Charleston, South Carolina, known for its historic buildings, southern cuisine and colorful architecture, has held the throne as one of the top U.S. cities to visit for many consecutive years.
It’s also one of the four main cities around the country that took part in celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary – along with Philadelphia, Boston and New York City – due to its role in the nation’s founding.
With tourism expected to skyrocket over the next few months – not just because of the July 4th celebrations but also with Bravo Fan Fest coming up in October – hotels have put together various packages to promote their Southern hospitality.
One of the most historic hotels, Hotel Emeline, for example, is including once-in-a-lifetime adventures in their All-American Escape package – a scenic helicopter ride over the Lowcountry to a sunset yacht charter along Charleston’s iconic harbor.
Originally built in 1852, the now-212 guest room hotel once served as a mercantile before it became Hawthorne Suites followed by a DoubleTree in 1998.
In 2019, the property, located in downtown Charleston on Church Street, underwent a massive renovation that cost $25 million to restore the space into a luxury boutique hotel backed by private investment firm Rockbridge and created by the property’s Makeready team and design studio Swoon.
The official grand opening took place on July 1, 2020, revealing its wood-fired eatery Frannie & The Fox, cocktail bar The Den, café and coffee shop Clerks Coffee Co. and the fine goods and retail space Keep Shop.
Frannie & The Fox – led by chef Daniel Dalton – is an Italian hotspot featuring hand-tossed pizzas (the taleggio is a best seller) and shareable bites and it gets booked very quickly so it’s recommended to make a reservation in advance.
Views of Battery street in Charleston, South Carolina, known for its historic buildings, southern cuisine and colorful architecture
Charleston’s Hotel Emeline, which underwent a massive $25 million renovation in 2019, was originally home of a historic mercantile dated back to 1852
Emeline reopened in 2020 with 212 guest rooms that are all-king beds and emerald and gold-themed. Each room is complemented with contemporary touches
Emeline’s courtyard and greenhouse, complete with a fireplace, is known for being a social garden with cozy outdoor couches and plenty of chairs
In addition, there are an array of amenities, including the courtyard and greenhouse, which is a social garden with cozy outdoor couches and a fireplace, and a fitness center with a selection of Life Fitness equipment, Peloton bike and free weights. The hotel also offers free bike rentals to explore town (the iconic Rainbow Row is picturesque).
While there is not a pool located at Hotel Emeline, guests have access to its sister property, The Ryder Hotel, which is a quick walk away.
The emerald and gold-themed guest rooms are complemented with contemporary touches, such as branded embroidered linens by Matouk, spa robes, custom vinyl on Crosley turntables, ceramic vanity accessories made by Charleston artist Susan Gregory and bath products with an Emeline-branded signature scent.
Hotel Emeline’s location sets it apart from many hotels in the area since it’s steps away from the outdoor Charleston City Market and The Museum at Market Hall, as well as many restaurants like Hank’s Seafood Restaurant and local shops.
It’s no wonder why it’s won many awards over the years; it was a winner at the Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Travel Awards and was a recipient of the Modern South’s Luggage Charm 2025 for its ‘premier accommodations including exceptional facilities, attentive staff and a premium guest experience.’
It’s currently a finalist in The Post and Courier’s Charleston’s Choice Awards with the winner expected to be announced this fall.
In addition to the historic property getting the media’s attention, it’s also gotten a lot of praise from celebrities, particularly those from Bravo.
Southern Charm star Craig Conover, who has a flagship store in the city called Sewing Down South, teamed up with Hotel Emeline during last year’s holiday season to create a festive holiday suite inspired by the store’s Nutcracker collection.
Frannie & The Fox is a popular Italian eatery inside Hotel Emeline, in which reservations get booked quickly due to its famous hand-tossed pizzas and shareable bites
Southern Charm’s Craig Conover teamed up with Hotel Emeline during last year’s holiday season to create a festive holiday suite inspired by the store’s Nutcracker collection
Guests of Hotel Emeline can take advantage of the property’s sister hotel, The Ryder Hotel, which has an outdoor pool (a rare find in Charleston, we’re told)
He said at the time: ‘Working with Emeline to put together a Sewing Down South Hotel Suite has honestly been such a blast. I’ve always wanted folks to not just shop our pillows but also have the opportunity to experience them in fun and unique ways. And now with Emeline, you can do that at one of my favorite hotels in Charleston. I’m pumped to team up with Emeline again and can’t wait for everyone to check it out.’
Meanwhile, Real Housewives of New York City alum Luann de Lesseps boasted about the hotel during her stay. She posted on her Instagram: ‘Money can’t buy you class but it can buy you a stay @hotelemeline, thank you! I always love coming back to beautiful Charleston, SC!’
Kevin Herbst, Area Managing Director of Emeline and The Ryder Hotel, told the Daily Mail that Hotel Emeline has no immediate plans for property updates at this time.
‘Emeline remains focused on delivering an exceptional guest experience while preserving the distinctive character and charm that make the hotel a favorite destination in downtown Charleston,’ Herbst said.
When asked the busiest time for bookings, he revealed: ‘Charleston’s busiest travel seasons are typically spring and fall when visitors are drawn to the city’s mild weather, vibrant events calendar and historic charm.
‘Holiday periods are also especially popular, attracting travelers looking to experience Charleston’s festive atmosphere and seasonal celebrations.’
Even though America’s 250th celebrations continue through this month, there’s always a time for tourists to be welcomed into the city – no matter what the occasion.
‘Emeline is uniquely positioned as a gateway to Charleston’s rich history,’ Herbst shared. ‘The hotel offers guests an immersive experience where cobblestone streets, church steeples, and horse-drawn carriages evoke Charleston’s storied past.
‘For travelers looking to explore the city during this milestone year, Emeline serves as the perfect home base for discovering the people, places, and moments that helped shape America’s story.’
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