The Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston

We stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston over the holiday weekend, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. While the location is absolutely perfect—right in the heart of downtown and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and bars—the hotel itself leaves much to be desired.

The rooms are very outdated, and the overall feel of the hotel is antiquated. The shower was old and took a long time for the water to even get warm. For a room priced at over $300 a night, I expected far more in terms of comfort and amenities. They provide one tiny 2-ounce body wash, which is hardly enough for one person, let alone two.

The beds were uncomfortable, and the pillows were flat. For what they charge, the quality just isn’t there. We booked last minute due to limited availability during the holiday weekend, so unfortunately, we didn’t have other options.

If your priority is location and you’re not concerned about comfort or modern accommodations, this might work for you. But if you're looking for a quality stay, I’d recommend exploring other options. The Francis Marion has potential, but it’s in serious need of updates and better attention to guest comfort.

Our hotel room was significantly underwhelming, especially given the nightly rate we paid. The room was small and lacked even the most basic standards of professional painting. The walls, trim, and ceiling looked as though they had been painted by an amateur—with mismatched colors, crooked lines, peeling, and cracking paint. It honestly gave the impression of a rushed job, not something you’d expect from a reputable hotel.

The bathroom was also very small and poorly equipped, missing standard amenities one would expect. As for the bed—it was relatively comfortable, but certainly not the king-size we booked. It was clearly a queen, which added to our disappointment.

While the first floor of the hotel was beautifully maintained and presented, our room on the 10th floor was a completely different story. It felt like two different hotels entirely. I have images documenting these issues and will be sharing them where appropriate to ensure transparency for future guests.

Overall, this hotel was grossly overpriced for the quality and condition of the room we received.