Before you book: what’s included and what costs extra
Room rates at The Francis Marion Hotel cover your guest room, complimentary Wi‑Fi in rooms and public areas, 24‑hour front desk and access to the 24‑hour fitness center. Meals, spa treatments, parking and pets (when allowed) are extra and charged separately.
In this guide
What the room rate usually includes
Standard inclusions listed by the hotel are the room itself, complimentary Wi‑Fi throughout guest rooms and public areas, access to the 24‑hour fitness center, and 24‑hour front‑desk/concierge services.
Basic in‑room amenities such as towels, toiletries, and access to porter/luggage storage before check‑in are provided; specific in‑room features depend on the room type you book (see the room list below).
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi in guest rooms and public areas
- 24‑hour fitness center (Peloton bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, dumbbells)
- 24‑hour front desk, concierge, porter service and luggage storage before check‑in
| Room type (examples) | What to expect included |
|---|---|
| Traditional Room, Harbor View | Standard room amenities + Harbor view option |
| Deluxe Room, Harbor View | Larger room option with Harbor view |
| Suite (Francis Marion) | Suite amenities; may include sofa bed and living area |
What costs extra: food and drink
On‑site dining is not included in room rates. The Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; breakfast is available for a surcharge and is not automatically part of the room rate.
There is an on‑site Starbucks for coffee and light bites; hours vary and the concierge can confirm the schedule.
- Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar — Breakfast 7:00–11:00, Lunch 11:30–3:00, Dinner 5:00–10:00 (lounge/bar 3:00–10:00). Meals are billed separately.
- Reservations are recommended for the Swamp Fox (OpenTable).
- Room service and some dinner hours vary by day; check current service hours with the hotel.
| Dining option | Typical extra charges |
|---|---|
| Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar | Meals billed per order; breakfast not included in room |
| Starbucks (on site) | Pay per item; hours vary |
| Private dining / Parkview Room | Room rental or catering fees apply for private events |
Spa, fitness and other paid services
The Spa of Charleston is on site and offers treatments in two treatment rooms; spa treatments require reservations and are billed separately from room rates.
Sample spa menu prices reported in public listings show massage and facial services starting in the mid‑hundreds (for example, a 60‑minute massage listed from about $175+). Confirm current service menus and prices directly with the spa.
- Spa treatments (massage, facials, body scrubs/wraps) — reservations required; contact The Spa of Charleston to book.
- Fitness center access is included for registered guests (24/7; equipment includes Peloton bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, dumbbells up to 50 lbs).
- Business center / meeting Wi‑Fi: standard guest Wi‑Fi is complimentary, but some meeting spaces may charge for dedicated event Wi‑Fi.
| Service | Included or extra |
|---|---|
| Fitness center | Included for guests |
| Spa treatments | Extra — reservations and payment required |
| Meeting/event‑space AV or dedicated Wi‑Fi | Often extra — confirm with events team |
Parking, transport and arrival fees
Parking at the hotel is not free. Valet parking is available for a nightly surcharge with unlimited in‑and‑out privileges; public self‑parking is available in the adjacent City of Charleston garage for a time‑based fee.
Airport transfers or shuttle service were not confirmed in the hotel listings; the hotel is located at 387 King Street downtown and the nearest airport is Charleston International Airport (CHS).
- Valet parking: listed at $40 plus tax per night with unlimited in‑and‑out privileges and a 7‑foot vehicle height limit (confirm current rate at time of stay).
- Self‑parking: adjacent city garage rates listed as $1.00 per 20 minutes with a $24 daily maximum (subject to garage availability).
- Oversized vehicles and rooftop carriers may not be accepted by valet; vehicles over 7 feet must use alternate parking (Visitor's Center Garage noted).
| Parking option | Typical charge / note |
|---|---|
| Valet parking | $40+ per night (unlimited in/out) — 7' height limit |
| Self‑parking (city garage) | $1.00 per 20 min; $24 daily maximum (midnight–midnight) |
| Oversized vehicles | May need alternative garage (check with hotel) |
Pets, accessibility and extra guest policies
The Francis Marion Hotel updated its pet policy in 2025 and now accepts dogs in designated pet‑friendly rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors; pet fees apply and availability may vary, so call ahead if traveling with a dog.
The property offers wheelchair‑accessible rooms and accessible parking; guests with specific accessibility needs should contact the hotel to confirm room features and availability.
- Pet fees reported in public listings: roughly $50 per night for dogs under 30 lbs and $100 per night for dogs 30 lbs or over (one pet per room); policies vary across third‑party sites — confirm directly with the hotel.
- Minimum check‑in age for the lead guest is listed as 18 on third‑party booking sources; photo ID and a credit card are required at check‑in.
- The hotel is smoke‑free throughout guest rooms and public spaces.
| Policy | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Minimum check‑in age | 18 (lead guest) — bring photo ID and credit card |
| Pet rooms | Located on 2nd and 3rd floors; pet fees apply |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair‑accessible rooms and accessible parking available |
Meetings, weddings and event fees
The hotel offers multiple ballrooms and about 18,000 sq. ft. of event space, with rooms such as the Carolina Ballroom, Colonial Ballroom and Gold Ballroom used for weddings and conferences. Event rental and catering are extra and priced per event.
Wedding and event packages vary widely; publicly listed package ranges and minimums are provided by third‑party event vendors but actual fees and inclusions must be confirmed with the hotel's events team.
- Event spaces include the Carolina Ballroom (largest), Colonial Ballroom and Gold Ballroom; the Parkview Room is available for small private dining.
- Published wedding package figures range broadly (examples from event listings show packages in the thousands); exact rental, catering, bar and service charges require direct quotes from the hotel.
- Some event rentals include chairs, tables, linens and a dance floor, but other items (AV, floral, security) are often additional.
| Space | Typical capacity / note |
|---|---|
| Carolina Ballroom | Large ballroom; up to several hundred guests (contact events team) |
| Colonial Ballroom | Historic room with Palladian windows; medium capacity |
| Gold Ballroom | Historic ballroom with chandeliers; medium capacity |
