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LIFESTYLE LETTER
The 13th Chair
November 2026 PUBLISHER
I spent over two decades in corporate America studying people and culture. Employee net promoter scores, engagement surveys, culture audits. I learned how to measure whether people felt like they belonged somewhere, whether they would invite a friend to join them, whether the place they worked made them feel seen. Community is different. You cannot survey it. You cannot put a number on what happens when a city actually loves itself. But you can feel it. And in Canton, I feel it constantly. The 13th chair is that extra one you pull up for the person you did not expect at Thanksgiving, or that you randomly invite into the November family chaos. This November, I would choose to invite in the people who make this culture what it is, most of whom will never be recognized for it. Canton's Malon D. Mimms Boys and Girls Club volunteers who show up for kids who need to know someone is in their corner. The Canton City staff & tourism quietly telling Canton's story to people who have not found us yet. The crew at the Mill on Etowah keeping something historic alive and worth gathering around. The pastors praying over this county before the rest of us wake up. The men leading their families and their neighborhoods, serving others and asking for nothing in return. I am grateful for the unseen cooks already planning Christmas menus, the volunteers stringing lights before dawn, the event organizers losing sleep over details that guests will feel but never notice. The people preparing joy for a season that belongs to everyone else. I am grateful for the teachers growing our next generation. For the single moms and dads holding it all together with both hands. For the friends who stand beside our families, trying to be radiant in a dark world, trying to add something real to every room we walk into. And I am especially grateful for the ones who chose Canton on purpose and arrived already looking for ways to give, not just receive. Interested, not Interesting. That is the culture here that I love. Serving hearts. Steady hands. People who do the work whether the room is watching or not. I spent twenty years trying to build that inside companies. Canton just lives it, and that's why I am thankful I am here. This is Your City. This is Your Lifestyle.
Chicka Elloy | chicka.elloy@citylifestyle.com M AN AG I N G E D I TO R
Jennifer Elloy | jennifer.elloy@citylifestyle.com
Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Gobble Gobble. C H I C K A E L L O Y, P U B L I S H E R @CANTONCITYLIFESTYLE
Learn how to start your own publication at CityLifestyle.com//Franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Canton City Lifestyle® is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Canton area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.
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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Canton City Lifestyle® is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
Experienced. Efficient. More Fun than Ever Seven Locations including: Woodstock - Jasper - Alpharetta 770-284-1111
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inside the issue NOVE M B E R 2 0 2 6 | TH ANK F U L
12 Featured
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20 32
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Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.
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WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?
Departments
Empty Nest, Full Heart
Realtor, designer, mom, and empty nester Jenn Kenney on dating her husband all over again.
More Than Muscle
At GRIT Life Fitness, we measure strength by what a community will carry for others.
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Lifestyle Letter
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City Scene
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Business Monthly
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Must See LIFE + CULTURE
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Eat Right FOOD + BEVERAGE
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Healthy Lifestyle LIFE + CULTURE
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How To ENTERTAINMENT
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Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE
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Travel Journal TRAVEL
Hotel Bennett
Inside Charleston’s Grand Hotel, a vision of 25 years
On the Cover A Thanksgiving favorite, homemade cranberry sauce brings bright color and a sweet-tart bite to the holiday table; simple, comforting, and familiar, it adds a touch of tradition with each spoonful alongside turkey, stuffing, and other family favorites.
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NOVEMBER 2026
city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
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@BRIDGEMILLDENTISTRY
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@JAMER_FOSTER
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@GOSHENVALLEY
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@VICKERYVILLAGESHOPS
@THELOCALGRAZEATL
1: Fantastic time with Canton Historic Haunts and this group of Canton Rockstars 2: Never to late for a daddy daughter date! 3: BridgeMill Team is ready to serve your teeth 4: Your fav Engine Bay Barber representing the Daymakers 5: Zach and Kevin celebrate the nomination for Goshen’s award. Go to your CFA app and vote for Goshen 6: Quick visit with some friends to Vickery 7: Chelsea and fam ready for CINNAMON ROLL SATURDAYYY!!!
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C I T Y SC E N E
P R O D UCI N G O UT STA N D IN G RESULTS • CRE ATING GRE AT EXPE RIE NCES T R E AT I N G O UR PAT IENTS L IK E OUR OWN FAM ILY M E M BE RS
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NOVEMBER 2026
business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S
Give For Goshen Goshen Valley in Canton is a state-qualified foster child support organization, so gifts to its agency can earn Georgia's Qualified Foster Child Donation Credit. Donors get Department of Revenue pre-approval, give, then claim the credit against state income tax. Applications filed January through June cap at $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for couples; the cap is removed between July - December, assuming space remains. Redirect tax dollars to local foster kids, and see exactly where they land. Learn more at www.goshenvalley.org/donate
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EMPTY NEST, FULL HEART: Jenn Kenney’s Grateful Season Real Estate Advisor, designer, mom, and empty nester Jenn Kenney on dating her husband all over again. ARTICLE BY CANTON CITY LIFESTYLE
At the Kenney table, the turkey is not the hard part. Your turn is. Once grace has been said, everybody goes around and names something they are thankful for, and you cannot repeat what someone else already said. No falling back on friends. No coasting allowed. Somewhere between the last dinner plate and dessert, the room goes quiet while a grown adult thinks about what is left to say. Jenn Kenney is the youngest of twelve children, raised by parents who made gratitude a daily habit. She built a career in real estate and design while raising kids of her own, and last year was her first as an empty nester. We sat down with the Cherokee County Real Estate Advisor and designer to talk about what thankfulness looks like in a new season, and who she gets to be in it.
DOES THE GAME EVER LEAVE THE DINING ROOM?
Anywhere, honestly. It's my thing, and I make sure everybody does it. On trips, on walks, whenever there's a little silence, somebody has to say out loud what they're thankful for. My parents ingrained in us the importance of gratitude, being thankful for God and finding the good every day. That's where it all started.
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR NOW THAT THE NEST IS EMPTY? Basically, dating Scott again. We were always intentional about it, even with the kids at home. They are still a priority, but now we can really focus on each other. I love that. Scott and Jenn were deliberate about their marriage while the house was loud. Now it is quieter, and she has advice.
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE ABOUT A YEAR AWAY FROM THE LAST CHILD LEAVING HOME? Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy all of your time together, because when the kids leave, it's hard. Talk. Ask questions. Listen. Once they're gone, you're in something like a long-distance relationship, so take advantage of the time you have right now.
CONTINUED >
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HOW DO YOU HOLD ON TO YOUR OWN IDENTITY ONCE THE KIDS HAVE LEFT THE HOUSE? You have to divert that energy. When your whole life revolves around taking care of your kids, you still want to pay it forward afterward. I've noticed it with a lot of moms who never worked full time and suddenly found something they love. It's never too late to find something that gives you the same endorphins being a mom did. When we're good moms, we've got a lot of goodness to share in other areas of life.
WHY DOES GIVING BACK MATTER TO YOU?
God blesses you with amazing opportunities and you work hard, so you want to pay that forward. Not just in November. I was raised as the youngest of twelve, doing for others, which is why November is one of my favorite months. It's tricky, because you never want to come across as wanting a trophy for being generous. The goal really isn't that. I love paying for the person behind me at Starbucks. You don't know if they're ordering one coffee or fifteen, but their faces say it all.
WHAT DO YOU THANK YOUR CLIENTS FOR?
For the opportunity. There are so many options out there, so I spend a lot of time understanding what a person loves. What will make them happy when they walk into their kitchen? When a client is smiling at the end of a project, there's nothing better.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHEROKEE COUNTY?
Hands down, I could not have picked a better place to raise our family. Our neighbors became our tennis friends and our golf friends. We're still close to them all. The teachers, the coaches, the churches, the charities, all of it overflowed from one thing to another. Our kids worked hard, and they were surrounded by people who pushed them to be better. It was absolutely perfect. Thanksgiving is a few weeks away. At the Kenney table, someone will be asked what they are thankful for, and the easy answers will already be taken.
The Professional Side Jenn brings more than twenty-two years of North Metro Atlanta real estate experience to her work with Engel & Völkers Atlanta, along with a background in design consulting for custom home builders. Through JK Design to Sell, she personally prepares luxury homes throughout Cherokee County for market, guiding renovation and staging, directing high-end marketing, and negotiating on the seller's behalf. Her approach starts with listening. "It's my job to pull out of them what they like," she says, and what will make them love being home. Her motivation is simple: help people love the homes they live in every day.
Schedule a consultation at jennkenney.com 678.457.8422 jennifer.kenney@evatlanta.com
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ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
Cranberry Chambord Chutney 16
EAT R IGH T | FO O D + BEVE RAGE
There always seems to be a debate of some kind or another on whether homemade cranberry sauce or canned is best for your holiday table. Whether you are in the homemade camp or the canned camp, this recipe is a must-try for everyone. It’s easy and packed with yummy goodness! And if you’re in the canned camp, you may surprise yourself that you ever thought canned was the easiest route to your table! This sauce is a great addition to your poultry or pork when fresh cranberries are in season, but frozen cranberries can certainly be used in a pinch. CONTINUED >
WANT TO BREAK FREE FROM THE CAN? THIS HOMEMADE SAUCE WILL WOW YOUR THANKSGIVING GUESTS! NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / CA N TO N GA
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Ingredients • 1-pound fresh cranberries • 2 cups sugar • 2 tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/8 teaspoon allspice • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon • zest of 1 lemon, cut into julienne strips • zest of 1 orange, cut into julienne strips • 1/3 cup Chambord liqueur
Cooking Instructions 1. Rinse and pick over cranberries. Discard any that are green or mushy and remove stems. 2. In a 2-quart saucepan, place cranberries, sugar, and diced apples. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. (No need to add liquid.) 3. Uncover and stir in spices. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover and add lemon and orange zest. Cover the pot and cook for another 5 minutes or until the mixture has thickened and the berries have popped. 4. Cool for 5 minutes, then stir in the Chambord and refrigerate until serving time.
“It’s easy and packed with homemade, yummy goodness.”
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EAT R IGH T | FO O D + BEVE RAGE
130 East Main St, Suite 200 Canton, GA 30114 770.341.0351 NorthGALawyer.com
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MORE THAN MUSCLE:
S t r e n g t h Wo r t h Carrying At GRIT Life Fitness, we measure strength by what a communit y will carr y for others.
ARTICLE BY CANTON CITY LIFESTYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRIT LIFE FITNESS
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H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | L IF E + CU LT U RE
There are plenty of ways to measure strength inside GRIT Life Fitness. You can count repetitions or track the pounds on a barbell. You can watch a member finish a workout they swore last month they'd never survive. For owners Justin and Lindsay Mattingly, strength has come to mean something bigger. Sometimes it looks like clean water reaching a village thousands of miles away. Other times it looks like neighbors rallying around a Cherokee County family who needs someone in their corner.
DUMBBELLS AND A STOPWATCH
Lindsay's story starts in a parking lot, with a pair of dumbbells, a stopwatch and a small group of people who wanted to get fit. Nearly twenty years later, she has coached thousands. In 2017, she and Justin moved their family from the South Carolina Lowcountry to Cherokee County, chasing the dream of running their own gym and keeping a little homestead. GRIT opened its doors on Riverstone Parkway as summer 2020 wound down. Starting a gym that year took nerve, and a little grit. Lindsay had already spent about 15 years in the wellness world, from oneon-one training to managing big box gyms, and she wanted to build something with a trainer who was always there. Some of the first workouts were free sessions outdoors at Etowah River Park on Saturday mornings. Members who did make it indoors got their own bottle of sanitizer at the door and wiped down the equipment, because 2020 asked everyone to. From the start, Justin and Lindsay wanted more than exercise. Accountability mattered. So did belonging. Members began celebrating milestones together, pushing each other through the hard sets and trading friendships that carried well past the parking lot. Then came a bigger question. What if all that energy could help somebody else? The answer arrived as Workout for Water, a series of events benefiting Neverthirst. The idea was simple. Take something people already loved doing together and give it a purpose. A Saturday sweat in Canton became clean water projects in Africa, India and Asia.
CONTINUED >
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COFFEE, CANTON AND COPÁN
The next chapter began with a cup of coffee. Alma Coffee roasts its beans in Holly Springs, but the story starts in the mountains of Copán, Honduras, where Leticia Hutchins, a fifth-generation coffee farmer, grows the crop with her family. She and her husband Harry launched Alma in 2018 and follow the beans from farm to roaster to mug. Their coffee grows in the shade of tall trees, the kind of canopy migratory birds like to rest in. The Matiak Foundation, a Holly Springs nonprofit, had already been working in Copán, helping bring a well and a school to a small village. Alma sources its coffee from the farm in that community, and the school sat in the middle of its story. So GRIT joined Alma and Matiak. Members rallied around the effort, raising $10,000 to support the school, with resources for children and families on the other end. It was global giving with a distinctly local connection, built by neighbors. Picture it. A gym floor off Riverstone Parkway. A roaster humming a few miles away. A classroom in the Honduran hills. Two Canton businesses and one local foundation, tied to a place most of them had never seen, through a bag of beans and a stubborn habit of showing up.
GRIT FOR A CAUSE 2026 When: Saturday, November 7 Where: GRIT Life Fitness, 535 Riverstone Parkway, Suite 208, Canton Benefiting: North Georgia Family Partners Details: 100% of donations go to the cause. Every movement can be modified for any fitness level. Early registration includes an event T-shirt from sponsor Terminus Tees. Local businesses can sponsor. Bring a friend. Learn more at gritlifefitness.org.
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“A g y m i n C a n t o n c an change a classroom in Honduras when people who love showing up fo r e a c h o t h e r decide to carry something big ger t o g e t h e r.”
CLOSER TO HOME
That spirit became GRIT for a Cause, the gym's signature yearly challenge that clients collectively vote for the year’s charity. Six years in, members, sponsors, families and local businesses have helped raise about forty thousand dollars for causes near and far. Some of the most meaningful work happened close to home. Last year's event supported Goshen Valley, the northern Cherokee County nonprofit that cares for children and young adults in foster care. It began decades ago as a group home on family land and has grown well beyond it. Its Boys Ranch near Waleska is home to boys in foster care, and its New Beginnings program helps young adults between eighteen and twenty-one learn to live on their own. Those are the neighbors GRIT members chose to stand behind. For 2026, the community chose the next cause. North Georgia Family Partners works with families through education, resources and programs aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect, so more children can grow up feeling safe and loved. On Saturday, November 7, the Riverstone Parkway gym will fill up again. People will work out, compete and cheer each other on, and one hundred percent of event donations will go to the cause. Past years have meant tires flipped in the parking lot, kettlebells in the front rack and battle ropes slamming outside. The challenge is built to scale. Every movement can be modified, so a first workout and a thousandth stand side by side to make an impact together. Nearly six years after opening, Justin and Lindsay and a collections of coaches can point to plenty of physical transformations. The harder one to see is a collection of individuals turning into a community, one that has learned it can lift far more than its own weight. Bring a friend and a water bottle. Show up, move together, and help carry something bigger.
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KINDNESS YOU CAN FEEL. Canton Branch
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Your ultimate guide to the perfect game gathering this holiday season ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE
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H OW TO | ENTERTAI NME N T
’Tis the season for get-togethers with family and friends. Kids are home from school, friends and family are visiting for the holidays, and neighbors are especially, well, neighborly! In the whirlwind of holiday to-dos and festive planning, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. This year, take a moment to carve out some time for a little fun! With screens and social media dominating our attention, a nostalgic, simple and joyful game night sets the scene for laughter, friendly competition and making memories with those you love. Check out our guide to creating the best game night ever.
The Guest List: Game nights might just be the perfect party; they’re great for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. And games can be the great equalizer while bringing everyone together. The sweet spot for your game night’s guest size should be manageable but large enough to be lively (somewhere between 6 to 10 people).
Setting the Scene: Clear away the clutter to make space for games and guests. Assemble a comfortable seating area with cozy blankets, cushy poufs and floor pillows to encourage everyone to relax and stay a while. Curate a fun and upbeat playlist to have in the background - just loud enough to create the perfect party ambiance. Indie folk or smooth jazz can keep the energy up without distracting from gameplay. Set up a variety of lighting from string lights to candles to craft a magical mood, ensuring the space feels inviting.
Snack Attack
: Keep the rivalry friendly by ensuring your guests are satiated. Set up a popcorn bar, a low-effort but high-impact snack station! Stock up on individual popcorn boxes so your guests can create their own snack sensations. You can rent an old-fashioned popcorn machine for a fun, nostalgic touch or simply provide a large bowl of freshly popped corn. Then, arrange your toppings. Think butter or olive oil, a variety of seasonings from traditional salt to nutritional yeast, sweet candies for that salty-sweet combination, melted chocolate and caramel sauce, and more.
The Games: The best strategy for selecting games is to have a variety at the ready. For large, loud and energetic play, think group party games like Codenames and Wavelength. For smaller, more thoughtful groups, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and other strategy games may be the way to go. You can’t go wrong with timeless staples such as Pictionary, Scrabble or a deck of cards. Or take game night outdoors and prepare for a spirited contest with classic outdoor games like ladder toss and cornhole.
No matter who wins the game, we all know the real win is spending time with your loved ones.
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C I T Y L I FEST Y L E G I V ES BAC K
GIVING TOGETHER A Community That Shows Up
Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of families in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign and our nonprofit arm, Kingdom Building Foundation. But none of it would be possible without you. We can only help the people we know about, and
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that’s where our readers come in. If you know someone quietly struggling, whether it’s a single parent, a senior citizen, or a family facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Nominations are what make this whole campaign possible.
We provided a chair lift for a teenager paralyzed in a gymnastics accident so she could move freely through her own home again. We helped a child who lost an eye to cancer get the prosthetic because insurance wouldn’t cover it. We covered dental work for a man who needed his smile back just to walk into a job interview. We got heat turned back on for a family who had spent part of the winter without it. We helped a family keep up with bills while a husband and father fought pancreatic cancer, and we helped another family cover medical expenses after the unimaginable loss of a child. These are just a few examples of some of the hundreds of individuals that have been helped through nominations from readers like you. None of it happens without someone noticing first and speaking up. "We don't just send checks," says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle.
“We send a message: You are seen, you are loved, and you are not forgotten.” Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond the holiday season. "This is about community," Matthew says. "We believe we've been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing." Often, the person making the nomination gets just as much out of the experience as the recipient. There's something powerful about being part of the reason someone else's burden got lighter, especially when that need might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The campaign is completely confidential. No names are ever shared or publicized, and nominating someone is as simple as telling us their story. We are looking for those in our communities who fall between the cracks of getting help, and together as a community, we can meet those needs.
Nominations open November 1st and close December 3rd. To nominate someone in your community, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and find the form in our bio, or visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.org.
This season, giving starts with you. Let's do it together. Nominate someone in need today.
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ARTICLE BY LISA THIBAULT
HOTEL
BENNETT 32
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Welcome champagne
Hotel Bennett
Inside Charleston’s Grand Hotel, a vision of 25 years There are hotels you stay in, and there are hotels that tell a story the moment you walk in that leave you with an experience worth taking home. Hotel Bennett, on the corner of King Street and historic Marion Square in downtown Charleston, is unmistakably both and the perfect escape for the holidays. From the marble-clad Grand Court to the pink-hued glow of Camellias, every inch of this 179-room property was built with a deeply personal goal: to give Charleston the grand hotel its developer always believed it deserved. Before we even stepped into the lobby, three young men greeted us with bright smiles and genuine warmth. They took our car to the charger, carried our luggage to our suite, and struck up conversation about our interests offering suggestions for places to explore around town and hotel experiences to enjoy. The feeling was magical. The glasses of champagne we received upon arrival were just one of the many thoughtful gestures the staff extended throughout our four-day stay. Hotel Bennett is the vision of Michael Bennett, an eighth-generation Charlestonian and founder of Bennett Hospitality. His family purchased the land in 1990, but the project spanned more than twenty years winding through city approvals, and legal battles with preservation groups over building height. This fight made its way to the South Carolina Supreme Court before Bennett won. Joe Riley, Charleston’s longtime mayor and Bennett’s mentor, stood beside him, reportedly telling Bennett’s mother, “We’re going to cut that ribbon.” And they did.
After breaking ground in March 2015, at a cost of $101 million the hotel opened in January 2019. The site itself carries its own layers of Charleston history. It once housed the original west wing of The Citadel, and later, Charleston County Library. That legacy lives on in quiet, deliberate details: bookshelves tucked into the suites, stacks of books coordinated across tables throughout the property - a soft acknowledgement to the library that once stood there. “Hotel Bennett was constructed with the same classical character and quality as buildings from centuries ago,” Bennett says. “To complement Charleston’s architectural heritage, we used the finest materials, beautiful limestone, marble, bronze, and copper.” He named the hotel to honor his family and his beloved city. That family imprint is everywhere. Throughout the lobby, we noticed artwork and photography celebrating meaningful milestones in the Bennett family’s own story as a reminder that this is first and foremost a family business, built with many personal details, down to the crown-embroidered “B” pillows and hotel-branded soaps. It feels as though it has stood on Marion Square for a century. Hotel Bennett blends old-world European architecture with unmistakably Southern warmth. Sweeping rotundas, hand-painted murals, and a Grand Court set the tone, while modern amenities remind you that this hotel was designed with today’s traveler in mind. It truly has every contemporary convenience you’d want, layered over the historic imprint giving you the perfect blend of both worlds. We felt that warmth throughout every moment of our stay. The hotel’s dining options alone are worth the trip. Gabrielle, the twotiered signature restaurant, opens onto sweeping terraces overlooking Marion Square. We had a delicious dinner and a wonderful espresso martini to close out the evening. Then there’s Camellias, an entirely pink champagne-and-caviar lounge outfitted with reclaimed marble from the original Charleston Library. This was my favorite room in the hotel and it’s become one of the most photographed rooms in the city. It’s just as popular for afternoon tea as it is for a glass of bubbly. Fiat Lux is the hotel’s rooftop pool bar, pouring ocean-inspired cocktails with sweeping skyline views. La Pâtisserie brings a slice of Paris to King Street, serving pastries from a French-trained chef. As a late night treat, we did indulge in the famous Ruby and it was well worth the calories. CONTINUED >
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The Grand Lobby
“This dessert is named for my daughter, Ruby. It’s a celebration of the flavors she loves most: rich dark and milk chocolate, lifted by bright raspberry. Vanilla has always been a magical ingredient for me, so a silky vanilla cream brings it all together. The result is a balance of a father’s love and a daughter’s joy. At the heart of it is a flourless chocolate sponge, wrapped in layers of color, texture, and flavor. I wanted the Ruby to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, so I designed it as gluten nut free. The one thing I could not leave out was the butter and cream. I am French. Some traditions are simply too delicious to break.” —Rémy Fünfrock, Executive Pastry Chef at Hotel Bennett
Suite bath
Highest Rooftop Pool
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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L
Gabrielle
Beyond the plate, Hotel Bennett’s amenities read like a checklist for the ultimate Charleston escape, including the city’s largest heated rooftop pool and private cabanas painted in pastel hues inspired by Rainbow Row. We spent a leisurely afternoon there, sipping cocktails and enjoying light bites. There is a full-service spa with luxury treatments and a state-of-the-art fitness center as well as more than 20,000 square feet of event space anchored by the 30-foot Crown Ballroom. We had the pleasure of experiencing it all, and every moment surpassed our expectations. It’s easy to see why Hotel Bennett has earned a reputation as one of the top hotel experiences in the country. It isn’t just the marble and the champagne, it’s that every detail, from the concierge team to the turndown service, was built around genuine Southern hospitality. I come back to the staff as the property’s defining feature: the team that remembers names, anticipates needs, and treats every patron like it’s a homecoming rather than just a transaction. As we got to know the staff, we heard stories of local college students who fell in love with Charleston and have been with the Hotel for years. Everyone genuinely enjoys serving others, and it shows. “I stayed here before I ever worked here. My school put me up at Hotel Bennett my senior year of college while our apartment was being finished, and the staff made me feel looked after at a moment in my life when nothing else felt settled. When a job opened up, I jumped at it. I wanted to be the person who does that for someone else.” —Bambi Barr, In-Room Dining at Hotel Bennett For Bennett, the hotel was never a business venture, it was a love letter to his hometown, decades in the making. “We’ve known all our lives we lived in the most beautiful city in the world, today Charleston is at her best “ he said. There’s no doubt this will not be our last visit to Hotel Bennett and I recommend you take the short drive over to experience how history and luxury have emerged together in one remarkable place. Hotel Bennett: 404 King Street, Charleston, SC hotelbennett.com
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