Press Room

🎉Congratulations to our founder, Rick Widman, on being honored with the 2025 @historichotels of America Steward of History and Historic Preservation Award, which recognizes his leadership in protecting Charleston’s architectural and cultural heritage. Presented at the recent annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala Dinner, this award celebrates Rick’s decades of thoughtful stewardship and his enduring commitment to preserving history for future generations! 🍾

#HistoricHotelsOfAmerica ...

✨ A Charleston Holiday Tradition ✨

What began as a collaboration between a young storyteller and a new fine dining restaurant has become one of Charleston’s most beloved holiday traditions.

In “Once Upon a Dinner,” storyteller Tim Lowry shares how his partnership with Circa 1886 Restaurant led to the creation of the Dickens Dinner — a magical pairing of classic literature, culinary artistry, and timeless holiday spirit.

📖✨ Read the full story in the latest issue of @charlestonlivingmagazine and discover how this cherished tradition began. Link in bio.

#CharmingInns #Circa1886 #CharlestonDining #CharlestonEats #HolidayTradition #DickensDinner #CharlestonHolidays #SouthernHospitality ...

We are honored to have @circa1886 featured in @charlestonlivingmagazine`s latest feature, "A Legacy of Southern Hospitality.” The article beautifully captures the spirit of the restaurant and the team behind the timeless, innovative cuisine. Click the link in our bio for the article! 🍷🍽

#Charleston #SouthernHospitality #Circa1886 #CharlestonDining #CulinaryExcellence #CharmingInns ...

Join the Legacy of Luxury Hospitality. ✨

Charming Inns® is actively seeking two exceptional leaders to join the teams at @wentworthmansionsc and @johnrutledgehouseinn —two of Charleston’s most iconic historic properties.

Are you ready to be the Innkeeper who defines world-class Southern hospitality?

➡️ Wentworth Mansion: Leader of Front Office, Housekeeping, and Guest Services.

➡️ John Rutledge House Inn:
Oversee all daily operations, service standards, and staff leadership.

We Are Looking For:
A passion for impeccable service, proven supervisory experience in luxury hospitality, and the dedication to craft unforgettable guest moments.

If you are ready to elevate your career and work in a truly special environment, we want to hear from you.

🔗 **APPLY NOW:** Click the Link in Bio to access our Careers Page and view full details for both roles.

#CharlestonJobs #LuxuryHospitality #Innkeeper #WentworthMansion #JohnRutledgeHouseInn #CharmingInns #SouthCarolina ...

Cheers to @wentworthmansionsc for being named the No. 4 best hotel in Charleston by Condé Nast Traveler readers in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards! ✨ And, congratulations to Charleston for being named the Best Small City in the U.S. for the last 14 out of 15 years! These awards are a testament to the thousands of passionate people who make Charleston’s travel and hospitality industry so exceptional. 🥂🍾

#condenasttraveller #readerschoice #bestcity #wentworthmansion ...

We’re proud to share that John Rutledge House Inn has been featured in Southern Living’s roundup of 12 Southern Stays With Front Porches You’ll Never Want To Leave!

The inn’s location historic wrought-iron balcony overlooking Broad Street isn’t just a porch — it’s a piece of Charleston’s story and one of the most beloved spots for our guests to relax, sip tea, and watch the world go by.

Thank you, Southern Living, for recognizing our historic inn among such charming Southern stays!

Read the full article in our bio.

#JohnRutledgeHouseInn #SouthernLiving #Charleston #HistoricHotels ...

We are proud to share that Executive Chef Marc Collins of Circa 1886 Restaurant has been named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Charleston by @charlestonmag !

For more than two decades, Chef Collins has been a driving force in Charleston’s culinary scene—not only through his leadership at Circa 1886, but also as a co-founder of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival and a champion of local ingredients and creative dining experiences.

This recognition celebrates his lasting impact on Charleston’s growth as one of the country’s top food destinations, and we are honored to see his dedication, vision, and passion recognized in this way. Congratulations, Chef Marc! 👏 🍾

See the full list in our bio.

#Tourism #CharlestonLiving #SouthernLiving #ExploreCharleston #CharlestonMagazine #HospitalityIndustry ...

We are thrilled to share that Circa 1886 Restaurant has been named a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Winner for 2025 — recognized as one of the Best Date Night restaurants and placing them among the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.

The Travelers’ Choice distinction is one of the most recognized honors in the travel and hospitality space, and we are deeply grateful to our incredible guests whose experiences and reviews make this recognition possible.

This award is a testament to the dedication and creativity of our culinary team, led by Executive Chef Marc Collins and Pastry Chef Ashley Cardona, as well as to every member of the team who contributes to creating memorable dining experiences night after night. 🍽️ ❤

#bestofthebest #finedining #datenight #circa1886 ...

The entire Charming Inns family is celebrating the announcement that Richard (Rick) Widman, founder of Charming Inns of Charleston in Charleston, will receive the 2025 Historic Hotels of America Steward of History and Historic Preservation Award!

This honor from @historichotels celebrates Rick’s lifetime commitment to preserving Charleston’s history through our beloved inns: Wentworth Mansion, John Rutledge House Inn, Kings Courtyard Inn, and Fulton Lane Inn.
Congratulations, Rick! Your passion and stewardship ensure Charleston’s past continues to inspire every guest who walks through our doors. 🍾

Read the full announcement in our bio.

#historichotelsofamerica #preservation #boutiquehotel ...

@circa1886 is excited to share that Sommelier Anne Hampton has returned! A familiar face to many of Circa 1886’s guests, Anne brings a wealth of wine expertise, warm hospitality, and a refreshing approach that makes wine discovery exciting and accessible.

Anne’s journey has taken her from Iowa to Colorado’s Vail Valley to Charleston, where she first joined Circa 1886 in 2017. After expanding her experience as a wine representative and managing wine programs elsewhere, she’s now back “home” with us—ready to craft pairings that elevate Chef Marc Collins’ imaginative menus and create unforgettable dining experiences.

We’re thrilled to have Anne leading our wine program once again and can’t wait for our guests to experience her passion firsthand. 🍷#sommelier #sommeliers #finediningexperience ...

Big news from the @circa1886 kitchen! 👨‍🍳✨

Please join us in welcoming Kevin Campbell as the new Sous Chef!

With experience at the prestigious Inn at Little Washington, a love for local Charleston ingredients, and a globally inspired cooking style, Kevin brings fresh creativity to our award-winning kitchen. His philosophy? Cook, have fun, and enjoy the process.

We can’t wait for you to taste what he’s cooking up. 🍽️

Read Kevin’s full bio at the link in our bio.

#Circa1886 #tastingmenu #CharlestonEats #FineDining #MeetTheTeam #SousChef #LocalFlavors #CharlestonSC #HolyCityEats #CulinaryExcellence ...

Ready to take the leap into solo travel? @darleynewman names Charleston as one of 7 inspiring destinations every woman should visit—and we’re honored that @wentworthmansionsc and @kingscourtyardinn made her list of perfect places to stay! Click the link in our bio to read Darley’s travel tips for women of any age!

#charlestonsc #boutiquehotel #solotraveler #femaletravel ...

✨ First time in Charleston?
This article is packed with must-see sights, local favorites, and insider tips to make the most of your visit—plus, it features a stay at Fulton Lane Inn, perfectly located in the heart of historic downtown.🌴

📍 Don’t miss this helpful guide for planning your unforgettable Charleston getaway!

#CharlestonSC #FultonLaneInn #ExploreCharleston #HiddenGems #HistoricDowntown ...

We are deeply honored to announce that Wentworth Mansion has once again been nominated for Best Boutique Hotel in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! This recognition is a true reflection of our dedicated team and the incredible guests who make Wentworth Mansion more than just a place to stay. With your daily vote, we have the chance to claim this prestigious title. You can vote once per day through Monday, August 4 at noon ET via the link below. Every vote truly makes a difference! Please consider sharing this exciting news with friends and family who appreciate exceptional, timeless hospitality. Click the link in our bio to vote!💛 #10best #BoutiqueHotel ...

🍽️ 25 Years of Culinary Passion at Circa 1886 🍷

Step into the kitchen with Executive Chef Marc Collins as he reflects on nearly a quarter century at the helm of Circa 1886 Restaurant—his journey through Southern cuisine, the evolution of the menu, and how a simple idea helped spark the creation of Charleston Wine + Food.
From gourmet riffs on fast food to unforgettable dinners with NYT wine critic Eric Asimov, this interview dives into the flavors, friendships, and philosophy that define Chef Collins’s legacy.

✨ “I never thought I’d be at a restaurant this long, but I’m glad I found my kitchen home.” — Marc Collins

📖 Click the link in our bio to read the full story!

📷: @charlestonmag

#circa1886 #finedining #wineandfood ...

🎊 Behind the Celebration 🎊

At @circa1886, every unforgettable event is made possible by the people behind the scenes—and our Event & Office Manager, Michael Dawson, is one of the very best!

From elegant rehearsal dinners to full restaurant buyouts, Michael ensures every detail is thoughtful, seamless, and beautifully executed. His passion for hospitality shines through in every celebration he helps create.

Want a peek behind the curtain? In our latest Q&A, Michael shares his journey, his favorite event memories (including one with a surprise proposal 💍), and what makes Circa 1886 unlike any other venue in Charleston.

Click the link below to meet Michael and discover what makes hosting an event with Circa 1886 Restaurant so special.

#Circa1886 #CharlestonEvents #CharlestonRestaurants #CharmingInns #WentworthMansion #Hospitality ...