Charleston has been on my list for a long time. It’s southern charm and tasteful elegance have appealed to me from the time I first heard about it, but it’s taken me a while to make my way to this colorful city by the sea!
I typically recommend not staying in a chain hotel when visiting a smaller city like Charleston, because chances are good you will get a more local infused and therefore authentic experience.
This was most definitely the case with our stay at the John Rutledge House Inn. You arrive to a stately pre-Civil War home, and we happened to arrive at dusk. This made the entire experience all the more picturesque.
To begin with you enter the front door by walking up a grand double sided iron staircase into what was once a private home. A private home where George Washington once visited! Because this is a small hotel, it allows the owner the luxury of choosing unique decor for each room. Our pet friendly room can be summed up as quintessential southern charm. The blue hues were tranquil and the view of the courtyard had us feeling like locals in the southern gem of a city!
We ventured out for a light dinner of seafood, because when this close to the sea, why not?! After sampling some Oysters we tried the shrimp ceviche and the tuna tartar. Both were just as delicious as we hope they would be. We then discover and indulged in the low-country special of she-crab soup! Which is a crab bisque with some added spices and a quick pour of some sherry to top it off! Apparently she-crab is popular in many restaurants, but as we ate at Amen Street, I can give a strong recommendation for their food and service.
We then walked back to the hotel, which I loved. I love a city that feels safe enough to walk in the evening, and that was my feeling of Charleston. It’s also a lovely way to take in the city and experience the nightlife. It’s usually a very different experience than in the bustling broad daylight of a Monday morning.
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