This preserved and updated Charleston classic makes a case for staying in
What hotel you book in a city like Charleston often matters more for location than for amenities. After all, the entire point of such a trip is to spend as little time in the hotel as possible and every waking hour exploring the sites and restaurants. Or so I used to think.
This was before I’d had the pleasure of staying in some of the Holy City’s best and most interesting rooms; so interesting that what’s inside engages the senses enough to create a dilemma of itinerary. One in particular stands out—the John Derian Flat at The Dewberry. Convincing a guest like me—known to hit at least a half-dozen cafes, wine bars, and restaurants in a day—to stay in the room for even one of those culinary occasions might be the pinnacle of a hotel’s design achievement. Allow me to make my case.
In the heart of historic Charleston, The Dewberry has, over the last ten years, become a staple for travelers and locals, many of whom regularly enjoy drinks in the street-level bar, The Living Room, or the photo-ready rooftop Citrus Club. It opened in 2016 in the former L. Mendel Rivers (circa 1964) federal building, paying homage to Charleston’s midcentury architectural glory. Owner John Dewberry’s vision of “Southern Reimagined” developed over the course of an eight-year renovation and preservation of the building, and continues through additions like the John Derian Flat, named for the acclaimed decoupage artist, in late 2022 and expanded food and beverage offerings this year.
Of the many times I’ve enjoyed cocktails in The Living Room, I’d never actually stayed overnight, and after 10 years, it was time to change that. Serendipitously, my free night and the John Derian Flat’s availability aligned.
I may have quietly gasped when I entered the corner room. Immediately, I pulled open the drawn curtains to reveal memorable views of historic Marion Square and King Street rooflines for blocks. After that first impression, my attention turned inward to the walls, textiles, and unexpected curated vignettes with pheasants, roses, seafaring vessels, and more.
As a collector of John Derian’s nature-focused decoupage pieces created in his New York City studio, I was delighted to be surrounded by a combination of the familiar and new. Through vintage-inspired goods and Derian’s signature work, the space celebrates the artist and Jaimie and John Dewberry’s shared affinity for finding beauty in nature. The result is a well-traveled collector’s escape. One could be so lucky to have a personal space this well-curated and inviting, and for 24 hours, it was mine. I was determined to settle in and enjoy it.
Guests enter the flat via the living room, where the glass coffee table features stunning vignettes of found and collected items in horizontal shadow boxes. Adjacent is a cozy in-room dining area perfect for morning coffee or dinner, which flows into the bedroom with a king-sized canopy bed. The ensuite bathroom presents possibly the most alluring feature–a glass-enclosed, marble bath suite with a cast-iron soaking tub overlooking Marion Square, all beneath a Derian tray depicting swallows and other fauna.
With coffee served every morning and the full seasonal menus available from The Living Room and Citrus Club, the options outside of the hotel really must make a strong case for abandoning one’s robe and slippers. One standout amenity makes that decision a bit easier: a complimentary Volvo car service that shuttles guests to destinations on the peninsula.
Even though, in my case, I couldn’t resist the urge to walk to coffee at nearby Babas on Cannon, and I took advantage of the Volvo for dinner at the chef’s counter at Estadio, I uncharacteristically opted out of a post-dinner drink in favor of a nightcap in my robe, cozied up on the caramel leather love seat, wishing I had another 24 hours to enjoy my newfound haven of curiosities.
Triple Crown
The Dewberry was honored earlier this year with the Conde Nast Traveler Triple Crown award, meaning it was named to the publication’s Hot List and Gold List, and earned a Reader’s Choice Award.
The Dewberry, 334 Meeting St., Charleston, thedewberrycharleston.com
