Elite Traveler March-April 2018

elite traveler MAR/APR 2018 119

TO DO

customized cooking classes, social-survival tutorials and general throwing-a-party-the- Charleston-way advice. A rip-roaring good time, this immersion in culture is time well spent.

this is a can’t-miss experience. croghansjewelbox.com 4. TEE OFF

bespoke motorcycle, hand-built by the hotel’s in-house master craftsman. Commission your one-of-a-kind bike, from handlebars to fenders, pick it up four to nine months later, and see Charleston from atop two wheels. therestorationhotel.com 6. SAIL AWAY Revel in Charleston’s maritime heritage aboard a yacht. Rent your own 17-ft Boston Whaler from Charleston Charter and Yacht, or join this premier outfitter’s organized trips, from sunset cruises to afternoon harbor tours. Private, customized charters can include fishing, water play and stops at ports along the way. charlestoncharterandyacht.com

1. TAKE FLIGHT Soar above the steepled city in a chopper. Holy City Helicopters safely flies you above the undulating coastline. While on board, you’ll spot lighthouses, coastal islands and rumbling sea. Choose the sunset tour with champagne for the ultimate treat. holycityhelicopters.com 2. GET MANNERLY There’s nothing like gracious Southern hospitality. Join author Suzanne Pollak, the dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, for a round of

Golfers can tee off at some of the world’s top-rated courses on Kiawah Island, a private island community with beaches, a hotel and nine elite courses — including some designed by Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. Work on your swing at Kiawah’s Golf Performance and Development Center, a cutting-edge digital practice range sure to improve your game. kiawahisland.com 5. HIT THE OPEN ROAD Guests of The Restoration hotel can dream up, design and roar down the road on a fully

charlestonacademy.com 3. SHOP KING STREET

Meander down King Street, wallet in hand. Don’t miss Croghan’s Jewel Box — its story is one that defines Charleston. One hundred years ago, engraver William Croghan opened his store in a two-century-old building. Today, in the same location, it’s an exclusive trove for jewelry buffs. From silverware to estate jewelry to the Goldbug collection designed by Croghan’s able heirs,

TAKE FIVE/// SUPERB SUITES

ST PHILIP SUITE Planters Inn The esteemed Planters Inn, a Relais & Châteaux hotel, is perfectly positioned in the city’s historic center. Relax in the hidden garden or discover one of Charleston’s most romantic restaurants: Peninsula Grill. The new 1,460-sq- ft St Philip Suite, on the top floor, is designed to feel like a pied-à-terre, as if you have borrowed a friend’s charming apartment for the weekend. Baker Historic Charleston furnishings fill the luxurious space, which features high ceilings, arched doorways and a mural by noted artist David Boatwright. You’ll find a dining area, reading room, television nook and kitchen, as well as a south- facing window that gazes on St Philip’s steeple. From $495 per night. Contact Tarleton McManus, assistant manager, reservations@ plantersinn.com, plantersinn.com

FAMILY PARLOR SUITE The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Celebrate Charleston’s maritime history at the only waterside hotel in town, The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort &Marina, a Leading Hotel of theWorld. At harbor’s edge, just 10 minutes by water taxi from downtown, it boasts a panorama of the city from the water, a sight that has remained essentially unchanged for centuries. Local art animates walls in the common rooms and suites. The Family Parlor Suite has two bedrooms, fireplace, living area, custom-crafted Lowcountry furniture, marble bathroomwith soaking tub and sprawling terrace, which means you can bring the crew for a reunion. From$450 per night. Contact Nick Saltmarsh, general manager, nsaltmarsh@ charlestonharborresort.com, charlestonharborresort.com

THE EXCHANGE SUITE The Restoration Amodern riff on old-school

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Belmond Charleston Place Local grande dame Belmond Charleston Place reigns from a prestigious location in the historic district, amid plantation-era porticoes, bronze fountains and the wafting scent of magnolia blossoms. The lobby’s Italian marble floors and Georgian double staircase exude a luxe serenity — the space’s wow factor is undeniable and a true breath of fresh air as you step in off the hot street. Book the Presidential Suite, located on the top two club-level floors. Featuring skyline views, the suite blends old and new with light colors and handsome antiques. Its pantry and dining table for six may spark the idea for a dinner party. From $1,899 per night. Contact Kendall Jones, executive assistant, kendall.jones@ belmond.com, +1 843 724 8120, belmond.com

Charleston charm, The Restoration comprises five buildings downtown, all updated to celebrate the artistic élan of the New South. Just off upscale, boutique-filled King Street, The Restoration features apartment- style rooms that look as if the decor came straight from the nearby shops. While each suite is spacious, the hotel’s latest hideaway, The Exchange, has two guest rooms and a living room large enough for parties, board meetings and family gatherings. In fact, staff will reconfigure in advance as needed, adding pingpong tables, meeting furniture, etc. A full kitchen and enchanting private rooftop add to its efficiency and allure. From$1,500 per night. Contact KarenWinn, director of sales, kwinn@therestorationhotel.com, +1 843 518 5199, therestorationhotel.com

GRAND MANSION SUITE Wentworth Mansion To instantly embrace Charleston’s culture and architecture, check into Wentworth Mansion, an 1880s landmark. A marvel of Gilded Age plaster curlicues, hand-carved marble fireplaces and wood details, oriental rugs and Tiffany lamps, Wentworth evinces Southern warmth with afternoon cordials in the library and games on the lawn. Luxuriate in the airiness of the Grand Mansion Suite, composed of two rooms. Rumor has it this is where Reese Witherspoon honeymooned. From$630 per night. Contact NoreenMarchant, innkeeper, wm-concierge@charminginns.com, +1 843 853 1886, wentworthmansion.com

Photos Andrew Cebulka, Holy City Helicopters