Charleston, South Carolina, gets all of the attention. And while it’s certainly worthy of praise, too often Greenville gets overlooked, which is exactly what makes this gem of a town even more endearing. Once known for textile manufacturing, over the last decade Greenville has quickly become a popular southern destination due to its impeccable farm-to-table dining, its emerging breweries and distilleries, and a lively, walkable downtown.
Notably added to the landscape, the new 187-room Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville is an architectural masterwork from the Kessler Collection that seamlessly blends into its natural environment. With its proximity to Falls Park on the Reedy, the hotel’s architecture—aptly named “Parkitecture”—is a nod to other national parks and lodges.
The interiors pay homage to the spirit of Greenville and the indigenous people who once lived there, using cedar and regionally sourced stone accented with geodes and jade throughout. After checking in, head to Group Therapy Pub & Playground for an exceptionally playful and fun afternoon of craft cocktails, ax throwing, and movie-themed miniature golf (think Titanic, E.T., Jaws, and more, with each hole designed by former Disney set designers). Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and nosh on small plates on the outdoor balcony of Between the Trees, the Grand Bohemian’s steakhouse. Tucked high in the trees above the falls, the patio feels like an elegant treehouse.
Next, Uber to Mr. Crisp, where a bartender will mix up artisan cocktails like Benne & the Jets—a delicious brown-butter washed bourbon mixed with sesame gardenia, Amaro di Angostura, Bénédictine, and cherry bark vanilla—served in a classic midcentury- modern glass. Chefs here source some of the freshest seafood in South Carolina for Mr. Crisp’s fare, including its raw oyster offerings. Sample several kinds before digging into a whole fried snapper with masa crust, pumpkin-seed mole, and a touch of pico verde and lime.
STAY & ADMIRE
Artwork played a major role in the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville’s interior design, with many pieces throughout the hotel sourced from owner Richard C. Kessler’s $2 million private collection. Paintings and sculptures depicting Native American life (such as the one in the photo, right), are curated in every corner of the hotel. There's even an impressive fourteen-foot-tall bronze statue of a warrior on horseback.