Hotel Bennett
"Why did this hotel catch your attention?Hotel Bennett feels utterly fresh and spotless. In the entry foyer, there's nary a scuff in the white marble flooring or the tufted, white-leather banquettes. Jacketed doormen usher you inside, through a rotunda hand-painted with an artist’s rendering of colonial Charles Towne’s 18th-century harbor and skyline, including one panel devoted to the Richmond plantation purchased several years ago by hotelier and businessman Michael Bennett. You can’t help but linger here, marveling at the detailed mural, the petal-like chandelier, and the over-the-top flower arrangements. But the siren call of soft jazzy riffs from a grand piano beckons you towards reception. What's the backstory?For hotelier Michael Bennett, this property, decades in the planning, is personal. Bennett oriented the entrance opposite from the spot where his late father shined shoes during the Great Depression. Bennett’s 96-year-old mother, for whom nearby restaurant Virginia’s is named, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in February 2019. Tell us all about the rooms. Any tips on what to book?In the herringbone marble entryway of my Premier King room, two things caught my eye: an awaiting fur-lined robe cinched at the waist, and an oversized, polished stone, oval pedestal tub beneath a crystal teardrop chandelier. The message was clear: “You’ve arrived. Slow down. Indulge. That’s an order.” The silver bath tray contained a satchel of verbena-scented sea salts, plus a dissolvable “bath truffle” made with shea butter, bay laurel, cloves, and lotus. Strong water pressure filled the tub in no time at all. Two wall panels glided open to unify the bed and bath areas, so I was able to watch a movie on the flatscreen TV from the luxury of the deep soaking tub. As for the spacious bedroom itself, it was decorated in hues of soft sage and burnished gold. Built-in bookcases brimmed with reading material, a nod to the public library that was once on the site, but also a touch of home. I didn’t take the time to figure out the high-tech lighting controls (instead I took the caveman approach of obstinately punching at switches), but more patient people may want to master the room’s remote to control the lights, temperature, blinds, and drapery from the comfort of the cozy bed. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi is free and fast. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Gabrielle, the hotel’s signature restaurant, fills two stories, and boasts a private dining room and a wide al fresco patio. On Saturdays, when the farmers market is in full swing just across the street, diners sink into velvet cushions amid planters filled with marigolds and butterflies. Twenty-four-hour room service ranges from avocado toast to hearty burgers to shrimp 'n' grits. And the service? Service was smooth and friendly. Everyone we spoke to was genuinely conversant but not overly chatty. What type of travelers will you find here?Smartly attired businesswomen; young honeymooners; and wealthy international visitors. What about the neighborhood? What else will we find here?Not only is Hotel Bennett smack on a park, but it fronts King Street, a major shopping artery. The hotel is within easy walking distance of many restaurants, including Hall's Chophouse, The Grocery, and The Ordinary, plus cocktail bars like Proof, The Belmont, The Cocktail Club, Victor Social Club, and Felix. Any other hotel features worth noting?Visit the second floor of the entrance rotunda to see the continuation of the ground-floor mural by Georgia-based artist Jill Biskin. There's also a lesser-known third-floor piazza filled with elegant patio furniture overlooking the treetops of Marion Square. Bottom line: Why are we staying here? Where else can you reserve a private cabana by the rooftop pool, equipped with L-shaped sofa, minibar, and your own flat-screen TV, with a views of the harbor and shipping channel?" - Allston McCrady
