Front of the John Rutledge House Inn

Two things that I love about the south: its beautiful historic inns and Charleston. Located on the Atlantic Ocean waterfront, Charleston is filled with inns around the city. When I recently was invited to be a guest at the John Rutledge House Inn in Charleston, I simply couldn’t pass it up. The inn is part of the Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America, which is comprised of 400 award-winning inns, bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels around North America.

Although located right in the midst of historic downtown Charleston, the inn still holds much of the charm and ambiance you would typically find at a countryside bed and breakfast. Upon arriving, guests park in a secluded parking lot off of King Street, which leads guests down the footpath, through the courtyard and to their guestroom, which is located either in one of the carriage houses or the inn itself. My room was located just off the courtyard in one of the carriage houses. I had one of the basic rooms, which was on par for the size of a typical bed and breakfast room and a little bigger than most hotel rooms. It included a king bed, sitting area, work desk and large bathroom. The room was reminiscent of most inns, offering a spacious room with antique style furniture. Most importantly to me, my room came with complimentary high-speed Internet access. For breakfast, I simply filled out the menu card and stuck it on the door. I had a couple meal options to choose from, but also enjoyed being able to add on extras, like southern buttermilk biscuits, which I couldn’t resist.

The John Rutledge House Inn is a great central spot for visitors looking for a convenient location in Charleston’s historic downtown. The open-air market, King Street shopping and waterfront are all within walking distance. On cooler afternoons and evenings, the piazza out front is nice for catching the sights and sounds of Broad Street. During the afternoon, guests can enjoy complimentary tea, wine, sherry and brandy. Contrary to many bed and breakfasts, the inn also offers 24-hour concierge service.

Guest Room at the John Rutledge House Inn

Overall, my stay at the John Rutledge House Inn was top-notch, and more upscale than I’m accustomed to at most inns. I was most impressed with the inn’s staff and hospitality. I had a problem with getting into my room Saturday night, and the staff went beyond the call to make sure the problem was quickly resolved. The inn offers 19 rooms and suites, starting at $189 per night on the weekdays. The rate includes high-speed Internet access, breakfast and afternoon snacks and drinks.

My stay on Saturday night was complimentary of the inn.

John Rutledge House Inn
116 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
800-476-9741

Photos courtesy of the John Rutledge House Inn.