In short… A stylish recent opening on Charleston’s Upper King St, which is well-located for a short stay and also equipped for longer residencies.
The surroundings… The Nickel sits at the top of Upper King St, the main artery of the downtown/Cannonborough area, just a 5-minute walk from where most of the shops and restaurants begin. Charleston’s architecture is a quintessential mix of colonial and Georgian, but the arched facade of The Nickel (itself a former furniture store), definitely stands out, and also faces a very cool old 1960s department store.
The vibe… The property—co-owned by Method Co., who also own The Pinch in town—is a very chic, modern take on classic design: candlelit entrances, green lime-washed walls, vintage rugs, and French wall tapestries. When you walk into the lobby, assorted inviting plush sofas and chairs make you feel immediately at home. The 2nd floor courtyard has true Southern charm, with a wood-burning outdoor fireplace, romantic fountain and various seating areas.
The rooms… are spacious and comfortable, with balcony suites overlooking The Nickel’s center courtyard. All 50 rooms have washer-dryers and kitchenettes with stove/ovens, coffee grinders, espresso machines, blenders, you name it… making them ideal for longer stays—we were practically begging to move in!
The wellness… While there are no on-property wellness programs, The Nickel has free passes for all guests to an affiliate gym just a 5-minute bike ride away, and they also provide bikes!
The food & drink… While The Nickel’s restaurant hadn’t yet opened, we went to dinner at Lowland, across from their sister property, The Pinch, in a beautiful townhouse just a 10-minute walk away. We were whisked upstairs to their second floor dining room for an incredible meal of southern classics with a modern twist—the Lowland Biscuit was a standout, perfectly flaky and delicious with homemade pepper jelly. The owners clearly know food, and while The Nickel’s dining experience wasn’t open when I visited in June, it has just now opened in September and the menu looks delicious! The restaurant Rosemary Rose is located on The Nickel’s rooftop, with breathtaking views over Charleston, and I hope to be back soon to try it out.
Be sure to… grab a morning coffee at Baba’s on Cannon—I got their famous peanut mocha (with peanut milk!), which was basically a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in coffee form—delicious! Also, Leon’s is a must-visit on any trip to Charleston for some of the best fried chicken. Lastly, if it’s sunny and you fancy an escape, make a trip to Sullivan’s Island for a lovely beach day, and get lunch at Poe’s!
Parting words… The Nickel is such a great introduction to Charleston. Placed right in the city center, you can explore it all from a perfect home base that really makes the city feel like your own!
Date of stay… June 17th-19th, 2025
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