If you need a place to stay when visiting Charleston, you can’t go wrong with the superb, Marriott-branded Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel. It was redesigned and relaunched in 2017, and still feels brand new six years later. The exterior is kind of inconspicuous, but inside the hotel is vibrant, charming and eclectic. Amenities include a coffee shop, restaurant, heated outdoor pool, fitness center and complimentary bikes with which to explore the historic city.

All that being said, perhaps the best part of the hotel is the southern hospitality guests receive. Every staff member we encountered bent over backwards to provide top notch service and it really added to the experience.

Location

Situated in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, the hotel’s location on Wentworth Street could not be better. It’s about a half-block from famous King Street, which has an array of shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. One might wonder about the noise level given its proximity to this iconic Charleston street. Fortunately, it’s situated on a lesser trafficked cross street, so it feels hidden despite being in the middle of downtown.

The hotel is also adjacent to the College of Charleston and within a 10-minute walk of other popular attractions like Charleston City Market.

Parking

On-site, valet parking is available for $45 per day. They also have an electric charging station opposite the entrance for those with electric vehicles.

Lobby

During the renovation, the lobby was redesigned and furnished to create a central meeting place in the heart of the hotel. It’s a warm and inviting space, with comfy chairs all over the place encouraging people to connect and hang out.

We arrived at the hotel around 11 a.m., so as expected, our room wasn’t ready. However, the front desk checked us in and took care of tagging and storing our luggage, so we could start exploring the city.

The owners of The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel have done an incredible job training the staff. Everyone who works there was warm, accommodating and happy to go out of their way to provide excellent service. I didn’t expect this level of service and really didn’t think it would even matter that much to me. However, it really did enhance our stay and would be a big reason to come back.

Great service can usually be measured by the little things. The valets always opened the door anytime we were coming or going. They were eager to recommend local attractions or help us decided on a place for lunch. I also saw a guest ask a valet where he could recycle a can of soda. Instead of just pointing him in the direction of the trash receptacle, he took the can from the guest and disposed of it himself.

The Room

As with the rest of the property, the hallways and hotel rooms still looked new and modern, even six years after the renovation.

I loved the decision to go with wood vinyl flooring instead of carpet in the rooms. It’s a much more modern look and and felt both rustic and clean.

I also enjoyed the curated artwork above the bed, which kept with the hotel’s eclectic style. It gave off a boutique hotel vibe that you don’t usually get from a big hotel chain. Overall, the room had a king bed, plus a large sitting area and a small desk. It also had a 55-inch smart TV and plenty of outlets and USB ports to charge all your gadgets.

The Bathroom

The decently-sized bathroom was clean and well maintained, showing no signs of wear and tear.

The black-and-white rabbit wallpaper, which lined the bathroom walls, was another nice eclectic touch.

Hotel Amenities

Amenities include a coffee shop, restaurant, heated outdoor pool, fitness center and complimentary bikes.

Dining

Handy and Hot

The hotel’s coffee shop, Handy and Hot is open daily between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. This grab-n-go spot specializes in homemade biscuits, hand pies and other assorted breakfast and lunch items.

Lenoir

Opened in 2021, Lenoir is a concept from chef, cookbook author and PBS star, Vivian Howard. Open Tuesday through Sunday, it serves cuisine of the rural, agricultural South and aims to treat people like they are guests in a home rather than patrons in a restaurant.

Outdoor Pool

The heated saltwater pool is located on the hotel’s rooftop. It’s a great spot to soak up some sun while enjoying the charm of Charleston’s historic buildings.

Fitness Center

The 24-hour, complimentary fitness center is located next to the pool and has everything you could want. Equipment includes treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, free weights and strength-training machines.

Complimentary Bikes

The staff helped us map out a route and then we were off to explore. Riding bikes through the city was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We actually biked twice while we were there, exploring all different parts of Charleston, from the harbor to Waterfront Park to some of the more residential areas.

Bottom Line

I would love to come back to Charleston some day and there is certainly plethora of great hotels to choose from in the historic district. However, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again at The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel. The location can’t be beat and I was really impressed with the level of service given to us by every single hotel employee. Charleston is a very charming and vibrant city and this hotel is the perfect match.

Trip Report Index

1. Using Points and Miles to get to Charleston
2. The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel
3. Where to Eat in Charleston