Beach town?

Okay; I had one pretty bad experience in Charleston... Stayed at Seaside Inn on Isle of Palms (a horrible hotel), there was water standing literally an inch deep in the parking lot, it rained the entire time, the beach looked like pavement itself (flat, hard), and the city seemed ';blah'; (but maybe it was just my mood). Since it%26#39;s an hour shorter%26#39;s drive than to MB and time is limited, I%26#39;m thinking of giving it another try in mid- to late- September. Is there a better side to the beach than I saw? As for the town, I prefered Savannah, but am I missing something and selling it short? Let me hear your input...

Beach town?

We love Folly Beach, just a short drive from downtown Charleston. We have rented 5 different beach houses (from Island Realty and Fred Holland), and each one had its own appeal. Check out the web sites for beach rentals on Folly. Prices really go down in the fall. We stayed at Pavilion Watch in July and it was perfect...ocean front, short distance to beach, pool, private parking, great restaurants in the area. In Charleston, we took a carriage ride, toured the city via the ';treasure'; hunt set up by the Brass Pirate (which I am sure will be much better in cool weather), and ate at several good restaurants: T-Bonz. Bubba Gumps, Tommy Condon%26#39;s.

Beach town?

Hey, thanks for the idea. Looks great... On your advisement, I%26#39;ve already booked a room at the Holiday Inn (which looks like the only hotel in the entire town???)... Gotta be better than Isle of Palms!

Sorry to here about your experience. Seaside Inn is probably not the best hotel to stay in. You should try Wild Dunes resort on Isle of Palms, or rent a nice home on IOP, which should make you stay more enjoyable. I would also advise you to try Seabrook Island (renting a home or villa there) which is very serene, or Kiawah Island (renting or also the hotel there called the Sanctuary) lots of activities to do there. I think that Folly Beach is a step down from IOP, but others do not. Folly Beach is much more, how shall I put this politically correct, ';free-spirited';. Septmeber could be cool to lay out on the beach and get some rays. If you really enjoy Mrytle Beach, than is could be that Charleston is just not the place for you; to each his own. If you really enjoy Myrtle Beach you may also think of trying Daytona Beach, or Virginia Beach.

Well, in my defense (LOL), I mostly like Myrtle Beach for its proximity to Murrells Inlet%26#39;s seafood, Brookgreen Gardens, and Huntington Beach State Park (featuring Atalaya)... So, no, I%26#39;m not the ';Daytona type'; (shudder)!!! Although I%26#39;ll admit to loving The Pavilion, too... : D

I think Folly will be a match. It%26#39;s only for a couple of days anyway???

';Free Spirited'; is definitely a good way to describe Folly. It%26#39;s quite the laid back community. Being a free spirit (from KY) myself, I enjoy Folly and am delighted to share some fairly useful tips:

The Holiday Inn is indeed the only hotel on the beach, and as long as you remember it%26#39;s a Holiday Inn you%26#39;re in good shape. It%26#39;s right on the beach, in the center of town and very convenient. Folly is on it%26#39;s own time schedule and the few shops and restaurants open and close ';on Folly time';, they open whenever they get up and get going, and close when they get ready to go home. I%26#39;m jealous. Dress is very casual. You are likely to see more dredlocks than pedicures, and the locals are friendly and helpful. It reminds me of Key West 30 years ago.

As you will soon see, beach cruisers are a popular method of transportation for most locals - rent one and go see the island. Take a right out of your hotel and cruise down to the wash out and watch the surfboarding. Take a left out of your hotel and cruise down toward the public beach, take any right turn to explore the ecclectic mix of homes, architecture and local flavor. Stop in Lost Dog Cafe at 106 W. Huron - great for brunch or lunch.

11 Center is right across the street from H.I. and has a great wine selection, and even better Tapas restaurant upstairs. Live music, I think on Thursdays and Sunday afternoon.

Although you wouldn%26#39;t know it%26#39;s even open from the exterior, River Cafe is always my first choice for special occassion meals. Hard to find, looks like it%26#39;s been closed for 20 years but has great prices, fabulous food %26amp; excellent service. Ask for directions.

For nightlife, walk out the front door of the hotel and cross the street to Snapper Jacks. There%26#39;s also the Sand Dollar. It%26#39;s a private club, you pay $1 for membership. Usually has great local bands.

Check out charlestoncitypaper.com for current happenings, things to do and places to eat.

Relax, enjoy the slower pace and have a great time!

All great tips; thanks!!! Sounds like just my speed... Was planning to rent a bike one day and tool on down to the lighthouse (and the park on the other side of the island; I%26#39;m quite the cyclist); would that be fairly ';safe';??? As for nightlight, I%26#39;m more the sit on the balcony and drink wine while listening to the waves type, but there%26#39;s also a candlelight tour of historic Charleston houses and gardens going on that week; if not too long a drive (and I%26#39;m not too chicken), will do.

Thanks again!!!

Is it comparable to Tybee Island -- or better? We visited there in November, and it was pretty dead; also lots of cargo ships (ugh) passing by and plenty of signs warning about undertow and rip currents (not conducive to carefree swimming); I wouldn%26#39;t return.

If Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, %26amp; Huntington Beach State Park are of interest, you want to stay at Litchfield Beach. Can%26#39;t believe no one mentioned it. We stayed this summer in the new condos at Litchfield Resort (NOT Litchfield Inn) and they were the nicest I have ever stayed in. They also have a hotel and many many choices of condos - oceanfront and not. There is also a wonderful bike path from there to Huntington Beach through the woods.

www.litchfieldbeach.com (many online specials)