The Shepherd Hotel Downtown Clemson

The food was delicious and looked lovely, and the relaxing decor and atmosphere made our birthday celebration feel special. Three friends and I had a delightful tea at Shepherd Hotel this week. From the valet to our servers, Lucy and Katherine, everyone was superb, genuinely caring, and helpful. We didn’t stay overnight, but I’m sure it would be a very pleasant experience. If you’re visiting Clemson, this is the place to stay, and it’s a lovely spot for a celebration.

The bathroom was exceptional, spacious, and had a walk-in tile shower. But the only place to sit in the room was an uncomfortable built-in bench between drawers. Our room was beside the third-floor lounge, and we heard furniture scraping until after 1 a.m. The public bathroom door also banged every time someone came in or went out. We needed a restful night before our 10-hour drive home and didn’t get one. If you want to party past midnight and fall into bed, this may suit you, but if you expect comfort and quiet in your room, you may want to look elsewhere.

During parents weekend, they knew the hotel was sold out, required a two-night minimum, and charged $2,500.00. They don’t allow food to-go orders, and even with plenty of empty tables, you can’t be seated within 45 minutes of dinner service ending unless you’re a circle member, which is very pricey. It took 27 minutes to get two iced lattes and 34 minutes to get our car from valet. Hotel guests get no better treatment than people who aren’t staying there, and have to join the same lines. The hotel is mismanaged, but with no decent hotels in Clemson, be prepared to feel screwed.

We’ve stayed here many times and love coming back. It’s clean, charming, and nice, with wonderful staff. It’s a special place, the best hotel at Clemson, and it rivals our favorite hotels anywhere. We’ll be back!