A private retreat on the Ashley River
North Charleston · By the river · By invitation
When we built this house on the Ashley, we built it for the people we love. The plans had a guest room before they had a primary suite. That tells you everything you need to know about why we're here.
The Lowcountry has a way of slowing people down. The marsh runs on its own clock. The tide doesn't care about anyone's deadlines. Mornings start with coffee on the front porch and the herons working the shallows. Afternoons are for the boat — John takes guests out for sunset cruises and runs to the sandbar — or for a long lunch downtown. Evenings are for the screened porch, slow conversations, a cigar on the smoke deck, and the quiet that comes off the river after dark.
This isn't a rental. It isn't a B&B with strangers down the hall. It's our home — and we love sharing it. We're here when you're here, hosting. Patti's making breakfast. John's got the boat ready. Tell us your dates, tell us why you're coming through, and we'll take it from there.
Three floors of light, river views from every room, and a long list of places to land. Make yourself at home — every door here is open to you.
Heated pool just off the main floor and accessible from the screened porch. Hot tub for the after-dinner soak. Patti keeps fresh towels waiting by the French doors that open to the deck.
Strung from the live oak in the side yard. The kids will go from breakfast to the swing and you'll have to bribe them off.
Two-hundred-year-old oaks shading the side yard, draped in Spanish moss. Multiple sitting areas looks out to the dock — a quiet spot for a book or a coffee.
The boat doesn't go out without John at the wheel — sunset cruise on the Ashley, a tour of the Battery from the water, an afternoon drift with a beer in hand. Tell him when you want to go and you're going.
Rods and tackle are available — go out early with John, come back with lunch or dinner. Kayaks pulled up on the dock for the slow morning paddle or pedal (your choice).
The hour everyone migrates to the boards. Patti walks down with cocktails on a tray, John starts the dock fans (to limit the annoying no-see-ums), lights are on automatically before sunset and the river puts on its show — copper, then gold, then pink. Everyone gets quiet. This is the hour the house was built for.
Overhead fans, soft lights, the cool that comes off the water after dark. We stay out as late as the conversation runs — the marsh runs on its own clock.
The heart of the house, and Patti runs it. Coffee on early - tell us if is regular or decaf, breakfast made when you wander down. The butler's pantry is fully stocked — let her know if there's anything specific you'd like for the morning.
The first room of the day. East-facing, big comfy chairs, the morning light coming through the live oaks. Bring a coffee out and watch the neighborhood wake up.
Outdoor kitchen, ceiling fans, deep chairs, a TV for the games. Where the long Lowcountry evenings live. John keeps refreshments within reach.
Pool table for after-dinner games. River view from the windows. Stays open as late as the conversation does.
Open-air deck off the back, made for evening cigars and a brown drink. Two chairs, the right kind of quiet, the marsh going gold over the water. John's usually up there for the last drink of the night — pull up a chair.
For the rainy afternoon, the slow Sunday, the kids who want a project. Always a puzzle going.
A second kitchen on the guest level. Light refreshments, snacks, coffee. For when you want to enjoy refreshments on your own clock without waking the house.
Select the genre or playlist, you can select different sounds for different rooms
A few of our favorite places. The list grows every visit.
Quieter than Folly. Park on the side streets, walk the wide flat sand, end at Poe's Tavern for a burger.
The classic family beach. Wide, flat, family-friendly. Coconut Joe's for an oceanfront lunch with the kids.
The surf town. More personality, more crowd. Walk to the pier, lunch at Lost Dog Café.
The big-night-out steakhouse. Live music in the bar, the porterhouse for two, ask for Dinah (the Doscher's regular server). Billy is sure to stop by and say hello!
The local-favorite Lowcountry classic. Sit at the chef's bar if you can, get the shrimp & grits or the She-Crab soup.
The one we send everyone to. Off-the-tourist-path, generous portions, the kind of place you'll want to come back to.
The oldest landscaped garden in America. Romantic in spring, ghostly in winter, always worth a morning.
The classic. Walk it at golden hour. See the history of Charleston right before your eyes with beautiful and colorful architecture.
The boat is available during your stay. Sunset loop, lazy afternoon on the water, a ride to some of the waterfront dining establishments, or just drift.
Returning guests earn loyalty status — a way of saying we know who you are and we're glad you're back.
We host friends and family. Send us your dates and a note about why you're coming through, and we'll be in touch within a day or two to confirm.