Travel & Stay & Eat
STAY:
Charleston is well known for its beautiful hotels, and you have many options in the area. For our friends hoping to enjoy the city, we recommend staying on the Charleston peninsula. During medical school, we found ourselves spending time at the Hotel Bennett swimming pool & bar, the Charleston Place Hotel, and Hotel Emeline.
We have also set up room blocks in the Mount Pleasant area for those hoping to stay closer to the venue / Awendaw area. Mount Pleasant is between the beach and Charleston peninsula - a perfect spot for families. To reserve a room in a block (options listed below), please call the hotels directly and mention:
“Jess & Ashlyn’s Wedding”
Stay Duvet - Vacation Rental Reservation:
Vacation home and condo rentals in the Charleston area with many options downtown, perfect for guests who prefer a non-hotel stay. Use the code JCROOMBLOCKS at check-out to receive a 5% discount off of the published rates.
Hotel Room Blocks
-
Embassy Suites Charleston Harbor Mt. Pleasant
100 Ferry Wharf Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 981-5700
Special group rates:
Thursday, October 16th
King or Double Queen Guest Suite - $239 per night plus tax
Friday, October 17th & October 18th
King or Double Queen Guest Suite - $329 per night plus tax
** Rates do not include taxes and fees. Rates are per night and based on single/double occupancy
*These rates are available until September 16th 2025 or until block sells out -
Hyatt Place Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
1600 Palmetto Grande Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 473-3105
Special group rates:
Thursday, October 16th
King or Double Queen Guest Room - $134 per night plus tax
Friday, October 17th & October 18th
King or Double Queen Guest Room - $234 per night plus tax
** Rates do not include taxes and fees. Rates are per night and based on single/double occupancy
*These rates are available until September 16th 2025 or until block sells out -
Courtyard Mount Pleasant
1251 Woodland Avenue, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 284-0900
Special group rates:
King or Double Queen Guest Room - $174 per night plus tax
** Rates do not include taxes and fees. Rates are per night and based on single/double occupancy
*This rate is available until September 16th 2025 or until block sells out
EAT:
This is actually the most important thing to do when you are here. With Charleston being a busy travel destination, we recommend getting reservations ahead of time, especially if interested in a more popular restaurant. Listed below are some of our favorites:
-
Get the vegetarian nachos, a Corona, and split a shrimp Po Boy. The grouper sandwich is also excellent. Definitely sit outside (inside isn’t worth it). Shem Creek is a beautiful place, especially at sunset. This is probably one of our top 10 places in the world, no joke.
-
This is our recommendation for a nice / more expensive dinner in Charleston. It really serves such a beautiful and authentic Charleston meal. We recommend the oyster sliders and the smoked oysters (yes, both). Ashlyn strongly recommends the chocolate hazelnut budino and a Grand Marinier although this is not Jess’s choice of dessert.
-
This was technically our first date! Perfect place to ditch everything and have 30 oysters. Eat them raw - don’t be a baby. Phenomenal happy hour oyster deals.
-
This used to be called Park Cafe, and we used to walk here for breakfast very regularly in our early relationship. Dinner is fine, but brunch is the show.
-
Jess used to go here weekly after days at Ashley Hall. In medical school, any tough day deserved a Sugar cupcake, and we went here frequently. One time, Jess was talking about chocolate cake in her sleep, so Ash took her here for breakfast.
-
Best on a Tuesday at 2 PM. We went here frequently. Ashlyn’s favorite beer is Never Sunny (Hazy IPA), and Jess recommends Marsh Hen (easy drinking). The rooftop is where the fun is - don’t bother with the downstairs area.
-
This is a spot known to locals only. Dubbed “fast and french” by those who grew up in Charleston, you will feel like you are in Europe. Ashlyn says “it’s the only place in Charleston where you can get a bottle of wine and a meal for $50”. Jess prefers it for lunch. Would recommend for a smaller party or a little snack - not a great place for a large group or kids.
-
The best Mount Pleasant spot for an easy, family-friendly lunch. They have have healthy food, a mix of salads/sandwiches/plates, and craft beer. We still try to replicate in Dallas the FLC Caesar (topped with tortellini) at least once a week.
-
The only restaurant you can get fried chicken, oysters, and soft serve ice cream (with sprinkles) all at once. The last time we went, Jess made a disaster of her soft serve so we are probably not welcome back, but you should go. Be sure to get reservations - it’s popular.
Plan to travel through Charleston International Airport (CHS), serviced by multiple major airlines.
From CHS to downtown Charleston: 20-24 minutes, 11 miles
To Mount Pleasant: 25 minutes, 14 miles
To Awendaw: 38-47 minutes, 27 miles
Charleston Bucket
• Drive over the Ravenel bridge • Have a drink by Shem Creek • Walk Historic Downtown Charleston streets • Admire the palmetto oak trees • Eat an oyster or local shrimp • Tell someone “Y’all take care” or ask “Where you at?” • Learn to appreciate the humidity and smell of pluff mud • Drive with the windows down • Look for shells on Sullivan’s Island • Go shopping on King Street • Eat a Sugar Bake Shop cupcake • Eat a Seewee Outpost biscuit