We%26#39;re going to be trying to get a room somewhere in or very near downtown Charleston for Easter weekend, and we%26#39;re wondering if downtown is worth the extra $$$. The 3 and 3.5* hotels downtown go for 250 and up, whereas the Mount Pleasant area and Ashley River nearby are about $100 less. Any thoughts on whether we should just go with something a few miles away from downtown? Is it easy to drive into downtown and park to see the sights and dine? We%26#39;ll probably spend half our time outside the city anyway, seeing the seaside, maybe Middleton Plantation. I%26#39;d appreciate any wisdom - thanks.
Downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, or Ashley River
For a weekend, I would recommend downtown, especially if this is your first time in Charleston. That said, driving in and out of Charleston is extremely easy. Garage parking is convenient.
There are some very nice places to stay in Mount Pleasant. Shem Creek, with great, waterside, casual dining, is an asset; and you can easily drive to the beach at Isle of Palms.
Which hotels are you considering?
Downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, or Ashley River
I agree with K.V.
The first time you visit a city, it%26#39;s best to stay where all the action is. However, it does seem like you%26#39;ve been doing your research and you know that there are lots of things to do outside Charleston as well, so considering you%26#39;d pay big bucks for overnight city parking and not have that expense in Mt. Pleasant, I%26#39;d go with Mt. P but choose a hotel with great reviews. If you can stay at the Shem Creek Inn, that would be a treat, but there are other nice places. Easter weekend should be at the END of most Spring Breaks so you might be able to get a deal. Welcome and enjoy!
Thanks for the advice. We have been to Charleston before, but it%26#39;s been close to 13 years since our last visit. I checked out Shem Creek, but it%26#39;s a little more than we%26#39;d want to spend (about $229), especially if we%26#39;re not downtown. I%26#39;m looking at the Courtyard by Marriott in Mount Pleasant - it%26#39;s very well-reviewed on Tripadvisor and looks new and clean. I%26#39;d love to stay downtown, but even the 3* places downtown want upwards of $250/night. Perhaps I could find a nice B%26amp;B downtown that would be under $200. Any suggestions?
I agree, stay downtown, with such a short visit, you%26#39;ll have a better time walking than driving and parking. Try Embassy Suites or Hampton Inn HD, possibly Mills House, King George Best Western has just been remodeled and looks great...look for something that includes breakfast to cut the cost of at least one meal.
Yes, it%26#39;s easy to drive outside for plantations, etc., but the HD is best for home base for short stays, restaurants nearby, can take advantage of walking more after dusk when staying in the area.
You are going to be there a very popular weekend, in conjunction w/many spring breaks.
Have fun!
Well, ordinarily I would prefer to stay downtown, but all the hotels that have been recommended (3* not luxury) are in the $250-275 range. That seems crazy to me for a Best Western or a Holiday Inn. So I%26#39;ve made a reservation at the Hampton Inn at Patriot Point for $145/night (it gets very good reviews, and it%26#39;s only a couple of miles from HD). Saving $200 over those 2 nights means we%26#39;ll be eating much better. But I can cancel that reservation up to 24 hours before, so I%26#39;ll try Priceline in the weeks preceding our visit to see if I can get one of those downtown hotels for closer to $150. I realize it%26#39;s a busy weekend, and that might not be possible - but it%26#39;s worth a shot. Thanks for all the advice - I take it seriously. Any thoughts on my strategy?
Here%26#39;s a map that should help you greatly w/your parking. Tell us what your plans are to see and do and we can help some more.
www.charlestoncvb.com/pdf/chaspenmap.pdf
Wow - fantastic map - thanks so much. Well, we arrive very late - near midnight - on Thursday, April 12, so we%26#39;re staying near the airport that night and picking up a rental car the next morning. We%26#39;ll have all day Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday to explore Charleston and surrounding area (our flight back is Sunday, April 12, at 7pm). So I was thinking we%26#39;d spend at least a day driving around the area near Charleston - maybe see a plantation (any suggestions?) and take a look at the beaches. We%26#39;ll ';do'; downtown for at least 1 of those days. I remember the beautiful mansions and historic houses, and the battery-front park. Any must-not-miss places to see downtown? As for restaurants, I%26#39;d like to go to one fabulous dinner either Friday or Saturday night - suggestions welcome. For the other night, something more casual, maybe on the water outside of downtown - suggestions? When I%26#39;m near water, I have to have seafood. I love this forum and very much appreciate more experienced travelers%26#39; advice. Thanks.
Though many restaurants are wonderful, Hank%26#39;s is a must for you I think and then maybe...82 Queen? Click on ';Restaurants'; and then select (it%26#39;s a bit tricky to find) ';Restaurant Links'; and have fun. If your weather is as good as ours is today (periods of heavy rain) you%26#39;ll have an enjoyable afternoon clicking on some links on that site.
Check this out. Looks like the rates vary depending on location. charlestoncity.info/shared/…parking.html
If you are looking to save a little money on accomodations and are basically looking for a place to sleep and relax, while sightseeing the area, I%26#39;d recommend the Sheraton @ exit 215 off I-26. It%26#39;s reasonably priced and clean, has a pool and Internet access, if you like those amentities.
My wife and I stayed there a couple times when we were scoping out the area to figure out where we wanted to live.
With it%26#39;s location, you are minutes from downtown, Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley and even Summerville. Granted it%26#39;s not a quaint B%26amp;B in the Historic district (we did that also for our anniverasry), but it%26#39;s got a nice central location.
Just my 2 cents....
No comments:
Post a Comment