Sample Four-Day Itinerary Belmond Charleston Place Events

 Sample Four-Day Itinerary
Belmond Charleston Place Events
Your vision. Our experience.
Planning an event is hard work. When it’s an unfamiliar
destination, the process can be exhausting. That’s why
Belmond Charleston Place Events is here to think of
every detail for you. Our Event Management Team can
plan a variety of events and excursions in downtown
Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry. Below is
a sampling of our most popular offerings.
Day 1
Arrival into Charleston International Airport
Currently undergoing a multi-million dollar facelift, CHS is
serviced by America, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and US
Airways and offers more than 12,000 incoming-outgoing seats per
day.
Transfer to Belmond Charleston Place
Belmond Charleston Place Events offers Meet and Greet
Services at Charleston International Airport and Mercury Air
Center on a reserved basis. Our courteous staff will greet your
guests with appropriate signage and will assist each person to
baggage claim. Transfers to and from the airport are available via
motor coach, van, town car or limousine.
After a short 20-minute transfer, guests arrive at the heart of
historic, romantic Charleston. After checking in, guests are
nd
directed up the Grand Staircase to the 2 floor Hospitality Desk
where The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place and Belmond
Charleston Place Events representatives can be available to
reconfirm activities and to answer any of your guests’ questions.
Charleston is blessed with a veritable cornucopia of activities to
match your guests’ style and speed. And unlike most beachfront
properties, we are basically “weatherproof” when it comes to our
activity selection. We are frequently referred to as an “Urban
Resort” due to the myriad of choices just outside our doors
including world class shopping, historic carriage tours, museums,
galleries and more than 100 restaurants within a 10 block area.
WELCOME RECEPTION
“Blues, Brews and BBQ”
What a wonderful way to start your sojourn in Charleston – a
casual evening with great food, fun music, interesting libations.
Saunter by the grill stations and proceed within to the bar for a
cocktail. Blues, Brews, and BBQ is a themed event, designed to
showcase the wonderful game, vegetables and seafood that the
Lowcountry has to offer. Accompanied by great blues music
which Charleston is noted for, as well as a full bar featuring locally
made micro-brews.
Guest will return to their luxury accommodations each and every
night to find their bed freshly turned down, the lights dimmed and
the shades drawn.
Evening Amenity
In days gone by, newcomers were welcomed to the Lowcountry
with a silver rice spoon. Rice was a staple at almost every meal,
and the spoon quickly became an indispensable accessory. This
specially wrapped gift is accompanied by a note explaining it’s
significance and is a warm and gracious welcome to your guests.
Day 2
MORNING
Private Breakfast
Join your fellow guests at a private breakfast in the Grand
Ballroom. Your breakfast favorites are available including
omelets, an espresso station and a crisp glass of Champagne to
start the day.
GROUP ACTIVITY
Drayton Hall and Middleton Place - The Plantations of the
Ashley River District
Via private motorcoach, visit two of the South's most famous
plantations, Middleton Place and Drayton Hall.
Drayton Hall - the only Pre-Revolutionary mansion that remains on
the historic Ashley River. This National Historic Landmark is the
oldest and finest example of Georgian Palladian architecture in the
South and is noted for its exceptionally rich handcrafted detail.
After touring this historic building you will enjoy a picnic under the
Grand Oak overlooking the reflecting pond. Belmond Charleston
Place staff will be on hand to present lunch on gingham-lined
tables.
th
Middleton Place - a carefully preserved 18 century plantation
located on the Ashley River and a National Historic Landmark.
The Middleton family played important parts in America’s history
from the Colonial era to the Civil War. Enjoy a self-guided tour of
the gardens, which are the oldest in America, laid out by Henry
Middleton in 1741. Browse through the stable yards, which reflect
aspects of Colonial life with animals, artifacts and craft exhibits.
Also visit Eliza’s house, a restored 1870’s freedman’s dwelling on
the plantation grounds.
Carriage Tour
We will have simple station of lemonade, peach iced tea, bottled
waters and sodas set up in the Market Circle for your guests to
enjoy on their carriage tour.
Depart Belmond Charleston Place for a wonderful private tour of
Charleston’s Historic District in a horse-drawn carriage. During your
carriage tour, you may see any number of the “Port City’s” major
landmarks; the Battery, White Point Gardens, Rainbow Row and
Charleston’s oldest church, St. Michael’s (circa 1752). During the
one-hour tour, your guide will regale you with Charleston folklore
and “insiders’ ” stories. Upon completion of the carriage ride,
guests will be offered glasses of Champagne or lemonade. They
will then be directed to the Thoroughbred Club for Afternoon Tea.
DAY 2
AFTERNOON
Lunch
After returning from the morning tour, lunch may be taken at
leisure in the hotel or in conjunction with individual or scheduled
activities.
Hospitality Suite
The hospitality suite will be open this afternoon. Please feel free
to stop by and enjoy your favorite beverage or snack.
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES AT LEISURE MAY INCLUDE:
The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place
The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place has been named by
Travel+Leisure readers as the “Top City Hotel Spa in the United
States and Canada. The European-style spa offers the highest
quality of massage, body wraps, facials, pedicures and
manicures. The adjoining Health Club provides complete fitness
programming including personal evaluations, weight training and
personal training. The Spa features a 50-foot horizon-edge
saltwater pool with retractable roof, sauna, steam room and
Jacuzzi. A healthy spa menu is served al fresco or poolside.
Golf
Wild Dunes – Harbor Course
Another Fazio masterpiece, the Harbor Course continues the
Links’ tradition of golfing excellence, but calls for a completely
different style of play. With a par of 70, this challenging 6,402
yards requires accurate shot making and a thoughtful plan of
attack. Considered by Fazio as one of his “favorites”, the Harbour
Course is a true test of golf. Each nine has a cohesive variety of
short and long holes, some bordering the Intracoastal Waterway,
known to East Coast golfers as the world’s longest water hazard.
Holes #16 and #17 actually take you island hopping and the
challenging finish features the natural beauty of Morgan Creek
and the saltwater marsh. Wild Dunes’ Harbour Course golf is
target golf. Extremely challenging - and extremely rewarding!
Tours
Fort Sumter Harbor Tour
After enjoying a luncheon at the Confederate Home, personal
guides will join you on luxury transportation to Liberty Square for
the Fort Sumter Harbor Tour. The Spirit of Carolina will transport
us to Fort Sumter. With private guides on hand, your guests will
be regaled with stories and factual information about the 320-year
history of Charleston Harbor – from the first settlers through the
Spanish American War.
The Fort is a National Monument, administered by the National
Park Services and marks the site where the Civil War began.
Located in Charleston’s Harbor, it is only accessible by boat, and
features an excellent museum containing priceless exhibits. In
addition to a visit to Fort Sumter, you will enjoy a complete tour of
Charleston Harbor, viewing many points of interest.
Bicycle Tour of Old Mt. Pleasant
An historic community filled with gorgeous pre-Civil war homes
and breathtaking marshfront views. Across the harbour of
Charleston, Mt. Pleasant began as a summer resort when
planters came down from the plantations to seek a healthier
climate and people form the city came over on ferries to their
summer cottages. Houses were built high off the ground with
cross-ventilation that would catch any prevailing breezes. The
beauty of the shoreline allowed short docks with access to the
water, which was the main mode of transportation.
“The Village” of Mt. Pleasant was formed when five small English
settlements merged in the 19th century to create a town. It is
located on one of the highest bluffs in Charleston County. Enjoy
an afternoon touring this beautiful and historic community.
Tea, Tree and Wine Tour
Charleston is very lucky to have the only working tea plantation in
the United States, American Classic Tea. Your guests will have a
guided tour of the plantation, as well as enjoy a tasting of the tea
grown onsite. Next stop will be the Angel Oak Tree, a live oak that
is a native species found throughout the Lowcountry. Believed to
be in excess of 1500 years old, its massive, draping limbs and
wide spreading canopy present the aura of an angel but the
naming of this tree was acquired from the tree's previous owners,
Martha and Justin Angel. The final stop will be Irvin Vineyards, a
working Muscatine winery. This is an all day tour.
DAY 2
EVENING
A Historic Evening at Boone Hall Plantation
Guests will meet in the lobby for a “cocktail to go” and board an
exclusive motor coach for the very pleasant 25-minute ride to
Boone Hall Plantation. Guests often experience the historic
district on their own without fully appreciating the wonderfully
distinct differences of antebellum plantation life. A private guide
on board each coach will feature these differences in an
entertaining preview of the evening at this more than 300 year-old
plantation.
Major John Boone, a son of South Carolina’s first settlers,
received the land as a grant in 1681 from the Lord Proprietors of
London. He created a cotton plantation containing more than
17,000 acres. Besides cotton, brick and tile were also
manufactured on the property, many of which were used in the
construction of the mansion walks, gin house, slave cabins and
many of Charleston’s oldest and most historic buildings.
The Avenue of Oaks showcases 88 Spanish moss-draped live
oaks – this most famous approach has been the setting for movies
such as Queen and North and South. Guests begin with a
wonderful guided tour of this restored plantation house, narrated by
guides costumed in period garb telling of both antebellum and
present-day plantation activity (Boone Hall remains a working
plantation today!)
Reception and Dinner
Tonight’s reception will take place in the Cotton Dock House along
Wam Pan Cheoni Creek, named for the Native Americans who
once lived along its shores. A wonderful oyster roast at the water’s
edge overlooking this spectacular salt marsh creek is the perfect
setting for a fun, casual reception. Imagine the cotton grown nearly
300 years ago and floated on barges from this very spot to
Charleston Harbor and then loaded on ships for the journey to
England.
What Lowcountry feast would be complete without seafood? Our
staff is on the dock roasting oysters and standing by to teach the
uninitiated the delightful art of shucking and eating these local
delicacies! Of course there are lots of other choices for the faint of
heart – Carolina Crab Dip, Gourmet Fruit and Cheeses and Pork
Tenderloin on Pecan Biscuits just to name a few.
Evening Amenity
Returning from a magical evening at Boone Hall, guests will find a
handmade sweet grass basket in their rooms. These beautiful
baskets are true collectors’ items with a history dating back to the
traditional basket weavers of East Africa. Made locally by the
storied basket ladies of Charleston, your guests will be thrilled!
DAY 3
Morning
Private Breakfast
Join your fellow guests at a private breakfast in the Grand
Ballroom. Your breakfast favorites are available including made
omelets, an espresso station and a crisp glass of Champagne to
start the day.
Group Activity
Charleston’s Regatta
Not for the faint of heart! Your guests will split into teams and be
instructed by a captain, who will assign duties to each member of
the crew. An official team boat, possibly matching jerseys, a team
name and prizes at hand- the race is ready to get underway!
The committee has carefully designed an exciting, but
educational and motivational race course around the harbor of
Charleston. Working together, individuals will work with their
captains toward one goal - winning the treasured Charleston Cup.
Guests participate in every aspect from steering the boat, to
working the sails and lines, to navigating or simply cheering on.
DAY 3
Afternoon
Lunch
Lunch may be taken at leisure in the hotel or in conjunction with
individual or scheduled activities.
Hospitality Suite
The hospitality suite will be open this afternoon. Please feel free
to stop by and enjoy your favourite beverage or snack.
ACTIVITIES AT LEISURE MAY INCLUDE:
Kayaking in the Estuaries
Paddle the winding saltwater creeks and uninhabited marsh
islands of Coastal South Carolina. A safe, comfortable sea kayak
provides you with a tranquil view of pelicans, egrets and dolphins,
as well as a variety of plants and foliage.
You can enjoy gliding effortlessly through backwater creeks or
bays or experience a challenging harbor crossing. Your locally
trained guide is an expert paddler with a vast knowledge of the
environment and the historical heritage of the barrier islands.
Escape for an exhilarating day on the water. All that’s required of
you is a sense of adventure!
In-Shore Fishing
Enjoy fishing in Charleston's local rivers, inland estuaries and the
harbor. A lucky angler might catch any of the following: King
Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Amberjack, Cobia,
sharks, Sea Bass and more. In-Shore fishing excursions are fun,
educational and yield fish year-round. On board a Flat Crazy 25'
or a Fish Call 18'.
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
The world’s largest naval museum, this guided tour at Patriots
Point Naval and Maritime Museum features aircraft missiles, guns
and mines. The museum also houses the Aircraft Carrier
“Yorktown”; Destroyer “Laffey”; DD-459 Submarine “Clamagore”;
Coast Guard Cutter “Ingham”; and the River Patrol Boat, used in
South Vietnam.
DAY 3
EVENING
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
With cocktails in hand, guests will depart Belmond Charleston
Place for a relaxing 1/2 hour long tour of historic downtown on 16passenger carriages. This true Southern experience is a local
tradition you will treasure long after your visit. Guests will
disembark from the carriages at the front steps of the Old
Exchange
Building.
One of this country's finest examples of Palladin architecture, the
Old Exchange Building has always been a flashpoint in
Charleston's history. Go down into the dungeons today and you
can still see remnants of 17th century Charles Towne (the thirteen
colonies only walled city). In the guardhouse, pirate Stede Bonnet
waited to be hanged at White Point in December 1718. Upstairs
the
Colonial
Council
met
and
wrangled.
The Exchange Building, designed by architect William Rigby
Naylor and built by John and Peter Horlbeck, was intended to
impress ships arriving in the harbor. It was the center of
Charleston's commerce, riding a cresting wave of rice, indigo,
slaves and later cotton. Patriots locked up British tea to protest
taxes. Several years later, British soldiers locked up the Patriots;
including three signers of The Declaration of Independence.
Today your group can take in the spacious elegance of the Great
Hall where George Washington danced with the belles of
Charleston and the US Constitution was ratified in 1788.
The Exchange Building remains one of the three most significant
buildings left by the British in America. Your guests will be
greeted at the front door to the Old Exchange by a costumed
docent. Once inside, the sounds of a classical trio will emanate.
During your cocktail reception on the first floor, guests may
explore the collection of the Old Exchange.
Costumed docents offering tours of the building are the most
interesting way to delve into the history of this stunning building.
Guides will give a brief history of the Exchange and its place in
American history, and then escort guests into the Provost
Dungeon, where patriots and pirates once spent time in chains
(including the only woman pirate known to the Americas) awaiting
decisions from their captors. It is here in the Dungeon that your
guests may view the only remaining piece of the CharlesTowne
wall. This wall surrounded the historic district of Charleston to
protect her from the Indians, French and Spanish forces. It can
only be remembered from drawings, maps, pictures and this
piece
located
in
the
Dungeon.
May we suggest the Ultimate Platinum dining service,
immediately following the tour. Guests proceed to the Great Hall
on the second floor where tuxedoed staff will greet them.
Beautiful arrangements will adorn the tables, ready for the
evening's dinner. The teal and white tablecloths, made specifically
for dinners at The Old Exchange Building, match magnificently
the period colors of the ceiling in the Great Hall, complimented by
19th century music such as Hammer Dulcimer trio, classical
guitar or violin. Guest will depart with walking maps in hand by
foot or by rickshaws to Belmond Charleston Place, only eight
blocks away.
OR
DINING AT LEISURE MAY INCLUDE:
With more than 100 restaurants within walking distance of Here is
but a small sample of some of the wonderful restaurants that
Charleston has to offer!
Anson: This cosmopolitan restaurant has four star sophistication
with a regional focus. There are two floors to Anson’s dining
room. Just a convenient step or two beyond the old city market,
Anson’s house specialty is whole Grouper in Cashew Crust with
Champagne Sauce.
Magnolias: Known as the “uptown down south “ restaurant, Chef
Don Drake and his team have created the best in Lowcountry
cooking offered in a fast paced bistro setting. Magnolias offers a
private second floor dining room as well as its livelier main floor
seating.
Blossom Café: The sister restaurant to Magnolias offers a
predominately seafood menu,
Cypress: Cypress offers an upscale setting in multi level dining.
Here you will enjoy a magnificent “wall of wine” sure to house
anyone’s taste. Enjoy the open glass top kitchen where you can
keep a watchful eye over the preparation of dinner. The menu is
varied offering everything from pork to steak and of course local
seafood.
Charleston Grill: Chef Michelle Weaver’s inventive Lowcountry
accented offerings are lauded by the locals and travellers alike.
Having trained in The United States, only to open his own
restaurant in France, Bob’s peers have placed him at the pinnacle
of his career. The combination of great food, service and
ambiance creates an evening to remember.
McCrady’s: Named as one of the top new restaurants in 1999 by
Esquire Magazine, McCrady’s remains a Charleston hot spot and
holding the title of the oldest established tavern in the United
States. A menu of French-American cuisine in an amazing
atmosphere is enjoyed nightly by this stylish and refined
restaurant.
GROUP EVENING ACTIVITY
Charleston Ghost Walk
Join us on foot for an eerie journey into Charles Towne’s haunted
past as you stroll 18th and 19th century neighborhoods of the
historic district. Stories and legends of the unusual and
supernatural are combined with the fun and fascinating history of
our city. This is a wonderful way to walk off a wonderful dinner
while getting a taste of Charleston’s mysterious past.
Evening Amenities
After the evenings’ festivities, guest will return to their rooms and
find a frosted plate of 4 fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate and
a split of champagne chilled in an ice bucket.
DAY 4
MORNING
Private Breakfast
Join your fellow guests at a private breakfast in the Grand
Ballroom. Your breakfast favorites are available including made
omelets, an espresso station and a crisp glass of Champagne to
start the day.
ACTIVITIES AT LEISURE MAY INCLUDE:
King Street Shopping
Ladies and gentlemen, you are now standing on King Street in
front of the Riviera Theater directly outside the hotel. To your left,
you will discover a wonderful collection of antique shops and art
galleries…to your right, please find your boutique clothiers, shoe
stores and so much more… and all within easy walking distance
of Belmond Charleston Place.
Art and Antique Walk
Enjoy a guided private tour of the Art and Antique district. Your
guests will stroll with a guide down the French Quarter Area to
Broad Street stopping at four galleries and boutiques along the
way. At each stop, the owners will personally lead your guests
through their treasures proving them with a special in-depth
overview of their particular specialty. Little treats of benne wafers,
fresh strawberries, and lemonade will also be at each location.
DAY 4
AFTERNOON
ACTIVITIES AT LEISURE MAY INCLUDE:
The Schooner Pride
The PRIDE is an 84-foot authentic tall ship that sails Charleston’s
historic harbour and the South Carolina coastal waters. Enjoy a
two-hour harbor cruise. With the engine off and the sails full, the
PRIDE quietly glides along as guests enjoy the natural sounds of
dolphins, gulls, wind and water. It is an experience that is both
relaxing and romantic and is awe-inspiring to see the wind and
sails drive such a vessel. Guests are permitted to help with the
sailing or just sit back and enjoy.
DAY 4
EVENING
An Evening at the Riviera Theater
Your final evening may be spent just across the street at the
Riviera Theatre. Built Circa 1939, the Riviera opened to great
fanfare and applause ... always a place of significant gatherings
and
events
for
the
city
gentry
and
aristocracy.
Today, this stunning landmark has been meticulously restored
and preserved, including the original exterior, marquee, ticket
booth, etched glasswork and the stunning interior murals and
stone mosaic entry making it one of the most unique event
locations in the country.
Let’s start at the beginning After gathering for cocktails in the
Market Street Circle, guests will stroll down Market Street upon a
stunning red carpet which ends at the corner of Market and King.
At that intersection, guests look up and see the company’s name
blazing across the original theater marquee and its 1300 lights!
Paparazzi have been hanging out at the entrance of the theater
for hours to get a shot of the stars…your guests!
What a sight indeed. As your guests (attired in full costume
indicative of the era) approach the Riviera, they'll notice two
1930's Rolls Royce classics parked in front of the building.
Photoflashes take over, as one by one, your guests pose with The
Charleston Flappers and a Rolls Royce. Walking down the red
carpet, they'll find their way to the ticket booth, where they'll
receive $10,000 in play money to gamble the night away.
Entering the magnificent Ballroom, they are greeted with the
sounds of a five-piece band that plays music of the 1930’s and
1940’s including Blues, Swing and Jazz. Featuring light vocals
during dinner, lead singer Charity can provide a post dinner show in
a sultry Baker Boys style! Décor is strictly in the Art Deco style with
lavish linens, mounds of flowers and, of course, champagne flowing
from a tower of glasses! Your guests will be transported to a time
of gangsters, gambling, and bootlegged liquor - the mood of the
evening will be set! This is Roaring 20's, The Riviera Casino Las
Vegas-style! Guests will step up to the gaming tables with drink in
hand and proceed to indulge in the culinary delicacies provided by
Belmond
Charleston
Place!
Craps, blackjack and roulette will be the games of choice. While
gambling, they can enjoy a smoke - compliments of The Girls.
They'll try a myriad of libations, visit the vodka and caviar bar for
some all too posh hors d'oeuvres or grab a bottle of beer out of
the claw foot bathtub. The Riviera will be dark and mysterious as
the big band belts out the sounds of the 30s and 40s. The mob
has taken over, and it's time to play. Looking around the room,
the guests will be thoroughly enjoying themselves, beverages in
hand and visiting any number of food stations, from hand-tossed
ravioli with French bread to a prime rib of beef carving station.
There'll even be a station with Charleston's own pecan pralines!
Eat, drink and gamble. What a memorable evening for your
guests in Charleston, SC!
DAY 5
MORNING
Final morning private brunch
On your final morning in Charleston, join your guests for a
delicious buffet brunch at your leisure. An open bar serving the
finest morning libations including Champagne, bloody marys and
mimosas!
Scheduled departures from Belmond Charleston Place
Depart the hotel via private transportation to Charleston
International Airport for scheduled flights home.