Captain John's Motel

The walls are paper thin, so you hear everything, and loud exhaust pickup trucks came and went all night. In the middle of winter, it took four hours with the heat turned up to warm the room. Getting hot water also took more than a minute.

The front desk girls and young man were absolutely wonderful. The beach and great shops are all close by, just a short walk away. A great place to stay in Charleston.

The staff were so friendly, and making a reservation for three hours later was quick and easy. At check-in, the woman at the desk greeted me like a friend and gave helpful directions for food and getting around the property. That personal service really stood out, and I’ll be back when I’m in town, maybe to try one of the other room types. This is a good-value, clean place to crash, not five-star luxury. The room was small and basic, but clean: fresh-looking paint, apparently new floors, and an immaculate backroom, with no old mildew at all. The furniture was mismatched, dated, and worn in places, but that wasn’t a big deal. It had a decent-sized TV, microwave, mini fridge, plenty of storage for a longer stay, and a medium table with two chairs. An iron and ironing board were the main things missing. There was no AC, just one monitor heater, but the room warmed up fast. Being right on the water, I guess AC may not be needed, though I wished I had the fan’s white noise. It’s ideal for a minimalist solo traveler or couple; no more than two people in the economy rooms. They also have bigger rooms with more amenities, including kitchens, and weekly and monthly rates. You give up some of the creature comforts we’re used to, but the customer service more than made up for it. Hospitality on a dime.

I come back with my family every year. The staff are amazing, and the rooms are spacious and clean. Already looking forward to staying again!