My girlfriend and I chose Charleston for a 3-day pre-Christmas road-trip last week, and after hours of reviewing dozens of hotels, inns and B&Bs--chose the FQI entirely based on TripAdvisor reviews. When we called to check availability (which was only 2 days before the check in date) I was surprised to find out that the #1 rated hotel in Charleston (and #1 in the country in other rankings) also had a very affordable rate of about $130/night for a room with a king-sized bed. The man I spoke on the phone with, John, was unexpectedly friendly and gracious--especially since it was after 10pm on a Sunday night. John not only helped me find a room and a rate that was right for us, but also was kind enough to stay on the phone for 10 minutes after the reservation was booked, to answer my questions about the area, which attractions to see, what kind of weather we'd be in for etc. So right off the bat, our experience with the FQI was off to a good start.

When we arrived, the valet crew was quick to unload to car, whisk it away to a parking area, and direct us to the lobby for check-in while he saw our baggage to the room. The front desk staff was great -- they made the check-in process seamless and then offered us the champagne and lady fingers that we had heard so much about.

The room was fantastic: spacious bed area with side table, chairs and a generously sized nook with a chair, desk, computer and printer/fax combo. Not that we'd need any of that, but it was a great amenity to have there. The bathroom was a nice size as well. As you've heard by now, it's nothing fancy, but how much time do you plan on spending in the bathroom anyway?

I won't go into the details of the activities from our 3-day stay, but we'd definitely recommend a carriage tour, walking the market area, and eating lunch at Jestines. We were disappointed with the aquarium (run-down and neglected), and the fact that the IMAX theater went out of business but none of the Charleston websites or brochures said anything about it (in fact, most of them raved about it.) And if you happen to be there in December, definitely do the Festival of Lights driving tour on James Island. It's worth the $10 car fee.

Other great things about the FQI: a decent continental breakfast, a nice wine & cheese display in the early evening, and at night they put out milk and some of the best cookies I've ever had.

To summarize the FQI: wonderful staff, perfect location, beautiful hotel, fairly priced, great experience. All of these great reviews that you read about it are true!

We stayed at the FQI during our trip to Charleston this December. The service was excellent during our stay from the front door staff to the concierge to the housekeepers. John, one of the concierges, was particularly helpful and pleasant to us.

The hotel is beautiful, especially the lobby. It is located right off of Market street, a perfect location to visit the Market Street district and a short walk to King Street shopping.

This hotel is all about the total experience! The breakfast was good each morning, and you can even have it delivered to your room at no additional cost. The afternoon wine and cheese was great and gave us the opportunity to meet other guests.

The rooms are quite large and pristine. While you are out at dinner, the housekeepers turn down your bed and leave little packets of pralines on your pillow. They provide a "pillow menu" so that each night you can select one of 7 pillow types.

The only negative at the hotel was the bed. The mattress was not very comfortable and left my husband and I with sore backs each morning.

Overall, this was a great hotel and we would definitely return!

For the price of the Traditional room I would have to imagine there are better options in Charleston. My wife and I stayed at FQI for an extended weekend (4 nights) in December. After reading the reviews I thought that we would be staying in a nicer place than we were. Not that it is a bad hotel, I just expected more.
If you happen to forget something, I am sure the conceirge is great, but we did not have a need to use them (though we did ask about a carriage ride, and we were informed that they are all the same price). Do not be taken in by the breakfast (baked goods were hard and almost stale every morning), wine and cheese (nothing special, and most of the hotels in Charleston offer this), and the cookies (which were hard every night) and milk (which was warm after 9pm). The rooms could use some updating for today's travelers (a better TV and a bowed shower rod. The shower curtain kept sticking to our leg when showering, reminding me of a Budget Inn) and the gold of the elevator doors appeared to be peeling or had something on them (now I'm just being picky, but for a 4-star/diamond hotel and #2 rated Luxury Hotel in the US, these things should not be happening). We feel we had a better room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Savannah the night before we headed to Charleston. I guess I just expected something more/better for the price, but this may be because we did not have a suite.

Positives:
Staff was friendly
Hotel Lobby is nice (sans the elevator issue)

Negatives:
Product for the price
$15 a night parking

Good things about the location:
It is a short walk to the harbor and a park which were nice.
It is a historical area, so there is some nice architecture (which interested me since I am in construction, but not my wife)
It is a short walk to the shopping district where there are a lot of upscale department stores.

Downsides to the location:
While the market was not bad, it was not quite what we had expected (my wife's family is from New Orleans and Charleston's market pales in comparison).
It is a touristy area, and so we were "hounded" by people asking if we wanted a carriage ride, or visit some new hotel that just opened.
On weekends there are many people who are agressive in selling things made out of palm fronds.
Nothing in downtown really stays open past 6pm so there are not many options for night life.
Not many reasonably priced places in the area to eat (under $25 for an entree)

Overall I would say that The French Quarter Inn is decent, but for the price for a Traditional Room (the Suites might be better) I would stay someplace else.

Places to eat:
Poogan's Porch - It was moderately priced for Charleston ($60 for 2 of us including two alcoholic beverages and tip)
Jestine's Kitchen - A lot of good food (could be split) and was a great deal. Be sure to get the cornbread!

This is what it's like to stay at the French Quater Inn in the historic area of Charleston, SC. You enter and receive attention from smiling Andy for your bags. The lobby, one flight up, is like a large living room of a fine home - mahogany, flowered carpet on dark background, paintings, mirrors, fine furniture and hospitality. The hallways are wide and light. Your room is large and light and clean, and the big bathroom is beautifully tiled. Toiletries are fine quality.

Charleston is outside your door. Walk everywhere - to the famous market place, historic churches, a gazillion art galleries on Broad St. and elsewhere, fine shopping at well-known store names or unique boutiques. Good restaurants are everywhere, including in the hotel.. (Try S.N.O.B. for their Sour Cream Apple Pie.) Parks are abundant, tours readily available, or just walk up one street and down another and peek into the beautiful gardens, even some cemetaries, and enjoy the architectuer that has been so lovingly preserved.. Visit East Bay St. or Battery Park for water views. Drive to the beaches - about 20 minutes away.

When you return to the hotel, there will be coffee urns in the hallway, or tea and lemonade in the reception area. If it's 5 o'clock, a gracious hostess will serve you wine, cheese, crackers and grapes. If it's 9 pm, help yourself to milk and fresh baked (good) cookies. At breakfast, choose from yogurt, juice, cereal and milk, fresh fruit or fruit slices, bagels, pastries, croissants, and tea and coffee. If you're a warm breakfast eater, just walk to a nearby restaurant for grits and eggs..

We were here in December and the halls smelled of the fresh pine wreaths that hung on the stairwell railings. We met lovely people who had returned many times to this hotel. A computer connected to the net is available in a corner of the lobby. We were up ealry one morning, got coffee and breakfast and sat outside on the second floor balcony to watch the sun rise under the watchful eye of the steeple of St. Phillips Church. The back patio is also a welcoming place to relax. It is beautifully landscaped and has lovely wrought iron furniture and patio umbrellas.

Beds were softer than at home but I slept the best I have ever slept in a hotel - ever! I would choose different pillows next time, but they are available. The staff is gracious, sophisticated and unobstrusive, but if you ask a question or need something, you will be well taken care of.

The only downside was the early morning Charleston street sweepers and trash trucks that rumbled around on the street side each day quite early. but that's not something the hotel is responsible for. Bring ear plugs. You may not hear them on the back side. Cable TV is available for news and weather (and more, if you feel you need it) ; and a business adapted desk is in your room.

This was one of the best experiences in a hotel we have had. We will return!