Spa Canada Magazine

Charleston Place

GOOD MORNING SIR, YOU ARE IN THE MOST POLITE CITY IN THE UNION A STAIRCASE OF SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AWAITS YOU AT CHARLESTON PLACE, South Carolina

By James Knight

IN life you visit probably one place you will want to stay and hitch your tent and say this is the place I want to live. I found such a place that suits me, in so many ways, from the politeness of the residents, climate and the historical interest in the place. Charleston, South Carolina to me is "My Kind of Town", as famous person once said, it has that wonderful laid-back atmosphere, the deep south cuisine and culture.

Being British it is often hard to find a place which matches the British historical culture, in the States, Charleston is one of the few places I have found after extensive travelling that is a blend of British, French and American culture all-rolled into one, it is place you can relax and feel you are in a city that does have all the cultures I have spoken about. I have visited the city at least fifteen time in the last twenty years, I must be in line for a record for one of Britain's best visitors, working for the Public Relations Society of America, as a guest speaker, Small Business Administration in South Carolina, was asked to be guest speaker at the officers training academy the Citadel on European business.

At present there is no direct flight out of London, you either have to go via Atlanta through Hartsfield, the airport which is quoted as saying if you "Go to Hell or Heaven" one way or another you must pass through Hartsfield, or Charlottee in North Carolina or Dulles in DC. Then there is a 45-minute hop if you go the Atlanta route. The airport is about twenty minutes from the downtown city and my advise is to ask Charleston Place regarding transportation. From Canada I would travel via Dulles Washington DC

Charleston Place is a southern hospitality paradise, with it's wonderful shops and Italian marble reception and the "Gone With the Wind Staircase" takes you to another world of southern hospitality.

ITALIAN MARBLE TO MARVEL

The design of Charleston Place is the feeling of 17th century grandeur with Italian marble lobby with it's Georgian Open Arm staircase to it's 12 ft Venetian crystal chandelier and luxurious suites.

The hotel has 440 rooms, including suites and a private Club Level, all the rooms have Botticnio marble and brass bathrooms, all rooms feature period furnishings with Southern style armouries and artwork by local prominent are is reflecting Charleston's past, there are two club floors for members with a number of privileges. (Botticino marble is from Brescia in Italy)

CHARLESTON GRILL IS TOPS FOR LOWCOUNTRY CUISINE

The Charleston Grill is recognised as one of the best restaurants in the USA, it is the recipient of the covered Mobile Four-Star Award and the AA Four Diamond Award, the Grill offers low-country cuisine with menus that combine local ingredients with classic style, dinner is served from 5 pm daily to the accompaniment by live jazz. In a great relaxed atmosphere.

But if it is shopping you really like there is no where finner than the Charleston Place shopping, many of the leading brands can be found at Charleston Place including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Lacoste, a great way to pass an afternoon in luxurious style then enjoy English Tea at the hotel, which I always undertake on my visits.

OVER 300-YEARS OF HISTORY

Charleston is one of America's most preserved architectural and historic histories, over 300-year-olds, church bells toll on the hour as history unfolds around every corner. The English settled in 1680 and King Charles II named the city Charles Town, it became a flourishing seaport. By the early 1800's Charleston was living a second century as one of the most fashionable cities in the New World, it was only second to New York. In April 1861 Confederate soldiers fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour  (which you can visit and relive the battle), thus signalling the beginning of a devastating war, which took Charleston years to recover from.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY AT THE RIVIERA

The hotel has recently spent $5 million on restoring and preserving The Rivera, an Art Deco landmark, which now represents one of the most unique conference centres in North America, the building is stunning with a Sottile Ballroom, a 300-seat Conference Theatre, a Rooftop Terrace and drawing room, this stunning building combines classic architecture with state-of-the-art business technology.

ART FESTIVAL, A GREAT CREDIT TO CHARLESTON

Each spring the Spoleto Festival the most comprehensive arts festival in the country, takes place for two weeks, the world's finest dancers, musicians and actors take the state in homage to the arts, culminating in a splendid finale at the Middleton Plantation. There are street parties, jazz, classical music, film, theatre and activities for children.

BRIDGE OVER COOPER WATERS

The new bridge is a landmark of engineering and design, the bridge is North America's longest cable span bridge, spanning the Cooper River, opening in 2003, it is a new flagship for the city, linking Charleston with Mount Pleasant and the Isle of Palms and subrubs to the North, you can walk across the bridge and even take place in the run which takes place in April, if you are in the city. At night is looks very impressive, a shining light of a city with real purpose.

FOOTLIGHT THEATRE

While I am in town I always try to visit the Footlight Players Theatre, a local theatre company and life of the community. Last year while I was in Charleston, I attend the production of The Full Monty, the production was very well produced with great pundits, from the audience on the night I attended and the critics also agreed, you feel you were a part of the local community. There is a full years programme available.

GOOD MORNING SIR, YOU ARE IN THE MOST POLITE CITY IN THE UNION

Charleston holds the tile of the most polite city in the union, it is a place where people say good morning, stop and spent time with you. Manners count and children are brought-up to learn good manners, from early years in school. The city is now the fourth most popular city to visit in America, for many reasons, it is easy to travel from neighbouring States, for example North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia and many more Americans instead of going abroad for their vacation, are heading down to South Carolina, to the wonderful beaches and golf courses where are very close to downtown Charleston, also a lovely climate for ten months of the year.

A GHOSTLY FEELING AWAITS YOU

Another must is the famous Ghost Tour, Charleston is the second most haunted city in America, next to Williamsburg, the tour lasts about two hours, if you want to really get the eerie feeling to on the late tour with dusk approaching, to hear the curdling talks, which haunt the city. The guides have wonderful stories that last in your memory of your visit to the city.

While you are in town about going on a Carriage Ride, it is always popular, a great way of exploring the city, but allow a great deal of time, the buggy winds round the small roads, viewing the old nobility houses.

CHARLESTON SPA

The spa is somewhere you can relax and enjoy the wonderful Charleston Place hospitality, the reception to me is airy with plenty of light and you fell relaxed the moment you arrive.

There are a number of Well Being classes, I will feature just two of them.

YIN AND YANG. The best of Tai Chi, Yoga and Palates helps balance your Chi life energy. Tai Chi has been referred to as young in Motion, a moving medication and powerful key to relaxation focus and concentration. To finish with a Warm Stone Massage, brings you closer to nirvana, what a wonderful treatment.

CHARLESTON SPA STRETCH. A 30-minute stretch class with proper technique that improves flexibility and movement. And to ease you back into reality with a classic full-body Swedish Massage. There are plenty more to choice from, refer to the web page.

There is also a Spa Kids programme, good habits start here, with Lollipop Manicure and Lollipop Pedicure. The Cinderella Fit Kids.

LOLLIPOP MANICURE. Makes their hands and nails twinkle. Finish with your choice of nail color, a and YES, a lollipop for good measure.

THE CINDERELLA A gentle 25-minute3 facials gets you started on the right track to proper skincare.

Wonderful original ideas from the Charleston Place Spa.

There are many treatments at the spa, with a full programme for men and women, with Facials and Relaxing Body Scrubs.

For men there is the OIL CHANGE FACIAL. Taking the shine and the excess of that leads to clogged pores and blemishes. The invigorating, deep cleansing facial energiser's skin, improves vitality skin looks and feels cleaner and healthier.

TIME OUT FACIAL Before or after your skin shows signs of sun, smoke or simple neglect, this anti-ageing treatment stimulates cell renewal and gives you a little time off for bad behaviour, so the brochure says in this instances, look rejuvenated, revitalised, feel years smoother.

MASSAGE TO SUIT EVERYONE There are different types of massage including Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Mother-to-be Massages, Warm Stone Massage also Foot Reflexology.

The Charleston Spa caters for every age, the spa is located on the fourth floor and is open Monday-Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sundays 8 am to 7 pm it is  a lovely setting and very relaxing, and yet again the Southern Hospitality is there to be enjoyed.
Charleston Place is most certainly very impressive, from the moment you arrive in reception you know your visit is going to be one you will remember for excellent service and Southern Hospitality, you will return to live more Charleston memories.

Key point, Charleston Place is in the top ten hotels in the USA by Conde Nast Travellers guide.