Travel

Charleston’s Chic New Retreat

Step inside Zero George, a historic, eighteen-room hotel set apart by its fresh contemporary design

Four-poster rice beds and chintz-covered settees have their place, just don’t expect to find any at Zero George, Charleston’s new boutique hotel. Owned by Dean and Lynn Andrews, the historic, eighteen-room hotel is set apart by its fresh contemporary design. A veteran in the hospitality business, Dean helped develop and then manage Charleston Place hotel before decamping to New York and then Charlottesville, where he and Lynn run Easton Events and Pippin Hill Vineyards—a winery, restaurant, and events space overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains. But, Dean says, “I was always trying to come up with a reason to return to Charleston.” After a tour of Zero George (it’s just a few blocks from our office), we’re glad he finally did.

Open for reservations beginning this weekend, Zero George is located in Charleston’s Ansonborough neighborhood and is made up of five buildings connected by a cozy network of courtyards and outdoor entertaining spaces. The carriage houses and main residence date to 1804 and the two Charleston-style single houses are circa the 1840s. A restored brick kitchen house serves as the lobby, and is outfitted with a French enamel cooking range where an in-house chef will lead seasonal cooking classes and prep nightly tapas and light afternoon snacks. In a city that takes Southern hospitality seriously, we can’t think of a more welcoming check-in experience.

To transform guest rooms and living spaces, the Andrews enlisted the help of Charlottesville interior designer Alana Woerpel. A soft French-hued palate, crisp white linens, lighting by Savannah-based Circa Lighting, and North Carolina-made furniture—complete the classic meets contemporary look. Grab coffee and a croissant at Zero Café + Bar or an afternoon toddy and relax on the porch. Not that you need another excuse to visit Charleston, but a stay at Zero George is a good one.


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