I'll start by saying, if you're planning a trip to Charleston and don't visit The Ordinary (seafood restaurant), I will personally hunt you down. (DetailsIM is exempt, as he didn't know about this 'hunt you down' thing until now.)

@FlyingDoctorwu...

1. I totally agree re: room size. I think I actually had an identical room to DetailsIM. That said, my wife deplores suites (she must be the only person in humankind who doesn't want an upgrade into a suite - she hates unused space), so she wanted the small room.

I too go places to decompress, whether it's Tokyo or Charleston. I'd say I spend an above-average amount of time in the room (which is why I love luxury hotels). The only thing I'll say is that...the small room kinda 'just worked' - it was cozy - and you can get a bigger room.

Anthony Bourdain was just here and his suite seemed pretty massive.

2. My 'only' CHS hotels are Charleston Place (MUST be in an updated/renovated Club room - which, as you point out, are pleasantly surprising now), Wentworth Mansion, Restoration on King (biggest 'rooms' I've ever seen in my life, anywhere) and Zero George.

I used to visit Market Pavillon (Relais & Chateaux maybe?) but I hear it's gone downhill.

In theory, I'd also like to visit FQI (French Quarter Inn) and Planter's Inn (Relais & Chateaux?)....but I'm so damn happy between the above-mentioned trip I've never bothered.

So I do think that CHS doesn't have 'true' luxury hotels, but I'm also VERY pleased with the 4 I mentioned.

The only 'affiliation' for ZG - if you can even call it that - is Mr. & Mrs. Smith. That means having your V advisor book you via M&M means amenities at a place that normally wouldn't dish amenities.

PS, new hotel hitting the 'luxury' market (hear really good things about the developers and the care they're putting into the craftsmanship): http://thespectatorhotel.com

Also, the Grand Bohemian (Kessler Collection) just opened up downtown...which could actually be a hidden gem (I've had great experiences at their Asheville location). Not true luxury but close enough for a city like CHS/AVL.