TThe year 2020 will undoubtedly go down in history as objectively terrible. But 2020 has also given us some great new openings to help soften any difficult memories. Just in time to plan your travel calendar for 2021 (vaccine pending), new hotels and restaurants across the country have emerged, ready to welcome us into a bright new year. In particular, Charleston, South Carolina, opened up some new and exciting concepts of hospitality that shed some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
A new hotel and two new dining destinations are at the top of all lists in Charleston, with stunning attractions that make the city with its unique charm all the more attractive. With a high concentration of the most notable chefs, the most chic hotels and the most creative innovators in the country, it is not an easy task for newcomers to join the ranks. However, these new dive sites are invigorating the lively seaside town.
Emeline
Charleston’s famous Downtown District, filled with historic rainbow-colored houses, is now emphasized by Emeline, a star-studded hotel that has managed to create a bustling scene despite pandemic problems. The new and timeless boutique hotel brings all the southern charm, with a modern touch that fits in the valorization of the city for the elegance in an understated way.
Originally serving as the headquarters of a wholesale food business in 1852, the historic building continues its legacy of forward-thinking hospitality. His mythical muse, “Mrs. Emeline ”, has a mark in almost every detail of the space.
Emeline is the southern hostess par excellence that captivates guests in her cocoon of warm and elegant reception. Like any good hostess in the south, Emeline offers cocktails to guests at check-in, distributed by hotel staff called hosts. Visitors are encouraged to take a break in the lounge lounge, a perfectly designed area, filled with earthly art and polished and exciting furniture that looks more like your friend’s coolest home than a public place.
The vision of the hotel’s specific aesthetics and perfect brand experience was developed by the design company Swoon, the Studio and orchestrated by operator Makeready, the renowned duo behind The Adolphus, one of the most chic hotels in Dallas.
Talented designers cohesively created the accommodations for Charleston’s definitive display – even perfectly curated playlists and unique scents. The hotel’s standard gift shop has been reinvented with Emeline’s, which offers art, jewelry and books by local creatives.
The 212-room hotel offers spacious rooms with updated finishes, plush, jewel-toned details and mid-century decor for a dose of cool culture. There is even a record player in each room with Emeline’s own music record, ready to start your stay. From the attentive service to the attentive atmosphere, the hotel is a tribute to a city that its people are most proud of.
Frannie and The Fox
If Emeline is the cold and southern hostess, Frannie is her daring and courageous younger sister. And there’s his wild and fun alter ego, The Fox. At Emeline, Frannie and the Fox is a new Italian wood-burning restaurant. The restaurant is the perfect complement for the hotel’s elegant hostess – ready to welcome guests in a modern and elegant concept with delicious food, mouth-watering cocktails and the right amount of swank.
You can’t throw a stone in Charleston without hitting someone commenting on the social scene present or recommending Frannie and the Fox’s pizzas. Baked in the huge pizza oven, located right in the center of the newly renovated kitchen, these pies are perfectly crunchy.
Perhaps the most charming facet of all (a feat in a city that screams charm) is The Foxhole, an incredibly beloved two-seater bar inspired by old Italian showcases. If you’re lucky enough to get a seat with your date, it’s the cutest way to get a cocktail. Press the brass button and a friendly bartender raises his head to offer a drink from his creative menu.
Or try to claim a coveted seat in the charming brick patio next to the crackling fireplace. Combined with the sparkling lights of the bistro, the atmosphere easily attracts residents and travelers.
Storm
Another acclaimed spot on Charleston’s food scene is Tempest – a sophisticated bistro with southern seafood dishes. The award-winning team of nationally renowned chefs behind 5Church (Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch and chef Adam Hodgson) ushered in this neighborhood concept last fall. It offers the best fish in the South Atlantic, straight from the waters that so conveniently surround them.
Restaurant owners set out to create a sustainable fish restaurant with inventive techniques and a tasty history. The staff and servers know all of their local seafood suppliers by name. When reviewing the menu, it is common for waiters to mention personal anecdotes about the harpoon fisherman who caught the plaice that morning or the oyster company that provided tonight’s harvests. It’s the next level of local love.
Tempest strives to fulfill its mission in a sophisticated way, with impeccable presentation and service. If the legendary seafood towers do not impress you, smoked oysters, ingenious sets of ceviche and fresh fish roasted on charcoal will do it.
As an exceptionally special treatment to complete your dining experience by the sea, the check is presented with cognac, cigars and roses for guests to enjoy. Diners also receive a copy from the Shakespeare community The storm for guests to write their end-of-meal thoughts and feelings.
Charleston has ruled the world of travel for some time, but since these interesting new favorites have emerged, they are encouraging us to plan another visit.