Editor Pick
In a Hotel Far, Far Away
- November 18, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Carmen from Fairfax, Virginia
When we were looking at hotels for our long weekend getaway to Charleston, we were astonished at the rates for the hotels in downtown Charleston. Admittedly, they were close to the action, but I’ve stayed in 4- and 5- start hotels for what it would cost for a 3-star there. While researching other options on the Internet, we learned of the Hampton Inn, on Daniel Island. It’s a ritzy suburb of Charleston, about a 25-30 minute drive in your rental car to get to downtown.
As hotels go, it was satisfactory. For our $159 a night on Thursday and our $189 a night on Friday and Saturday (though we would depart a day early), there was a comfortable bed, an incredibly pleasant staff and a free continental breakfast with tasty southern biscuits, fresh fruit, etc. However, what the hotel gained in service it lacked in ambiance. It was clearly a hotel geared toward the business traveler, and less so for the tourists that flock for the southern charm. The bare-bones décor was kind of stodgy and the building itself was quite minimal.
However, all that would’ve been fine if not for the location. Now, I realize that I made a conscious effort to get a hotel outside of the tourist center of Charleston. However, the price of gas and a rental car would’ve offset the cost of staying in the downtown area. The trek to and from the city took every bit of the half hour we were told it would, and that’s where all of the attractions are. Worse than the commute, was the fact that there wasn’t a whole lot going on around the hotel in its little suburb. There were a few restaurants, one on the hotel property, but none of the others within walking distance.
So as far as a review goes, the hotel was certainly passable, clean and service-oriented. The hotel décor lacks the southern charm that you’d expect from Charleston, and the location is pretty far from the action. However, if, like me, you want to avoid the high prices in the hotels downtown, this one would certainly be a good option.
From journal Charming Charleston Weekend