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Met a large group in Charleston and most of us stayed here for its convenience. The hotel lobby decor is beautiful. Coffee in morning available also (+). The room was unique with two double beds, two baths and two closets (+) Coffee machine, mini fridge and safe. Clean baths with comfy mattress and pillows. Full service restaurant and bar with a Starbucks all attached. We welcome an opportunity to stay again when in the area. Enjoy!
This hotel is in a great location downtown. Near Marion park, convenient to shopping, and not too far from the Market. The king room was clean and the bed was comfortable. Front desk was efficient and the lobby is beautiful! Valet parking is expensive!! $40/night. That's a lot even with unlimited in/out privileges. That and the cost of the room did not necessarilly add to the the value of the stay. Overall I enjoyed my stay at this hotel.
Overall, I liked the stay. It's in the perfect location near convenience stores, shops, restaurants, city market, theatres, etc.. There is a lot to do around here and it's all walkable! It's about 20 minutes from any beach like Folly, Sullivan's Island, and Isle of Palms. There is also a Starbucks and restaurant right in the hotel. The only thing I disliked was how small the bathrooms were. The toilet in my room seemed permanently discolored in the bowl which did gross me out.. I would give this place a 3.5 stars if I could!
What a nice historical hotel. Great location, walkable to a lot of bars and restaurants. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Nice bar. Rooms were good size. The only drawback was the bathrooms are extremely small. I get that it's an old hotel so not much can be done about that. I would recommend.
Willard Scott would have loved the Francis Marion Hotel which turned 100 in 2024 when I was visiting Charleston. This hotel had the charm of an old hotel but didn't feel run down like some seem to do. The rooms were pretty spacious and I don't think I had anything special. My king room had lots of room which was nice. The bathroom was a tad small, but luckily the shower wasn't. I hate those tiny showers. Our company held a conference here so the Starbucks in the lobby was a welcome site, as was the on-site bar. The conference rooms were a bit oddly scattered, but probably made sense 100 years ago when they probably had lots of balls. I'm not sure how ADA compliant some of the facilities are, but they seemed to have enough elevators and such to get around, but with half floors, you may find wheelchair access as a challenge. The location was pretty good too, although it was my first time in Charleston so I don't know what I don't know. There's a cool cigar lounge a few doors down. Also, go get a slice of pizza at the pizza place across the street! It was a short walk to the market and plenty of other restaurants and bars.
We enjoyed our stay at this historical hotel. Our room on the 5th floor was VERY quiet. The room is large and comes with a HUGE walk in closet. The bathroom is small. The a/c was quiet and kept the room cool. The staff was very friendly. They have a storage room for luggage if you need to leave it before room is ready. I like that they have morning coffee in the lobby and hot tea. In the afternoon they provide flavored water. The location is perfect for visiting all of historical Charleston. It is a few blocks from the University.
I stayed here with a group for a conference and it was absolutely phenomenal. The service was really good, the room was spectacular, amazing and convenient location, and so historic. Very glad to be here and enjoy it.
After check in, you receive a ghost story along with the room keys. In this day and age of new and modern lodging options, I found it a great pleasure to stay in a 100-year-old historic hotel. The spacious lobby is elegantly decorated with chandeliers and furniture reminiscent of the old South. The elevators have brass and wood panels. The rooms are also of traditional styles but comfortable. I had an ocean view room on the ninth floor (beware! They say the 10th floor is haunted! ;) overlooking the town square of the same name. I could see the harbor in the distance; the view was quite nice. Bathroom was very small - the toilet and the sink are likely the smallest I've seen, but functional. AC was a bit noisy but worked well. There we're peeling and worn off spots here and there in the room. Carpet was clean. Very helpful staff - warm and friendly; not rushed and patient. One gave me a short intro to the city and suggested a few things to do and how to use the free city bus (# 211) to tour around. Great location right in downtown Charleston; close to shooing and eateries. The Charleston Museum is a only block away. Overall a very pleasant stay. I especially like the on site restaurant, Swamp Fox, which I will write a separate review.
After staying at the Francis Marion for two nights, I see now why it was reasonably priced. While at one point it may have been a grand dame of Charleston hotels, it is no longer. Now it is old, worn, and desperately in need of updating. The staff was very friendly and helpful which I super appreciate. And the location couldn't be any better--right on King Street. But the rooms are tiny, dated, and poorly laid out. My room was not well cleaned, at all as evidenced by my pictures. I thought about discussing with management but figured that if the responsible party considered that level of cleanliness acceptable that it was a top-down, systemic problem and that speaking with management would not help. After all, the room passed inspection. Though the bed was clean and extremely comfortable, I still could not relax in my dirty, worn room. Also the HVAC unit was incredibly loud and I felt like I was going to get COVID from it, so I never used it, which also made my stay uncomfortable. The rooms are tiny which normally wouldn't be an issue but the poorly chosen furniture does not fit well into the room, making it difficult to navigate. The bathroom was tiny and they didn't even have a curved shower rod. I haven't stayed in a hotel with a shower curtain in years--I just figured most hotels had done away with them because of the ick factor and the look. I would never stay here again and recommend that you do not either. This hotel desperately needs renovations and a thorough cleaning.
I have very mixed feelings about my experience staying at the Francis Marion Hotel. While perfectly located in the French Quarter of historic Charleston, adjacent to the College of Charleston and Marion Square, I was left feeling my money was paying for location and not much else. My room had an interesting layout; long and narrow with a tiny bathroom flanked by a bedroom and a sitting room. Realistically, the suite was larger than most, but it was too segmented to really experience the space as a whole. As a solo traveler I spent most of my time in the sleeping room, not really feeling the benefit of the remaining space. The bathroom was comically small, but as an historic property, that is to be expected. I can't imagine any elderly guests, folks with mobility issues, or anyone triggered by spall spaces would do well in such a tiny space. The front desk staff seemed unusually apathetic, offering nothing more than the basic check-in/check-out procedures. The hotel lacked the warmth and charm I was expecting from a southern establishment in this price range. Perhaps my experience would have been different were I not traveling alone. It's difficult for me to leave such a lukewarm review of this historic hotel in enchanting Charleston, especially when I had such high expectations. The bed was extremely comfortable, the room had an excellent view, and the hotel is located across the street from a drug store with limited groceries and other conveniences. The hotel served its function, but I wasn't left with warm fuzzies or any desire to return,
18 days ago
Very nice older hotel. I have been wanting to stay here and finally did during my recent visit. Valet and check in desk employees were amazingly helpful and friendly. The hotel is pretty and a good base to walk to many things. The room was clean and comfortable and had a nice view. read more
What an aesthetically pleasing hotel with true old-world charm. One of the many highlights of the Francis Marion Hotel is the wide, beautifully decorated lobby. Upon arrival, we were greeted with warm cookies, ice water, and the soft sound of a piano while waiting to be checked in by guest services. It instantly made you feel warm, cozy, and welcome. There was even a happy hour taking place while we waited, perhaps I just arrived at the perfect time. Everything felt charming and thoughtfully done. From the lobby up to our suite, the hotel exuded classic Charleston charm. From the brass accents to the bedroom details. The suite was a reasonable size for two people sharing a double bed room, especially for a short turnaround stay. The colors, the view, there was nothing more I could have asked for. Guest services was attentive and very pleasant, and the door staff greeted us with genuine smiles. Overall, no complaints on service. There were a couple of drawbacks. The elevators were extremely slow and made some strange noises. The bathroom, as others on Yelp have described, felt like a "Tetris puzzle"you had to maneuver carefully between the sink, toilet, and tub. The tub itself was quite small, especially for a larger person. However, no one really vacations just to stay in their room. The hotel's location is unbeatable, right in downtown Charleston, with everything within perfect walking distance. Knowing what I know now, I would not let the few negatives outweigh the many positives of this quaint and charming hotel. read more
1 year ago
Met a large group in Charleston and most of us stayed here for its convenience. The hotel lobby decor is beautiful. Coffee in morning available also (+). The room was unique with two double beds, two baths and two closets (+) Coffee machine, mini fridge and safe. Clean baths with comfy mattress and pillows. Full service restaurant and bar with a Starbucks all attached. We welcome an opportunity to stay again when in the area. Enjoy! read more
This hotel is in a great location downtown. Near Marion park, convenient to shopping, and not too far from the Market. The king room was clean and the bed was comfortable. Front desk was efficient and the lobby is beautiful! Valet parking is expensive!! $40/night. That's a lot even with unlimited in/out privileges. That and the cost of the room did not necessarilly add to the the value of the stay. Overall I enjoyed my stay at this hotel. read more
Overall, I liked the stay. It's in the perfect location near convenience stores, shops, restaurants, city market, theatres, etc.. There is a lot to do around here and it's all walkable! It's about 20 minutes from any beach like Folly, Sullivan's Island, and Isle of Palms. There is also a Starbucks and restaurant right in the hotel. The only thing I disliked was how small the bathrooms were. The toilet in my room seemed permanently discolored in the bowl which did gross me out.. I would give this place a 3.5 stars if I could! read more
What a nice historical hotel. Great location, walkable to a lot of bars and restaurants. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Nice bar. Rooms were good size. The only drawback was the bathrooms are extremely small. I get that it's an old hotel so not much can be done about that. I would recommend. read more
Willard Scott would have loved the Francis Marion Hotel which turned 100 in 2024 when I was visiting Charleston. This hotel had the charm of an old hotel but didn't feel run down like some seem to do. The rooms were pretty spacious and I don't think I had anything special. My king room had lots of room which was nice. The bathroom was a tad small, but luckily the shower wasn't. I hate those tiny showers. Our company held a conference here so the Starbucks in the lobby was a welcome site, as was the on-site bar. The conference rooms were a bit oddly scattered, but probably made sense 100 years ago when they probably had lots of balls. I'm not sure how ADA compliant some of the facilities are, but they seemed to have enough elevators and such to get around, but with half floors, you may find wheelchair access as a challenge. The location was pretty good too, although it was my first time in Charleston so I don't know what I don't know. There's a cool cigar lounge a few doors down. Also, go get a slice of pizza at the pizza place across the street! It was a short walk to the market and plenty of other restaurants and bars. read more
1 year ago
We enjoyed our stay at this historical hotel. Our room on the 5th floor was VERY quiet. The room is large and comes with a HUGE walk in closet. The bathroom is small. The a/c was quiet and kept the room cool. The staff was very friendly. They have a storage room for luggage if you need to leave it before room is ready. I like that they have morning coffee in the lobby and hot tea. In the afternoon they provide flavored water. The location is perfect for visiting all of historical Charleston. It is a few blocks from the University. read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
10 months ago
3 years ago
After check in, you receive a ghost story along with the room keys. In this day and age of new and modern lodging options, I found it a great pleasure to stay in a 100-year-old historic hotel. The spacious lobby is elegantly decorated with chandeliers and furniture reminiscent of the old South. The elevators have brass and wood panels. The rooms are also of traditional styles but comfortable. I had an ocean view room on the ninth floor (beware! They say the 10th floor is haunted! ;) overlooking the town square of the same name. I could see the harbor in the distance; the view was quite nice. Bathroom was very small - the toilet and the sink are likely the smallest I've seen, but functional. AC was a bit noisy but worked well. There we're peeling and worn off spots here and there in the room. Carpet was clean. Very helpful staff - warm and friendly; not rushed and patient. One gave me a short intro to the city and suggested a few things to do and how to use the free city bus (# 211) to tour around. Great location right in downtown Charleston; close to shooing and eateries. The Charleston Museum is a only block away. Overall a very pleasant stay. I especially like the on site restaurant, Swamp Fox, which I will write a separate review. read more
1 year ago
Went to this place with for dinner and it was awesome. I had the steak Diane and she didn't disappoint. read more
2 years ago
After staying at the Francis Marion for two nights, I see now why it was reasonably priced. While at one point it may have been a grand dame of Charleston hotels, it is no longer. Now it is old, worn, and desperately in need of updating. The staff was very friendly and helpful which I super appreciate. And the location couldn't be any better--right on King Street. But the rooms are tiny, dated, and poorly laid out. My room was not well cleaned, at all as evidenced by my pictures. I thought about discussing with management but figured that if the responsible party considered that level of cleanliness acceptable that it was a top-down, systemic problem and that speaking with management would not help. After all, the room passed inspection. Though the bed was clean and extremely comfortable, I still could not relax in my dirty, worn room. Also the HVAC unit was incredibly loud and I felt like I was going to get COVID from it, so I never used it, which also made my stay uncomfortable. The rooms are tiny which normally wouldn't be an issue but the poorly chosen furniture does not fit well into the room, making it difficult to navigate. The bathroom was tiny and they didn't even have a curved shower rod. I haven't stayed in a hotel with a shower curtain in years--I just figured most hotels had done away with them because of the ick factor and the look. I would never stay here again and recommend that you do not either. This hotel desperately needs renovations and a thorough cleaning. read more
I have very mixed feelings about my experience staying at the Francis Marion Hotel. While perfectly located in the French Quarter of historic Charleston, adjacent to the College of Charleston and Marion Square, I was left feeling my money was paying for location and not much else. My room had an interesting layout; long and narrow with a tiny bathroom flanked by a bedroom and a sitting room. Realistically, the suite was larger than most, but it was too segmented to really experience the space as a whole. As a solo traveler I spent most of my time in the sleeping room, not really feeling the benefit of the remaining space. The bathroom was comically small, but as an historic property, that is to be expected. I can't imagine any elderly guests, folks with mobility issues, or anyone triggered by spall spaces would do well in such a tiny space. The front desk staff seemed unusually apathetic, offering nothing more than the basic check-in/check-out procedures. The hotel lacked the warmth and charm I was expecting from a southern establishment in this price range. Perhaps my experience would have been different were I not traveling alone. It's difficult for me to leave such a lukewarm review of this historic hotel in enchanting Charleston, especially when I had such high expectations. The bed was extremely comfortable, the room had an excellent view, and the hotel is located across the street from a drug store with limited groceries and other conveniences. The hotel served its function, but I wasn't left with warm fuzzies or any desire to return, read more
I loved the historical features of the hotel and the customer service at the desk/door was excellent. But I still can't get over the fact that I don't think my room was properly cleaned. I found a few single strands of hair and my desk was sticky but i gave them grace. But then I found a wad of hair in the shower her couldn't have been missed. After asking several times, it took a full day to get removed. When they addressed it, the housekeeping supervisor grabbed toilet paper and wiped it away as if to show me I could have just done that. Then I mentioned my worry about it being properly cleaned and she asked her housekeeper to wipe everything down again. The housekeeper had a huge attitude about it and hastily grabbed her towel (not even sure it had anything on it) and "wiped" the shower down. I said thank you and the housekeeper didn't speak once. read more
3 years ago
Gorgeous hotel centrally located in the heart of Charleston on King St. It is perfectly nestled between the shops and the bars/clubs. The service was good and the lobby was breathtaking. Breakfast was not included in our stay but there is a Starbucks and the Swamp Fox restaurant downstairs. The room itself was nice but the bathroom amenities needed major updates. read more
This was a great hotel in a great location downtown CHS! Although it isn't located right on market or church street, EVERYTHING is within walking distance (we did a big loop and walked king, historical houses, COC, market, King street, etc.) Within 2 hours walking at a liesurely pace. You are also a 30 second walk away from King Street for all your shopping needs! There is a Walgreens across the street from the hotel if you need snacks, beer, etc. You can request a mini fridge for your room (which we did), but there is no microwave so you don't have a ton of options for cooking. The hotel offers room service which was phenomenal. It comes from the Swamp Fox restraunt which is downstairs and is a very popular spot ( we encountered like 5 weddings in 2 days, and it was constantly busy!) The ambience of the hotel is quaint and historic. If you're looking for new and updated I wouldn't stay here. If you're looking for clean, friendly and old, I would HIGHLY suggest the Franny May. Everyone was super sweet, friendly and helpful. Our room was clean and comfy. I really don't know what else you could ask for. In our opinion this hotel is for the mediocre crowd (not super upscale, but not a BW either). It's definitely not cheap, but worth the price if you're looking for a historic B&B feel with the hotel experience. read more
1 year ago
6 years ago
This review is a for a wedding reception and dinner during September 2020. I haven't stayed in the hotel, so I can't comment on room cleanliness or amenities. From my perspective as an attendee, the Francis Marion is a great place for a wedding reception. The reception area and private dining area were away from guests, so we didn't feel like we were in a hotel. All food options from the Swamp Fox restaurant were delicious, with appetizers like mini crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and pulled pork biscuits. Even though the wedding had a set menu for dinner, the chef was nice enough to accommodate me by leaving the sausage gravy off the shrimp and grits appetizer. Service was wonderful- every server and bartender was attentive and took great care of us. One server even noticed my eye contact, almost as if she was on the lookout for a guest who might have a question. This was the first post-pandemic wedding I've attended, and Francis Marion did a wonderful job handling social distancing and cleanliness. All employees wore masks and wore them correctly. We had multiple hand sanitizers, and social distance markings and screens are in place for guests checking in. read more
1 year ago
Stayed here for 3 nights in a suite located on the 8th floor, room 800. Two separate rooms. One consisting of the king bed, desk, tv and dresser and small bathroom (tub and shower combo), and the second room is the living area with a sofa bed, upholstered side chair, cocktail table, TV, mini fridge and a square dining table with two chairs. The rooms are separated by a door for privacy. The suite is on the corner of the building with a total of four windows. Three windows over the park and the fourth window overlooks the city. Very quiet room. The suite is clean and comfortable. On the first night, we had turndown service and chocolates on our bed. Daily housekeeping. This hotel is in a great location. It is also situated in close proximity to University of Charleston, lots of shopping and within a short walk of the Straw Market and Rainbow Row. read more
2 years ago
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6 years ago
In LOVE with this historic hotel! It's located right in the middle of the downtown area, across from a city park. Unfortunately they weren't running the valet service because of COVID, but the gentleman outside was nice enough to help us with our bags. Upon check in, we were given a goodie bag with a cup, koozie and two different types of cookie samples. The lobby is gorgeous and has old southern charm which continued into the bedroom. Our room on the 9th floor was overlooking the park and had a view of the water. The room also had a mini fridge to keep your drinks cool. The best part of the room was that it had two bathrooms! The room and bathrooms were small, but very clean. The shampoo and conditioner that were provided were better than standard hotel quality as well. There is a full Starbucks located on the bottom floor of the hotel and a 24 hour Walgreens located across the street. A short walk in either direction will get you to restaurants and shopping. Beautiful hotel, great location! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
I've stayed at the Francis Marion a few times and it is very consistent. I give it 4.5/5 stars, because the rooms could use some updating (while still keeping the charm of course), other than that my experience is always great. Valet is consistent, concierge is accommodating to wake up calls and organizing rides. There's room service and the food in the downs stairs restaurant isn't too bad considering it's from a hotel lobby. Prices are very fair and you cannot get a better location. Rooms are decent size, I've always booked basic rooms and they come with a couch, bed, 2 desk, dresser, etc., but bathrooms are a little small and like I said could use updating. Other than that the hotel is clean, comfortable and service is always good from what I have experienced. Would definitely recommend read more
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Self parking is available at a city garage adjacent to the hotel, address 399 King Street. Self parking is $20 per night billed to your guestroom. Valet parking is $28 per night billed to your guestroom.
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