Nadia's Spring Charleston Itinerary

Charleston in Bloom: Our Stay at Hotel Bennett

There’s something magical about Charleston in the springtime. The flowers begin blooming everywhere, window boxes spill onto cobblestone streets, jasmine drifts through the air, and the weather feels almost impossibly perfect — warm, sunny days with just enough breeze coming off the water.

I first visited Charleston about 10 years ago, and I’ve been so excited to return ever since. It’s one of those places that stays with you — endlessly charming, layered with history, and full of unmistakable Southern charm that feels both elegant and lived-in at the same time.

On this recent trip, I spent a few days there with my mom and sisters and stayed at Hotel Bennett, which truly became the heart of our trip. From slow mornings getting ready together to late-night cocktails after dinner, it felt like the ideal home base for a Charleston girls’ getaway. 

Where We Stayed

Hotel Bennett

Perfectly located on King Street overlooking Marion Square, Hotel Bennett feels elegant, feminine, and timeless in the best way. The interiors are grand yet warm, with soft pastel tones, crystal chandeliers, marble details, and one of the prettiest hotel bars I’ve ever seen.

One of my favourite parts of staying here was how walkable everything felt. We spent our days wandering Charleston’s charming streets, popping into boutiques and cafés, then returning to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.

A few highlights from our stay:

• Morning coffees before strolling through the city at La Pâtisserie
• Bubbles at Camellias, the iconic pink champagne bar
• The rooftop pool and bar Fiat Luxe for sunny afternoons and golden hour
• Beautifully spacious rooms perfect for getting ready with the girls
• The dreamiest location for exploring Charleston on foot

The entire stay felt romantic, polished, and effortless — exactly how you want a girls’ trip to feel. 

What to Do in Charleston

Charleston is a city best enjoyed slowly. Some of my favourite moments were honestly the unplanned ones — wandering side streets, stopping to admire hidden gardens, and taking photos in the golden evening light.

A few things not to miss:

• Sunset walks along The Battery as the light turns soft and golden
• Browsing antique stores and little art galleries tucked through the historic district
• Charleston City Market — a historic open-air market filled with local makers, sweetgrass baskets, art, and classic Charleston charm
• Grabbing cocktails before dinner and lingering at the table for hours  

South of Broad & Historic Home Tours

One of my favourite ways to experience Charleston is simply wandering through South of Broad — where every street feels like a painting. The pastel façades, iron gates, and quiet gardens make it one of the most atmospheric parts of the city.

This is also where you’ll find some of Charleston’s most beautiful historic home tours. If you have time, a few worth visiting:

Nathaniel Russell House — The one we visited on this trip. Known for its iconic spiral staircase and elegant Federal-style architecture, it feels incredibly preserved and immersive.

Edmondston-Alston House — Overlooking the waterfront along The Battery, this home offers both history and some of the best views in the city.

Calhoun/Williams Mansion — A Gilded Age mansion known for its scale and ornate interiors. Currently temporarily closed, so it’s worth checking availability before visiting.

Walking between these homes is just as special as the tours themselves — especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the streets feel almost still.   

Shopping Along King Street

Here are a few brands and boutiques that also made this trip feel especially inspiring:

Hill House Home — feminine, romantic pieces that feel made for Charleston mornings and hotel dressing rooms

LoveShackFancy — dreamy prints and vintage-inspired silhouettes that fit the city’s spring palette perfectly

Anthropologie — always a great stop in Charleston for homeware and seasonal inspiration

Free People — easy, effortless pieces for walking the city and beachy Lowcountry afternoons

Julia Amory — elevated resortwear that feels especially at home in Southern light

Loeffler Randall — beautiful shoes and accessories that work perfectly for cobblestone streets and dinner evenings

Sézane — currently hosting a pop-up inside The Charleston Place, another stunning hotel I stayed at on a previous trip and always recommend visiting when you find one.

Alice + Olivia — playful, colourful pieces perfect for dinner nights and girls’ trip dressing

J.McLaughlin — classic, polished resortwear that feels very at home in the South

Pink Chicken — joyful prints and easy silhouettes that capture that effortless vacation energy

Sloane Boutique - right across from Hotel Bennett, filled with beautiful playful resortwear  

Antique & Interiors Stops

Charleston’s interiors scene is just as inspiring as its fashion — full of layered textures, patina, and timeless design:

Golden & Associates Antiques — beautifully curated antiques with a strong sense of history and character

Wynsum Antiques & Interiors — eclectic, collected pieces that feel like they’ve been gathered over time

George C Birlant & Co — one of the city’s most established antique houses for fine furniture and decorative objects

Wentworth — refined interiors and design pieces with a classic Charleston sensibility

Brooke & Lou — a beautifully curated interiors shop (and so special to see some of my pieces there), filled with warm, layered, livable design objects  

About Nadia Colella

Nadia Colella is an artist, tastemaker, and storyteller, always a dreamer, known for her romantic lens on art, food, and slow living.

Based in Toronto, she brings together her love of painting, food, and pattern into a world that celebrates beauty in the everyday.

What began as Nadia & Co over a decade ago has evolved into Nadia Colella Living — a reflection of her lifelong fascination with nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the art of living well. With over 15 years of creative experience, Nadia’s work moves fluidly between mediums: from hand-painted linens to thoughtful tablescapes and poetic imagery that transform daily rituals into moments of reverie. Whether she’s in the studio sketching her next collection, baking something sweet, or styling an intimate gathering, Nadia invites others to slow down, find beauty in the details, and create a life that feels artful — one moment at a time.