A painting by Charleston artist Linda Fantuzzo is a focal point of the lobby.
SOUTHERN BELLE OF THE BALL With just 50 rooms and a host of upscale amenities, The Loutrel sits pretty as Charleston's newest luxury lodging option. Written by Bridget Williams / Photos of The Loutrel by Kim Graham
Charleston has the unique ability to remain relevant through reinvention. Architecture aficionados, photographers, history buffs, culture mavens, golfers, foodies, and fishermen are among the many millions of visitors that annually trod its cobblestone streets. The melding of the foreign with the familiar, in which institutions like Poogan's Porch—a family-owned restaurant serving up Southern fare since 1976—stand side-by-side with newbies like The Loutrel—a luxury boutique hotel opened in late 2021—keep visitors returning as regularly as the tide. Located a stone's throw from Charleston's historic Market District, opened in 1807, The Loutrel was formerly the site of a nondescript sushi restaurant. The Loutrel's lush biophilic-inspired design and architecture nod to Charleston's signature gardens and aim to bring the outside indoors. Architecture and design firm Michael Graves successfully captured the vibrancy of the surrounding landscape to create a luxurious, mood-boosting environment.
The garden feel is evident as soon as you enter the soaring porch-inspired lobby and lounge, where a Lowcountry Swing Bed beckons near the reception desk. Local artist Linda Fantuzzo created the dreamy low country landscape that dominates one wall. Seating areas comprised of woven rattan and pieces upholstered in linen and wool provide ample space to "sit a spell" with the property's signature "Nice to Meet You" welcome cocktail in hand and enjoy the environs. Serving as the focal point of the lounge is a bronze and woodaccented bar displaying a discernable nautical influence. The space is a hub of activity from morning until late at night. A European-style breakfast precedes a daily "Finest Cocktail Hour" punctuated with canapé offerings and punch bowl cocktails. You can end the day here with pre-bedtime bites and craft libations concocted with a gardener's eye for ingredients. We found the crowd, an interesting mix of locals and tourists, to be quite convivial, more so later in the evening. slmag.net
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