Historic Charleston Gem - Vacation rental home in Charleston, SC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 1 Bathrooms
• Apartment
• Approximately 908 square feet

Summary:
The Charleston Gem is an absolute treasure; it is located in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, and within painless walking distance of the stores and eateries on King Street, the City Market, Colonial Lake, museums, art galleries, and the Battery. The property is listed in the esteemed National Register of Historic Places. The guest home was first mentioned in a sale in 1775, which means it predates that!

The Space:
Dr. Glover purchased the property in 1825 and constructed the sizable main home, which is considered one of Charleston’s best examples of Italianate architecture. It is comfortable and cozy with original wood floors and new tiles. We would be grateful if you place the bedspreads on a chair if you are not using them on the bed. You are on vacation, you do not need to make up or strip the beds before your departure. We want you to be comfortable and happy. The owners live on the premises and are friendly and adore meeting guests. Due to allergies, we cannot accommodate any animals. The apartment, which can accommodate four people, is decorated in a traditional English style. There are 2 bedrooms, one with a full bed and the other with two twin beds. There is a comfortable sitting room with a T.V., a completely equipped kitchen, and a full bathroom. The sunny dining room overlooks a private garden, which is not accessible to guests.
Conveniences include washer drier, iron and ironing board, Wi-Fi, coffeemaker, off street parking, and heating and air conditioning.
There is a portable dehumidifier to battle the humidity. Please empty the dehumidifier as needed, and do not lower the air conditioning thermostat settings below 68, as this increases the humidity causing condensation. There is a pharmacy only a three-min. walk, and the Medical University of South Carolina is a fifteen-min. walk away.

Guest Access:
The apartment is on the ground floor of what was originally the kitchen home and is part of an estate. Charleston is a walking city and we are within 20 mins. of everywhere. Guests should park at the very back of the building and are requested not to block anyone in.

The Neighborhood:
Charleston has been repeatedly voted the friendliest and politest city in America and has been welcoming and entertaining guests for nearly three hundred years! Come and experience genteel Southern Hospitality at its finest. Located in the historic Harleston Village, walking distances to The College of Charleston and it's handsome campus. Colonial Lake is just two blocks from our door step and can be a pretty walk at sunset or sunrise. There is a playground attached to the lake, for the kiddos. I recommend renting bicycles, taking a carriage tour and the walking tours. You can really get a sense of the peninsula and its history.

Getting Around:
Charleston is a very walkable city, and this property is located a short distance to just about everything on the peninsula. The Carta DASH is a complimentary shuttle that can be caught along King Street and Broad Street, and travels a loop to the Market, the Museums on Meeting Steet and shopping and dining along Upper King Street.

Other Things to Note:
Charleston is a formal city and locals appreciate dressing up, I therefore suggest you bring a formal outfit as well as your casual clothing. Or you can go shopping at Brooks Brother, Saint Johns, Gucci, Chico's and all the other fine stores. For jewelry I recommend Joint Venture which has exceptional estate pieces and Crogan's which has alluring gifts as well as handsome jewelry (and you can purchase the charming a palmetto bug broach or necklace) both are on King Street. There is a farmers market on Marion Square on Saturday. On the Second Sunday of every month, King street becomes pedestrianized and is very nice to discover and shop!

Interaction with Guests:
Our knowledgeable front desk associates are happy to give recommendations! You can't go wrong as we are spoiled here :) My favorite spots are Cru Cafe on Anson Street, O-Ku and Indaco on King, Blind Tiger and Oak on Broad, 82Queen, the Watch at the Restoration Hotel on Wentworth is great for a drink and light meal and has an striking view, the Grandiose Bohemian is awesome and the food and drinks are phenomenal.

About the Area

Located in Charleston, this apartment is in the city center. Charleston City Market and Charleston Tanger Outlets are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Waterfront Park and Riverfront Park. Check out an event or a game at North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center, and consider making time for South Carolina Aquarium, a top attraction not to be missed.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Strategies for getting the perfect Charleston rental home experience:

When to go & When to book:

• The earlier your group can reserve a home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are reserved early. Reserving your rental home 6-12 months before your vacation dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to search for and book your vacation home.
• To get the best value, consider shifting your family's Charleston area vacation week to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and even October offer warm temperatures, less crowded beaches, and reduced traffic. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Charleston area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective vacation rental company or host whether your family qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Management companies and individual rental owners often offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for additional information.
• Often, property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Charleston area area visitors guides which include coupons, either offered independently by local businesses, or by way of a relationship between the management company and the business itself. You can also find Charleston area visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Planning, picking, and booking your Charleston area rental home:

• Select a group leader, select your vacation week, and select a maximum budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your group requires. Historic Charleston Gem has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rental home search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts is often available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, contact the property owner before you book the vacation home. Note that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds. You'll need to work out what bed configuration is right for your vacation family.
• Some rental properties allow pets, and some don't. Allowable types of pet, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the property management company about allowable pet guidelines before booking.
• Is your family looking for unique amenities? Most rental websites include amenity lists and search filters.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. Make certain to ask about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.

More considerations:

• Add the property manager's information to your smartphone. Print and take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, elevator or WIFI setup. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents lots of issues.
• Keep your rental home locked while you are out! Don't let thieves ruin your holiday.
• To ensure that damages are not linked to your family's stay, inspect the rental for any problem areas during arrival. Call the host right away to report any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant vacationers disrupting your life at home. Employ the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great beaches and places you would've never otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, have a great night out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, take a walk through the rental property to make sure you've collected everything. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the property one final time and scan for damages to contents or the property itself. We recommend walking through with the property manager whenever you can. If the property manager is not available, ensure that you take photos of the property to record its condition.
• Did your group have a great stay? Most rental websites make it easy for customers to provide feedback. If your rental property and/or property manager was wonderful, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was wrong and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.