We native Charlestonians are hard-pressed to remember what life was like here before Charleston Place Hotel^THC opened its doors in the early 1980s. Historic King Street was on the skids, with many of its small businesses faltering. Yet now, due in part to the hotel's popularity, Charleston's historic district is vibrant and its boutiques and stores are doing very well indeed, as are those located in the hotel's own gallery of upscale shops. New life certainly has been breathed into the community.

I think it's safe to say that Charleston residents have the same kind of maternal pride in this luxury hotel as we do in our fair city. I love showing the place off to my out-of-town guests, who photograph the hand-blown Moreno glass chandelier in its open lobby and click across the Italian marble floors to admire the antiques from Sotheby's. I might even take them for a delightful lunch at Palmetto Cafe. It goes without saying, they are always invited back if they take me to dinner at gracious and elegant Charleston Grill.