Joe LaB

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

So I've been to Charleston quite often over the ye...

So I've been to Charleston quite often over the years coming through here on family trips and work every so often. The city itself is one of my favorite in the country lots of amazing hotels quaint bed-and-breakfast and wonderful atmosphere that truly gives you Southern Charm.

This hotel made my entire stay The worst I've ever experienced. As soon as I checked into the hotel the lobby looks beautiful but the rooms are another story. They have old run-down wall unit air conditioners that make their rooms feel muggy and humid. As soon as I woke up the next morning I was congested I already felt horrible and quickly developed into a severe head cold that lasted the entire week. I went down to ask for a room change since my room was so humid muggy in the AC unit was so old and pumping out who knows what. They told me not to worry they would put me in a room with a brand new AC unit since they were switching them out that evening. When I got switched into the Next Room it was the same style AC unit I don't back down to the lobby they put me in another room it was the same style AC unit it turns out they don't actually have new AC units in any of the rooms except for the 12th floor which is the most expensive rooms they have. I had to stay in another room with an old unit still feeling crummy and waking up each day with difficult breathing.

I was on the 9th floor on the second night and you can visibly see there's water damage on the walls and directly walking off the elevator if you look up towards the ceiling you can see mold growing. I hope this is something that the hotel take seriously since I brought it up to the manager's attention.

Finally on the third day of my stay they put me into a room on the 12th floor it with a new or AC unit. The unfortunate Thing by then I was already well into a head cold and there was no turning back. The manager did take a single night off of my stay and was very apologetic however I want to make sure other people know about the type of Hotel this is because online it looks great but in reality I would not ask anyone to stay here.

The last fun fact is when I finally picked up my car from valet since it's such a walkable City I hadn't use the valet at all but when I finally did pick up my car there was no ATM inside the hotel and the valet would not hold my bags so I could go down the street to the ATM the recommended so I was unable to tip which I feel awful about.

All in all my recommendation is to either spend a couple more dollars and stay more centrally located in the historic district or save a couple dollars and stay a little bit more North and take an Uber into town, but I would not recommend anyone staying here.