Garden Delight
The Loutrel blends nature and luxury near Charleston’s historic French Quarter
by Blair Knobel
Consider the garden as metaphor for our human experience. The words blossom, flourish, and rooted illustrate more than plant life. It makes sense that we gravitate toward gardens to find deep relaxation, and The Loutrel, a relatively new addition to Charleston’s burgeoning boutique hotel scene, taps into this verdant ethos.
Opened in late 2021, the hotel perches on State Street, anchoring the French Quarter. The thin veil dividing outdoors and in is intentional. Here, these two worlds feel intertwined, like a magnified expression of the hotel’s Lowcountry setting. The storied Charleston garden not only takes center stage but is the hotel’s aesthetic focus, infusing its interior design and other creative touches with a botanical tenor.
The Loutrel’s lobby evokes a charming Lowcountry veranda, replete with fans, botanicals, and a plush porch swing.
After indulging in a cup of Nespresso while tucked in my king bed (fit for a queen), I hit the historic streets for a morning run. The hotel’s complimentary breakfast is served in its bright and lively dining room adjacent to the lobby, where a capacious porch swing hangs.
To be sure, The Loutrel—whose name is inspired by Loutrel Briggs, the famed landscape architect—takes special care of its guests. The luxurious rooms are spacious and refined, replete with complimentary refreshments and local snacks. Upon check-in, guests receive a welcome cocktail and can also enjoy the hotel’s complimentary happy hour each afternoon. The Veranda Lounge, The Loutrel’s airy bar, offers further indulgences such as garden-inspired cocktails and a variety of small plates.
If the hotel’s aesthetic is driven by the landscape of the Lowcountry, curation and intention encapsulate The Loutrel’s overarching philosophy. Special touches include the Blind Date Book Package, which delivers a surprise book from nearby bookstore Buxton Books, and a custom spa cart. Also, guests can sip cocktails on the roof amidst a thriving garden, cultivated by the director of gardening, Rafael Madruga. Madruga selects the produce and garden botanicals to complement the hotel’s food-and-cocktail program.
The Loutrel’s rooftop terrace provides picturesque views of Market Street and the French Quarter.
There’s a spiritual aspect to the concept of retreat—and the garden is a prime spot to leave our cares. The Loutrel embodies this idea, bridging the gap between nature and luxury, rejuvenation for both body and soul.
Photography courtesy of The Loutrel
