Charleston’s Theatrical Hotel Operis Is a Walkable Base for a Weekend in the City

The rooms at Hotel Operis: Downtown or atrium views Photo: Hotel Operis I checked into a second-floor room overlooking Wentworth Street, with two queen beds. The room was spacious. One of my favorite touches was the blackout curtains, inspired by the hospitality doors found on many of Charleston’s historic homes. An open door means visitors are welcome, while a closed door means the residents aren’t receiving company. My favorite spot in the room was the wingback chair by the window, which got the best morning light. I spent my morning sipping coffee from the in-room Nespresso machine and reading a novel before heading out to explore the city. The bathroom was stocked with LATHER shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that smelled so good I wanted to take it home. Between those, the plush bathrobes, and the comfortable bedding, I slept well. Hotel Operis has 50 guest rooms, ranging from standard king and double rooms to larger rooms with lounging space. Some rooms overlook downtown Charleston’s streets, while others face the art-filled interior atrium. Nightly rates started around $400 as of October 2026, depending on season and room type. Things to do at Hotel Operis without leaving the building Photo: Hotel Operis Part of the fun of staying at Hotel Operis is finding small surprises around the property. The artwork throughout the hotel comes from local galleries and artists, and there are more Shakespeare mirrors in the atrium. There are also chocolate chip cookies in the lobby. They’re easy to miss, but I was glad to find them after a day spent exploring Charleston. The hotel also organizes more hands-on experiences. The signature wine-blending session, led by resident sommelier Eric Simon, was the part of the stay I’d been looking forward to most. The group started out by tasting four 2023 varietals from Mendocino, California. Simon explained how each varietal would influence the final blend and offered recommendations based on our personal preferences. After we tasted each one and took notes on our favorites, it was time to start blending. You get three chances to create a winning blend. I ended up going with a cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petite sirah blend, and took the bottle home. Dining at Hotel Operis and nearby, from morning coffee to rooftop cocktails On my first morning at Hotel Operis, I had breakfast at Café Lumen, just off the lobby. It’s open for breakfast and lunch, with an outdoor space that’s perfect for enjoying a specialty coffee with a pastry or breakfast sandwich. I had the Morning Sandwich: ham, egg, and cheese on a bagel with chili crisp. For lunch, I went to Circe’s Grotto a short walk from the hotel and ordered the Tommy McBee, a panini with roasted turkey, cranberry, horseradish mayo, avocado, and white cheddar. Dinner was at Le Farfalle, an Italian restaurant a few blocks from the hotel. The group of journalists I was traveling with shared the whipped ricotta and calamari fritti, but my favorite dish was the squid ink spaghetti with shrimp, salami calabrese, and jalapeño pesto. On our second night, we wanted a lighter dinner and headed up to Arden Room, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, for drinks and bites. The menu features a combination of light bites and full entrees. I had the pork belly lettuce wraps. There’s an extensive cocktail menu, but the wine list impressed me most. I had a glass of Sancerre while watching the sunset over Charleston. After sunset, we headed down to Operis Wine Bar, which has over 50 wines and a food menu. Sauvignon blanc is one of the most popular pours, so I ordered a glass and wings to share. On our third day, we walked less than 10 minutes to the City Market, one of the oldest public markets in the country. We stopped at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, one of more than 300 vendors in the four-block market. I had the sausage, egg, and pimento cheese biscuit and could barely finish it. Things to do near Hotel Operis on foot (or by carriage) Every off-property activity I did during my stay was walkable from the hotel. On my first day, I spent a couple of hours on a self-guided walking tour that took me to Rainbow Row, a stretch of 13 pastel-colored historic homes on East Bay Street. I also walked along the waterfront and stopped by the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park. That evening, after dinner, I went on a ghost tour with Bulldog Tours. I never expected to spend my night in a dungeon or dark cemetery, but that’s where I ended up. There were a few jump scares here and there, but it was a lot of fun and a great way to learn about Charleston’s history. The next morning, after breakfast, I took a horse-drawn carriage ride with Palmetto Carriage Works, Charleston’s oldest carriage operator, which has run tours since 1972. The tour filled in the history of the buildings and neighborhoods I’d walked past the day before. Rides last about an hour, and the streets change from tour to tour. Depending on the route, you might pass the Old City Jail (said to be haunted), the William Rhett House (one of the oldest houses in Charleston), or White Point Garden. After lunch, it was time to wind down. I visited Craft-DIY for a break from the afternoon heat and a chance to craft while sipping a glass of wine. I made ring holders from oyster shells, another souvenir to take home. Getting to Hotel Operis and around Charleston Hotel Operis is located in Charleston’s Historic District, steps from King Street. I live in a city where I don’t need a car, so I appreciated a car-free weekend. The flight from New York City to Charleston is just under two hours, and once I landed, I hopped in a rideshare and was at Hotel Operis within 20 minutes. From there, everything is within walking distance. Charleston’s free downtown shuttle, DASH, runs three routes, and there’s a stop across the street from the hotel. Book Now More like this