More about Marriott Charleston
Creme of the crop (Charleston Ashley River Side) NCL Cruise Majesty
by TripAdvisor Member OCALAFLORIDATRAVELER
Stayed at the Charleston Marriott 2 times recently. We stayed 3 nights before our cruise on NCL Majesty and 1 night after we got back.
This hotel is top notch and highly recommended to other tripadvisor readers and reviewers. Saffires is a quaint yet elegant restaurant showcasing the flavors of the low country.
Hint: Butternut Squash soup is to die for!! Will have you coming back for more.
Rooms: Average rooms, beds are very soft and comfortable. Television lacked a internet capability, although free internet use (computer use) was available downstairs) The only complaint or caveat is the bathrooms. Unless you get a handicapped accessible bathroom, the bathrooms in the standard rooms are a tad small.
Things to see and do:
Took a rather interesting tour and bus ride over to the Magnolia Plantation and then back to the visitors center for a 90 minute city tour. The companies name is Adventure Sightseeing and for $59.00 a person it was an all day affair. They will pick you up at the Marriott and take you to the plantation. (Recommend picking up some of the handmade sweetgrass baskets) being offered for sale in front of the refreshment stand at the Plantation. Also be sure to try the Fried Peanuts (acquired taste) I'm sure but they were rather good.
For Dinner in Downtown Charleston try A.W. Shucks downtown by the Market (oysters and seafood with a low country flare) and don't miss a trip out to Fort Sumter and Folly Beach while you are there. The Charleston Marriott while having some disadvantages like the smaller baths and room service isn't the most attentive at times it's the creme of the crop for a full service hotel and for the price it can't be beat.
NOTE for CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS:
Save your money and spend it at Saffires or take a tour before you head out on the cruise ship and park your car at the hotel. They have parking available for cruise ship passengers and best of all the $110.00 you save from parking at the port can be used on board the ship.
Taxi to the Port is about $20.00 one way. Make sure you ask because there is only 1 taxi allowed into the port itself. Otherwise you'll be hoofing it through some rather treacherous areas, and if it's raining you'll be all wet that's for sure.
Much better than I expected!
by TripAdvisor Member a17707
My family and I just concluded a very nice stay at the Charleston Marriott. We were participating in a local boating event downtown and elected to stay here due to its proximity to the event. Boy, was I surprised! The property was excellent in all respects. The check in and valet service was professional, speedy, and very nice. The rooms have been redone with higher end furnishings and the new bathrooms were very nice addition! My two children loved the multiple showerheads!
Unfortunately, we did not use the hotel's dining or bar services, so I cannot offer an opinion. However, several friends did comment on the bar serivce and outside bar as fun place to gather and socialize.
Would recommend this property to friends and co-workers from out of town!
Outstanding - especially for business travelers!
by TripAdvisor Member mon82
The Charleston Marriott is an outstanding hotel when it comes to service and accommodating your needs, and you DO need this if you are on the road all the time. I spent 6 months goint to CHS every week for business. I stayed the whole time at the Marriott, and I found the service great. The staff is friendly and helpful. They know what you want; you don't even need to ask.
I read some of the reviews... There is no doubt that the hotel could use some more renovations in the guest rooms (especially the bathrooms!), but I believe they paint and fix up things as they go. This hotel has come a long way ever since it became a Marriott. It used to be some other chain a while back.
But anyways, the food is great at the restaurant Saphire. Definitely, try the flatbread - delicious. Service at the concierge lounge is great. The two guys that work up there are awesome. The location is not bad - right on the river and really close to Historic Downtown. You can't ask for more - especially when parking is free! You get nice candy from the turndown service - Marriott m&ms or relaxing chocolate!
I would definitely recommend it.
Just nice, nothing special
by TripAdvisor Member slp1976
We just returned from a 2 night stay at the Marriott Charleston. The location is a short, easy drive from downtown Charleston. The hotel was nice and our room was clean. The room was average in size, but the bathroom was very small. Front desk personnel were courteous. Unfortunately there was a huge group staying at the hotel while we there, so the lobby and restaurant were loud and crowded. In addition, parking was at a premium both evenings.
Absolutely Great for Tourists.
by TripAdvisor Member TheHotelPro
We have just returned from a week staying at the Marriott Charleston. We were here for a wedding and to do as much sight seeing as possible in our 5 days and this hotel was perfect for both.
When we arrived at Charleston airport we caught a taxi from outside that cost $25 to the Marriott. On arrival, check in was very swift and we were given our room keys to our room on the 10th floor - room 1016. The room had a view towards the city and to the right you could see the Ashley River – slightly oblique views though.
The room itself was very pleasant inside. Huge kingside bed – which is on the firm side but lovely and comfortable, big heavy looking solid wood TV cabinet, with large TV, safe, refrigerator, and draws contained within. There were a couple of side tables, large desk and chair, along with an armchair and coffee table. There is plenty of wardrobe space and a full length mirror.
Numerous people have commented on the size of the bathroom and yes it isn’t massive but we found it to be perfectly fine. There was a slightly sunken bath with double headed shower, toilet and sink as you would expect. It is really only suitable for one person at a time though.
There is one main restaurant in the hotel on the ground floor but the food is, by and large, excellent! The flatbreads are a real treat as is the butternut squash soup. Grits are on the menu which are an absolute must – whether you have them here or in the Historic District which is full of superb restaurants. Portions are typically on the large side and my wife struggled to get close to finishing her meal.
The breakfasts were fairly typical of hotel in the part of the world. Eggs, Grits, Bacon, sausage, cereal, toast, bagel, french toast, juices etc. We didn’t eat breakfast though here so I can’t comment on what they were like. We were always out and about early and ate in the Historic District.
The bar offers an excellent selection of lagers and ales along with a very extensive wine list. By UK standards the prices are very reasonable indeed - $4 for a bottle of beer and wine starting at $18 for a bottle. Attached to the bar is a coffee bar that sells Starbucks Coffee. We tended to pick one up from there every morning along with a bagel instead of having a big breakfast in the hotel.
There is a gym on site which is full of cardio equipment, such as running machines, cross trainers etc and there are also a number of weight training machines as well. The hotel also has a outdoor swimming pool which we didn’t use it as we just didn’t have the time but we did see people using it and they seemed to be having a great time.
On the 3rd floor there is a terrace bar that overlooks the Ashley River and Park opposite which is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (4pm – 11pm). It is a lovely place to relax and have a drink and get the weekend started! There is also a large terrace area that leads off the bar with a substantial seating area.
Getting into the Historic District is possible on foot but the hotel runs a shuttle bus which runs up until 10pm. The bus costs $6 per person but that entitles you to use the bus as many times as you want in the day. It takes less than 10mins on the bus to get into the Historic District – the bus drops you off at Waterfront Park and collects you from the same spot. When you want collecting you just call the hotel and they send the bus to get you…. Brilliant or what! We tended to get up early and go sight seeing, catch the bus back to the hotel, shower and change and then head back on the bus for dinner in town. Should you get a young lad called John as a driver – he is fantastically amusing and is more than happy to give you a guided tour on the bus of the historic district houses – there are some crackers!! Should you rather get a cab they cost between $5-$7 each way.
Additional note worth mentioning, we booked a tour to Middleton Plantation (which is so worth visiting $55per person) with Charleston Tours at the visitor centre and they send a bus to collect you at the hotel rather than having to venture into the city to be picked up.
In summary, the hotel was good value for money and having the bus shuttle dropping you into the historic district was a real bonus. The restaurant is certainly above average and the prices are very good. I would certainly recommend this hotel for people intending visiting the historic district as well as those on business.
Quiet location, free parking
by TripAdvisor Member 33Jack
This is a relatively new hotel located adjacent to the Ashley River, with great views of the water. Parking is complimentary as is the Internet in the Business Center. The Citadel and Colleg eof Charleston are closeby, so a good location if visiting either location. I liked the quiet location. It is just a few minutes to the historic district but you are no tin the historic district. I walked, actually, in 35 minutes from the Marriott to the center of the historic district. It was also very easy to get from the hotel to Folly Beach via SC 30.
Excellent Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member BigdawgChicago
Stayed here for what was supposed to be one night which ended up being two nights due to my friends at AA stranding me because of the MD80 mess. I recommend the hotel without hesitation-it was close to 5 stars for me. Lobby, public area and meeting room area is about the nicest I've seen-freshly done with very bright colors and very modern decor. Unlike some other reviewers, I have no complaints with the room as it was quite nice and quiet. Check in was quick and all hotel personnel were very accomodating. Had the buffet in Saffires which was very good. I paid $160 a nite and have paid almost double that for hotels that don't come close to being as nice as this property. Parking is kind of weird as it is along side the hotel and if that is filled, you have to park in the back. But since there is a back entrance, this wasn't a problem. The bottom line is I would definitely stay here again and recommend you do so also.
Beautiful, quiet, a little too far from Historic District
by TripAdvisor Member 2kutekdz
The hotel was absolutely beautiful. Warm pleasant staff. The beds were firm and the linens felt crisp and smelt very fresh and clean. There were 2 very large over-stuffed pillows and 2 nice full sleeping pillows gracing the beds. Fresh towels & linens every day and quick & early room service if you wanted it. No smells in the room (my sister insisted she smelt some "mold" in ours, but no one else did.) The washrooms were well kept but not spotless, a little extra elbow grease under the toilet rim needed, and there were fingerprints on the washroom door that had been built up overtime, not just missed once. Room service arrives bright and early, on your first night, don't forget to put the "do not disturb" sign on the door or they will be knocking to wake you up before you know it.
We were at the end of the hall and found it to be quiet, we didn't have a river view so we got stuck looking over a/c units and the parking lot that was a little noisy but really didn't bother any of us including my sister who is a "5-Star hotel jetsetter" That says a lot!! The elevators were fast, the hotel had a Starbucks in it, lovely treat to start the day, there is a "rooftop bar" which overlooks the Ashley River. A glass of house wine was only $4.
There were 4 women in our group, staying in 2 separate rooms and even as we'd sit out in the courtyard (which was very charming) the front desk supervisor would check on us (even when off duty) to make sure we were happy and if there was anything he could do to accommodate or assist us. When we tried to tip him he simply refused.
Each day the lobby has a complimentary table set up with lemon water & strawberry water to refresh yourself along with complimentary apples and oranges. This is especially nice as you were welcome to fill up your water bottle and grab the fruit on your way out for the day.
My only complaint would have to be, that even though the hotel is only about a mile from the Historic District, which should be a pleasant walk, the walk ventures down a very busy almost "highway" section. We all like to walk, but felt it just wasn't safe or practical to do so. Consequently we found ourselves using a taxi regularily. Now THAT's a whole new topic! It is illegal to hail a taxi in SC! (If you stay here or ANYWHERE in Charleston, call ahead and get the hotel to give you a cab company phone number, like yellow cab, to call when you arrive in the airport. Don't take the "shuttle service" out front, stinky and dirty and you have to make every stop along the way for $12 per person. If you are traveling with friends it's about $25-30 to get to the hotel directly via a cab.) While staying in SC you must call a cab company directly EVERYTIME you need one, but a lot of the time they don't answer the phone at all, NONE of the companies, because they are too busy. (Just imagine a Friday or Sat. night!) SO you must be-friend a cabi, get his personal cell number (they gladly give it out) and rely on him, this is an invaluable treasure. A good cabi will come to your aid when all else fails. The one we discovered, even when off duty would call a colleague for us if we were stuck! (Tip well, it's worth it.) That being said, the hotel offers a shuttle, $6/person per day...keep in mind that's not bad...but the last pick up in town to return to the hotel is 10:30pm...and it's only about $6 for your cab load from town to the hotel or vise-versa. You do the math for your group. A trip from the hotel to one of the Plantations, Middleton or Magnolia is about $30 (tip not included).
All said, I'd stay here again, I'd just budget better for the cab rides as they really added up.
so-so
by TripAdvisor Member jkuryak
After staying on the Isle of Palm for a few days, my wife and I decided to stay in Charleston for one night before we flew home. I wanted to stay in a Marriott to accumulate stays and points. Big Mistake. Should have stayed in the Historic District area. As for the hotel, it seems tired. Some improvements, but appear superficial. it is apparent the hotel is understaffed. Bar/restaurant took forever to get a drink and snack. in the morning, coffee bar had a line because it was staffed with only one person. Is considered a full-service Marriott, but lacked the service.
Nice.... BUT !
by TripAdvisor Member grnbaypackers03
Nice hotel but the hotel walls were very thin. Starting at 5AM I started to hear all the showers and the doors slamming shut as people started their days.
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