Embassy Suites Historic District - Page 1

I am Hilton Honors Diamond, which I mention only to illustrate that I am very familiar with Hilton properties. Many of my stays last year were in Embassy Suites.

This property is atypical in many respects. While it is true that it is a rennovation of a historic building, what that effectively means is that there is only one small window in the entire suite, and you have to climb on your bed to see out of it. My first room was on a high floor with two double beds - both jammed against the wall on either side of the very small bedroom. So I literally had to stand on the bed to open and close the curtains. I asked for a room change with a better window setup - and they moved me to a first floor room while I was out - but it had a shutter over it so there was no view at all!! I was afraid to complain again.

The restaurant is a joke. Breakfast is predictable enough. But lunch and dinner fare is some of the worst I've ever had. Example: Potato soup turned out to be a bowl of some concoction thicker than mashed potatoes - greasy with burned potato peels mixed throughout. The New York strip was thin, greasy, and almost flavorless.

If the market area or the carriage rides, or other central attractions are important to you, It's a very long walk to the market area of Charleston.

When I politely mentioned the room disappointment at checkout - after they asked - the manager told me I should understand the differences in a historic property. I didn't - but now I do. And it's not a quaint, interesting difference. Just a limiting one.

My advice? Stay in the Doubletree Suites right at the center of the market area.

We drove late into Charleston and were a bit overwhelmed as to where to stay. Parking was a problem and we weren't sure about little boutique inns or hotels on our first visit. We had passed the Embassy Suites and, although it was farther from the historic district than we wanted (we couldn't walk there), we decided to check in.

We were immediately struck by how friendly the hotel staff was. Everyone was helpful. Our room was spacious, and although it looked a little well-worn, it was okay and the beds were wonderful. The brick wall in the bedroom was an original from the Citadel, which we thought was kind of neat.

The hotel was lovely. We may not choose it next time, though, because of the distance from the water front and more historic areas in Charleston.