in 1825, and has a commanding view of Charleston Harbor from the piazza.  While waiting for the tour outside, sit on the  Joggling Board that slightly jiggles. They were also known as courting benches  and date back to 1804.

Beyond  Downtown Charleston

Visit the beautiful Angel Oak tree which is considered the largest Southern  live oak tree east of the Mississippi River. The famed tree is located on Johns  Island and estimated to be 300 to 400 years old and stands 65 feet tall. It  measures 25.5 feet in circumference.  This natural wonder is a historical site and  focal point of one of the City of Charleston’s public parks. It produces shade  that covers 17,200 square feet. Over 400,000 people a year journey to see Angel  Oak.

Middleton Place
Photo provided by Larry Holloway Photography


Reserve a trail ride on horseback at the Middleton Equestrian Center. No  experience is necessary for the Middleton Equestrian Center's approximately one  hour guided and narrated horseback riding tour. Experience Middleton Place,  America’s oldest landscaped gardens—laid out in 1741. The gardens were the  scene of the Britisher’s Ball in the film, The Patriot. Notice a  hand-written letter from Abraham Lincoln encased in the house tour.

 Noticeably absent in your Charleston  honeymoon is skyscrapers and a big city vibe. Instead, the most important days  after you say “I do” will be filled with slow lingering days of romance for  making memories that will last a lifetime. For the best tool to plan your honeymoon,  visit  www.ExploreCharleston.comImagine a  place waiting for three centuries to provide a sensory celebration for your  first days of forever. Here, you can meander along cobblestone streets  surrounded by mansions and Revolutionary War structures--still intact. The next  day, explore art galleries, shops, restaurants, and gardens with narrow paths,  then, sail around the harbor for pure relaxation. Come dusk, board a private  horse-drawn carriage where the driver becomes practically invisible while the  sounds of the clip-clopping horses become your preferred audible. Your perfect  honeymoon destination--Charleston, South Carolina, a city where history and  romance have conspired to attract couples from around the globe.

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