The Loutrel — Restaurant in Charleston

Overall the Loutrel was the perfect hotel. Beautiful, well maintained place within walking distance to everything. You are literally surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, the Market, carriage tours, harbor cruises, waterfront area, and on and on. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Hotel has a large rooftop area with tons of cozy seating options. No bar service (at least not during the later evening hours the 3 nights we were up there) but you are free to bring your own beverages up top to enjoy. This is nice because it's very private to pretty much hotel guests only. Unlike other rooftop bars that are open to the public and has tons of people. Very nice way to unwind after a long day of touring/sightseeing/eating. Late evenings had a nice light breeze blowing ontop and just a very small scattering of people.

They serve a complimentary breakfast daily in the bar/lounge/lobby area and i felt it was just right. They had all your basics to get your day started (eggs, bacon or sausage, fruit, yogurt, bagels, toast, croissants, jams/jelly, pastries, coffee/tea, water and juice). And I'm probably missing a few things.

Each evening they had what they call "the finest hour" (happy hour) on the Mezzanine level. They had a few wine options and one "specialty" drink. I felt they should of had a few more drink options. Also felt the wine they offered was a bit on the lower ends of wine. I get it, it's free but they could have done a little better in this area. A bunch of free snacks to choose from in the mezzanine lounge and these snacks are always available there 24/7.

Now, for my two biggest complaints:

After an evening out me and my gIrlfriend stopped at the bar on the first floor for a drink. I asked for a "house" cabernet and she got a Tito's and club soda. The bartender hands me the bill and i see the glass of wine was $26 and the tito's and club soda $21. Now look, i get it, we're in a nice upscale hotel in the heart of downtown Charleston and you're gonna pay a little more but come on, $47 for a house cab and a tito's and club soda?? We went to a few upscale restaurants in the area and the most we paid for their house cab was $14. Loutrel, you have to do better. That is absolutely insane.

So they want to charge you $45 a night for valet parking but you can park literally right next to the hotel for $35 per night (not that $35 is great). I imagine you could perhaps find parking a little cheaper somewhere else if you felt like driving around but here's the problem, most if not all lots no longer have manned booths like the old days nor do they advertise their rates. Everything is pay by text or app and it is there you see what the rates are. This is ridiculous. You pretty much have to park and go through the app/text parking process to find out how much it costs. The lots should clearly show their rates. Now, the Loutrel doesn't control city parking lots and rates so this isn't on them but just be aware of their $45 per night parking fee if you want valet parking. Otherwise park yourself and save $10.

Lastly, one thing we found a bit odd (and no fault of the Loutrel), was finding food options later in the evening. It seems like very few restaurants stay open late in downtown Charleston. The bar area may stay open later but their kitchens close early. And i'm talking on a Saturday night. Me and my girlfriend got off the sunset harbor cruise tour around 9:30pm and figured we would go somewhere for a few drinks and a little appetizer. Nope, wasn't happening. Went to three places and all three said their kitchens closed at 10pm. Come on Charleston, do better. Ended up going to ole faithful (Tommy Condons). They...

You’re only as strong as your weakest link.

I’ve stayed in many hotels for both work and personal travel. The nice amenities, decent gym and friendly staff are what creates the environment for a pleasant experience. Two of these were met and the friendly staff, was mostly there. . .but one sour apple truly changed the course of our stay.

Even my wife, who worked once upon a time in hospitality at Kiawah Resort, was started by the interactions from The Loutrel Hotel staff member.

Long story short. The daily complimentary breakfast was served. I accidentally went to place the granola lid on the yogurt, my wife told me that was the wrong lid and I went to correct. From across the room the breakfast attendant yelled, “sir that doesn’t go there.” Startled, I immediately removed it and placed it accordingly. I laughed it off.

Moments later I went to sit my breakfast down where my drink was located. Same attendant, “you’re not even sitting at the right table with your wife.” Again, my error, but don’t call me out twice in one morning. It’s a small lobby, so many staff members overheard the interaction. Nothing was done by other management.

The next morning, I walked down to look at breakfast. I saw the same attendant and said, good morning. She looked at me but wasn’t pleasant in her response. Unlike the rest of her colleagues at the restaurant who are polite and kind, the same customer service I expect and provide to my customers.

Breakfast offered salmon with some type of eggs or shellfish. I can’t eat shellfish, allergic. So, I went to grab a biscuit at a local coffee shop and a coffee. We came back to the hotel and sat our food down. The same rude attendant came over, nudged my wife in her back and said, “you can’t have this here, cross contamination.” So, I left. Allowed my wife to eat her yogurt in the area. Funny enough, my wife asked where the utensils were, because every table had them. Same attendant rudely, pointed to another table for her to get them.

I should have just sat down and ate my food as I didn’t see any signs for “no outside food.”

Either way, stay somewhere else. It’s unfortunate that a hotel like this allows such rudeness from a staff member. I did report this to the manager, and online but was met with more passivity. Comped two nights of valet. Honestly, it wasn’t enough. I would never stay here again and it ended the trip on such...

My recent stay at The Loutrel has forever raised the bar for my hotel experiences. This gem in the heart of Charleston is more than just a place to stay; it's a benchmark against which all future hotel visits will be measured. The perfection of The Loutrel started from the moment we checked in at midnight, welcoming us into an ambiance of unparalleled hospitality. Each day was brightened by their delightful breakfast and afternoon happy hour, a testament to their commitment to guest satisfaction.

The room itself was a haven of cleanliness and comfort. It was, without a doubt, the cleanest hotel room I've ever had the pleasure of staying in. The meticulous attention to detail was evident in every corner of the space, ensuring a restful and luxurious stay.

Location-wise, The Loutrel couldn't be more ideally situated. Nestled comfortably within walking distance to all of Charleston's prime attractions, it allowed us to explore the city with ease and convenience.

However, what truly sets The Loutrel apart is its exceptional staff. Each member we interacted with was not just friendly and courteous; they went above and beyond to make us feel like family. This level of personalized service is a rarity, making our stay not just comfortable but truly memorable.

A special mention must be made of the complimentary drinks and snacks. Sourced locally, they provided a delightful and authentic taste of Charleston's culinary scene. This thoughtful touch added an extra layer of enjoyment to our stay.

The design of The Loutrel deserves its own accolades. It strikes the perfect balance between modern luxury and the historical charm of Charleston. The hotel's aesthetic complements the city's ambiance, creating a space that is both comfortable and captivating.

If you're planning a trip to Charleston and searching for accommodation, your search ends at The Loutrel. It's not just a hotel; it's an experience that enriches your travel and leaves you longing to return. My only regret is having to leave this wonderful haven, but I eagerly look forward to my next visit. The Loutrel is not just a hotel; it's a destination in...