History and architecture: the 1924 landmark at King & Calhoun
The Francis Marion Hotel is a 1924 Charleston landmark at King and Calhoun Streets overlooking Marion Square, known for its original ballrooms and historic lobby features. The property was last renovated in 2008 and operates as a full-service, family-friendly downtown hotel with on-site dining, a spa, and meeting/event space.
In this guide
A brief history
The Francis Marion Hotel opened in 1924 and takes its name from Revolutionary War figure Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox.” The building is described in listings and hotel materials as a historic downtown Charleston landmark.
The property retains much of its 1920s character while undergoing updates; its most recent full renovation is documented as occurring in 2008. Today it functions as a 12-story, roughly 235-room hotel that balances historic ballroom and lobby spaces with modern guest services.
- Year built: 1924
- Last full renovation: 2008
- Approximate size: 12 stories, about 235 rooms
Architecture and interior highlights
The hotel preserves several historic interior elements from the 1920s, including high ceilings, antique crystal chandeliers, Palladian windows in the Colonial Ballroom, and original-style decorative trim in its Gold Ballroom.
Public areas emphasize traditional hotel finishes that reflect the building’s vintage: marble-accented fireplaces, mezzanine balconies in the lobby, and hardwood floors in select event rooms.
- Antique crystal chandeliers and high (about 20–24 foot) ceilings in ballrooms
- Palladian windows overlooking Marion Square in the Colonial Ballroom
- Hardwood floors, handcrafted trim, and a fireplace with an antique mirror in the Gold Ballroom
Ballrooms and event spaces
The Francis Marion has multiple historic ballrooms and roughly 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space on the property, used for weddings, receptions, meetings, and conferences. Ballrooms combine historic details (crystal chandeliers, hardwood floors, fireplaces) with capacities suitable for mid-size to large events.
Event planners should note the hotel lists a range of capacities for different setups and several smaller private rooms for breakout sessions or private dining.
- Colonial Ballroom: original 1924 dining room with eight Palladian windows overlooking Marion Square
- Gold Ballroom: original ballroom with handcrafted trim, hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers and an antique-mirror fireplace
- Carolina Ballroom: added in 2004 for larger, more flexible events
| Ballroom | Approx. seated capacity | Notable features |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Ballroom | Up to 350 seated / 500 reception (listed flex capacities) | Modern flexible space, added 2004 |
| Colonial Ballroom | About 200 seated / 250 reception | Eight Palladian windows, historic dining room |
| Gold Ballroom | About 200 seated | Hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, antique mirror fireplace |
Guest rooms and suites
Room types include Traditional Room, Harbor View; Deluxe Room, Harbor View; Deluxe Room; Traditional Room, with Sofa bed; Standard Room (Run of House); and Suite (Francis Marion). The property offers harbor and city views from select room categories.
All guest rooms include complimentary Wi‑Fi. The hotel markets family-friendly accommodations and a mix of room sizes from run-of-house to the Suite (Francis Marion) for guests needing more space.
- Traditional Room, Harbor View (1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds)
- Deluxe Room, Harbor View (1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds)
- Traditional Room, with Sofa bed (1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed)
- Suite (Francis Marion) (1 King Bed or 1 Double Sofa Bed)
Dining, spa and on-site services
On-site dining is anchored by The Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar, serving Southern/Lowcountry cuisine (breakfast, lunch, dinner windows are posted on the hotel site). There is also an on-site Starbucks for coffee and quick items.
The Spa of Charleston operates inside the hotel with two treatment rooms and a menu that includes massages, facials, body scrubs and specialty treatments. The fitness center is open 24/7 and includes two Peloton bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, and dumbbells.
- The Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar — breakfast, lunch and dinner service (hours listed on-site)
- Starbucks — on-site coffee cafe
- The Spa of Charleston — daily service; reservations required for treatments
- Fitness center — open 24/7 with Peloton bikes and free weights
Practical information & accessibility
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM (noon). The front desk operates 24 hours and the hotel provides complimentary luggage storage for guests arriving before check-in.
The property is smoke-free and offers wheelchair-accessible rooms and accessible paths of travel. Paid parking options include valet (with height and size limits) or self-parking at an adjacent city garage; policies and fees can change, so confirm current details with the hotel.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM; check-out: 12:00 PM (late check-out may be available on request)
- No on-site swimming pool or hot tub
- Valet parking and adjacent city-owned garage available (fees apply)
- Guests must present a photo ID and credit card at check-in
Location and nearby historic attractions
The Francis Marion Hotel stands at 387 King Street at the corner of King and Calhoun, directly across from Marion Square in Charleston’s historic district. Its downtown location places many museums, shops and historic sites within an easy walk.
Nearby cultural and historic sites listed by the hotel and destination guides include the College of Charleston, the Charleston Museum, the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston City Market, the Aiken-Rhett House Museum and the Old Slave Mart Museum.
- Marion Square — across the street from the hotel
- College of Charleston — steps away
- Charleston Museum, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston City Market — short walks
