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The Concierge

Rick Burton
Chief Concierge
Charleston Place Hotel
Charleston, S.C.

What service can you provide to groups that they normally might not receive?

We are fortunate here at Charleston Place to have our own in-house destination management company, which is the largest in the city and is exclusive to Charleston Place and its clients!

What are your group restaurant recommendations?
Charleston’s restaurant scene is unique because, as a 337-year-old city, most restaurants are in historic buildings and tend to be quite small, so accommodating large groups (anything over eight people) can be very challenging! Fortunately, there are a handful of restaurants that have private dining spaces, such as Charleston Grill, Cypress, Carolina’s, and McCrady’s, and all are within a short walk of the hotel.

What are your bar or nightclub recommendations?
The Thoroughbred Club in Charleston Place offers daily afternoon tea, as well as wonderful evening tapas, all accompanied by live music. The rooftop Pavilion Bar at the Market Pavilion boasts one of the best views in the city. And, as America’s oldest tavern, McCrady’s bar serves up history along with the libations.

Can you recommend a good place to take a stroll?
The South of Broad neighborhood is a personal favorite, drenched with history, beautiful architecture and splendid gardens. Church Street and East Battery are particularly picturesque.

Are there any quirky places we should check out?
En route to Folly Beach, Bowens Island Restaurant is a fun seafood shack that is full of local color and characters. The Washout on Folly Beach is a fun spot to people-watch and check out the surfers. And, for a tour with a twist, try the late-night tour of the old haunted jail!

If we only have an hour or two, what should we definitely check out nearby?
The one-hour private carriage tour of the residential district, offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a must. Also, be sure to include a tour of an historic house museum (45 minutes), such as the Nathaniel Russell or the Edmonston-Alston houses, both within 15 minutes’ walk from Charleston Place.

What is an unusual request from a group?
We do get some very colorful and unusual requests. One group wanted M&Ms for their coffee breaks…but only the green ones. Another one was keen on playing ice hockey—the requests don’t always take the destination into account! Helicopter rides from the Yorktown aircraft carrier is another recent request.

A party of 12 wants to have dinner right away. What restaurant can accommodate last-minute requests of this size?
The Vintner’s Room at the Charleston Grill, if available, is a perfect venue. Otherwise, Tristan and Fleet Landing are most likely to have space for a group on short notice.

What’s a unique event that has taken place at your property?
Recently, we staged a “Hollywood Goes South” night at our historic Art Deco Riviera Theatre. The evening was complete with a red carpet, starlets, paparazzi, and vintage automobiles. Inside the Sottile Ballroom there were themed food stations with actors depicting Charleston-themed films such as The Patriot, North and South and Forrest Gump.