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Crystal and I were really looking forward to this last-minute trip we booked at the Palmetto Hotel. We have never been to the area, so we chose a prime location in the heart of the French Quarter. We’ve heard so many great things about the area, so we were excited to experience the southern hospitality that everyone always raves about the south.

PARKING

We drove into Charleston, South Carolina from Tampa, Florida and arrived later in the evening. The signs to the valet location were lacking and there was not an attendee in front of the hotel to direct guests for valet parking.

Crystal eventually parked on the side of the street and ran inside to get some help. After getting some direction, we pulled into the parking garage located behind the hotel. When we got out of the car, we started unloading our luggage and the valet staff watched while we gathered our belongings.

We had to ask the staff in charge of the valet service if there was a luggage cart available and he eventually brought one out to us. He didn’t say much the entire time we were loading our luggage onto the cart. We weren’t sure if we handed the keys to him or not, so we had to ask him.

This was the first time we stayed at a hotel where we had to ask questions every step of the way during the check-in process. Certainly not what we were expecting since the price tag to stay here was roughly $500 per night.

CHECK-IN

We were greeted with a delightful house cocktail upon arrival, a gesture that made us feel special. Additionally, a thoughtful water and sweet tea station in the lobby provided a refreshing treat, a lovely touch that was much appreciated after our 7-hour drive.

The check-in process was efficient, and we headed upstairs to the second floor where our luggage had been promptly arranged, ready for our stay to begin.

BEDROOM

We were originally assigned to a room on the second floor, but we eventually had to request a room change because of the consistently disruptive noise coming from above each morning starting at 5 AM.

Receiving the room change turned out to be quite a frustrating experience overall. The new room allocated to us was noticeably smaller and the main door did not lock when exiting the room. This situation was far from ideal, so we requested another room change. Fortunately, the subsequent switch to the fourth floor provided us with a room of comparable size to our original one.

The entrance to our room welcomed us with its spacious layout, allowing us to move freely as we entered. A floor-length mirror and multiple hanging hooks were stylish additions that provided both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

The bedroom's decor struck a balance between modern and traditional styles, with a hint of nostalgia. The vibrant colors gave off a beach house feel, creating a cozy space with lots of natural light.

The king size bed had a comfortable mattress and we had plenty of pillow options. We usually book a room with two queen beds, but most, if not all, rooms at this hotel only had king bed options.

There was a nightstand on each side of our bed with plenty of outlets for both of us to charge our devices. There was also a little pullout shelf tucked in the nightstand if we needed more space.

We appreciated the cozy seating area provided at the foot of the bed, as it served as the ideal setting for savoring our breakfast in the morning.

There was a console table, TV, and wardrobe closet on the opposite side of the bed. The closet had space on the right to hang our clothes, and the space to the left was equipped with a digital safe, refrigerator (filled with drinks for purchase), Nespresso machine, and an assortment of liquor for purchase.

We also found plush slippers, robes, and a clothes steamer inside the closet. Personally, I prefer using an iron and ironing board, when staying at hotels, since I often face difficulty in locating a suitable spot to hang the clothes for steaming.

Since we were staying in the Deluxe King Balcony room, we had French doors where we could open and enjoy the fresh air. However, when we opened the door, we were shocked that the entire door came off its hinges giving us quite a startle.

This unforeseen maintenance issue made us hesitant to venture out onto the balcony, unsure of its overall stability. Kuma enjoyed looking out the balcony since her favorite pastime is people watching.

BATHROOM

The bathroom was modern, gorgeous, and spacious, complete with an assortment of plush towels. We were provided with plenty of standard amenities like cotton balls and Q-tips. There was also a dedicated makeup towel placed just below the mirror. We have noticed a growing trend emerging in the hotel industry where many establishments are now offering specialized black makeup towels to their guests.

The shower was equipped with a fancy jet shower panel. It had various options from a rainfall shower head to massage body jets. It also had a timer that automatically started when you turned it on, but it only worked once during our stay.

The toiletries provided in the hotel room were from Bamford, a lifestyle brand known for its commitment to holistic living and sustainable luxury. The selection of Bamford products complemented the hotel's ambiance.

COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST

Our stay included a daily complimentary breakfast that we found delightful. While the breakfast options were a bit limited, each dish was delicious, with our top picks being the savory grits and muffins. The buttery richness of the grits and the moist, flavorful muffins made every morning a treat. Surprisingly, the breakfast served here surpassed any breakfast outing we had in Charleston.

PET-FRIENDLINESS

One of the factors that influenced our decision to book this hotel was its pet-friendly policy. Kuma, Crystal’s corgi, accompanied us on our trip and we found the $150 pet fee per stay to be quite reasonable. It's worth noting that the hotel does not offer any amenities such as dog bowls or beds, so you’ll have to pack these items for your fur baby.

Additionally, there is no designated pet relief area on the hotel premises, and the immediate vicinity lacks grassy areas. However, a convenient solution is a short 5-minute stroll to the nearby Waterfront Park Pier. This is where the famous Pineapple Fountain is located.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The room was beautiful, comfortable, and we were in a prime location. Staying in the heart of the French Quarter, we were within walking distance to numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, museums, and more.

Would we stay here again? Probably not. The service really casted a shadow over an otherwise ideal stay. Sometimes the staff were borderline rude or left us feeling like we were a nuisance. There was only one staff member who was such a delight and super friendly. We wish he was working everyday, but we only saw him once during our five-day stay.

Upon check out, we noticed that we were charged for multiple items from the refrigerator that we did not consume. When we brought up the charge, it took over 15 minutes to have it removed from the bill and there was no apology for the mixup. We later found an additional miscellaneous $20 charge on our credit card which we still have yet to resolve.

Our stay at the Palmetto Hotel left us with mixed feelings. The charming decor and convenient location were definite highlights of the experience. However, it’s such a shame that the service was lacking because we see so much potential here. The responsiveness of the staff definitely affected our overall impression of the hotel.

PALMETTO HOTEL (map)
194 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 823-3604

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