Hotel Review: Wentworth Mansion, Charleston
Known as Charleston’s greatest mansion. It is indeed grand with Gilded Age savoir faire…
AMENITIES
Every room comes with a full breakfast at Circa 1886; afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres; evening port, sherry, and brandy; in-room L’OR coffee and espresso machine, in-room soft drinks and bottled water, and complimentary valet parking.
Complimentary passes to a nearby athletic club.
L'Occitane En Provence Bath Amenities.
THE REVIEW
Background
Built in 1886 by Francis Silas Rodgers a wealthy cotton merchant, phosphate manufacturer, and coastwide shipper who had 13 children with his wife Marie Elizabeth Cochran. The design was done in the Second Empire style by Daniel G. Wayne, an architect. For many years the mansion was a private home and changed ownership hands a few times before Richard Widman purchased it in 1997. Taking the property under a $7 million renovation, Widman kept the original architecture and in 2000, and converted the carriage house to Circa 1886 Restaurant, a AAA Four Diamond, Forbes 4-Star, and award-winning eatery. And in 2004, the stable was renovated and turned into the Spa at Wentworth Mansion. Today the hotel is part of Charming Inns®.
Where Is It?
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, on the corner of Smith and Wentworth Streets, the historic luxury inn is equidistant to the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. It’s a 19-minute walk to the French Quarter and a 13-minute walk to the Charleston City Market.
What’s It Like?
You’re going to feel like you’ve stepped back in time, to the 19th century. Built in 1886, the mansion is a historic center of the city, complete with its original architecture. Its layout is Southern American hospitality at its finest with a marbled fireplace and grand state rooms. There is lots of wood paneling on the walls, heavily wall papered walls, original Tiffany glass panels ensconced over doorways that gives a dark aura that’s not off-putting, rather it’s inviting.
Original Tiffany glass can be seen throughout the hotel | Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
Rooms
There are 21 rooms and suites, all which are all unique. East Wing rooms come with oversized whirlpool tubs and original gas fireplaces, while some come with private porches. There are 3 Garden Rooms on the ground level and they come with quaintly decorated sitting rooms, an expansive bathroom with walk in showers and a whirlpool tub, and some rooms feature a gas fireplace. Mansion Rooms were the bedrooms of the mansion’s original owners. They come with original architecture, bathrooms are large with walk-in showers and oversized whirlpool tubs, and many of this room type has original gas fireplaces.
We stayed in a Mansion Room, the bedroom of Mr. Rodgers himself. Very large with high ceilings, parquet floors, picture moulding, heavy drapes, and large wood furniture add to the architectural appeal of the room. The king bed with wall-mounted fabric creates a dramatic, soft, and high-end focal point in the room. The daybed acts as another sofa and is surrounded by three windows. Another focal point is the marble fireplace that’s just like a fireplace on the main floor. With a side switch, it turns on year-round and would make for the perfect wintertime stay. The bathroom is expansive, with a sizeable sink and counterspace, a walk-in shower, private toilet room, and Whirlpool tub with jacuzzi.
A Mansion Room | Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
Food and Drink
Breakfast is served only for Wentworth Mansion guests, each morning from 7:30-10:30am in Circa 1886. The menu is small but it’s rather a breath of fresh air to not be overwhelmed by pages and pages of the a la carte. The Laminated French Toast comes with vanilla whipped cream and maple syrup. Applewood bacon or house made sausage also accompanies.
A Southern delight is the Shrimp n’ Grits with sautéed shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and sausage served over Anson Mills grits hits the spot. And, you won’t go wrong with the Peach Cobbler Oatmeal, Storey Farms Frittata, or Baked Eggs Cordon Bleu.
The Colonial wainscoting is seen throughout Circa 1886 | Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
Circa 1886 at dinner, under Executive Chef Marc Collins (the co-founder of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival) will transport your taste buds to another realm. Set in a restored carriage house on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion, it’s evening ambience is inviting, romantic, and very Charleston-like. Fine dining at its best, tables are covered with white table cloths and just like the breakfast menu, the dinner menu is quaint.
Guests can either order under the Ashley Tasting menu ($135 or $225 with wine pairing), the Cooper Tasting menu ($135 or $225 with wine pairing), or a la carte. The tasting menus include bread service, eclectic small plate options from a Duck Confit Crêpe to Royal Red Shrimp n’ Grits, an entrée, and dessert.
Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
I opted for a 3-course la carte dinner with wine paring that started with the Citrus Arugula Salad with oranges, grapefruit, marcona almonds, manchego cheese, celeriac, and avocado balsamic vinaigrette ($20), the Beef Tenderloin with coriander roasted beets and potatoes, summer squash puree, and beef bacon demi ($52), and the Mascarpone Cheese with pistachio pound cake, fresh raspberries, and Chantilly cream ($18).
The food is cooked to perfection and plated elegantly. The server was engaging, funny, and helpful in helping to navigate the menu. Chef Collins came out and had a nice chat, showing welcoming Charleston hospitality.
Meetings
Select rooms in the mansion can hold small events. The Grand Mansion Suite holds up to 20 guests and comes with floor to ceiling gas fireplaces. The Rooftop Cupola offers 360 views of the city and can fit up to 20 guests. Circa 1886 can be rented out and fit up to 75 guests. The Tack Room can fit up to 40 guests, while the Garden Room can fit up to 12 people.
Leisure
The Woodhouse Spa | Photo provided by: Wentworth Mansion
There is s spa onsite, the Woodhouse Spa that’s housed in the former stables of the property. Offering massages, facials, and body treatments, it’s an ideal place to unplug from the busyness of the world and tune into me-time.
The mansion also offers complimentary passes to a nearby athletic club.
Verdict
Verdict
Stay at the Wentworth Mansion. It will take you back in time and exceed your expectation.
Best For
The rooftop Cupola that offers 360 views of the city.
Don’t Miss
Circa 1886. The food is divine, the waiters are engaging, and the Executive Chef Marc Collins will converse with you.
Price room rates range from $500
Contact 149 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401 | + 1-843-853-1886
TRENDING
Known as Charleston’s greatest mansion. It is indeed grand with Gilded Age savoir faire…