The Restoration
75 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Why We Like It
With gorgeous, well appointed guest suites (seriously: you may want to copy some of the décor for your own home), an on-site restaurant and bar that locals approve of, and a spa, relaxation pool, and café, The Restoration has all the creature comforts a traveler may need. Its central—yet also quiet—location, friendly service, and cool, community-driven vibe make it a standout among the city's boutique hotels.
Fodor's Expert Review
Designed by Charleston architect Neil Stevenson and housed in five impressively restored historic buildings, The Restoration is a sleek, swank, and new-South-styled boutique hotel with over-the-top amenities that include an on-site boutique, complimentary bike rentals, and in-room iPads. Offering both standard hotel suites and apartment-style digs complete with a full kitchen and living room, the property—which is situated above some of King Street’s best shopping—suits both short-term and long-term travelers, as well as larger groups.
You Should Know The Restoration is a brilliantly styled property that’s loaded with unique and convenient amenities and that offers one-of-a-kind special packages. And the price of its rooms reflects that. It’s a perfect spot for travelers looking to unwind and take full advantage of a property’s offerings, but if you plan to be out and about when you’re not asleep, the amenities may not be worth the investment.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
From the 500-square-foot Studio Suites with one king bed and single bathroom to the 2,300 square-foot Residential Three Bedroom Rooftop Terrace Suite with two kings, one queen, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a full kitchen, living room, washer/dryer, and private terrace, rooms run the gamut from standard hotel digs to apartment-style quarters. Regardless of size, the spaces are grounded in a calming palette of neutrals and blues and are decidedly modern (each room features smart TVs and a personal iPad), cool (think leather, exposed brick, and hardwood floors), and comfortable.
Tip Want easy access to fresh air? When you’re booking, request a room with a private or semi-private terrace.
Bathroom
Spacious bathrooms offer roomy walk-in showers, granite vanities, über-plush robes (which are available for purchase), and handmade Beekman 1802 products. Larger suites offer soaking tubs and double vanities, too.
Lobby
You’ll breeze through the check-in lobby but will want to sit back and relax in the hotel’s ground-floor library, where you’ll find handsome coffee table books—that you can borrow during your stay—a flicking fireplace, and homely furnishings.
Pool
Hidden from locals, who frequent the ground floor’s coffee shop and boutique and top floor’s restaurant and bar, is one of the property’s hidden gems: The Indigo Serenity Pool. The petite relaxation pool is situated on an open-air terrace, giving you picturesque views of downtown.
Tip For a calm, memorable happy hour, bring a cocktail with you—but be sure it’s not in a glass—and watch the sunset as you soak.
Spa
Stop by the high quality—and seriously tranquil—Amethyst Spa at The Restoration for manis, pedis, facials, aromatherapy, organic body scrubs, and massages.
Gym
Though there’s not a facility on-site, guests have complimentary access to the gym and group fitness classes at nearby Pivotal Fitness (2-minute walk).
Tip From April to October, the hotel’s The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits hosts complimentary rooftop yoga classes on Wednesday evenings.
Dining
The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits is a light and bright restaurant and bar located on the hotel’s top floor. With both indoor and outdoor seating, you’ll soak up impressive city views while denim-clad servers bring you farm-to-table Southern fare. The Watch is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch; for breakfast, a complimentary made-to-order breakfast basket from the on-site café will be delivered to your room.
Tip The Watch has a few weekly events you won’t want to miss. On Mondays, enjoy a burger and beer for $10; Tuesdays, catch live music; and on Wednesdays, check out their special charcuterie and Champagne pairings.
Drinking
Choose from an extensive menu of wine, beer, and cocktails at The Watch, and mingle with fellow guests during a wine and cheese reception from 5 to 6 p.m. and port, milk, and cookies hour (8 to 9 p.m.), both served in the library. Get your caffeine fix at The Rise Coffee Bar, located on the ground floor.
Shopping
Part hotel convenience shop (with high-quality snacks, wine, and chilled craft beer ready for purchase), part upscale boutique, The Port Mercantile Retail Store carries a well curated selection of artisan-made items ranging from books and cookbooks to hats, scarves, candles, luggage, and perfumes.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Self or valet park your car in the garage next door; you’ll be able to walk, bike (the hotel offers complimentary Martone bicycle rentals), pedicab, or ride-share your way around the peninsula. If you tire of walking, use the complimentary DASH trolley to visit popular sightseeing stops. Headed to a beach or plantation? Drive or hail a ride-share. If you’re a vintage car fanatic, check out their “Retro Rides” special package, which lets you rent iconic rides like a 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible for a day.
Restaurants
Walk out of the hotel, across Wentworth Street, and into Basic Kitchen (15-second walk), a new vegan-friendly lunch, dinner, and brunch hotspot known for its grain bowls, cocktails, and plant-filled courtyard. Don’t miss the octopus carpaccio or pasta offerings at the nearby Italian osteria Le Farfalle (5-minute walk). Splurge on some of the best seafood in town at The Ordinary (17-minute walk).
Bars
Enjoy a swanky cocktail as you people-watch pedestrians on King Street at The Belmont (15-minute walk), sip a locally brewed craft pint al fresco at Revelry Brewing Co. (9-minute drive), or play foosball, watch sports, munch on elevated bar fare, and order delicious drinks at the cool and casual Warehouse (6-minute drive).
Photos
Quick Facts
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