Beaufort's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury City Loft Hotel!
Beaufort's BEST Kept Secret: A Review That’s… Well, Honestly, It's Complicated. (And That's Okay, Right?)
Okay, so, you're thinking Beaufort's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury City Loft Hotel. The name alone whispers promises of… well, luxury. Secret luxury, even. So, did it deliver? Buckle up, buttercups, because this review is gonna get real. (And probably riddled with tangents. My bad.)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Sadly.
Let's just get this out of the way upfront. Accessibility is a thing. And while the hotel tries… it’s not perfect. I mean, they have an elevator, which is a HUGE plus, considering the "Loft" part of the name. But I overheard someone struggling with a wheelchair at the entrance, and it looked like a bit of a battle. They do list "Facilities for disabled guests" which is promising but maybe should also include a clearer description online of the obstacles. (Pro-tip: Hotels! Clearer details are gold!)
My Inner Snob's First Impression (aka: The "Things to Do, Ways to Relax" Blitz - Let’s get the fluffy stuff done)
Alright, alright, alright. Here's the "luxury" we all crave. The "things to do, ways to relax" part of the deal. This is where I'm supposed to turn into a bubbly travel writer, right?
Spa: Ah, the Spa! (Dreamy sigh). They have a Sauna and a Steamroom, and a Spa. I REALLY, REALLY wanted to try the Body Wrap! I mean, who doesn't want to be swaddled like a giant fleshy burrito? But my schedule was packed with, you know, reviewing… and also napping. (Priorities, people!) On the other hand there's a Pool with a View! (double dreamy sigh). All the way out here on the coast overlooking the marina, right? The way the light hits the water after a big rain? The best!
Fitness Center: Did I see it? Yes. Did I use it? Maybe. (Let’s be honest, prob NOT.) But hey, it’s there and they have a Fitness Center and a Gym/fitness and I guess they’re the same thing, right? So there’s that!
Massages: They offer Massage! That's all I need to know. (But more on that later..)
The Immaculate Vibe (aka: Cleanliness and Safety – Crucial in These Times)
Okay, so COVID. It’s real. How did the Luxury City Loft handle it? Actually? Surprisingly well. They had all that stuff: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff that actually wore masks. They even have a Hygiene certification, which is… comforting. They have Rooms sanitized between stays (a must in my book). They also let you Room sanitization opt-out available if you’re feeling like a rebel. But honestly? The place felt clean. Very clean. It's one of the few places where I felt comfortable taking my mask off and breathing deeply. (Which, let’s face it, is a huge win for a germaphobe like yours truly.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (Mostly)
Here’s where things get interesting. They have a lot of options, as they should.
Restaurants: They have Restaurants! Plural! Including a Vegetarian Restaurant and ones with Asian cuisine. I'm always a sucker for International cuisine in a restaurant and the Western cuisine in a restaurant I did try was excellent.
Coffee Shop: Okay, this is important. I’m a Coffee/tea in restaurant devotee. Their coffee was decent (not the best I’ve ever had, but certainly not the worst by a long shot), and the Coffee shop pastries were, frankly, dangerously good. I may have eaten an entire croissant the size of my head. No regrets.
Bar: The Bar! Omg the Bar. The mixologist was a true artist. They made me a margarita that was so good, I almost forgot my name. (Almost.) Happy hour? YES, PLEASE. The Poolside bar was also a vibe.
Room Service: A godsend, naturally. Room service [24-hour] is a luxury I absolutely indulge in. (Who wants to get dressed when you can have breakfast delivered to your bed at 3 pm? Not me.)
The Room: My Fortress of Solitude (And Sometimes, Frustration)
Okay, the bread and butter. The REAL reason we're all here: The Room.
The Good: It was GORGEOUS. The Non-smoking rooms were immaculate (thank GOD!). There wasn’t a trace of cigarette smoke (a HUGE plus!). The Air conditioning WORKED. The Blackout curtains truly blacked everything out. It was like sleeping in a plush bat cave. I loved the Desk (good for working), the Sofa (good for sinking into), and the Extra long bed (good for stretching out and pretending I’m a starfish). I would have preferred to have a Bathroom Phone, but that’s just me.
The Not-So-Good: Okay, here’s my moment of truth. The internet access – wireless was INCREDIBLY spotty. Like, maddeningly so. I couldn’t stream a single show without buffering. (And I NEED my Netflix, people!) Internet seemed to be unreliable sometimes. I could have really used some reliable Internet access – LAN. Now they have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - but it didn’t always work. I also needed to use the Internet [LAN] but again, that didn’t always work. I was hoping for a Laptop workspace, but never did find that, either.
The Little Things That Made Me Happy: The Complimentary tea. The Free bottled water. The Slippers next to the bed. The fluffy Bathrobes. These are the things that make a hotel feel like a home.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras (And One GIANT Disappointment)
They try! They really do.
Helpful: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Laundry service, Luggage storage… all the usual suspects, and all handled with a smile! The Cash withdrawal machine was a lifesaver.
The GIANT Disappointment: Okay, here’s my rant. The Food delivery service was not working with the restaurant! I ordered a pizza, I needed a pizza, and it just never showed up. They have Food delivery but the food never came. Sigh
The Quirky (In a Good Way): They had a Gift/souvenir shop with some genuinely cool local crafts!
For the Kids: I Don't Have Kids (But I Heard Stuff)
Listen, I'm a cat person. But I did notice the hotel seemed pretty Family/child friendly. They apparently have a Babysitting service, because I saw a sign. Otherwise I can’t say much.
Getting Around: The Easier the Better
Airport transfer? Yes. Taxi service? Yes. Car park [free of charge]? Yes. Valet parking? At your service. They make it easy to get in and out.
My Verdict? That Darned Massage!
Okay, so the internet was frustrating. The pizza situation? A tragedy. But… that massage. Oh. My. GOD. I'm not a religious person, but that massage was a spiritual experience. My masseuse, bless her heart, worked miracles. The knots in my back, I swear, melted. I was so relaxed, I nearly floated out of the spa. This massage saved the whole experience.
So, is Beaufort's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury City Loft Hotel perfect? Nope. Is it worth it? Well, the massage alone makes it a maybe. It has a lot of potential, but needs a few tweaks to earn that "BEST" title. But hey, at least it's honest. And maybe that’s what you’re looking for too.
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Title Tag: Beaufort's BEST Kept Secret: Hotel Review - Honest & Unfiltered!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into my Beaufort, South Carolina, adventure. City Loft Hotel, you lucky devil, you're hosting this glorious mess of a trip. Prepare yourselves!
Day 1: Arrival and "Holy Shrimp, This Place is Cute!" Syndrome
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). Ugh, airports. Always a gamble. Will my luggage actually make it? Will I be sandwiched between a screaming toddler and a competitive snorer? Praying to the travel gods.
- 1:45 PM - Grab a rental car (hopefully, a convertible! Dreams, people, dreams…). Road trip vibes intensifying. My phone is already blowing up with "are you there yet?!" from my best friend, Sarah. Honestly, she should know better than to ask.
- 2:45 PM - Drive to City Loft Hotel, Beaufort, SC. The drive itself? Pretty. The anticipation? High. I'm picturing cobblestone streets, charming boutiques, and ALL the seafood.
- 3:30 PM - Check-in and Settle in. (Room: 203 - Fingers crossed it has a balcony!) Okay, here we are. City Loft. First impressions… woah. Seriously cute! I mean, the lobby is all exposed brick and tasteful art. Okay, it's growing on me, I am getting used to this. My room? Eh, no balcony. BUT, it overlooks a courtyard with a fountain! Sold. Time to unpack, which basically means throwing everything onto the bed in a chaotic heap, and then changing into something slightly less touristy.
- 4:00 PM - Stroll around Beaufort's historic downtown. Okay, first impressions of Beaufort? Adorbs. Like, straight out of a Hallmark movie. The architecture! The porches! The sheer amount of floral prints! I'm already mentally planning my new wardrobe. We're talking pastel everything.
- 5:30 PM - Dinner at Saltus River Grill. Okay, this is where it all went sideways. First, the shrimp and grits. Heavenly. Life-altering. I could have eaten three plates. The cocktails were fantastic. The river view was… chef's kiss. But then, disaster struck. I tried to be cool. I tried to seem like a regular. I tried to actually talk and not just say "Mmm, yes" to everything the waiter was telling me, and the next thing I know, I've accidentally knocked over my water glass. It splashed everywhere. I was mortified. Mortified! And, this is not a cute story, my dress was soaked. Thank god my friend Sarah wasn't there. She would have never let me live it down.
- 7:00 PM - Post-dinner walk along the Beaufort waterfront. Needed to walk off the shame. The waterfront is gorgeous at night, the boats rocking gently, the stars twinkling. I may have shed a single, dramatic tear over my ruined dress (and my dignity).
- 8:30 PM - A quick trip to the hotel. Getting to my room was difficult because it was raining. I ran across the courtyard because I forgot an umbrella. Then I fell and got all muddy.
- 9:30 PM - Collapse in bed. The day was a rollercoaster. I am so tired. I have to do laundry. I also think I need to order a pizza. And maybe a stiff drink? Maybe I'm not cut out for this whole "charming and chill" thing.
Day 2: History, Hurricanes and Hidden Gems
- 8:00 AM - Wake up. (After sleeping the sleep of the mortified). Right. Let's try this again. Coffee. A lot of coffee.
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast at City Loft (included). I'm not a huge breakfast person, but free is free! I had the pastries, and it turns out they were incredible. I went back for seconds – and thirds. No shame.
- 10:00 AM - Guided Walking Tour of Historic Beaufort. History! Intrigue! I signed up for this tour, which I was actually really looking forward to. Our guide was an older gentleman with a booming voice and a dramatic flair. He told stories of pirates, plantations, and the Civil War. It was fascinating! Okay, so I may have drifted off a couple times thinking of the saltus river grill and my soaked dress, but overall it was incredible.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at Breakwater Restaurant and Bar. Seafood again! Because, when in Beaufort. I had the fried calamari, a burger, and a margarita. I felt like I was going to explode.
- 1:30 PM - A drive down the Beaufort Historic National Cemetery. Okay, this was somber, but moving. So many fallen soldiers… it really puts things into perspective. I spent almost an hour looking at headstones.
- 2:30 PM - Exploring the shops on Bay Street. Souvenir shopping time! I got a postcard.
- 3:30 PM - A drive home, and then a nap. I crashed. I think I was exhausted.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner at The Purple Cow Restaurant My friend Sarah was there, so I was excited and nervous. She knew about the dress situation and the clumsy fall on the way in. Our meals were lovely, and we had a good time.
- 7:00 PM - Movie night with my friend. We saw a comedy.
Day 3: Goodbye, Beaufort (and hopefully, no more wardrobe malfunctions!)
- 9:00 AM - Final breakfast at City Loft. Gotta savor those pastries one last time.
- 10:00 AM - Check out… and pray my luggage makes it home this time!
- 10:30 AM - Quick souvenir run I went back because I forgot to get a gift for my dog sitter.
- 11:00 AM - Drive to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). The end… or is it just the beginning of a new obsession with Beaufort?
- 12:00 PM - Depart from (SAV) Until next time, beautiful Beaufort! You've been a whirlwind. And yeah, I'm pretty sure I need a new dress. And maybe a new personality. But overall? Magic.
Seriously though, go to Beaufort. Just… maybe avoid the saltus river grill if you're as accident-prone as me. And definitely take photos. You'll want to remember it.
Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic: Your Perfect Stay Awaits!
Beaufort's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury City Loft Hotel – FAQs (Because Let's Get Real!)
Okay, spill the tea. Is this place *really* as amazing as they say?
Alright, alright, let's be honest. "Amazing" is subjective, right? I mean, I've seen "amazing" that involved a questionable motel bathmat and a vending machine that ate my dollar. Is the Luxury City Loft Hotel the opposite of that? ABSOLUTELY. But there's a catch (isn't there always?). It's *almost* too perfect. The lobby smells like a freaking spa, which, as a chronic over-thinker, initially made me feel like I should be wearing a fluffy robe and drinking cucumber water. (I wasn't, I was rockin' my favorite ripped jeans, as usual.) But the rooms? The ROOMS, my friend… *chef's kiss* Think high ceilings, exposed brick, maybe a tiny balcony with a killer view of the Beaufort river. Seriously, I'm still dreaming about that view. So, yes. It's pretty damn close to amazing. But don't tell everyone. I want a room available next time I go!
What's the deal with this "Best Kept Secret" thing? Is it actually secret? I found it on Google Maps!
Okay, technically, anyone with a phone can find it. That's the internet for ya. But "best kept secret" is more of a vibe, ya know? It's about the feeling. It's about stumbling upon it, feeling like you’ve unlocked a treasure you’re not sure you should share. Seriously, you book this place, and you feel *smart*. It’s like you're in on something that most tourists haven't discovered yet (unless they've read this... oops!). Anyway, the 'secret' is that it's not just a hotel; it's an *experience*. Like, I walked in there, and I swear I felt cooler by association. (That could have been the air conditioning, though, I'm notoriously prone to sweating.)
Let's talk money: is it ridiculously expensive? I am a budget traveler...
Alright, deep breaths, budget traveler. It's not *cheap.* Let's be honest. But... and this is a big but… it’s *worth* it if you can swing it. Think of it this way: you spend money on souvenirs, right? You spend money on fancy dinners? This is an investment in a *memory.* (And a really comfortable bed, holy cow.) Look, maybe skip that extra latte for a week? Or, you know, sell a kidney? (Just kidding… mostly). Seriously, check the prices during the off-season, maybe snag a deal during the week. Trust me, the experience - the ambiance - the service? *chef's kiss* again. It's a treat yourself kind of place. Consider it a reward for surviving another Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Basically, it's a reward.
What's the service like? Are the staff pretentious?
OMG. This is where they *really* shine. I've stayed in places where the staff acts like you're personally inconveniencing them by breathing. Here? NO. They're unbelievably nice. Like, genuine, actually happy-to-help nice. I have *zero* patience for snooty service. The staff at the Loft is the opposite. They actually seem to *care* that you’re having a good time. They remember your name (freaky, but appreciated), and they'll bend over backwards to help you. I accidentally locked myself out on the tiny balcony (see: view), and the guy who came to unlock the door didn't even crack a smile. Just fixed the problem. It was amazing. I think the staff is what makes this place stand out.
Okay, walk me through a typical day... what do you *do* there?
Alright, picture this: wake up (after a truly *divine* sleep, thanks to the blackout curtains and ridiculously comfortable bed). You might get up and look out at the river, and just, chill. (I spent an embarrassing amount of time staring at the water.) Get some coffee (amazing coffee, by the way - it's worth the extra money) and go to my balcony. Do some writing (or pretending to write, I'm guilty). Then, a walk into town. Beaufort itself is just gorgeous. Wander around the shops, maybe grab lunch (I highly recommend the shrimp and grits– heavenly). Walk back. Then, the best part. Chill. Read a book (I brought three and only touched one. Whoops.) Maybe order room service. (The burger is fantastic. Don't judge me.) And then, repeat until checkout. Or just sit on your balcony and zone the heck out. It's *that* kind of place. It's designed for ultimate relaxation. Which is what an escape should be about, right?
Any downsides?! What should a person watch out for?
Okay, honesty time. It's not all sunshine and roses. (Although the sun in Beaufort is pretty spectacular.) My biggest "complaint" (and I use the term loosely) is that you might not want to leave. It's that comfortable. Seriously, I almost missed my flight home. (Don't tell anyone... I can't stand to be late.) Also, depending on your room, you might hear some faint street noise. It is, after all, a *city* loft hotel. And, oh, the temptation to order everything on the room service menu is REAL. My advice? Bring a friend to split the bill with, or prepare for your credit card to weep softly. Finally, and this is a personal thing, I’m terrible at relaxing. I brought enough work to keep me occupied for a month, but the hotel *literally* forces you to chill. I consider this a downside. It's *that* kind of place.
What *really* made your stay memorable? Besides the incredible bed!
Okay, this is where I get a little… *melodramatic*. Remember how I said I'd been staring at the river? Well, one night, the sky put on this *show*. I mean, the *colors.* Pinks, oranges, purples, all bleeding into each other, reflecting off the water. It was like a painting come to life. (I’m not a big art person. But even *I* thought this was gorgeous). I found a decent bottle of wine in the minibar (expensive, but worth it, again), and sat on that tiny balcony, just… breathing. The world felt still for a few precious moments. And, for a person who spends most of their time stressing over everything, that was… *magic*. It’s not that the hotel *did* anything specific. It was the *atmosphere* that created the space for itTrending Hotels Now
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