Rate and special offer based on Check-in: Jun 30, 2013 Check-out: Jul 3, 2013

Francis Marion Hotel

4 stars
387 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
3.9
out of 5
139 reviews
a getaway retreat in style

comfort, ambiance, charm and the perfect location for anything you want to experience in downtown... See full review

  • rested and rejuvinated
  • May 30, 2013
Comfy upscale hotel

A great choice for our first time in Charleston. The beds were super comfortable. The staff is... See full review

  • 1st time Charleston visit
  • Jan 23, 2013
Historic charm, modern conveniences in downtown Charleston
The Francis Marion Hotel was built in 1924, completely renovated in 1996 with a $12 million grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, but there's still plenty of old-fashioned charm. The rooms feature European-style bedding and marble bathrooms with pedestal sinks and brass fixtures. Over the years, the Francis Marion Hotel has hosted celebrities and historical figures, and its location is convenient to downtown Charleston's historic homes, shops, restaurants and other attractions.
Highlights
  • Named after Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox"
  • In the heart of downtown historic Charleston, walking distance from many attractions
  • Entire facility is smoke free
  • Listed on the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places
  • The two ballrooms feature antique chandeliers, high ceilings and windows and marble accented fireplaces

 

Rooms
The Francis Marion Hotel has 233 rooms, 10 suites and seven penthouse suites. The room décor is reminiscent of 1920s grandeur, but with up-to-date amenities such as free wireless Internet and on-demand movies (fees apply).
Features
The Francis Marion Hotel offers concierge service, Spa Adagio Day Spa and an on-site fitness center.

 

Dining
The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar features classic Southern cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Francis Marion Hotel also has a Starbucks on site and offers and room service.
Transportation
  • Charleston International Airport (11.2 mi/18 km)
  • Amtrak station (7.6 mi/12.2 km)
  • Walking distance from many attractions downtown
Attractions
  • Charleston's Museum Mile (0.1 mi/0.2 km)
  • Children's Museum (0.3 mi/0.5 km)
  • Charleston Visitor Center (0.4 mi/0.6 km)
  • Fort Sumter and Dinner Cruises (0.7 mi/1.1 km)
  • South Carolina Aquarium (0.7 mi/1.1 km)
  • Gibbes Museum of Art (0.7 mi/1.1 km)
  • Patriots Point Park including USS Yorktown (5 mi/8 km)
  • Magnolia Plantation (12 mi/19.3 km)
Business
  • 10 meeting rooms totaling 19,000 square feet, all with Wi-Fi
  • The Francis Marion added a 7,000 square-foot conference center in 2004
  • Audio/visual equipment available (fees apply)
  • Business center
Policies and fees
No pets allowed. Valet parking (fees apply). Self-parking is available at a city garage next door (fees apply). Effective March 1 2012, parlking fees will be $14 for self parking and $19 for valet parking.

This is not a comprehensive list of fees. Any amounts listed above may not include taxes and are subject to change.

Francis Marion Hotel Rooms

Deluxe Room
One king or two double beds. Early 20th-century decor and furnishings. 350 square feet. Rooms includes air conditioning, refrigerator, wake up calls, complimentary toiletries, iron and iron board, clock radio, cribs(infant beds)available, satellite/ cable TV with pay movies, premium bedding, complimentary newspaper, multiline phone, voice mail, coffee and tea maker, house keeping daily, extra towels and bedding in room, hair dryer, electronic and magnetic keys. European-style bedding with overstuffed duvets and down pillows. Marble bathroom, pedestal sink, and brass fixtures. Nonsmoking
Treditional
Room includes one queen or two double beds. 250 square feet. Early 20th-century decor and furnishings, European-style bedding with overstuffed duvets and down pillows, desk with lamp and chair, wooden armoire with TV, dual-line phone, premium cable with pay movies, marble bathroom, pedestal sink and brass fixtures, Nonsmoking.

Amenities

  • Wireless internet
General
Concierge
Activities
Health club
Spa services
Dining
Restaurant
Room service
Services
Business center
Conference facilities
Internet
Wireless internet
Accessibility
Handicapped rooms/facilities

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Reviewer score 3.9 out of 5
Reviewer score 3.7 out of 5

Hotel Map

32.7859 -79.9364
Area served
Charleston.
Nearby airports
Hotel is located 12 miles East of Charleston Airport (CHS)
Area description
Located in Historic Downtown Charleston. Marion square park- across the street, king street shops and galleries - 1 block, college of charleston - 0.25 mile, fort sumter tours - 0.5 mile, south carolina aquarium - 0.5 mile, old market place - 0.5 mile, charleston battery - 1.5 miles, old exchange - 1.5 miles, The citadel-2 miles, USS yorktown - 5.5 miles, Boone hall plantation - 9.5 miles, Magnolia plantation - 14 miles.

Nearby points of interest

  • Charleston Music Hall: 0.2 mi
  • Theater99: 0.2 mi
  • Charleston Museum: 0.3 mi
  • Children's Museum of the Lowcountry: 0.3 mi
  • Aiken-Rhett House: 0.4 mi
  • Unitarian Church in Charleston: 0.5 mi
  • The Black Fedora: 0.5 mi
  • Gibbes Museum of Art: 0.6 mi
  • Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist: 0.6 mi
  • Dock Street Theater: 0.6 mi
  • St. Michael's Episcopal Church: 0.7 mi
  • Port Charleston: 0.7 mi
  • The Calhoun Mansion: 0.7 mi
  • South Carolina Aquarium: 0.7 mi
  • Charleston Waterfront Park: 0.8 mi
  • Charleston Music Hall: 0.2 mi
  • Theater99: 0.2 mi
  • Charleston Museum: 0.3 mi
  • Children's Museum of the Lowcountry: 0.3 mi
  • Aiken-Rhett House: 0.4 mi
  • Unitarian Church in Charleston: 0.5 mi
  • The Black Fedora: 0.5 mi
  • Gibbes Museum of Art: 0.6 mi
  • Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist: 0.6 mi
  • Dock Street Theater: 0.6 mi
  • St. Michael's Episcopal Church: 0.7 mi
  • Port Charleston: 0.7 mi
  • The Calhoun Mansion: 0.7 mi
  • South Carolina Aquarium: 0.7 mi
  • Charleston Waterfront Park: 0.8 mi
  • Heyward-Washington House: 0.8 mi
  • Old Exchange & Provost: 0.8 mi
  • Nathaniel Russell House: 0.8 mi
  • Arthur Ravenel Jr.Bridge: 0.9 mi
  • Audbon Swamp Garden: 0.9 mi
  • Edmonston-Alston House: 1.1 mi
  • The Citadel: 1.5 mi
  • Magnolia Cemetry: 2.4 mi
  • American Military Museum: 5.5 mi
  • Morris Island Lighthouse: 6.6 mi
  • Drayton Hall: 10.2 mi
  • Magnolia Plantation & Gardens: 11 mi
  • Middleton Place: 14.1 mi

Meeting facilities

Meeting Info
A full array of business services is available for conferences and meetings. Host an elegant business meeting in one of conference rooms. The new conference facility features 7,000 square feet of total conference space.

Hotel Policies

Check-in:
1600
Check-out:
1200

Terms and conditions

Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.

The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.

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Guest Reviews (139)

Ratings and reviews for Francis Marion Hotel

Overall score

3.9 / 5
139 out of 139
Amenities:
3.8
Room cleanliness:
4.3
Hotel staff:
4.4
Room comfort:
4.1
Location:
4.6
Value:
3.9

89% would recommend to a friend.

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Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

3
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san diego
May 30, 2013

2 night stay at the beginning of Spoleta

The price for the friday night stay is outrageous.. and you didnt include parking.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
4
Location:
3
Value:
1
Dining tip: Short drive from hotel

Go eat at Martha Lou's Kitchen

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

5
rested and rejuvinated
North Carolina
May 30, 2013

a getaway retreat in style

comfort, ambiance, charm and the perfect location for anything you want to experience in downtown charleston. we loved it all!

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
4
Money-saving tip: Short walk from hotel

we used the trolleys to get anyplace we needed to go downtown. no bother with trying to find parking spaces or worry about where the nearest parking garage was, just hop on one of the two trolleys and you can go anyplace you want downtown

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

3
PeteyO
New York, NY
May 29, 2013

Francis Marion

Better Value, needs some updating, could use some more space in rooms

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
3
Value:
3
Sightseeing tip: Short walk from hotel

King St. Lots of Fun, it's right there

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
MarkandLori
michigan
May 18, 2013

We loved the Francis Marion

Spent two nights during a vacation visit to Charleston... Beautiful, spacious room with two bathrooms for a reasonable price. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Location close to King Street shops but a long walk to south side and the Battery. 41/2 stars.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
5
Location:
4
Value:
4
Time-saving tip: Not Applicable

Rent a bike... Much to see but parking a hassle. Try the crepes at Queen Street Grocery.

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Ron and Colleen
Long Island, NY
Mar 29, 2013

Perfect getaway!!

Loved the yesteryear charm with modern day conveniences. Great location for dining, drinking and tours that this beautiful city has to offer.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
5
Sightseeing tip: Short walk from hotel

Take advantage of the FREE trolley service. Takes you to or near everything. No need to use a car or taxi.

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Ed dee
ny
Mar 26, 2013

Good,bad&ulgy

Location,location very good. Lobby was impressive. Plumbing in shower had to be repaired (7 hrs) than the sink hot water stopped for 1 hour. The staff explained the hotel was built in 1924. Despite the obvious we had a great time in this city.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
5
Value:
3
Dining tip: Short walk from hotel

Plenty to see and eat. We didn't rent a car and never missed it. I think we walked 2-3 miles a day. Plenty of window shopping and history.

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
PGeo
Minnesota
Mar 12, 2013

Girl's weekend

We enjoyed the hotel in Charleston very much. The room was clean and the beds comfy. One complaint is the room was too hot, air conditioning was not working correctly. The location was great as well. Close enough to busy areas, but not too close to be in the busiest/loudest sections of the city. We only stayed one night, so hard to judge on a longer stay.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
4
Value:
3
Entertainment tip: Long walk from hotel

The music scene was not a middle age group friendly. We had a hard time finding a live band to dance to. There were young bars and older crowds at the jazz clubs, but the crowds were small and quiet. We found Charleston to be a quiet town for a girl's weekend who are in their 30-40's. It was a little formal. We did find some fun the next day at Folly Beach.

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Elaine Funk
Florida
Mar 8, 2013

Decorate

Nice location. Spa staff in need of help. HOTEL NEEDS MAJOR UPDATING . Staff was very helpful.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
4
Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Vrodriguez
Billings, MT
Mar 2, 2013

Great location!!

The Swamp Fox gives a great dining experience...the hotel location is perfectly located for walking to many shops, bars and restaurants, sight seeing, free trolley rides, etc. Classy old hotel with an accommodating staff and manager...in my first room-deluxe room-the shower water wasn't warm enough and after bringing the problem to the management's attention a couple of days in a row I was upgraded to a suite with my second free bottle of wine certificate included...turn down service with candy included is a lovely touch also!!!

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
3
Location:
5
Value:
3
Dining tip: Short walk from hotel

Swamp Fox fine dining in hotel, Kicking Chicken-bar and food, The Fish restaurant, Mellow Mushroom-pizza-brewery-huge menu variety, Old Towne Grill and Seafood-Greek food included...to name just a few...

Review of Francis Marion Hotel

Reviewer score

4
Bob hsbt
Seattle
Feb 15, 2013

Good location in a historic hotel

We spent an enjoyable visit to Charleston, staying at this hotel. It was clean, not plastic, with a great, helpful staff.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
5
Value:
5
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