A local lens magnifies the charms of a South Carolina boutique hotel where a blend of natural elements and fabulous finery align.
Story by Su-Jit Lin, Photos by Andrew Cebulka
The water ripples lazily, sparkling as it catches sunbeams overhead, tickled by soft breezes in a quiet marine alleyway. The reflection of clouds and low-growing greenery is briefly broken as boats break through toward a marina with gently bobbing docks. The destination: a smart but elegant low-rise building, tidy in shades of white, cream, and black trim.
After disembarking, guests feel equally relaxed and excited to settle into a room where water views may lie directly outside the window, the charms of yesteryear surround them, and modern amenities add comfort to the getaway.
This isn’t Venice — it’s Georgetown. And not the Georgetown of Washington, D.C., but a lesser-known destination much farther south, in the heart of America’s Hammock Coast. You’ve arrived at The George Hotel, a recently opened luxury escape just an hour outside Charleston, South Carolina.
Built on this emerging destination’s historic Front Street waterfront, The George’s introduction marks a new era for this charming town. It’s the first property of its kind in Georgetown and “has become a catalyst for the city’s growth,” says the hotel’s General Manager Drue Ford. Beyond its status as the only boutique hotel in the entire county at this time, with an intimate availability of just 56 rooms, another unique feature is that it was designed for visitors from far and near … as near as the locals within this riverfront town.
