The Only Relais & Châteaux Hotel In South Carolina Is A Bucket List Must

Relais & Châteaux is an association of 580 unique, exquisite hotels and restaurants in the world, predominantly represented in Europe but growing in North America, Asia, and Africa. Meaning "Inns & Castles" in French, Relais & Châteaux was founded in France in 1941 and is still French-managed. These hotels and restaurants are individually owned and operated, most often by families, and there are only a handful of them in the southeastern United States. Planters Inn is the only Relais & Châteaux hotel in South Carolina. Come along as we explore what makes it worthy of such a distinction.

Not only is Planters Inn a Relais & Châteaux hotel, it's also been chosen by Travel + Leisure Readers as the #1 Best Boutique Hotel in the United States. This iconic hotel is perfectly positioned on North Market Street in Charleston's historic downtown, centrally located which allows guests the ultimate in convenience to fully enjoy exploring the world's favorite city.

Treasured Lowcountry traditions such as sweetgrass baskets and sweeping piazzas permeate this luxury hotel.

Walk along the pathway outside to the enchanting hidden garden courtyard.

Such a peaceful place to spend a relaxing afternoon or evening!

The St. Philip Suite is one of five lavish suites offering a light-filled grand apartment space with views of the city skyline. A plush sofa, comfortable chairs, and a flat-screen television make the living area a wonderful place to unwind at day’s end.

Other suites include The City Market Suite, The Garden Courtyard Suite, The Governor's Suite, and The Proprietor's Suite (pictured here), decorated with a mix of beautiful antiques and thoughtfully chosen art that underscores the exceptional attention to detail you'll find here.

In addition to the suites, there are guest rooms with either a queen or king-sized bed.

Planters Inn is the only hotel in the United States to be furnished exclusively with décor from Baker's Historic Charleston Collection including a magnificent four-poster bed in every guest room.

Relais & Châteaux prides itself in offering properties characterized by a type of place known as a ‘maison,’ which is a warm and welcoming place where you feel at home. The personal presence of the Maître de Maison can be sensed throughout the property and his or her personality and vision are at its core. This is perhaps best experienced at Planters Inn through Charles T. Bear.

For 25 years, this charming bear has greeted every Planters Inn guest, serving as a cute-and-cuddly Ambassador of Hospitality!

And it all started many years ago when the owner of Planters Inn flew cross-country on the red-eye and went straight to back-to-back business meetings without any sleep. When he arrived at his hotel that night, he was understandably tired and frazzled.

As he put it, “I was dog-tired by the time I checked into the hotel. I opened the door to my room and saw a teddy bear on my bed. It just lifted my spirits.”

“I went out to get a burger, and when I came back an hour later, my bed had been turned down. Tucked into my bed was the teddy bear, and by now he was wearing a little nightshirt. I got into that bed after having been up for nearly 48 hours and snuggled up next to that teddy bear.”

“The next morning, I woke up and looked at the bear and said, ‘You’re going to be in my hotel.’ It struck me as an utterly charming thing to put in a hotel room to give a tired traveler a lift.”

You're tucked in every evening you stay at Planters Inn with delicious macarons, a delightful bedtime treat.

And last but not least, breakfast when you awake includes something like hot-from-the-oven croissants, house-made granola, and fresh fruit.

Next door to Planters Inn, you can dine at the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in South Carolina, the Peninsula Grill, known for its Ultimate Coconut Cake®. (Bobby Flay calls it his all-time favorite dessert!) Visit the Planters Inn website for more information and to book your stay.

Have you ever stayed at this Relais & Châteaux hotel in South Carolina? Tell us all about your experience! Did it live up to its reputation?