The Nicholas

We paid a lot for this stay, and it wasn’t the luxury resort or “bed and breakfast” the listing led us to expect. I wouldn’t come back. The breakfast was one of the reasons we booked, but it was more like a standard motel breakfast. The supposed yogurt parfait was just tubs of Chobani in a mini fridge, with no fruit, granola, or prepared parfait. That felt misleading, and they should be clear that it’s regular hotel breakfast. The shared areas also looked messy, and it seemed there wasn’t anyone on staff to help. At our first pool visit, chairs were scattered around and sunscreen was all over the ground. If you need assistance, you’re left with a texting robot, which gave us outdated information more than once. And if you’re on the first floor, be ready to hear everything above you. Loud stomping kept waking us or stopping us from sleeping. It seems to come with the old building these rooms are in. We never slept well. For what we paid, I wouldn’t stay again. “Bed and breakfast” means something quite different to me.

Trouvailles deserves thanks for preserving this historic house so thoughtfully. We stayed three nights in July, my husband and I, in a King Suite, and had a wonderful time. This small hotel is perfectly located. Each room has its own decor and layout; ours was a large suite on the top floor, with a spacious shower room and plenty of privacy. There’s a balcony area with lounge chairs, and we enjoyed the beauty of the building and its rooms day and night. Getting our luggage up the stairs wasn’t a problem for us. A perfect stay.

Traveling alone for work, I felt very safe at The Nicholas. It was cozy and convenient, and the neighborhood was easy to explore on foot, with plenty of good food and drinks nearby. Snacks and coffee in the lobby were especially useful for early starts, and the staff were incredibly helpful. Price at the front desk helped me find restaurants, got a space heater so my room was warm, and helped sort things out when my flight was delayed. The team really went out of their way to make the stay good. I’d definitely come back.

The Nicholas has an unusual mix of Airbnb and bed and breakfast: there’s no lobby or room service, but guests can use more of the property, including the pool and the downstairs living room and kitchen. Breakfast is served in the mornings, with food, coffee, tea, and water available. We liked the room’s size and decor, and appreciated the plentiful towels and in-room coffee maker. The location was great for walking to both the college and the historic district. We parked once and spent the rest of the weekend on foot, which is our favorite way to see Charleston.