9/10 Wonderful! (1,990 reviews)
We recently stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston and had an overall great experience, with a few important things to note.
The historic charm is real—the lobby is beautiful and full of character, and the location is outstanding. Being right in the heart of downtown Charleston made the entire trip worthwhile and allowed us to walk almost everywhere.
Customer service was excellent throughout the hotel and in the restaurant. The food in the restaurant was fantastic, and the staff was consistently friendly and helpful. One standout was the hotel providing a loaner wheelchair for my elderly parent at no cost, which was incredibly appreciated since rentals can be very expensive.
We booked three rooms (one for elderly parents, one for teenage daughters, and one for ourselves). While the beds were comfortable, the rooms were surprisingly small and underwhelming for the price. After tax, each room was $347.82, and we expected more space at that rate.
Parking is another consideration. We had two cars, and parking was nearly $50 per car per night, which adds up quickly.
The only truly negative experience involved room service. My elderly father tried to order a diet drink and ended up with a $77 charge for a 12-pack. The hotel did reduce the charge by $10 after I called, which I appreciated, but it was still frustrating. Bring your own drinks.
Overall, this is a great hotel if you value location, history, and excellent service and don’t mind smaller rooms.
Reviewed on Dec 18, 2025