Francis Marion Hotel

Hotel

This place was a good hotel that will be better when the renovations and upgrades are completed. What makes this an amazing hotel is the people behind the counters, housekeeping staff, valets, and every other employee. Through no fault of their own, we had a hiccup with another hotel and Eva made sure that experience would not tarnish our last minute booking with them. She could not have been nicer and made sure we had everything we would need. She took care of us at 10pm just as if we had arrived at 4pm. Good hotel but better staff! Highly recommend this place.

This is a hotel which aims for quaint and historic, but falls short. To cover the positives — the rooms themselves are nice. The beds are comfortable, the carpet and drapery is clean, and the furniture is generally well appointed to the room. The staff is also friendly and professional. The negatives: Requesting a certain mattress size is impossible and it was explained to me AFTER my wife and I arrived into a room with 2 double beds that they never guarantee the type of bed you will receive, only that you'll have a place to sleep. Doors are hung crooked and stick open or shut — including to the criminally tiny bathroom, leaving you to choose between an open door or making TONS of noise. EDIT — Changed to 3 stars. The hotel staff and management has made efforts to "make right" the issues I experienced. I appreciate the professionalism and though I may not have been thrilled with the stay, the customer service has been excellent the entire time.

This place was awesome. Very cozy with a lot of character. The service was great! I’m not sure what the other reviews mean about the restroom size. My room was perfect and I found the restroom to be spacious enough for me. I would definitely recommended this hotel to my friends and family for sure.

Rooms were small but will appointed and very comfortable. Meetings spaces were great. Fantastic location… A short walk from some of the best restaurants in Charleston. I recommend eating at Halls Chophouse and Darlings Oyster Bar.

One of the top hotels in downtown Charleston. Great staff and crew. Clean rooms and bathrooms. Located in the heart of downtown Charleston. Easy to get to and from all the destinations in and around town. Plenty of indoor parking. Room rates are competitive with other high end hotels in the Charleston area. Older building but with the recent renovation the Francis Marion is a great choice for your stay in Charleston.

Participated in a class in one of the conference rooms, very unimpressed. I think it would have been better to hold the class in a Holiday Inn Express or a Motel 6 or something even cheaper. They couldn't keep water in the room, and we (the class) didn't drink much. I had to ask 3 people for more and all they did was fill the carafe from a sink somewhere, very poor service. Went to the bathroom and it was out of toilet paper, repeatedly. It's the little things that count. I hope the rooms are better because the conference room wasn't worth it.

My husband and I visited the Francis Marion Hotel for our wedding night. When we checked in, they upgraded us from a standard room to a suite on the top floor. The suite and the rest of the hotel were exquisite and clean. The service was friendly and I would absolutely stay there again!

Check-in was a breeze. Location is great. The room was big. Has refrigerator in room. The only thing that was annoying was the bathroom. It was so small. For a room that big I would have expected a little bigger bathroom. Other than that I highly recommend.

Everyone that works here is so nice and accommodating! The inside of the hotel itself is beautiful. The best part is, you're right in the middle of downtown Charleston. Everything is within walking distance of the hotel.

Great location. Room layout is old but everything else is updated. Kind of spooky, amazing old style lobby. Very friendly and helpful staff.

I attended a wedding, which included a cocktail hour, and reception, all held in different areas of the Francis Marion. The room where the wedding ceremony took place had some kind of white applique type design/decoration on the upper walls, which along with the high ceilings and large chandeliers, gave it a very regal feel. It also had a relatively small balcony in the upper rear of the room. The cocktail hour was in an open area one floor down. I believe it was considered a mezzanine. The staff provided good service, and the restrooms were clean and nice, with a couple of couches in a lounge area of one of the ladies rooms. The reception room was large enough for probably 30 tables (maybe even more), with a decent sized dance floor in the middle. I didn't pay much attention to the space's design, but it also had a upscale, traditional, regal feel to it. The food was very good, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. My only complaint was that they didn't keep drinks (water, etc. ) refreshed. I think they just forgot, in the midst of everything, but the gentleman serving our area was apologetic and got us more water quickly, once he realized. It was a lovely and classy event. There were guests mingling about in the mezzanine during the reception, which allowed a bit more of a quiet area, since receptions tend to be somewhat loud.

Fine old hotel. Lovely lobby. Helpful staff. Great harbor view from 12th floor. Suite was comfortable, but a bit smallish.

It's a four or five star hotel in the middle of restaurants and bars. Shopping, tourism, and night life are all around it. The place is an older place that has been very well updated. Bathrooms are a bit small but who cares, if you're in Charleston and spend much time in your room you probably need to stay home anyway. A bit on the pricey side but you pay for the location. We will be back!

I only needed the hotel for one night for work. I checked in a bit early and they were ready for me. The room was clean and neat. No complaints!

Very expensive for a dated room with tiny bathroom. Overall a disappointing stay. Our first room had a leaking air conditioner that left the carpet wet. The second room had a pair of double, rather than queen sized beds. The hotel felt historic because the carpet looked old and the wallpaper in the halls was water stained, the property was grand, now it looks worn. The bed was soft. On the positive side the linens and towels good quality, the room was clean and housekeeping good. I wish I had opted for the Marriott just a block away…

This hotel offers Carnival Cruisers the opportunity to stay overnight, park and ride to the port or walk to the port. Close to CVS just in case you need to pick up a few last minute items. The staff was very nice, service was timely, the rooms are clean and well appointed and underground parking is available.

Great stay during the Blizzard of 2018! Historic hotel (older) with smaller rooms but comfortable. Staff was great under the duress of the snow. Great adventure, great memories for the family!

Great location in downtown Charleston to walk and not worry about your car. The hotel was very nice and clean, and everyone was very friendly. My only complaint was that our tub wasn't draining very quickly so showering wasn't pleasant. But everything else was great.

A perfect experience: Great location (short walk to visitors center to pick up tours), charming old hotel, really good breakfast, very helpful concierges and excellent staff. Felt like a visiting dignitary, very pleasant experience. Clean and quiet.

Room was clean and well stocked. Free Wifi with good connections. Staff was friendly and helpful. The location was excellent and very easy to access shops and restaurants by foot. In addition to being an overnight guest, I also attended a multi day conference at the Francis Marion Hotel and they provided the attendees with amazing amenities. I would definitely stay here again.

I am staying here now. I can see why so many people gave this hotel such good reviews. It is very pretty. The staff is excellent. Everything for which we've asked has been happily supplied. That is why I gave two stars. Otherwise, I would have given this hotel one star. The location is excellent. The lobby area is lovely, but I'm not staying in the lobby. Our room is very uncomfortable. The layout is a big reason, but I imagine this historical building limits the room size and layout. The bed is lumpy and very uncomfortable. I tossed and turned all night, finally falling asleep at 5 a. M. Only to sleep until 11 and miss breakfast. The bathroom is impossibly tiny. I don't know how other women who are dressing for events have been able to do it. You definitely can only bathe in the bathroom and use the facilities. It is far too small to apply makeup, dry hair (unless it is very short), etc. The toilet is the size of those found on a houseboat or motorcoach, and every time we reach for toilet paper the holder falls on the floor with the paper – not very sanitary. We were able to check in early so many of the rooms on our floor were open as the maids cleaned. I could see the other rooms were just like ours, so I don't think changing rooms will help. Despite the lovely staff, lobby and wonderful location, I would never stay here again and am anxious to leave. I'm disappointed; I really wanted to love this hotel when we planned this trip.

Nice hotel and was at a decent price. It is right in the center of town across from the square which was pretty a around Christmas time when we stayed. Was clean and staff was very nice. I did expect a larger room though. It was smaller than most chain motels. Also, being on the strip, there is lots of foot traffic outside and it was very loud with people laughing and shouting, just being drunk from going to all the bars. The hotel was ok but I didn't like the location for my family. It is a good location for young couples or singles.

The hotel is beautiful. Great location. We came for a wedding and needed handicapped accommodations. The valet parking and Bell hop service was excellent and the $25.00 valet fee was waived for the accessible room which was a nice surprise. We ate at the restaurant a couple times. The food and service are what you would expect in a hotel. The only suggestions I have are regarding the accessible accommodations. If you are traveling with someone who needs a lot of assistance like me there were a couple problems with room 919. Although it had a roll in shower it was too steep to access safely and the drain was not level with the floor which was dangerous. I was slipping on the floor when it was wet and hurt my foot on the drain. The bed was too soft. If you are needing to help someone roll over and get out of bed it was a real challenge. My other suggestion would be to have a microwave in the room. Otherwise we had a wonderful stay and we made it work.

Nice place that was clean. Charleston is a great town to visit for the history and walking yours. This hotel is within walking distance of tons of shopping, historical sites, and the bay nowhere you can see Fort Sumter and the USS Yorktown.

Our stay at the Francis Marion Hotel for Christmas was perfect. We were greeted at the door upon entering. The front desk personnel were welcoming and helpful. Our room provided a beautiful view of the church spires. Our meals at the Swamp Fox Restaurant were perfectly prepared and elegantly presented. The lobby was decorated with a beautiful Christmas tree and poinsettias on every table. A pianist provided the most relaxing music. We will return to experience again a magical Christmas the Francis Marion Hotel provided.

Very nice hotel, as it is a historic hotel is many but old-fashioned.

I'm actually work some events here at the hotel. The staff seem really professional. This place is beautiful to say the least. It's really old and I like older buildings! My experience working here has been a pleasure through out my five days here.

Very nice staff. Rooms are nice but be aware the rooms are not very wheelchair accessible if you have a wide chair. The hotel will do its best to accommodate your needs but I would suggest you plan ahead before booking if you have a disability.

The hotel is beautiful & our room was very comfortable. But the reason I'm writing this review is because of the staff. On our way to check in, my youngest son dropped his stuffed animal. He was so upset when he couldn't find it. One of the doormen found it and brought it to us. That's going above & beyond!

My wife and I stayed here for the first time about a week ago. We had a small family event planned outdoors which could not take place due to the weather, but the hotel manager was able to accommodate us at the last minute with a space inside the hotel. The front desk staff was also extremely friendly and helpful with all of our questions and requests. Our room was beautiful and clean with a commanding view of downtown Charleston. We truly felt like royalty that day. Thank you all again SO much!

I was here for work, but this was a nice place to stay. I either have issues with the bed being uncomfortable or the a/c not working great or loud. For once the bed was comfy AND the air conditioning worked great!

I love the history of this hotel. It's lobby is great and there's a Starbucks attached to the hotel which is a bonus. As a 6 ft 4 in guy I was disappointed to be given a 2 twin bed room without being warned when I was checking in. The toilet is microscopic and the bathroom in general is very small and claustrophobic. The room is a good size and the decor is nice. It is quiet and the staff does a great job of cleaning the rooms. There is even bottled water provided (two medium bottles a day). It's a nice place, check it out.

I wanted to take this time and thank Gillian and her staff at the Francis Marion Hotel for a smoothly run wedding reception. As a professional wedding vendor in and around Charleston, it is always nice to find a great staff that works well with all the vendors coming together for the bride and groom. I look forward to working with Gillian and her staff in the future.

The hotel as I describe it, "looks like whiskey smells". A bit old timey and classic southern. The rooms are a bit modest, but neat. Bar staff was amazing though!

Staying at The Francis Marion Hotel has been an amazing experience. The Staff are friendly with smiles awaiting you. The rooms are clean & cozy. They've kept this Historic Biulding in tip top shape. I look forward to staying here again.

Absolutely my favorite hotel in Charleston. Location is wonderful for getting to everywhere there is to visit in the city, especially the downtown area. Staff is always top notch. Many hotels are great but the historical aspect to the Francis Marion gives it an advantage in my book!

We stayed here last February. The room was very clean and the staff was incredibly helpful. This is a historic hotel. Not everything is completely modern inside so you have to be ready for some of that. The staff is professional and helpful. The bellmen took our bags from the curb and to the room. Remember to tip them. The concierge gave us great advice on where to eat on Sunday morning for brunch. We had an awesome time.

Nice hotel, but not worth the $300+ I pad for the night. We were told our room was upgraded to a deluxe room or, it just seemed, like an average hotel room and the bathroom was really tiny and had a light mildew smell. The front desk receptionist was not very knowledgeable about billing and provides misinformation.

Our second visit to Charleston, and our second stay at the Francis Marion. What wonderful care has been taken to retain the character and charm of a historic landmark and its' architecture while providing a modern experience for its guests. Much of the furniture is vintage, but like new. However, the carpet, tapestries, bed coverings match the pattern. The continuity is appreciated. It sits on the heart of the city and is a short walk to anywhere. The staff's attention to detail is incredible. I believe the way they individualize your stay, especially for a special occasion, is the FMHS greatest feature. Planning another visit.

The service was great. The rooms were clean. The location is fantastic. But we had the smallest room on the floor. More space would have been better, but overall everything was great!

I have stayed and thoroughly enjoyed this hotel. However, my husband and I came briefly for Easter weekend and forgot a suit bag with a brand new dress (tags on) in the closet. We called less than 8 hours later to find our lost bag. Management said they would call us right back but 1.5 hours later they had not. We called again and the manager assured us it was no where to be found. We travelled back to the hotel downtown and confronted them in person with the intent of a police report regarding the theft. Despite the fact that they assured us that the current guests were notified about the loss, my husband went up to the room in quest and spoke with the new guest. The sweet elderly lady was very kind and stated no one had asked her about the garnet bag. We returned back to the lobby and after 20 minutes, someone from housekeeping returned the bag to us. The manager (Maddie) never apologized to us for the inconvenience and the staff acted like it was a regular occurrence. Lovely stay, but beware of your belongings. Everything about this scenario was disturbing. For such a nice hotel we expected much better service and will be staying elsewhere from now on.

I stayed at this hotel for a conference February 8-10, 2015. The rooms were nice, as was the staff, but what really made the trip enjoyable was the front desk staff. Whenever I had a question, they were quick to answer or accommodate with the small things, like a band aid, or pain reliever. The icing on the cake was one of the managers, Seanan. There was an issue with getting some guests the rooms they needed. He asked for my assistance, but made a generous offer to make it worth my while. Later, he sent some refreshments to my room, on the house, with a hand-written note thanking me for my help. These small touches are what will bring me back to this hotel again and again.

This is my favorite hotel in Charleston. It has old world charm and yet modern rooms overlooking the square. It is elegant and yet in the heart of a very young community at the College of Charleston is around the corner. It is also in the perfect center of town where you can walk to all the nicest shops and restaurants and historic waterfront. The staff is very welcoming and there is a restaurant and starbucks in the hotel for convenience. Would have given it five stars but the parking is a bit difficult to get to once you pass the main entrance and you will have to navigate around the main building but pass several lots that actually belong to the College and it is difficult to tell which is which. Have stayed there three times and enjoyed each time.

Excellent service — bell hops, housekeeping, valets, front desk, and everyone else is incredibly nice and helpful. Perfect location. Rooms are just the right size and beds are comfy. This is our go to hotel when we come to Charleston.

Really enjoyed the stay other than the poor water pressure. Booked on Hotwire so I knew we might not be in the most desirable room, but the front desk was really accommodating and bumped us up to a king room. Would be 5 stars if the water pressure had been better, that's the only complaint.

My wife and I stayed at this hotel and found that the location was key. Four blocks from the tour boat port and the aquarium. King Street is worth spending at least a half a day on looking through shops. What we liked most of all was the front desk staff, they were able to let us check out later than normal so that we could go and see Charleston's Fort Sumter. We were able to keep our room until 1:00 rather than Noon. That extra hour gave us a piece of mind. We could take our time and not feel rushed. The hotel itself is more money than what I wanted to spend. However it did make up for convenience and allowed us to walk everywhere. The bathrooms were small, our view was of the parking ramp rather than a nice city view. That was OK. What we also liked was very little noise in the halls and we did not see many kids. It was a more grown up feel of hotel and we like that as well.

Great Hotel, Rude Staff Member Experience, Overall, this is a beautiful hotel with nice front office staff in a great area. However, I was charged a $250 smoking fee without even smoking in the room! Costing me over $500 for one night. To be honest we had half smoked cigarettes in a pack in our bag but we never, not once smoked in the room. When calling to dispute this charge, Seanan K, the night manager explained the policy and was nice at first but then told me there was absolutley no way he'd remove or even decrease the charge. Then he told me not to call again even though this was the first time I talked to a manager. dont keep your window open when people are smoking on the street because they will charge you $250! couldnt even follow a dispute to have it looked into. Much better places to stay in Charleston.