To anyone visiting the "Holy City," nearly every local will recommend a stroll down the Charleston Battery, an iconic waterfront walk that lines the tip of the downtown peninsula and frames the historic White Point Gardens.
Chances are, you'll stop to take a photo of the massive pink mansion on East Bay Street across from the water, affectionately known as the "Pink Palace."
Though it was once home to a locally famous planter and merchant with a penchant for hosting grand socialite parties, this Battery mansion is now The Palmer Home B&B, a quiet bed and breakfast open to guests and the public.
At The Palmer Home B&B, the stunning second-floor piazza affords arguably better water views than anywhere else on The Battery — Photo courtesy of The Palmer Home B&B
The Palmer Home B&B is now maintained and operated by third-generation owner Francess Palmer, and it's furnished with stately antiques dating back over 200 years.
Guests of the Pink Palace have their choice of five guestrooms on the second and third floors of the main house, as well as a carriage house suite and adjoining poolside room.
Within the main house of The Palmer Home B&B, guests have their choice of second or third floor rooms, including the Suite, Front Room, King Room, Italian Room and the Magnolia Room. Each space is uniquely appointed and designed to emulate how it might have felt to be a guest of high society in antebellum Charleston.
Each of The Palmer Home guestrooms offers antique furnishings and access to the mansion's second-floor piazza, pool, grounds and common areas — Photo courtesy of The Palmer Home B&B
On the second floor, you'll find the Magnolia Room, the newest accommodations at The Palmer Home B&B, with a private entrance from the parking area and a four-poster king bed. The Magnolia Room itself offers views of the pool and courtyard grounds, with access to the second-floor common areas and piazza.
The third floor of the Palmer mansion houses four guestrooms and, most notably, one of the Charleston Battery's grandest piazzas. The third floor Suite, located at the back of the home and overlooking the pool and grounds, features original Audubon prints, a king bed, clawfoot tub, a full-size fridge and freezer and direct access to the third-floor piazza.
The Front Room, also on the third floor, includes an antique queen bed, spectacular views of the Charleston harbor and direct access to the third-floor piazza, making anyone that stays within feel at home, with a bird's-eye view of the city.
The King Room, known as "Dr. Joe's Room," also gives direct access to the third-floor piazza, as well as a king bed and black African marble fireplace. Meanwhile, the Italian Room – another third-floor guestroom option – features an antique queen bed, water views and access to the second-floor piazza only.
The stately piazzas of The Palmer Home B&B offer unmissable views of the Charleston harbor and Fort Sumter — Photo courtesy of The Palmer Home B&B
For families or groups wishing to stay at The Palmer Home B&B, the two-story, ground-level Carriage House is an ideal option. This separate suite is detached from the main house, and it's located adjacent to The Palmer Home pool.
Carriage House guests will enjoy complete access to the main house common areas, as well as the second-floor piazza. A Country Club room adjoins the Carriage House, and it's available to be booked together or separately.
To maintain the quiet, serene atmosphere of The Palmer Home environment, guests must be over 21 years of age to book a room, and children under the age of 10 are not permitted. Pets are allowed on property only for guests staying in the Carriage House.
As if the gorgeous views and regal furnishings weren't luxurious enough, a stay at The Palmer Home also includes a full Southern breakfast buffet daily (including some healthy options), as well as a wine and cheese reception each afternoon.
Go ahead; treat yourself to Charleston in high style. We won't blame you for pretending you live here!
