"How did it strike you on arrival?This is the perfect example of a grand old Charleston house with double piazzas and a sweeping staircase in the entry hall. It still feels like a private residence because it was just that until 1998 when it was converted to an inn. From the street, its 3-story Georgian frame feels imposing. From within, you get to "play house" in an antique-filled residence formerly inhabited by the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. The sitting parlor is the best spot for channeling nearly 260 years of history, especially after you've poured yourself a complimentary nip of sherry. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Couples of all ages, Europeans, history buffs, bridal parties. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.I splurged on the "Middleton Suite" for its marble wet bar, period antiques, and updated bathroom with separate walk-in glass shower (really I just wanted to experience the chandelier over the bathtub!). I say this because some other bathrooms appear to be dated or small (it's hard to squeeze bathrooms into an old house). The bedrooms themselves are the main event: mahogany four-poster beds with hand-tied fishnet canopies, massive doors, pine wood floors that creak for good measure, oriental rugs. Many rooms have fireplaces, as did mine, the caveat being that you can't use them unless supervised because the house is on the Historic Register. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?My room had nine-foot triple-hung windows original to the 1760 house, meaning that to access the wide piazza, you slide up three sets of enormous panes (it's easy) and walk out. This speaks to an era when houses were taxed by their number of doors, so these windows were a clever evasion. Wi-Fi is free and fully operational. I'm not sure how I would manage it, but I would steal the Collard & Collard antique grand piano in the living room (then tune it and replace its missing string). Room service: Worth it?There's no restaurant here, but the inn's first floor kitchen is busy around the clock, putting out freshly prepared breakfasts like Italian frittata or blueberry strata, then whipping up cheese and olive spreads, dips, antipasto, and deviled eggs for afternoon's wine and cheese hour. You can request breakfast delivered by tray to your room if you ask the night before. Meanwhile excellent restaurants are a quick walk away: Millers All Day, "Fast & French" a.k.a. Gaulart & Maliclet, and many more within a few city blocks. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.There's no on-site spa (this really is just a grand old B&B) but the inn will arrange for an in-room massage with 24 hours notice. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Stay here if you crave an authentic Charleston house experience, inclusive of slightly old-school porch furniture and the occasional patch in the ceiling. The rooms are glorious throwbacks, many with 12-foot ceilings, and you can vet them all on the website. For those of you who want big bathrooms, choose your room wisely (there are some). The inn sits on the edge of Charleston's most famous historic residential district "South of Broad," so this really is a gateway for exploration." - Allston McCrady
