I owe my luxurious accommodations to the kindness of Linn Lesesne, who took great care in making sure I was comfortably settled into a room at the Romanesque-style Victoria House Inn for my stay. Originally built in 1889 as the Charleston YMCA, this elegant bed and breakfast is conveniently (and dangerously ;) located near tempting antique shops and clothing boutiques on King Street. In the heart of the historical district, it is one of five area inns run by Charming Inns of Charleston. I was fortunate to get a chance to see all five properties - a few by nosing around on my own and two through a tour given by Linn herself. Nearby King's Courtyard Inn and Fulton Lane Inn both offer similar, elegant lodging to that of Victoria House Inn. AAA has bestowed Four Diamond Awards to all inns in this group and guests can be assured they will receive not only excellent hospitality, but treats such as wine and sherry in the afternoons and turndown service with chocolates in the evening. Many rooms offer fireplaces, canopy beds, whirlpool baths or other luxurious features. From what I saw, it's not possible to go wrong with a room in any of these properties. Just a short distance away, at 116 Broad Street, the John Rutledge House Inn offers all of the services of the other inns in the beautifully restored home of John Rutledge, one of the original fifty-five signers of the U.S. Constitution. Built in 1763, this impressive building is detailed with wonderful wrought iron work. Elegant, curved stairways lead to the entrance. Accommodations offered include beautifully furnished rooms and extremely spacious suites.
I thanked Linn for her fabulous tour and turned my attention to touring some of Charleston's Historic District. I gave myself my own walking tour, admiring architecture, gardens, courtyards and churches. A stroll through the market area gave me a chance to see goods such as Mary Lou Ranson's handpainted glass containers, spices by Virginia Smalls and a wide assortment of the well-known sweet grass baskets.
With all the fabulous restaurants in this city, it should be difficult deciding where to eat. But I got hooked a few years ago on one little place, which I now consider a personal Charleston tradition. Convenient to the market area, I only had to take a few steps to land at Wild Wing Cafe. Here, under ceiling fans, old metal signs and even a giant sculptured hippopotamus head, I ordered my favorite: lemon pepper wings. Ten wings and two diet cokes later, I emerged again onto the Charleston streets and headed for the inn. Charleston holds much for visitors inside its historic district, but on this trip I decided to push outside the city and explore the surounding areas. I would meet up with a writing friend from the area and together we would head out to explore the outskirts of the city. With this in mind, I settled back into my room and drifted off to sleep in my incredibly comfortable bed at Victoria House Inn. Additional Photos: View Here If You Go: Victoria House Inn Reservation information for all inns: Charming Inns of Charleston |
A pre-arranged, early knock on my door delivered hot coffee, juice and a basket of warm, fresh-baked pastries. Propped up in bed, I sipped the fresh brew, nibbled on a cinnamon roll, and wrote my way into the day. Surrounded by cool shades of sage and ivory, wood, rattan and ceilings that reached the sky, I melted into my Charleston surroundings.
Thanks to wealthy cotton merchant Francis Silas Rodgers, who designed and built Wentworth Mansion as a private residence in 1886, Charleston visitors who seek luxurious lodging can find it at 149 Wentworth Street. This breathtaking building is the product of five years of exquisite restoration and that effort shows in every detail, from the original doorknobs and fixtures to the magnificent city-wide views from the cupola, accessed by circular stairs from the top floor. To say the suites are spacious would be an understatement. Hand-carved marble fireplaces team up with Tiffany stained glass windows to add to the elegance here. Personalized service is a high priority. Excellent, fine dining can be found just steps away in the original carriage house, now Circa 1886 Restaurant. 
I had the pleasure of meeting Sue Middleton, who did her best to focus on a basket she was weaving, even with my persistent questions and picture-taking. I treated myself to a small basket, one of many she had for sale. Sixty years she's been making these, Sue told me. Ever since she was a young child. I'll treasure my sweet grass basket, knowing the work she put into it.