John Rutledge was an active player in early American politics, signing the Constitution and serving as South Carolina’s first governor. But his townhouse on Broad Street, now the John Rutledge Inn, was built before he even attended his first Continental Congress. The house was embellished and expanded over the years, including the addition of elaborate lacelike ironwork that still stops passersby in their tracks. The inn comprises the main building and two carriage houses. In the 1980s, a major renovation prepared it for its new life as an inn, restoring the parquet floors, marble fireplaces, and crown molding to fully honor the property’s past.
Rooms in the main house evoke the property’s Colonial Era origins, with canopy beds and brass fireplace screens. All rooms have Tempur-Pedic mattresses, property-wide Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs help guests remember that they’re still in the 21st century. Around the property, visit the sumptuous ballroom for evening sherry, or stroll the lush, secluded courtyard.
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The John Rutledge House Inn
The John Rutledge House Inn
The John Rutledge House Inn
The John Rutledge House Inn
The John Rutledge House Inn
The John Rutledge House Inn
The John Rutledge House Inn
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Rise and Shine
You have a full day ahead of you, and so it’s essential that you start off having had a good night’s sleep and a full breakfast. Fortunately, Charleston’s selection of excellent hotels includes everything from contemporary design properties to historic bed and breakfasts, not to mention resorts on the Atlantic located just outside of the city’s famed historic district. The modern but meticulously preserved Restoration has drawn a devoted following with its spacious suites, complete with kitchens and a rooftop bar and restaurant with views of downtown Charleston. In contrast, the John Rutledge House Inn (pictured), built in 1763 and named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, boasts Italian marble fireplaces, original wood floors, and plaster moldings. The rooms, complete with 12-foot ceilings provide the opportunity to feel as if you are stepping back into history. Near Charleston, The Sanctuary at the acclaimed Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers sweeping views of the island’s 10 miles of private beach.
