86 Cannon Historic Inn

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? If you weren’t specifically looking for it, you might think this was just another lovely home on a tree-lined cross-street in downtown Charleston. Perhaps soon, owners Marion and Lori Hawkins will decide to hang a discreet sign out front, but since opening in 2017, buzz has been word-of-mouth. Look past the blooming crepe myrtles for the brass 86 above the door of this classic “Charleston single” with double piazzas. If you’ve come by car, drive through the wrought-iron gates at left, down the tropically landscaped driveway (the Lowcountry version of a red carpet), to park in the ample gravel lot out back. Canine residents Gus and Sully bark their greetings from the detached kitchen house the Hawkins call home. When I arrived, the inn’s manager Elliott Wright came out to greet me, having anticipated my arrival via the inn’s interactive text-messaging system. He led me to the front parlor for a quick, personable check-in amidst live orchids and the scent of Casablanca lilies drifting down the stairwell. What's the backstory? The main house was built in 1862 and has passed through a handful of owners, from a Confederate officer to the family of a famed civil rights activist. When the Hawkins scooped it up, it was in bad need of repair. Their top-to-bottom restoration preserved authentic architectural details like slate roofing, hardwood floors buffed smooth, window frames stripped of centuries of paint. The couple soon acquired an 1880s “dogtrot cottage” next door, with a long central hallway branching into living quarters. Designer Betsy Berry worked on the D.C. St. Regis and The Connaught in London before relocating to Charleston with her chef husband. Her work is bold and beautiful, from indigo-dyed grasscloth walls in the parlor, to pomegranate-silk pitched walls in the attic library, with Venetian plasterwork and hand-stenciling by local painter Suzanne Allen. It’s challenging to strike a balance between design-forward and authentically historic, but 86 Cannon nailed it. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? My suite in the “Garden Cottage” backed up to an expansive brick courtyard with trickling fountain, beautifully lit up at night. I had one-half of the cottage entirely to myself. An old brick double fireplace separated sitting room from bedroom, plus a large modern bathroom. Despite fronting the street, the house’s modern insulation kept the noise out. I could barely hear a scooter whizzing by. Exposed joist beams ran the length of the apartment, with ghostly markings of former lathe-&-plaster. Heart pine floors were spotless, with deliberately preserved scorched floorboards by the fireplace. On the king-size bed, starched and pressed Italian Frette linens. Kitchenette included multiple bottles of wine and champagne (for a price), complimentary Nespresso machine, and fridge stocked with Spindrift fruit-infused sparkling water. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Wi-fi was free and strong. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? 86 Cannon’s location in the center of a foodie hub absolves the inn of not having an onsite restaurant. I counted fifteen restaurants within easy walking distance. In late afternoon, the inn provides a wine and a cheeseboard sourced locally from Church Street shop Goat.Sheep.Cow with a heavenly lineup of (you guessed it) goat, sheep, and cow cheeses paired with crisp baguette rounds, toasted pecans, and plump dried fruits. Guests choose from robust European continental breakfast offerings, including pastries from Brown’s Court, quiche from Baba’s down the street, and whipped yogurt and gluten-free granola that Lori makes herself, all served with antique silver utensils. I took my tray to the porch to spy on locals walking their dogs and biking to work. It really is a true Charleston neighborhood experience. And the service? The inn’s texting system allowed me to converse with the inn’s manager throughout my stay as easily as texting a friend. There are seven rooms total, so service is attentive. If you want a day at the beach, a stylish bag materializes with Turkish towels. To explore historic downtown, choose from the onsite fleet of slim Linus bicycles with leather seats and leather handles. The innkeepers offer great bike route advice to steer you clear of heavily trafficked streets (no bike lanes in Charleston). What type of travelers will you find here? Inn guests hail from all over: New York, Texas, other countries, and locals wanting a luxury vacation from parenthood. Even when the inn is fully booked, you can find a quiet spot on the verandas, garden patio, or my favorite, the cozy attic library with its fully stocked honor bar and growing book collection. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? Cannon Street is mostly residential, but you’ll want to pop into a few of its boutique shops: Mac & Murphy for custom cards and stationary; Sugar Bakeshop for cupcakes in flavors you never imagined; and stylish men’s store Indigo & Cotton. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Truly a pampered spot to call home. Worth every cent. The owners have thought of everything and they don’t cut any corners." - Allston McCrady