Francis Marion Hotel Review

The Francis Marion, one of Charleston's finer hotels, brings a guest back to a time in America when women wore hats and gloves for fashion and one dressed for dinner; a time when men wore tuxedoes and pulled out a lady's chair.

The lobby in the Francis Marion could be taken right from a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie: open and spacious but not cavernous with its hand strung chandeliers, large columns with ornate moldings and baby grand piano surrounded by clusters of overstuffed and inviting chairs. In a word, this hotel has style with all its amenities just as it did back in the 1920's when it was first built. Being the finest hotel in town, the Francis Marion was the spot where anyone who was anyone in Charleston held their occasions, soirees and weddings. And changing with the times, the hotel has undergone a $15 million renovation to restore and preserve the earlier opulence and luxury as well as update and add all the modern conveniences in such a way that the hotel loses none of its earlier style and charm.

Located on King Street, this hotel boasts views of the Francis Marion Park across the way and of the famed Charleston skyline from varying perspectives so that one might see the park or some steeples and even a glimpse of the water and the unique Ravenel Bridge. Though very pleasing, the panoramic view is not the most remarkable facet to the hotel, nor is it the scrupulously maintained and plush surroundings but rather the meticulous service provided by the management and staff of the establishment that makes the difference in whether a stay or event is successful and fully enjoyed. Whether staying for a business engagement or a social event, one will feel that every possible need is addressed and seamlessly so.

Offering all the services one would expect from a grand hotel, guests will enjoy an in-house spa, doorman and bell service, concierge, valet parking, room service and business and fitness centers. Also available within hotel are a coffee shop, full service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a cocktail lounge with live piano music.

For business meeting or symposium the Francis Marion Hotel provides audio visual services to ensure that all electronics are cutting edge and professionally installed to support the most proficient presentation for your company. The hotel has ample space to comfortably service a conference of up to 300 in one room or convention utilizing multiple function rooms for larger events.

    

For celebrations, family events or weddings the Francis Marion proffers several ballrooms and the Grand Dining Room as enviable venues to serve your guests in "graceful style" with richly dressed floor to ceiling windows, sconced walls and multiple candelabra type chandeliers for ambiance. The ladder back wooden chairs, fireplace, real silver accoutrements and crisp white linens also say, "top drawer service." Your guests can reside in comfort in any of the 230 guestrooms offering varying degrees of luxury to attend your function.

The menu for the daily dining service is planned for the restaurant each day by the hotel's professional chef who often attends the farmer's market on Marion Park to select the freshest possible produce in town for the Marion guests. The food is fresh and delicious obviously prepared by skilled hands so that one might never have to leave the hotel but considering the tony address on King Street, guests staying at the Francis Marion Hotel will have many of the best of Charleston's restaurants and shopping right outside the doors.

Step back in time into this full service, luxury hotel, back to when the idea of travel could mean a steamer ship to Europe, a quick trip for a champagne toast on New Years Eve in New York City or a little vacation meant wintering in the southern states. A taste of the high living of an earlier era can be had at The Francis Marion Hotel, complete with fine dining, exceptional service, superior views, opulent surroundings and all for an excellent value particularly for standard queen or double full rooms. The Francis Marion Hotel earns an enviable 4-diamond**** rating.