Resort News
| Festiva Hospitality Group - Church Street Inn - Older News |
September 2012 Famous Charleston Food for Fall September is highlighted with food festivals from The Charleston Restaurant Association! We begin the month with the world renowned Charleston Restaurant Week and end with our Southern Living Taste of Charleston where 50 of the area's top executive chefs prepare sample sized bites and beer/ wine vendors offer tastings and notes throughout the day.Check out our Festiva blog for more information on Charleston Restaurant Week to kick of your stay at the Church Street Inn
August 2012 Summer brings the heat to the Lowcountry, but that doesn't stop the fun and excitement in Charleston! The college kids and Spoleto crowds have thinned out, and there's plenty to do to keep cool in our museums, art galleries, historic homes, restaurants and theaters. Alternatively, you can just relax and enjoy the lazy Southern summer days while visiting the area's local beaches and parks. Check out a few upcoming events below! February 2011 In February we will continue the biggest renovation process the Church Street Inn has ever seen. We are changing out all of the doors and windows on both the Market Street and the Church Street sides. This project is necessary and will make a huge difference in protecting our rooms moving forward. If you will be staying with us during this time, we appreciate your understanding if there is some construction noise. We will also be renovating five rooms this month.
February 2011 Featured Event, Business & Restaurant The Southeastern Wildlife Expo is back as one of Charleston’s most unique events of the year on February 18 – 20. The Expo features everything from wild game cooking classes and dinners to birds of prey exhibits, art and dock dogs competitions. You can visit there website at www.sewe.com for more info and a full listing of events. The Shelby Lee Gallery is located in our building right outside the front door of the hotel. Shelby provides all of the artwork in our corridors as well as in the lobby. She also offers glasswork from local artists and even makes her own jewelry. Check out her website at www.Shelbyleegallery.com and walk in and say hi next time you are staying at the Church Street Inn. The Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar opened in 2009, reviving the former “Amen” name of Cumberland Street and restoring this historic corner. The renovations stay true to the beauty of the original 1800's architecture while creating a comfortable atmosphere for contemporary dining. Located at 205 East Bay Street in the heart of the historic district, this Charleston seafood restaurant is within walking distance from the Church Street Inn and offers both indoor and outdoor dining. The menu includes a variety of seafood dishes such as oysters, clams and shrimp in addition to our raw bar. Amen Street supports Charleston's local fishing industry with market fresh fish. January 2011 News & Featured Businesses January is historically Church Street Inn’s quietest month of the year. That also means that we are running our best deals of the year as well if Festiva members would like to visit us without using your points. Mention this post on our website and receive an additional 15% off of your already discounted owner rate through January 2011. You must contact the resort directly at 800-844-7645 as the owner services department will not be able to honor the discount. If you are not a Festiva owner or member, you can call the resort directly for your reservation and receive 15% off any posted online rate. Discount will not be honored if you book online, so please call us. We look forward to having you stay at The Church Street Inn. Resort Improvements January will mark the start of the biggest renovation process the Church Street Inn has ever seen. We will begin changing out all of the doors and windows on the Market Street side and the Church Street side. This project is necessary and will make a huge difference in protecting our rooms moving forward. If you will be staying with us during this time, we appreciate your understanding if there is some construction noise. We will also start renovating some individual rooms this month. Check out our featured attractions & restaurants on your next vacation to the Church Street Inn: At Ted’s Butcher Block, you will find no finer cuts of meat in Charleston. This unique butcher shop offers a fine selection of meats, sausages, cheeses, beer and wine. Ted’s specializes in ready to take home meals which is perfect for guests staying at the Church Street Inn. Ted’s also serves lunch 7 days a week. Coast Bar & Grill serves up Charleston's freshest seafood with laid back Lowcountry style. Established in 2002 and housed in what was originally an indigo warehouse, this Charleston fish house redefines "fresh" from the menu to the decor. COAST features 40-ft ceilings, rustic tin roofs and paintings from around the world, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an eclectic beach bar. Enjoy a Peach Blanco Sangria outside on the patio, or a delicious bottle of wine in the spacious bar lined with preserved palm trees. COAST's chefs meet daily with local farmers and fishermen to procure the freshest seafood and produce in the Lowcountry. At the heart of the restaurant is the hickory and oak custom made wood burning grill, a feature you will only find at COAST. The menu incorporates Charleston Classics with our chefs' unique creations. Local favorites include the selection of wood-grilled fresh fish, seared rare tuna, fish tacos and the full raw bar. Additional original plates are offered nightly to take full advantage of our city's bountiful local ingredients. Fall 2010 Featured Businesses The Schooner Pride is a local tall ship that gives you a unique tour of Charleston from the water ways. They offer private charters, 2 hour tours, dolphin watching and more. You can even book the ship for private events and weddings. The Charleston Beer Exchange is a unique beer store and the first of its kind in South Carolina. They offer hard to find beers from all over the world. You’re not going to find Miller or Budweiser products here; this is a specialty beer shop. The most unique part about CBX is that they offer a Growler station of about 10 rotating beers. You can buy a 64oz. growlers of anything they have on tap and take it with you. The best part is that most of the time, the beers are small batch production beers that never hit store shelves anywhere. Visit their website daily to see what they have on tap. You can also find out where they may be traveling to for beer dinners at different Charleston area restaurants. Cheers! Cypress restaurant sources ingredients from the Lowcountry's finest farmers and fishermen. James Beard nominated Chef Craig Deihl serves a dynamic seasonal menu both spotlighting and elevating the regional fare. Featured items include dry aged beef from local MiBek Farms, sustainably caught Braised Carolina Wreckfish and Crisp Wasabi Tuna Hall’s Chophouse is a family inspiration that has taken shape over many years. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry, the Hall Family values the importance of true hospitality and comfort. With an experienced team from the kitchen to the dining room, Hall's Chophouse will offer superior dishes, service and an atmosphere that will entice their guests to stay, enjoy and come back time and again. Their restaurant menu has something for everyone’s palette featuring 28-day aged fresh usda prime steaks, fresh seafood, veal, pork, roasted chicken. April 2010 Festiva's Church Street Inn was reviewed by Southern Living Magazine as one of the best places to stay in the Holy City. "Perfect for longer stays, this inn is like having your own apartment in the heart of downtown." Click here to see the full review of Church Street Inn in Southern Living along with their complete Guide to Charleston. Feb/March 2010 The Church Street Inn has qualified as a 2010 Interval International Premier Resort. This annual distinction identifies our property as significantly exceeding Interval’s already high affiliation standards and delivering outstanding vacation experiences. Criteria for this award are comprehensive and take into consideration resort inspections, customer feedback and other relevant factors Designation in the online Interval International Resort Directory and a commemorative Interval International Premier Resort plaque has been placed in our lobby to showcase the pride we take in exceeding guests’ expectations. A big thanks needs to go out to all of the staff at the Church Street Inn who make a designation like this possible year after year. December 2009 News Charleston Maintains No. 4 Spot in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s World’s Best Poll Charleston has been ranked as the fourth best city in America, according to Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards 2009 readers’ survey. The same slot was granted to the Holy City last year, after moving up from No. 6 in 2007. Charleston is led only by New York, San Francisco and Quebec City in the US/Canada division.
Helen Hill, Executive Director of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, “It is a privilege to be recognized again. We’ve known for quite a while that Charleston is a special place with world-class amenities and attractions. The fact that the sophisticated readers of Travel + Leisure also recognize this is an added bonus.” Travel + Leisure magazine has a circulation of approximately one million and is a highly regarded source of travel and dining information designed for the well-traveled person who has a strong interest in leisure activities. The 2009 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey results (listed by overall and regional rankings) and survey methodology are featured in the Travel + Leisure magazine, and online at www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest.
Charleston to be a Carnival home port: It was announced last month that the Carnival Fantasy passenger cruise ship will have a new home at the end of Market Street in Charleston's waterfront. Beginningin May 2010, the ship will make 5-, 6-, and 7-day voyagest to the Bahamas and Key West. Click here to read the full article from Charleston's Post & Courier.
September 2009 Resort News In an effort to be as environmentally conscious as possible, Church Street Inn has changed all of the light bulbs in all common areas of the property to CFL bulbs. We are in the process of changing all bulbs in the guest rooms as well. We are looking forward to the long-term energy savings we will see in the future because of this small change, and we encourage our guests to help us in our efforts by turning off all lights and appliances when you are not in your room. Local Events The historic city of Charleston is busy all year, and fall is possibly one of the busiest times as the local colleges and universities are back in session and the weather gives us all a break from the summer heat and humidity. If you're visiting Charleston this fall, you'll benefit greatly from planning ahead with so many options. You'll find tours of all kinds (walking, carriage, historic homes, plantations) as well as museums, beaches, restaurants, art galleries and much more! Check out the websites below for more information. Oct. 17: ShinefestFeatured Businesses Sept/Oct. 2010 The oldest preserved plantation house in America open to the public, Drayton hall stands alone as the only authentic survivor of the Ashley River’s colonial past-intact and in near-original condition. Renowned for its Palladian-inspired architecture and undisturbed, historic landscape, Drayton Hall is a living timeline representing centuries of change and continuity in the American South. For more information visit www.draytonhall.org. McCrady’s Restaurant, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Landmarks, represents the best of the amalgam that is new Southern fine dining, concomitantly serving as a canvas for postmodern gastronomy. The menu, created by Chef Sean Brock, recipient of the 2010 James Beard Best Chef Southeast award, centers around inventive cuisine fresh from the farm and local purveyors. The McCrady’s bar specializes in pre-Prohibition cocktails and features a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list by Sommelier Clint Sloan, as well as a diverse and delicious Bar Snack menu created by Chef Brock. Each day, a chalkboard above the bar will offer several featured snacks. Feb/March 2010 The Tinderbox at 177 Meeting Street, just around the corner from us. Located in an historic building in the heart of downtown Charleston, Tinder Box offers the city's most complete selection of fine cigars, tobaccos, domestic and imported cigarettes and a comfortable smoking lounge in which to enjoy them. Their extensive "gourmet" cigar selection is attractively displayed in large cherry humidors lining the walls of the shop. The Tinderbox is especially well known for an outstanding collection of new and estate pipes from the world's famous pipe makers. Their ever-changing collection is carefully chosen for quality and excellent condition, so even if you’re not a smoker, it’s worth a visit to check out their interesting collection. Pearlz Oyster Bar at 153 E. Bay Street Located in the historic district of Charleston on East Bay Street, the original Pearlz is a fun, eclectic restaurant serving only the freshest seafood in a casual dining atmosphere.Pearlz Oyster Bar features an assorted mix of raw shellfish, local seafood, Lowcountry recipes and regional favorites. Our raw bar offers a variety of oysters and fresh seasonal shellfish. A full-service bar serving the coldest beers and unique, refreshing cocktails, Pearlz has become a favorite meeting spot for both locals and tourists. Patrons looking for a nightcap and "bite to eat" may order from our late night menu which includes several of Pearlz' gems. December 2009 Charleston Cooks at 194 East Bay Street Learn the artistry of Lowcountry cooking from the area’s top chefs, or rub elbows with guest chefs from world-class restaurants. Their state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen makes it a snap to add the most delicious secrets to your cooking repertoire – in a friendly atmosphere that’s pure fun.Each month’s schedule is packed with well-known chefs offering informative classes on techniques, tips and food specialties of every description. Many classes include hands-on practice, plus lots of delicious sampling! Their shop in the Maverick kitchen store where you'll find the latest in kitchen tools, equipment, unique gifts and accessories. Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar - Charleston's Premier Seafood RestaurantAt 205 East Bay Street in the heart of Charleston's historic district, we specialize in a variety of seafood dishes such as oysters, clams, lobster, fresh fish and raw bar. We are proud to be a Charleston tradition in downtown dining with the best of lowcountry cooking and cuisine. Hours of operation: Dining from 11:30 am until 10:00 pm, Full Bar until 2:00 am October/November 2009 Dobbin Gallery - 175 Church Street, 843.579.9725 This locally owned Art Gallery has been Church Street Inn’s neighbor for years. The Dobbin Gallery features original paintings, prints and sculptures by local and nationally recognized artists in a wide range of styles from classical realism to contemporary impressionism. Many pieces actually decorate the rooms, lobby and hallways of the Church Street Inn and are available for purchase. Carolina’s - 10 Exchange Street, 843.724.3800
Carolina’s is as rich in local lore as it is in culinary tradition. Be whisked away by the succulent flavors and sophisticated elegant atmosphere. Experience all three distinct dining areas: the Perdita’s Room for a more intimate dining experience, the Sidewalk Room with its tall arched windows, and the bustling Bar Room.
The Hunley Submarine - Warren Lasch Conservation Center at the old Charleston Navy Base, 843.743.4865
See an amazing piece of American History in the first successful combat submarine from the Civil War. The priceless artifact was lost for over a century before it was raised off of South Carolina’s coast in 2000.
September 2009 O'Hara & Flynn Wine and Cheese Merchants at 225 Meeting Street: This locally owned specialty wine and cheese shop is just a city block away from the Church Street Inn. They serve wine by the bottle and glass, offer creative cheese plates, and feature live music on Friday and Saturday and wine tasting every wednesday from 5 - 7 p.m. Moe's Downtown Tavern at 5 Cumberland Street: Opened by the same folks as the legendary Moe's Crosstown, the newer downtown location has the same delicious bar food along with enough high-def flatscreen televisions to satisfy the most insatiable hunger for burgers or football. Carolina Polo & Carriage Tours: There's no better way to go back in time in our historic city than to be taken through the neighborhood streets in a horse-drawn carriage. These very affordable tours can be booked through our concierge in the hotel lobby. August 2009 The Spice & Tea Exchange at 170 Church Street: Purveyors of gourmet seasonings and spices, cooking herbs, gourmet teas, sugars, sea salts and signature products. Coast Bar and Grill on John Street: Largest and Freshest menu of Seafood in Downtown Charleston. The Windjammer on Isle of Palms: Enjoy live music on the oceanfront for the last months of summer weather. Rite Aid Pharmacy 334 East Bay Street, Suite D Harris Teeter 290 E Bay Street |
