This is for the restaurant and bar. A real Aiken gem. It is an old land mark that has been lovingly restored and cared for It has oldworld Classic interior comfortable for the rider in jeans and the high style dresser. You can sit in the big comfy chairs or high tops by the bar. Good drinks, beer and food served The restaurant is set formal but unpretentious reservations are a good idea for dinner The meals are chef prepared. Super fresh and enough selection to make anyone happy I like it here to meet friends for drinks and for a really good dinner read more

Wonderful hotel and customer service. Restaurant is fabulous and hotel is very nice. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because of the spa. It needs some customer service attention. People could be friendlier and more professional! Had 2 services and 2 different people and neither wasn't that great. read more

I've stayed at the Willcox twice and my in-laws hosted my rehearsal dinner here. As far as hotel accommodations go: Our rooms were always gorgeous. We stayed here on our wedding night and on our first anniversary. The hotel is within walking distance to a few bars downtown as well as having their own bar in house. We did see a bug in one of our rooms (we got married in the middle of summer. It's hot out. It happens) and the staff were super accommodating in offering us another room since I'm terrified of all creepy crawlies. We had plenty of linens and toiletries, and we even got a little card each morning with the projected weather, etc. For our wedding night, we enjoyed a lovely bottle of champagne that was brought in and left on ice for our arrival. I love all of the natural light in their bathrooms - it really makes such a difference in my morning mood! As far as food goes: SO GOOD. I've had their mother's day brunch, our rehearsal dinner, and just a random meal and I can honestly say it's all so yummy. Our service has always been incredible and the different dining rooms are so beautiful. I've only had one drink from their bar but it was great too (some sort of chocolate something?). The price tag is higher than some other options, but you are paying for the beauty of the hotel and the experience. I wouldn't stay here unless it was a special occassion (since I grew up in Aiken and know there isn't much to do in the surrounding area) but it's a nice experience when you are celebrating! read more

The Willcox is incredible. The lobby is gorgeous, the rooms are beautiful, and they think of everything- yoga mat in the closet, umbrella in the closet, great robes, etc. We come in February when there's usually a fire going and the scent is fantastic. We have visited 3 times and it's always been great! read more

Having stayed at The Wilcox back in 2014 my husband and I were excited to revisit for our 10th anniversary. When I called to book the hotel I requested the same room, (301) but was encouraged to try room 208- "it's our favorite room!" so I reserved it. Upon checking-in the ladies both said "oh...208, our favorite!" When I opened the door to the room I was hit with a moldy/cleaner smell that was quite strong, but figured the previous guest had maybe showered just before checking out, or something...it IS an old hotel after all, and the exhaust fans are woefully inadequate. (There was what looked like an air-filtration machine running in the room). BUT...then realized later that day that room 208 is directly over the lobby and front entrance; you hear conversations of everyone coming and going all thru happy hour/evening, the smokers standing on the front porch talking loudly later in the evening, the music from the bar...not what we were looking for...I wanted to ask to change rooms, but we were only there 2 nights and to pack-up everything we just decided to stick it out- Overall The Wilcox is an experience everyone should try-the beds are sooo comfy, fireplace is a nice touch, and really the staff was very nice. The restaurant service is excellent! Our waiter for dinner (Oscar) is the best-didn't rush us but was there when needed. My biggest advice is try it and enjoy Aiken (during polo season is best!) yes, it has slipped in a lot of ways (very subtly, but definitely not the same standard, and yes, I know it's been 9 years but the beauty of the place was the standard...) just realize it's an old historic building- the one elevator is slow, the rooms are old (but beautiful!) -a bit inadequate technology-wise, but try to get a room facing the back of the hotel- makes a HUGE difference in the experience. read more

The Willcox Hotel is a signature local attraction in the Aiken area and if you are looking for a classy restaurant to lunch at, you cannot go wrong here. (I will admit to never having had dinner, so my review is just about the lunch service.) Do yourself a favor if you visit: order the Chicken Liver Pate' and a glass of Pinot Grigio for your appetizer, it is a real treat! The Pate' at the Willcox is legendary! The lunch menu has everything you'd expect, appetizers (like the Pate', Calamari, etc.), soups, sandwiches, salads and even a cheese platter selection. Their wine list is top notch and their house wines are very good labels. Their mussels entree is sublime with a hint of fennel and they often have specials that amaze, like the Steak Tips pasta with Blue Cheese cream sauce that I had on my last visit, which was delicious. I've not been here for dinner, so I can't speak to those prices; but the lunch menu is not only delicious but actually very reasonable. I've been to a couple of hosted private parties at the Willcox too, which were well catered with excellent finger foods and drinks. Plus, they have a catering truck that can mobilize their menu to your location, if you so desire. The Willcox is a high-quality option that, when compared to the other 'fine dining' restaurants in town, comes out on top or very near the top of downtown Aiken's dining establishments. read more

The Willcox Hotel - On draft! - Hotels Near Me - Aiken, South Carolina

We were just three couples looking to get away for a couple of nights. We definitely fell upon good times at the Wilcox. Our wonderful experience began with booking. We had some special requests for rooms and Patti ensured all needs would be met. After arrival, she was also the "go to" angel at the front desk. The exceptional evening food in the dining room was enhanced by our wait person, Stephanie, who provided extraordinary service and a delightful personality to match. Excellent after dinner drinks served in front of the fireplace, were delivered promptly and in person by the cheerful Manager, Kati. We did have a small hiccup one morning at breakfast and it was promptly and seamlessly resolved by by none other than Kati, who seemed to be everywhere at once to ensure world class service. All in all, our visit to the Willcox was a wonderful two days and nights. We shall return again and again! In fact, we are already checking our calendars for our next visit! read more

This was the worst hotel I've ever experienced. From the wait staffs inexperience to the quality of the room (bathtub needed to be calked, missing light fixtures, stained comforter, backed up sinks, vents full of dust) there was not one experience up to par with $300 a night. I would not recommend to anyone. read more

I am from out of town and I heard a lot of wonderful things about The Willcox Hotel and I was very excited to eat brunch here. Fast forward we have arrived and our service was horrible her name was Gina and she made my first experience at The Willcox Hotel horrible I will never be back. But the food was amazing. read more

We stayed here recently, we were in town from New York for a wedding in Augusta GA. The hotel lobby is warm and pretty. The restaurant ambiance is lackluster. The breakfast is decent although everything has butter and cheese (it's the south, I get it). The hotel room, I think we had a premium suite (asked for the best one they had when booking) was very subpar. The mattress is decades old, the room was leaking gas (I reported this) from the fireplace, not impressively clean but not dirty. There are TV cords everywhere, a phone from the 90's. It's not awful, but I certainly wouldn't qualify this as "nice". I'm writing this because so many people said to me "oh stay at the Wilcox it's great". I realize everyone's standards are different but this was a very mediocre hotel in our opinion. read more

Lunch today at the Wilcox was Outstanding. Emma provided thoroughly professional and attentive service. The food was fantastic. The ambiance of the hotel and restaurant was eclectic, comfortable and welcoming. We enjoyed Caesar salad, black bean shrimp, pork ramen and fish and chips. The salad was light and the dressing fresh; dark greens, bacon and shaved Parmesan. As good as any Caesar I've ever tasted! The deep flavor of the shrimp was a beautiful contrast to the light, fresh papaya. The pork ramen was delicious if not a bit difficult to eat - perhaps a larger bowl to accommodate the portion size would help. The fish and chips were out of this world. Fresh cod, expertly prepared. It does not get any better than this. Loved this place - be back soon! read more

The historic Wilcox Hotel in Aiken is a wonderful location to enjoy convenient walking to Hopeland Gardens and the unique shops in the heart of Aiken. The stately white columned three story building was built in 1900 and exudes southern charm. The equestrian decor envelopes you as you enter the hotel. with a lobby cozy and comfortable. Groupings of overstuffed chairs and couches for enjoying cocktails and food. The lobby bar has a few hightop tables and stools at the bar. Excellent food and service at the hotel restaurant which has a seasonally changing menu. I have stayed at this property three times and can attest to the friendly service and comfortable charm of the accommodations. On my recent stay the Churchill Suite has become my favorite. The two room suite is equipped with working gas fireplaces, comfortable bed large bath with soaking tub and shower and lovely balcony. Amenities of robes and ironing equipment, Kureg coffee set up. Turn down service lit the two fireplaces, closed the shutters, freshened the towels, placed a pitcher of citrus infused water bedside and generally prepared the room for a relaxing evening in front of the fireplaces. Breakfast is included with your stay at the Wilcox. A small menu of cooked to order offerings and a buffet of pastries, fruit, cereals, breads and the best blueberry yogurt compote. During my stay in October the poolside patio provides a quiet area for reading, sun bathing and enjoying a cool drink. There is also a spa at the Wilcox however I have not enjoyed their services to comment. The hotel is old, but well maintained, clean and staffed with helpful, friendly personnel. read more

The staff at the Willcox are fantastic! Everyone we encountered this past weekend was professional and friendly.

Reba the house keeper made us feel like we were on cloud 9. From the fireplace to the fresh lemon water she makes the Wilcox a wonderful experience and we will def we back, just to see her. I also love Tina and Chelsea at the front desk, as well as all of the sweet bellman and room service ppl. AND the manager of the kitchen. Literally everyone here makes you feel so happy and thankful to be here. I know he's not a full time employee but John Vaughn on the piano...is incredible. Bravo Geoff and Shannon. Y'all run a wonderful hotel. We love it here! The Limehouse family will be forever guests of the Wilcox. read more

Some of the best and friendly bartenders in Aiken who can whip up the best cocktails! Definitely a different feel then the bars in the alley but one of my favorites for drinks. Reasonable prices especially when you look around where you are sitting. Short walk across the bridge from the alley. read more

Truly a world class hotel in the most lovely town. The people, food, accommodations, staff and the overall experience was truly refreshing.

A year ago I had given up on eating meals at the Wilcox. I love the place and the food but the service left something to be desired. I was recently talked into eating dinner there again and was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the great food and atmosphere still there, but the service was outstanding. Our server, Lindsay Dunn was top notch. And observing the tables around me, it appeared that the other servers were also on their game. Matt, the F&B manager has really done a nice job resting the standards and expectations. I will be back. read more

I made reservations at The Wilcox for Friday night as a special treat for my wife who was attending an event. The reservation was complete and I received a confirmation number so notified my wife and she headed to Aiken to check in. I later received a call from the hotel and they canceled our reservation. They said they had a glitch in their system that allowed the reservation but they were booked. I then had to call my wife and ask her to wait in a random parking lot while I searched for another place. The Wilcox offered us nothing for our trouble. They blamed the reservation system and just said sorry. I had a similar situation a couple years ago with Thanksgiving Giving Dinner reservations in their restaurant. I booked dinner for 6 and a week before I received the same call blaming the system. I made this reservation months in advance. Our past stays have been very nice but they could offer some consolation. read more

Incredibly nice staff. My friend and I walked in to check it out and decided to have dinner. They sat us in the lobby and brought our meals and treated us like VIP guests. They went out of their way for us. We met the owner at a polo match the next day and had to talk about our excellent meal and service! From now on it will be the ONLY place I'll stay in Aiken!!! And it's pet friendly which is just the cherry on top!!!! read more

It's funny--- ever since my husband was a first year medical student in Augusta, GA we dreamed of a relaxing stay at the Willcox. Fast forward 8 years and it finally happened during a visit to Georgia. It's possible that our expectations for the hotel were too grand because we both left our stay with the feeling of "meh". First, let me start by saying the hotel is truly beautiful. It sits majestically at the end of one of the most lovely and quaint streets in the south. Aiken, SC is a quintessential southern town that oozes charm. There are plenty of great dining and boutique options walking distance from the Willcox on Laurens. We arrived at the hotel on a Friday night from Ohio and were surprised that there were no reserved parking spots for guests of the hotel. The hotel bar and restaurant were hopping. Finding a parking spot nearby proved to be as challenging as finding a sober driver after the South Carolina/ Clemson game. We trudged our suitcases up the stairs (no bellmen or valet) and walked in the hotel. There is not a designated lobby area. Hotel guests literally have to walk through a sea of diners to find a desk off to the side with an attendant to check in. We felt strange and awkward--like everyone was watching and judging us as we entered the room with our luggage. The attendant that checked us in was helpful-- but it was clear that she had many responsibilities that night. She took us to our room and pointed us towards the pool area. The room was well appointed and housekeeping gets an A++ for good work. The ice water pitcher, chocolate turn down and luxury robes in the room were all a nice touch. After getting settled in the room, we meandered down stairs for dessert in the restaurant. After standing (again awkwardly) for a few minutes waiting for someone to direct us to a table, we seated ourselves on a couch. After about 10 minutes, our server came and took our order. She was nice and apologized for not seeing us before. Our dessert was great but not overly memorable. After dessert, we walked around the pool area. We were the only guests outside (it was a little chilly) but we imagined that in the summer the pool area must be crowded. They have done a great job creating ambiance poolside. Bottomline: Overall: I think the hotel is lovely. It's a beautiful hotel in a beautiful setting. I think there is a lot of room to improve on service. No one was rude or disrespectful-- but no one went out of their way (from the server to the breakfast attendant)-- the attitude is just laid back. I think if the Willcox wants to continue to be ranked as one of the best hotels in the US that they need to invest in customer service training and re-evaluate their guest experience. If you are reading this review and you are thinking about staying at the Wilcox because you are going to be attending the Masters in Augusta or you are going to a wedding in Aiken-- the Willcox is probably a great option for you. It is one of the best--if not the best-- local options. For us-- we won't drive out of our way to stay there again. read more

We had our wedding reception here and our guests rented out the entire hotel. It was an amazing venue. It was like we had a little party compound for a those days. The hotel is a beautiful venue by itself. And the food is excellent. It is a well-known historic Aiken building, which made the location even more special. The support leading up to the wedding was better than we could have hoped. (And we needed it!) Kelly (the manager who was lead on our wedding) helped us make decisions on schedule. She even saw to the recreation of the old peach-rosemary tea that the Willcox made in the early 2000's. The recipe is long forgotten by the staff so she did some experiments and staged a tea-tasting for us. Our signature drink was peach-rosemary tea served with a shot of bourbon. (People added the shot themselves if they wanted so the non-alcoholic drink was as attractive as the alcoholic drink.) The day of the wedding the floral installation and cooking went without a hitch (as far as I knew as the bride). My husband and some of his groomsmen were a little rusty from the rehearsal party and were running late to the church. Kelly drove them to the church so they would be there on time! Unexpected, gracious help when we needed it! During the reception, Kelly stayed on top of everything when things should happen (cut the cake, through the bouquet, etc) so that the guests stayed entertained and we avoided the sometimes awkward moments when there is too much time between events. Along with hiring Karen Jeffcoat of Cote Designs for flowers, having the reception here was the best vendor-decisions of our wedding planning. read more

Earlier this year I was in desperate need of a getaway...Aiken has become such a popular spot these days...i thought I'd check it out! The Willcox was exactly what I needed. It has a very regal historic stylized look... with the service of a Ritz Carleton! Fresh lemon infused water is placed in at your bedside each night, every amenity a girl could ask for, and AMAZING food!! The downstairs bar and lounge is like the Oak Room at the Plaza...a real hot spot so you never have to leave the hotel to have drink and mingle. Having said that, Aiken has a surprisingly big night life. I know, it sounds crazy, but it's true!! High High High recommend!! Ask to meet the owners...they made me feel right at home! read more

Great dinner, wonderful atmosphere great service. Would strongly recommend. The drinks were excellent, very good wines but affordable too.

Wonderful food and service. Food was amazing. Espresso Martin's and desserts were the best end to the night. Chef Ed and his staff know what they are doing in the kitchen! Would highly recommend to everyone! read more

A group of friends and I visited The Willcox for brunch. Service was wonderful and food was great! Can't wait to visit again.

We just attended a wedding here and decided to stay here last minute. We got the chefs cottage across the street and it was absolutely beautiful! The room was more modern and brand new, I wish we Would have stayed there a little longer to enjoy it. The best part of this whole establishment was that the entire staff, from front desk, to bartenders, to caitering staff and housekeeping, everyone was extremely nice and accommodating. It made us want to come back and enjoy another weekend for sure. The people here was what made this place outstanding, and we were happy to spend part of our weekend among great people and such a beautiful property! read more

Just got back from a weekend stay. Lovely staff. Dinner was decent but breakfast was outstanding! Hotel and dining staff were extremely accommodating. Charming ambiance. Very nice touches. Loved the live music and the lounge space. Room was comfortable. Bedding was too. Loved the fireplaces. Overall great hotel in a cute town. read more

We were exhausted from international travel. The late night welcome was lovely, but things went downhill after that. The room had been advertised with a fire, but after several tries to start the fire by the staff, we just said to let it go. The room also smelled musty-- ok for an old place but there's a lot you can do to minimize it. Early the next morning I mixed my favorite cider and orange juice, and the cider was sour. And to top it all off, our toilet overflowed and the staff took their time in getting to us, while water was cascading everywhere and seeping into the rug. Not sure how this got rated one of the top hotels. read more

We stayed four days in one of the suites and held meetings at the hotel for our organization as well. Management is surprisingly professional, better than the Drake indeed. The staff overall is about as intelligent and quick as any I've seen. The staff and management exceeded expectations. The small, attractive restaurant has good food and the prices are unusually low. Nice fenced and quiet pool area and the meeting rooms are able to accommodate about 30. For Aiken, this is a five star hotel, with many special offers, like a polo brunch, that we did not have time to utilize. Downtown is only three blocks away and the hotel is on the edge of the historic district. So in summary: well located, well run, a bargain compared to other hotel this size in larger cities with good food, a nice bar and a charming environment. read more

I would like to begin by saying that this was our first visit and overall we really enjoyed it. The food was delicious. We enjoyed 3 meals there and each one was beautifully presented and tasted fabulous. Our servers Anthony, Brittany and Brain were personable and knowledgeable. Teresa welcomed us to the hotel and all of the other employees made us feel at home. My one disappointment was the condition of the grounds. The pool was dirty. It felt neglected. The landscaping appeared neglected as well. There was trash in the flower beds. In our room,most of the shutters were broken, so we couldn't close them and the turn down service looked sloppy. Of course these conditions don't make me not want to return, but it left me feeling apathetic about my visit. Since we were spending most of our time on the property, I wanted it to look and feel really top notch. During this visit; however, we just felt "meh" read more

Here on business and had to stop by. Awesome environment even for a loner. Had a great meal and unbelievable service! read more

The Willcox Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Aiken, South Carolina

I loved this restaurant. It is very special. You take a trip back in time when you walk in the hotel door. It is lovely! Lunch was so good! The sandwiches are wonderful, and we had a light, delicious dessert. The staff is very attentive and kind. We loved seeing all the awards the hotel had won. The preservation of this beautiful Southern mansion is wonderfully historical....a must see! read more

The Willcox Hotel - Beautiful! - Hotels Near Me - Aiken, South Carolina

This is such an incredible Historic Hotel Property. The Willcox has been around for a very long time and has a very rich history. The rooms are beautiful and spacious. The halls are wide and stately. The whole place seems to be reminiscent of what living in an antebellum plantation house would have been. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was beautiful, complete with a claw foot tub. They had nice amenities-Molton Brown. There was a pitcher of water with sliced lemons and limes in our room, and it was so refreshing. The staff is incredibly friendly. They are pet friendly as well! I cannot say enough about this beautiful property. You really must experience it for yourself! read more

We enjoyed the hotel and courteous staff. However, we were disappointed that the kitchen was not open Saturday morning - the only option for bfast was buffet-style sugary junk. We were told this was standard policy every day but Sunday. Considering the price, it seemed an absurd situation to have to drive around town looking for a diner at 7.30am. Mind you, this hotel is supposed to be ranked on par with the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. read more

Such a charming boutique hotel. The staff couldn't be more helpful or friendly. As a guest, you have access to fitness classes through golds gym, can rent bikes, enjoy delicious food, and get a variety of spa treatments. This hotel is dog friendly, family friend, and is absolutely suitable for a romantic get away. I wish I could stay longer! read more

The Willcox Hotel - Single King bedroom - Hotels Near Me - Aiken, South Carolina

I strongly recommend this hotel as a wedding venue! We just had our 1920s-themed wedding weekend at the Willcox 2 days ago, and the event coordinator, Katherine Grantham, helped us plan the rehearsal dinner, welcome cocktail party, ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch (all located at the Willcox over the course of 3 days). The guests raved about the food, service, and rooms; the venue was incredibly easy to work with and very accommodating, which was a huge weight off my shoulders considering that I planned this wedding weekend from a different state. Almost all of the guests were from out of town, and about half of them stayed at the Willcox (we bought out the hotel on the night of the wedding); the Willcox staff worked with me to make sure that the wedding guests staying at other hotels were also cared for, and had a good experience at the wedding. Everything from the food to the entertainment to the decorations were coordinated with the Willcox, and everything came together so well, with no hitches; you should absolutely consider this venue for your event!! read more

To whom it may concern: My son and his lovely bride got married at the Willcox Hotel in Aiken, SC on April 27th. Katherine Grantham and her staff did a wonderful job. The venue and food deserves 5+ stars. We just showed up for the event. Katherine handled everything. The venue is so beautiful that we did not even have to decorate. We had the rehearsal party in the library of the hotel. The food was delicious. We were given so many compliments from our guest. It was wonderful that our guest were able to stay with us in the hotel. The next morning when we came down for the complimentary breakfast, we couldn't believe that the venue had transformed from a wedding reception to the grande piano playing music for us while we ate. It was a very beautiful and relaxing experience. I live in Charleston, SC and have two daughters. I told my daughters they will be having their destination weddings in Aiken, SC at the Willcox Hotel handled by Katherine Grantham:)))) read more

An interesting environment. Went for a Saturday brunch and the restaurant was empty. Speedy service but it was so quiet and reserved it felt uncomfortable to converse or have a normal brunch environment. Unlikely to come back. read more

We have had several poor lunches as well as aninferior dinner recently. The waiter on one occasion mentioned that they have had three different chefs during the year which was part of the problem Several of the lunches were missing ingredients and had stale bread Our last steak dinner was poor quality and should not have been served read more

Stately building with a lodge/tavern feel. Needs to be overhauled as it's looking a bit past it's prime at the moment. Bar staff could use a refresher on hospitality as well. Lots of potential. read more