About Charleston

If the Old South lives on in South Carolina's Low Country, it positively thrives in Charleston. Romantic notions of antebellum days -- stately homes, courtly manners, gracious hospitality and, above all, gentle dignity -- are facts of everyday life in this old city.

Charleston boasts 73 pre-Revolutionary War buildings, 136 from the late 18th century, and more than 600 built before the 1840s. With its cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages, Charleston is a place of visual images and sensory pleasures.

Does this city have a modern side? Yes--chic shops abound, as do a few supermodern hotels, but Charleston has no skyscrapers. You don't come to Charleston for anything cutting-edge, though. You come to glimpse an earlier, almost-forgotten era.

Charlestonians manage to maintain a way of life that in many respects has little to do with wealth. The simplest encounter with Charleston natives seems to be invested with a social air, as though the visitor were a valued guest.

A great source for additional information about Charleston is the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.charlestoncvb.com.

Directions to Host Hotel 

The hotel is located at 387 King Street, Charleston, SC. Please visit the Francis Marion Hotel website at www.francismarioncharleston.com for more information.

From Charleston International Airport
Exit airport on International Drive and Follow signs for I-526 to Mt. Pleasant. From I-526 follow signs for I-26 East to Charleston.

From I-26 Headed East
Travel on I-26 to the end (Meeting Street Exit). Turn right onto Meeting Street. Stay on Meeting Street in the right hand lane for .6 miles. Pass the Charleston Visitor’s Center and turn right at the light, which is John Street. Take John Street one block to King Street and turn left on King Street. The Francis Marion Hotel is on the right.

From Hwy 17 Headed North
Follow Hwy 17 (Savannah Hwy) North and cross the Ashley River Bridge onto the peninsula. Hwy 17 will make a sharp turn to the left as it forks with Cannon Street. Follow the sign for Cannon Street. Take Cannon Street until it ends at King Street. Turn right onto King Street. The Francis Marion is approximately 6 blocks on the right.

From Hwy 17 Headed South
Follow Hwy 17 (Johnnie Dodds Blvd.) South and cross the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge also known as the Cooper River Bridge. Stay in right hand lane and take the Meeting Street Exit. At the traffic light, turn left onto Meeting Street. Stay on Meeting Street in the right hand lane for .6 miles. Pass the Charleston Visitor’s Center and turn right at the light, which is John Street. Take John Street one block to King Street and turn left on King Street. The Francis Marion Hotel is on the right.

Our guests may pull up to the front door on King Street for unloading and check-in, our bell-staff will be happy to assist you.

Parking
Valet parking is available at a $17 per day charge that will be automatically charged to your room bill.

Self-parking is available in the City Garage located next door to the Hotel. The charge is $12 per 24 hour period and is payable to the garage attendant in cash (no checks or credit cards).

     Airline Info

Charleston International Airport passengers can enjoy all the travel advantages combined with a unique and refreshing level of personal services and attention. Due to the modern facilities, state-of-the-art operations and proximity to Charleston, the Charleston International Airport is quickly becoming a principal transportation hub for the southeastern United States and a gateway to the world. 

Airlines flying into the Charleston International Airport include:

·        AirTran

·        American Airlines

·        Continental Airlines

·        Delta

·        Northwest Airlines

·        United

·        US Airways

     Ground Transportation

Taxi service from the airport to the host hotel costs about $25.  A shuttle service is available and a group rate is being negotiated (estimated at $12 per person (subject to change)).

 The following car rental companies have counters at the Charleston International Airport:

·        Avis

·        Budget

·        Dollar

·        Enterprise

·        Hertz

·        National

·        Thrifty

    Charleston Activities and Landmarks

Stand on the site of the first shot in the Civil War. Come face to face with a giant sea turtle. Take a tour of an antebellum mansion. Climb aboard a WWII aircraft carrier. There are so many blossoming gardens, so many photo opportunities and so many reasons to come to Charleston!