EMELINE

OUR ARTICLE

Southern hospitality, southern cooking, and southern charm — Charleston is a true gem of the American South. And the CYTIES team loves discovering destinations like Emeline that live up to that distinction.

More oasis than luxury lifestyle hotel, guests are invited to escape into one of the city’s crowning hospitality jewels. Billed as a “proud and noble hotel in Charleston’s historic district,” it’s just blocks away from the iconic Rainbow Row and steps away from the Historic Charleston City Market.

Green and yellow Emeline emblazoned beach cruisers are scattered along the red brick sidewalk of the white and gray, regal-esque front entrance. The building has all the trimmings of Southern architecture: intricate details, columns, gas lamps, and other elements characteristic of Lowcountry design.

Inside, a beautiful mixture of earth and jewel tones (greens, yellows, browns) are complemented by brilliant patterns, brushes of brass, wooden staircases, glass, leather, pristine white walls, handsome flora and fauna, warm lighting, pottery, and other graceful features.

The motif bleeds into each hotel room and suite, which also boasts several unique touches and amenities, including turntables and custom vinyl, custom ceramic vanity accessories by local artist Susan Gregory and accents of marble, glass, orbital lighting, and contrasting textures.

Hotel amenities include a gorgeous, expansive outdoor courtyard, The Nook offering complimentary sparkling and fresh water, fresh fruit, and periodicals (if you need some down time after burning rubber on the road), and the Keep Shop on its ground floor, selling a curated selection of goods, from jewelry to home goods, to stationary and books, to hats, clothing, and bags.

Onsite eatery options include Clarks Coffee Co. coffee shop and bakery and Frannie & The Fox, an indoor and outdoor dining experience with “Italian sensibilities” that extends to the courtyard and offers delicious wood-fired dishes and cocktails. In fact, our first introduction was afternoon drinks and bites — it’s a fluid space that’s perfect for a more formal dinner or brunch excursion or a mid-afternoon Negroni or glass of rose.

One can easily lose track of time in the courtyard that’s a perfect recess from a deceptively energetic city that is rich with craft cocktail bars, breweries, beaches, coffee shops, shopping locales, and an impressive array of restaurants, including some of the best you’ll find anywhere — in the South or otherwise.

Emeline rates begin at $299 and range as high as $800+ a night for premier room stays. This hotel definitely gets CYTIES stamp of approval as a badass hospitality haven.