The Duke Mansion

"What's the vibe here?Tucked away in leafy Myers Park, The Duke Mansion is the epitome of Southern elegance. Leave your keys with the valet and suddenly you'll notice you’re standing just a little bit straighter. After all, right before you is the former private home of the Duke family—yes, of Duke University fame. It’s elegant, but not overly fussy.  What's the backstory?The hotel is operated by the nonprofit Duke Foundation and all proceeds support the preservation of the historic home and its glorious gardens. How are the rooms?The Duke Mansion feels simultaneously like a museum and an elegant boutique hotel. Rooms share the property's traditional elegance but never feel too precious. The best two, which come complete with a shared sleeping porch and swings, once belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Duke. Don’t fret if you spill your wine whiling away the afternoon though—the furnishings aren't original—and modern bathrooms raise the comfort level. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi is free. Tell us about the food and drink.In typical B&B fashion, the room rate includes include breakfast—either buffet or à la carte. There's no onsite restaurant, but the chef will prepare picnic baskets, lunches, and dinners with advance notice. How did you find the service?If you took impeccable Southern manners, mixed in a genuine desire to delight, and added a clear sense of pride in the property, you'd have the Duke Mansion staff. What are the guests like?Duke Mansion guests aren't here to simply hang their hat in between visits to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Discovery Place. This is their destination, and they'd much rather spend hours reading or roaming the gardens than hitting hotspots in Uptown. What about the neighborhood?Myers Park is Charlotte's ritziest neighborhood. Towering trees, rolling lawns, and elegant mansions define the tony area, and The Duke Mansion fits right in. Anything else we should know?Despite its hushed sensibility, Duke Mansion does welcome children—one of the gardens even has a swing set as well as darling trees depicting carved scenes from Peter Rabbit. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Yes! In a city that prizes shiny and new, Duke Mansion proves that Southern elegance and tradition still reign." - Nancy DePalma