Ah, South Carolina: What a genteel, historic, and beautiful place to visit in the springtime! As to where to stay? Well, here are some prime bed and breakfast locations that you must check out!
Since its founding in 1670, Charleston has been one of South Carolina’s jewels. If you want to experience living history – really feel the past alive all around you – then you must visit this historic city. As for accommodations? Consider the John Rutledge House Inn at 116 Broad Street; a truly historic B&B in the heart of old Charleston. The reason: John Rutledge, one of the fifty-five signers of the U.S. Constitution, built this house in 1763. Now exquisitely restored, it is one of only fifteen homes belonging to the signers to still exist -- and the only one we know of that accommodates overnight guests. (George Washington called here in 1791 and entry in his diary shows a breakfast with Mrs. Rutledge. No word as to what Mr. Rutledge thought of this.)
According to www.johnrutledgehouseinn.com, “A loving rejuvenation has restored the beautiful details of the home's 18th and 19th century architecture: the elaborately carved Italian marble fireplaces, the original plaster moldings, the inlaid floors and the graceful ironwork.” The John Rutledge House Inn has 19 guest rooms; located in the original grand residence or the Inn’s two carriage house.
Another historic Charleston location is the Wentworth Mansion, at 149 Wentworth Street. Ranked 6th on Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice 2006 List of Top 100 U.S. Hotels, Wentworth Mansion features authentically elegant 19th century rooms, with the Grand Mansion Suite being more of a private apartment than a hotel room. Built in 1885-87 by Francis Silas Rodgers, a wealthy cotton factor, Wentworth Mansion is a living example of the Second Empire style of Emperor Napoleon lll. “The interior is elaborately finished in mahogany, oak and walnut, with tile floors and ornate plasterwork, marble mantels and crystal chandeliers which were designed for the house,” says www.wentworthmansion.com.
If you want to experience elegance in the true Southern fashion, consider staying at Abingdon Manor. Located in the quiet turn-of-the-century town of Latta, Abingdon Manor is an opulent Greek Revival building in a style reminiscent of an English country estate. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Abingdon Manor has just seven rooms. This said, the combination of its grand entry hall, elegant common rooms (including a Library and honor bar), a 2,000 square foot outdoor verandah, three acres of grounds, and truly fine dining make Abingdon Manor an elegant retreat worthy of the finest hotels.
Fancy a breath of seaside air? Then head over to Georgetown’s Harbor House Bed & Breakfast. Located on the shores of the Sampit River close to Winyah Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the three-story Harbor House has long been a landmark for returning ships. Built cirica 1765, Harbor House features period-decorated bedrooms, a sunny, long verandah complete with rocking chairs, and close access to colorful shops, antique/art galleries, both casual and fine dining, walking tours of the National Register Historic District, and boat excursions. You can even dock your own boat nearby!
Finally, if you have ever dreamed of living in “Gone with the Wind”, a stay at the Litchfield Plantation on Pawleys Island (15 miles north of Georgetown) is an absolute must! The drive up the main laneway will remind you of Tara, as you look towards the elegant columned Plantation House. Its broad verandahs, elegant common rooms, and period furniture will have you ‘giving a damn’ in no time; no matter what Clark Gable might say! The house itself is pre-1800, with a rich history worth exploring. You’ll also enjoy the nearby Atlantic coastline and the many sites in the Pawleys Island area.
Abingdon Manor
307 Church Street
Latta, South Carolina 29565
Toll Free: (888) 752-5090
Local: (843) 752-5090
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/south_carolina/abingdonmanor.htm
Harbor House Bed & Breakfast
15 Cannon Street
Georgetown, South Carolina 29440
Toll Free: (877) 511-0101
Local: (843) 546-6532
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/south_carolina/harborhouse-of-georgetown.htm
John Rutledge House Inn
116 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Toll Free:1-866-720-2609
Local: (843) 723-7999
Fax: (843) 720-2615
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/south_carolina/johnrutledgehouse.htm
Litchfield Plantation
Kings River Road
P.O. Box 290
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Toll Free: (800) 869-1410
Local: (843) 237-9121
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/south_carolina/litchfieldplantation.htm
Wentworth Mansion
149 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Toll Free: 1-888-INN-1886
Local: (843) 853-1886
Fax: (843) 720-5290
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/south_carolina/wentworthmansion.htm
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory listing 19,500 properties. Also, AHI is the industry leader in consumers' goods sampling and promotions programs to bed & breakfasts and country inns.
Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. To learn more about the guidebook as well as additional Inns of interest, go to www.iloveinns.com.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Barbara Naylon at 949-497-2232, ext. 305.
Article James Careless
