Following my week in Grenada, I was back in Tennessee for the majority of February before hopping down to Orlando for four days with SVV for a content project with Universal Orlando Resort. After getting back, it was another week home before my big Spring Break adventure commenced: 1600 miles, 5 cities, 10 days.
The idea for a big loop of the South started as a seedling after I got an invite in the mail to my friend Meredith’s wedding. A quick text to college suitemate/wedding officiant Lemon to ask if she was planning to go, too, got the ball rolling, and days later, we had uninvited the dudes(sorry, dudes!) and planned a little girls’ trip from Atlanta to South Carolina and down into Florida.
We called it an Adult Spring Break if you will. Hey, thirty-something, childless gals are allowed vacations away from the husbands and fur pups, too, right?
My trip began early one Friday morning as I drove three hours from Tennessee down to Atlanta, arriving at Ponce City Market to meet Lemon just after lunch. We spent the evening with our friend Dena up in Marietta before retiring to our Buckhead hotel on the early side; we had to hit the road for the South Carolina capital in the morning and didn’t have a ton of time to dawdle.
It was four hours to Columbia, and we arrived mid-afternoon, got spiffied up and were immediately on our way to the Seibels House & Gardens for Mere’s wedding. Though it had been 70s most winter, it dropped dramatically that day, hitting a high of 50 and threatening the big event with ominous skies.
Luckily, the rain held off as the venue was mostly outdoors, and we all had a wonderful time. We did, however, wake up the next morning to find it snowing pretty hard in Columbia. That has to be a rare occasion!
So we packed up again and drove two hours to the coast to Charleston. Surely, it couldn’t be snowing there, too? (Or could it…?)
Well, no snow in Charleston it turned out, but it was bitterly cold, hovering between 35 and 45 the entirety of the 48 hours we were in the Holy City. Brrrrrrrr! We escaped to the coast in search of warmer weather and found a similar scene (sans sopping wet snow).
But no worries, after brunch with our dear college friend Ashley—whose wedding we’re headed back to Charleston for next month—we made our way over to the Spectator Hotel right next to Charleston City Market where our room was ready early. From the moment we walked into the lobby of this ornate hotel, I knew it was going to be my kind of place. I mean, they serve you complimentary cocktails upon arrival—who can say no to that?
Every guest is assigned a personalized butler, and ours gave us a quick tour of the premises then escorted us to our room on the second floor to show us around.
The Spectator opened around the time of my last visit two summers ago, and its interior is designed to reflect the Art Deco period, the era I’d live in if given the choice (have you ever noticed the Art Deco-inspired fonts that drive my site’s look?). There are various categories of the 41 room types available, and we were in a traditional king, though I really don’t think you can go wrong no matter which one you choose. Our room was fantastic: spacious and very simply laid out with the highest quality of materials.
Not to mention, the bathroom of my dreams. Look at all that pure white, Carrara and tile! Do you think the Spectator interior designer is available to come help out with our #VicReno?
It was hard to pry ourselves away from the warmth of the hotel to hit the streets in Charleston, yet we persevered. Tell me these aren’t the faces of a pair of weary travelers totally stoked to shed their sundresses in lieu of sweaters and puffy vests for the occasion?
Shop My Rainy Day Gear
In fact, we were both so excited about the weather that we got up on Monday morning and ran separate long runs despite the conditions—but not before we dug into our lavish made-to-order breakfast spread. Though there’s no restaurant on site, one of many perks of staying at the Spectator is a complimentary breakfast that you get to choose each night and is delivered at your requested time each morning. I could get used to that kind of service!
Charleston looks so charming! And I love the idea of an adult spring break!
I think it’s something I’m going to have to implement *every* year 😉
Omg Charlestown looks so cute!! I think I need an adult spring break there!! Elizabeth x
I definitely think you do, as well, Elizabeth! =)
Had Oyster Shooters at “Hymans Half Shell” and they were great! Wish we had know about that Hotel.
We could see it from our hotel but didn’t stop in there, Tom! Should I on the next visit? It seemed packed, even despite the rain.
Yes, you and SVV would like the atmosphere. Good cold adult beverages.
An adult spring break sounds like a very good idea! And look at Charleston, all pretty. It looks very European too. Sign me up!
So European! I think that’s why it and NOLA are two of my very favorite U.S. cities. You know I love me some Europe =)
I certainly do! 😀
I didn’t know it could get so cold so far south. Goes to show, there’s a lot I have yet to learn about the US 😉
Right? I didn’t know it got that cold in Charleston either—otherwise I would have packed better!
I still haven’t been to Charleston – have to add this to our girl’s trip list! That hotel is gorgeous!
Oh yeah, girl. Do a combo long weekend with Savannah and BOOM! Perfect girls’ getaway.
Beautiful…
Gorgeous! I’m not sure this hotel was open on my last trip to CHS. Gotta check it out next time.
It wasn’t open the last time I was there either! Under two years now. I also really want to check out the new Garden & Gun hotel in Charleston on my next visit.