An igougo.com Weekend

The highlight of the trip was a splendid experience at the Wentworth Mansion in Charleston. This historical mansion is all that a five diamond resort/hotel should be. Our check-in went flawlessly just like the folks at IgoUgo said it would. The amenities were far better than any five star experience we have ever had. I say that knowing that the Wentworth Mansion is currently rated as a four diamond establishment. I am sure that it will be upgraded very quickly as it certainly deserves the higher ranking. Our first night was in a delightful room at the venerable Francis Marion Hotel as well. This accommodation was also booked through IgoUgo.com and as a result, we had the best room we have ever had there. Thanks to our travel coordinator we had preferred rooms on the 11th floor and our room boasted two private baths and a very comfortable sitting room. I will provide more information on both places later.

Quick Tips:

In order to get the same results I recommend that you signup for the advanced status and start to experience the tremendous savings and prefered treatment that we enjoyed. I would avail myself of the valet parking offered at the Francis Marion. Secure private parking was available at the Wentworth Mansion and you park right next to your rooms. Check-in is available at 4 p.m. at the Mansion but we had no difficulty in signing in a little earlier in the day. Even though Charleston is a beautiful city, try to spend as much time at the Mansion as you can. We stayed in what is referred to as a mansion room and it was difficult to force ourselves to go out of the room. The staff was very accommodating and completely knowledgable about the services, history of the premises, and about the city of Charleston as well. Try and take advantage of the daily complimentary hors d'oeves from 5 till 6 in the evening and the complimentary sherry, port or brandy offered throughout the day.

Best Way To Get Around:

To get around in downtown Charleston you can walk, take a taxi, rent a horse and buggy, or drive. I suggest if you are going to look at the diverse history of the city a horse and buggy or your own car is the best way to go. You can see a full dress parade on Friday afternoons at The Citadel, take a boat tour of Fort Sumter, see a world class aquariam, attend a performance at America's oldest theater (Dock Street Theater), eat in one of a hundred great restaurants, or enjoy wonderful early American architecture. Take a cell phone for hotel calls and if you want to try a movie attend a performance at the American Theater where you can eat a meal while you watch the movie.

As previously stated, the Mansion (currently four diamond) is a five diamond establishment waiting to happen.

The house was completed in 1886. It was built in the Second Empire style, and it was and it remains, one of the finest architectual jewels in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I cannot imagine anyone finding fault with the location, ambiance, furnishings, or the staff. Our room was magnificiently furnished and luxurious enough to house royalty. The bathroom design was the best I have ever run across. It had acres of space, a huge enclosed glass shower, an oversize whirlpool, and a private toilet room within the bathroom. The king sized bed was out of Gone With the Wind. There was a comfortable lounge for reading, two televisions, a CD music center, magnificient high ceilings, and a sense of history and comfort that permeated throughout the mansion.

The weather was spectacular and the thermometer hit 75 degrees. The mansion boasts at least ten large air conditioners and our room had an adjustable temperature control which I kept on 68 degrees. The history of the mansion can be read at www.wentworthmansion.com. I will mention the fourth floor had a winding staircase that led to a cupola with huge glass windows that offer one of the finest views of the city. Go to their website to learn about the mystery of the cupola''s purpose. Strangely enough my wife''s father had worked in this mansion nearly fifty years ago when the mansion was used as something else. Experience this wonderful and historic location if you have the chance.

The mansion offered a wonderful continental breakfast, free daily hors d''oeves, and complimentary cordials throughout the day.

I have stayed at the Francis Marion many times over the past forty years since I was a cadet at The Citadel and I am happy to report that it has never been better. My wife and I took advantage of our upgraded igougo.com membership to stay in a junior suite on the eleventh floor and it was quite grand in an appropriate refined Charleston way. There were two bathrooms, two televisions, a nicely appointed sitting room, a great bed, and a view of the Cooper River Bridge that was spectacular.

Our first impressions were very positive as we were greeted by a highly motivated staff at the front door. Valet parking was available and I recommend that you take advantage of it. Next up was the revamped lobby. This spacious area was tremendously improved since our last stay. After a truly restful night we went downstairs to be greeted by the doorman who suggested a half dozen nice places to eat breakfast. After a stroll through the Farmers Market past the Old Citadel we returned to the restaurant at the Francis Marion for a course of Eggs Benedict which were moderately priced, well prepared, and more than ample.

In short, our stay at the Francis Marion was a smashing success and our hats are off to the igougo staff member (Paul) who set it up for us.

The movie, Harry Potter, was more for my grandson than for me but the theater was a trip! We were seated at a cozy little two seat table and presented with a menu. Shortly afterwards a real waiter appeared to take our order. We had to choose between pop corn, fried chicken fingers, French Fries, nachos with cheese, etc. and beer or soda pop.

The pop corn was three dollars with free refills. The seats were not traditional movie theater style but I found mine to be very comfortable. Where was this place when I was young and still dating? We tried the nachos with cheese, chicken strips, pop corn shrimp, and Amstel Lite Beer with a coke for the little man. On a scale of one to ten I would give the food a seven, the service a nine, and the novelty a ten.