My new S/S collection is here! Meet Parterre & Dauphine.
My new S/S collection is here! Meet Parterre & Dauphine.
There’s something magical about Charleston in the springtime. The flowers begin blooming everywhere, window boxes spill onto cobblestone streets, jasmine drifts through the air, and the weather feels almost impossibly perfect — warm, sunny days with just enough breeze coming off the water.
I first visited Charleston about 10 years ago, and I’ve been so excited to return ever since. It’s one of those places that stays with you — endlessly charming, layered with history, and full of unmistakable Southern charm that feels both elegant and lived-in at the same time.
On this recent trip, I spent a few days there with my mom and sisters and stayed at Hotel Bennett, which truly became the heart of our trip. From slow mornings getting ready together to late-night cocktails after dinner, it felt like the ideal home base for a Charleston girls’ getaway.
Perfectly located on King Street overlooking Marion Square, Hotel Bennett feels elegant, feminine, and timeless in the best way. The interiors are grand yet warm, with soft pastel tones, crystal chandeliers, marble details, and one of the prettiest hotel bars I’ve ever seen.
One of my favourite parts of staying here was how walkable everything felt. We spent our days wandering Charleston’s charming streets, popping into boutiques and cafés, then returning to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
A few highlights from our stay:
The entire stay felt romantic, polished, and effortless — exactly how you want a girls’ trip to feel.
Charleston is a city best enjoyed slowly. Some of my favourite moments were honestly the unplanned ones — wandering side streets, stopping to admire hidden gardens, and taking photos in the golden evening light.
A few things not to miss:
One of my favourite ways to experience Charleston is simply wandering through South of Broad — where every street feels like a painting. The pastel façades, iron gates, and quiet gardens make it one of the most atmospheric parts of the city.
This is also where you’ll find some of Charleston’s most beautiful historic home tours. If you have time, a few worth visiting:
Nathaniel Russell House — The one we visited on this trip. Known for its iconic spiral staircase and elegant Federal-style architecture, it feels incredibly preserved and immersive.
Edmondston-Alston House — Overlooking the waterfront along The Battery, this home offers both history and some of the best views in the city.
Calhoun/Williams Mansion — A Gilded Age mansion known for its scale and ornate interiors. Currently temporarily closed, so it’s worth checking availability before visiting.
Walking between these homes is just as special as the tours themselves — especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the streets feel almost still.
One of the most important parts of visiting Charleston is taking time to understand its full history — including the legacy of slavery that shaped the city and the region.
A few places worth visiting with intention:
Boone Hall Plantation — Famously known as one of the filming locations used in The Notebook, alongside its much deeper and more complex history.I visited here on my first trip to Charleston over 10 years ago. It’s one of the oldest working plantations in the country, and returning (or visiting for the first time) is a reminder of how important it is to engage with these histories thoughtfully, even when they are difficult.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site — A powerful historic site that offers insight into the lives of enslaved people and the Gullah Geechee culture that continues to shape the Lowcountry today.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens — Known for its breathtaking gardens, but also offering guided tours that address the complex and layered history of the property.
Here are a few brands and boutiques that also made this trip feel especially inspiring
Hill House Home — feminine, romantic pieces that feel made for Charleston mornings and hotel dressing rooms
LoveShackFancy — dreamy prints and vintage-inspired silhouettes that fit the city’s spring palette perfectly
Anthropologie — always a great stop in Charleston for homeware and seasonal inspiration
Free People — easy, effortless pieces for walking the city and beachy Lowcountry afternoons
Julia Amory — elevated resortwear that feels especially at home in Southern light
Loeffler Randall — beautiful shoes and accessories that work perfectly for cobblestone streets and dinner evenings
Sézane — currently hosting a pop-up inside The Charleston Place, another stunning hotel I stayed at on a previous trip and always recommend visiting when you find one.
Alice + Olivia — playful, colourful pieces perfect for dinner nights and girls’ trip dressing
J.McLaughlin — classic, polished resortwear that feels very at home in the South
Pink Chicken — joyful prints and easy silhouettes that capture that effortless vacation energy
Sloane Boutique-right across from Hotel Bennett, filled with beautiful playful resortwear
Charleston’s interiors scene is just as inspiring as its fashion — full of layered textures, patina, and timeless design
Golden & Associates Antiques — beautifully curated antiques with a strong sense of history and character
Wynsum Antiques & Interiors — eclectic, collected pieces that feel like they’ve been gathered over time
George C Birlant & Co — one of the city’s most established antique houses for fine furniture and decorative objects
Wentworth — refined interiors and design pieces with a classic Charleston sensibility
Brooke & Lou — a beautifully curated interiors shop (and so special to see some of my pieces there), filled with warm, layered, livable design objects
Food in Charleston is one of the most memorable parts of any trip — the kind of city where every meal feels like part of the experience rather than just a stop in the day.
Breakfast
Hotel Bennett — Gabrielle or La Pâtisserie for slow mornings, coffee, and pastries before heading out
Lunch / Daytime
Sorelle — went for brunch one day and also returned for grab-and-go coffees and pastries
Leon’s Oyster Shop — oysters, fried chicken, and a lively, casual vibe where all the locals hang
Lewis Barbecue — incredible BBQ and one of our favourite lunches
167 Raw — oysters, lobster rolls, and a fun standing-room energy
167 Sushi Bar — its sister spot, equally buzzy and fun with Asian flare
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit — iconic Southern biscuits and the perfect quick stop while wandering King Street
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams — seasonal flavours and a classic stop for something sweet while exploring, the sweet biscuit and peach was delcioius
Dinner
Chez Nous — intimate, seasonal, and one of the most special dinners as the menu changes daily
Vern’s — modern, stylish, and lively, the hottest reservation in Charleston ATM
The Obstinate Daughter — worth the short drive to Sullivans Island, coastal and relaxed, delicious everytime
Husk — a Charleston classic rooted in seasonality and place, perfect for lunch or dinner
Other favourites from past trips and yet to try:
FIG — consistently one of the best in the city
The Ordinary — beautiful raw bar in a historic space
The Darling Oyster Bar — bright, lively, and perfect for seafood lunches
The Cooper — a newer waterfront hotel I’m looking forward to returning back to for a meal on the water
Zachary’s Daquiris– Frozen daq’s in a playful setting
Citrus Club at The Dewberry — rooftop drinks with a view, one of the most beautiful spots for a golden hour cocktail above the city
Charleston almost invites you to dress romantically. Flowing dresses, linen sets, woven bags, Mary Janes, vintage jewelry, and soft feminine silhouettes all feel perfectly at home here. For spring especially, I leaned into light fabrics and soft colours that mirrored the city itself — pastel facades, blooming flowers, and golden evening light everywhere you turn.
Charleston has a way of making you slow down and savour everything a little more — the meals, the walks, the conversations, the tiny beautiful details. Staying at Hotel Bennett made the entire trip feel even more special and memorable.
If you’re planning a girls’ getaway, spring in Charleston is hard to beat. Beautiful weather, flowers blooming on every corner, incredible food, and endless charm — it’s the kind of trip you’ll talk about long after you return home.
Nadia Colella creates bespoke cakes, pastry art, and hand-painted commissions. Each piece is a small work of art, thoughtfully crafted to bring beauty and meaning into your life — whether for a special event, a bespoke piece, or a brand collaboration. Please share a little about your vision or project below. All custom investments start at $2,000.
