Francis Marion Hotel Review

Well worth the price! All the staff is very nice and very knowledgeable about the area & local attractions. Joe was fantastic in helping us with our bags & valet parking!

Always love staying at the Francis Marion - the staff are awesome, the hotel is gorgeous and the accommodations are top notch!

The hotel is beautiful. Great location. We came for a wedding and needed handicapped accommodations. The valet parking and Bell hop service was excellent and the $25.00 valet fee was waived for the accessible room which was a nice surprise. We ate at the restaurant a couple times. The food and service are what you would expect in a hotel. The only suggestions I have are regarding the accessible accommodations. If you are traveling with someone who needs a lot of assistance like me there were a couple problems with room 919. Although it had a roll in shower it was too steep to access safely and the drain was not level with the floor which was dangerous. I was slipping on the floor when it was wet and hurt my foot on the drain. The bed was too soft. If you are needing to help someone roll over and get out of bed it was a real challenge. My other suggestion would be to have a microwave in the room. Otherwise we had a wonderful stay and we made it work

Just stopped for an after work coffee. The staff was very friendly.

The service here is nice, but not amazing. The rooms we have had were comfortable but a little bit dated. The location is fantastic. We have stayed three times at this hotel and it has been consistently the same every time. I would stay there again.

It was our first trip to Charleston so we wanted to make it special and stay in a beautiful, period hotel. Francis Marion Hotel is exquisite. The renovation that has been performed to update this hotel, but still leave the original details from the 1920's makes this an amazing place to stay. The location is fantastic as everything in the historic district is walking distance. The staff is friendly and helpful. We had a truly wonderful experience at Francis Marion Hotel and highly recommend staying there.

Had a 3 day conference and it was awesome. Right in the historical district.

I am in the process of planning my wedding at the Francis Marion Hotel in July. The planning process has been so wonderful thanks to Jillian! We love this hotel and we can't wait until our wedding to take place at this gorgeous venue!

I have stayed and thoroughly enjoyed this hotel. However, my husband and I came briefly for Easter weekend and forgot a suit bag with a brand new dress (tags on) in the closet. We called less than 8 hours later to find our lost bag. Management said they would call us right back but 1.5 hours later they had not. We called again and the manager assured us it was no where to be found. We travelled back to the hotel downtown and confronted them in person with the intent of a police report regarding the theft. Despite the fact that they assured us that the current guests were notified about the loss, my husband went up to the room in quest and spoke with the new guest. The sweet elderly lady was very kind and stated no one had asked her about the garnet bag. We returned back to the lobby and after 20 minutes, someone from housekeeping returned the bag to us. The manager (Maddie) never apologized to us for the inconvenience and the staff acted like it was a regular occurrence. Lovely stay, but beware of your belongings. Everything about this scenario was disturbing. For such a nice hotel we expected much better service and will be staying elsewhere from now on.

Went to a friend's wedding reception. It was a beautiful area with windows looking down on Marion square. The room was spacious and clean.

Service and food were excellent. Each member of staff encountered were so helpful

I attended a wedding, which included a cocktail hour, and reception, all held in different areas of the Francis Marion. The room where the wedding ceremony took place had some kind of white applique type design/decoration on the upper walls, which along with the high ceilings and large chandeliers, gave it a very regal feel. It also had a relatively small balcony in the upper rear of the room. The cocktail hour was in an open area one floor down. I believe it was considered a mezzanine. The staff provided good service, and the restrooms were clean and nice, with a couple of couches in a lounge area of one of the ladies rooms. The reception room was large enough for probably 30 tables (maybe even more), with a decent sized dance floor in the middle. I didn't pay much attention to the space's design, but it also had a upscale, traditional, regal feel to it. The food was very good, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. My only complaint was that they didn't keep drinks (water, etc.) refreshed. I think they just forgot, in the midst of everything, but the gentleman serving our area was apologetic and got us more water quickly, once he realized. It was a lovely and classy event. There were guests mingling about in the mezzanine during the reception, which allowed a bit more of a quiet area, since receptions tend to be somewhat loud.

The staff is very nice, and the lodging is up to par.

Lovely hotel, well located, great sized room for three with 2 bathrooms, not so keen on dining room

We attended an event that was held in one of the ball rooms. It was very well decorated and the service was phenomenal

Was at a conference at the hotel and stayed for a few nights. Great place to stay if you love old Southern charm.

The hotel is beautiful & our room was very comfortable. But the reason I'm writing this review is because of the staff. On our way to check in, my youngest son dropped his stuffed animal. He was so upset when he couldn't find it. One of the doormen found it and brought it to us. That's going above & beyond!

A beautiful older hotel and the staff is very friendly. Rooms are small, a little shabby and maintenance is only so-so. If you like historic hotels it's worth a look, but maybe not at full price. An excellent location and conference facilities were excellent.

This is a hotel which aims for quaint and historic, but falls short. To cover the positives - the rooms themselves are nice. The beds are comfortable, the carpet and drapery is clean, and the furniture is generally well appointed to the room. The staff is also friendly and professional.

The negatives: Requesting a certain mattress size is impossible and it was explained to me AFTER my wife and I arrived into a room with 2 double beds that they never guarantee the type of bed you will receive, only that you'll have a place to sleep. Doors are hung crooked and stick open or shut - including to the criminally tiny bathroom, leaving you to choose between an open door or making TONS of noise.

EDIT - Changed to 3 stars. The hotel staff and management has made efforts to "make right" the issues I experienced. I appreciate the professionalism and though I may not have been thrilled with the stay, the customer service has been excellent the entire time.

Thanks for everything. Got the Harbour Suite on the 12th floor ! Loved it !

Lovely old hotel, great location, very clean, friendly staff

Excellent service- bell hops, housekeeping, valets, front desk, and everyone else is incredibly nice and helpful. Perfect location. Rooms are just the right size and beds are comfy. This is our go to hotel when we come to Charleston.

Staff was friendly, and the accommodations we're excellent

Our stay at the hotel was very comfortable. We found the decor lovely and tasteful and enjoyed the fantastic location with easy access to so much downtown goodness. A word of warning if you are traveling with small children and have strollers or multiple suitcases, etc.--it is a little bit of a hike from the parking and then you have to cram into a little elevator to get to the main lobby. This is not a negative of the hotel itself! For most parties that would be no problem at all. Just a little tricky when you're trying to wrangle toddlers and babies like we were! The room was small but very nice and pleasant. Overall, we'd stay there again!

I came in after a long day hanging with friends at Marion Square and really enjoyed the experience. First time being in the hotel

I asked someone local to recommend food distinctive to Charleston. Shrimp and grits were on the list. I was staying at the hotel and had limited time for lunch, so eating at the hotel restaurant made sense. Turns out, according to the server, the hotel's shrimp and grits are award-winning. I am glad I followed the local recommendation and I am glad I tried them here.

Beautiful historic hotel in the heart of Charleston. Comfy and elegant lobby, spacious rooms, and friendly staff.

Charming hotel in the historic district. Conveniently located. Rooms are charming and clean. Service is fantastic. Parking is nearby but convenient. Easy drop off. We were on the 8th floor, and had to run the hot water about 5 mins before it actually was hot, but that's really a minor inconvenience. Recommend a stay here.

I was here for a conference at the same hotel. The hotel location is absolutely nice, right across the Marion Square, pretty much in the center of activities in Charleston. The hotel is clean and service was great. Yes, the hotel is older, so you can see some part that seems to have aged a little bit. But it is clean. I stayed in 10th floor and it was quiet. The conference facility is also good. Overall, definitely have a pleasant stay at Francis Marion Hotel.

The staff were very helpful and we enjoyed our stay.

This hotel is great! My room was very clean and nice!! The front desks clerks were so very kind and helpful! Bill is an asset to your company! I highly recommend this place to anyone who plans to visit Charleston, SC. I will definitely be staying there again when I go back, which will be in September. It is within walking distance of everything!! It's a beautiful place!!!

Old hotel beautiful to look at but missing functionality. Paying for name and location.

Room was pretty small. Good location. Friendly staff

Magnifique!
They gave Me a free room for two nights!!!

Everything was great. Nice hotel in a nice location. We had a great view from the 10th floor.

Very Central to everything fun in downtown Charleston

Very nice, historic hotel in the middle of the city, you can easily reach everything. Room was clean and well maintained, but a bit small. The staff was friendly and helpful. We feel well.

The hotel is historic and very comfortable. Our room was spacious (king bed with a sleeper-sofa), clean and everyone from front desk to room service was super friendly. The concierge and tech guy Chris were both super helpful. Okay, I wasn't a fan of the shower's water pressure but there was plenty of hot water. BTW, my wife said the restaurant had the best grits ever!

The hotel needs TLC ,the elevators were dirty, as were the hall .We had a 4th floor room and the hallway smelled like sewer during rain and after the rain ended. The toilet needs to be flushed several times. We picked this hotel for Old world charm , But the cost for rooms is over priced . Old world Charm is one thing, but neglect is another.

I ve visited Charleston many times, but about a month ago was my first time staying at the Francis Marion. The lobby is absolutely beautiful and the staff is extremely friendly! I d say our room was average, not over the top but it seemed nice. We stayed 4 nights at the Francis Marion and everything was good until our last night there when we found 3 different cockroaches in our room (one in the bathtub!) We went down to the office and the lady at the front desk was extremely nice and quickly changed us to a new room. This new room was much cleaner then our previous room and there were no cockroaches in the new room; however, we did find one in the hallway near our new room. Aside from the cockroaches we had a great stay.

Very nice rooms. Mine was large with a big bathroom. Comfy king bed. Didn't like the shower head and shower pressure was lacking.

Just wonderful!! Easy in and out in the heart of the city. Bed was great-very clean. Older hotel with amazing lobby, wide hallways and great people. How anyone could find fault is amazing to me. 5 minutes from everything.

This place was awesome. Very cozy with a lot of character. The service was great! I m not sure what the other reviews mean about the restroom size. My room was perfect and I found the restroom to be spacious enough for me. I would definitely recommended this hotel to my friends and family for sure.

Check in was pleasant, as was every staff member we encountered. Place was a little old feeling but that's kind of the point.

Very beautiful hotel in downtown. Rooms are upgraded.

Located downtown in the middle of everything. Friendly staff, nice rooms.

Our second visit to Charleston, and our second stay at the Francis Marion. What wonderful care has been taken to retain the character and charm of a historic landmark and its' architecture while providing a modern experience for its guests. Much of the furniture is vintage, but like new. However, the carpet, tapestries, bed coverings match the pattern. The continuity is appreciated. It sits on the heart of the city and is a short walk to anywhere. The staff's attention to detail is incredible. I believe the way they individualize your stay, especially for a special occasion, is the FMHS greatest feature. Planning another visit.

Cute room, great old southern charm. Love the jazz over the PA. the restaurant, Swamp Fox is a must. Not far from the water and easy shopping and dining.

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.

Lots of historic charm right in the heart of downtown. Super great staff was so helpful and the room was great! Quiet, comfortable, and cozy.

The hotel it nice but the room we had we just OK. We had a corner room which had a weird set up. The bathroom was "squished" into the corner and was very difficult for one person to fit into let alone the 2 that was in the room.

Very clean, great staff. I would highly recommend it. Located in the heart of downtown and everything was convenient

Came here for the swamp fox restaurant. Good food at a decent price

We booked several rooms for a pre-Christmas family get together. The staff was very friendly and professional. The rooms were clean and well furnished and we even had a view of the park all lit up with Christmas lights. It was nice to have the cafe and Starbucks in the building, as it was a good place for us all to meet up in the morning. We would definitely stay here again.

Nice classic historic hotel. Very good central location close to both the restaurant strip and the main shopping strip. The rooms were nice but very small. The bathrooms were especially small! The bathrooms were the size of a
New York City bathroom. The shower was very long but super nartow. It was only 25" wide. See attached photos. The staff was always friendly and helpful. If you have or rent a bicycle they can check it in a locked lobby room for you. Our hotel room would be pretty small for it to fit. They were very accommodating when we asked for a Mini bar Fridge. The lobby was large and grand. Unlike many hotel lobbies this one has two levels and a lot of stairs. Not sure how wheelchair accessible this is. They have umbrella to loan to the guests if it is raining or threatening. If you have time check out the great church next door. ST. Matthews. It is open to visitors during limited hours.

Stayed here a couple years ago .. Wonderful"southern" feel and hospitality

This was among the most exquisite hotels we've ever stayed in, and they hosted a wonderful wedding and reception for our son and daughter-in- law's wedding. Charming, historic, clean, and replete with southern charm and hospitality. Great staff and management. We will definitely return!!

Great experience and recommend to anyone! Wonderful staff and excellent accommodations! Will stay here again!

Nice place, small bathroom. Decent rooms but wifi slow at moments. Great place for an event and great area. If it's a deal, I would jump on it. Service is great.

Beautiful hotel with great history. Absolutely perfect location for shopping and walking. Great staff and the restaurant downstairs is a hidden gem for breakfast. Rooms are comfortable, clean and nice upgrades. Only downfall are the tiny bathrooms but the building is historic, its part of the appeal. Highly recommend!

Front desk gal was not good. Recommend someplace for us to walk and it was already closed for day before she even suggested it. Long walk too. Not nice comment on a third party booking (we used our credit card points). Room air conditioner had no air flow control, used our suitcases to block it from bed. Would not go back!!!!

Charged me $300.00 nonrefundable for smoking, then charged per flush, and then absolutely refused to give me the bathroom code, then charged 470.00 for beverage and food I never took out of the fridge, and said if I continued to ask about all these fees she'd call 911.

Stayed over a weekend for a wedding at the hotel. The staff, hall and food at the event were great. Hotel is older but well maintained and clean.

Service is great and very friendly! Room was clean! Within walking distance or trolley ride to shops, eateries and history!

Great service, nice room. AC didn't work too great. Could use some updates.

New Year's Eve tried ice machines multiple floors no ice went to the front desk I was told if I need ice I can get it the restaurant 5 star I don't think so.

Hotel was under construction but comfortable. Bathroom was small. AC wasn't great, but the place was fine. Good for the price, and a great view from the top floors.

I was there for a social event. Did not spend the night or use the rooms. It was clean and the attendants were friendly. Beautiful hotel.

It was the exact thing I was after! Historic hotel beautiful view great service!

We stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel (built in 1924) for our 25th wedding anniversary. We honeymooned in Charleston back in 1990 and returned again in 2015. Loved the hotel, great staff, great service. The swamp fox restaurant was awesome. Highly recommend this hotel.

I was in town for the Cooper River bridge run. We didn't know this at the time. I found out when I went to take my morning pee and everyone was cheering me on. :). The staff was wonderful and the view of Marion square was fantastic.