We stayed for 2 nights on a Saturday and Sunday. From the moment we arrived we felt relaxed and at home. The hotel is in attractive grounds and the building and new soft furnishings are wonderful. Our room was also beautifully furnished and a delight! The staff are helpful and friendly.

Saturday we ate in the restaurant and the service and food was excellent. On Sunday evening the restaurant is closed so we chose to eat the chef-prepared picnic outside on the verandah - my husband was a bit unsure about this arrangement beforehand (as he likes his hot evening meal) but the 3 course, white linen 'picnic' was terrific fun! and we would do it again - its actually perfect for a Sunday chill-out evening.

From here we visited the Middleton Plantation(recommended) and did our own tour of the lovely antebellum houses around Summerville...also recommended .

Recommended if you want a quiet stay outside Charleston, fine dining and/ or touring enroute to Savannah/Columbia..

My wife and I have stayed at the Inn once and we have eaten there more than a dozen times. The rooms are a three star rating. The dining experience has varied over the years. When it is on -- it is a perfect five-star experience. There is nothing better. I've eaten all over the world in extraordinary places and it is clearly number one. At least, when it has it all together. Other times it has been mediocre and very disappointing. I last ate there a couple months ago and it was just okay. And when you are paying $150 a person or more -- you sort of expect an incredible experience. Also, expect to spend 3 or 4 hours dining at The Woodlands -- it is very pleasant.

So bottom line, you take your chances -- it could be the best dining experience of your life or you could wonder why spent so much money on a mediocre meal. I would encourage you to ask a lot of questions about preparation and what to expect. Many items on the menu (which changes at least weekly) may not be familiar to you. I'd even ask before you go that night what is on the menu.

Having said all that, if you have never been before, I would encourage you to go.

This is an outstanding inn, and well worth the trip from the west coast. The rooms are really, really beautiful and it is clear that you are staying on a beautiful plantation rather than in a high-volume city hotel. There is not a bean out of place at this inn and they obviously take great pride in it. The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. We arrived a bit late after a long and rainy travelling day, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the young man who helped us with our suitcases, stroller and various 2-year old's paraphernalia. This place takes their southern hospitality very seriously.

The dining room is fantastic and the service likewise attentive, but never uppity as it often is in restaurants of this calibre. We had a very relaxed and enjoyable dinner once we found our way through the extensive wine list.

We wished we'd booked a longer stay here, but will certainly return.

Service cannot get any better than this. Renovation on the property not very attractive but I am sure it will be stunning at the end.
Restaurant is first class and can compete with any 5Star Eatery in Paris, NY, London or so on.
Location a bit too far outside Charleston but there is lots to see in Summerville as well.
We had a great time and will be back.