Why book?
We all need a little more fun in our lives: less formality, more adventure. The Ryder channels that. There’s synchronicity here, in that the hotel is a top-to-bottom renovation of a 1958 structure, the same year that Jack Kerouac’s novel The Dharma Bums came out and lit up the American psyche. Kerouac’s semi-fictional character Japhy Ryder was the inspiration here: that beatnik ideal of finding oneself through travel, bucking stereotypes, shaking things up a bit, relishing the journey. And if you missed that undercurrent at The Ryder, there’s a stairwell photo of a naked woman strumming a guitar to remind you to loosen up a little. The attitude here is welcoming, laid-back, completely unpretentious, but in a clean, bright, and professional setting.
Set the scene
The Ryder flanks Meeting Street, one of Charleston’s oldest commercial arteries, a block away from shopping hub King Street. Two of Charleston’s finest restaurants, F.I.G. and Lenoir, are a stone’s throw away, but the hotel’s indoor/outdoor poolside venue, Little Palm, acts as its own tractor-beam. By day, twenty-somethings and stylish creatives soak up the morning sun on poolside daybeds, next to a business exec on her laptop beneath the shade of the oversized Italian-crafted, soft-folding gingham umbrellas. The bar gets lively at night, but not obnoxiously so. The sound of cocktail shakers keep toes tapping, whether you’re wearing flip-flops, acrylic heels, or no shoes at all.
The backstory
Designer Cortney Bishop, a well-traveled visionary, drew bits of inspiration from eco-lodges in Central America, pool scenes in Miami, and hotel slippers on the fashion runways of Paris. She has energy, great taste, and a penchant for buying cool things.
The rooms
The Ryder’s 91 rooms are a breathable mix of pale woods, custom-woven rugs, mesh drapery, silky smooth flooring, rounded woodwork (everything’s new, so all the drawers glide, nothing sticks), and striking sconces. The sea-glass-hued penny tile backsplash behind the glowing bathroom mirror brightens any morning. Walk-in glass showers feature Malin + Goetz herb-based shampoos. You can spend your evening out on the town or at the poolside bar, or have a night in, throw off your shoes, wrap yourself in The Ryder’s Italian-embroidered Frette robe, and watch Netflix on the flatscreen. The choicest room in the whole hotel is the Hospitality Suite, a corner 1,045-square-foot pad with a free-standing soaking tub (outdoor palm fronds serve as a natural privacy blind), a gorgeously tiled kitchenette, sociable living room, and balcony directly overlooking the pool.
Food and drink
A welcome craft cocktail, muddled-to-order, greets you at check-in, garnished with an earthy carnation. Little Palm, the indoor-outdoor poolside bar-restaurant, offers tropical cocktails and playful southern bites, simple, fresh, seasonal. Tuna Poke is light and bright, the Fried Chicken Skewers a brilliant invention (with sweet chili and garlic soy), and cilantro chimichurri takes Hangar Steak Frites to another level.
The spa
At The Ryder, you can arrange an in-room spa treatment from one of their local partners with 24-hours notice, or have Peloton bikes delivered to your room. There’s an in-room yoga channel in the planning with mats provided.
The neighborhood/area
This section of Meeting Street is steps from everything but not frenetic. Hop on one of The Ryder’s courtesy bikes to explore the historic peninsula, or set out by foot or bike taxi. You are a few blocks south of the weekend farmer’s market, and five blocks north of the “South of Broad” historic residential district, all very walkable. If you have something more adventurous in mind, there’s kiteboarding and surfing on one of the nearby barrier islands.
The service
From valets to check-in, service is amiable, and the concierge is ready to advise on what and where next.
For families
It’s not exactly “family driven” but kids are welcome. The pool is fashionable but petite, so rowdy kids aren’t really a fit here.
Eco effort
There are nice touches, especially with material choices—designer Cortney Bishop sourced Happy Habitat recycled cotton blankets; the room tumblers are ceramic (not plastic) by Charleston-born MaryMar Keenan of MMclay design studio in San Francisco.
Accessibility
There are ADA-accessible rooms and corresponding elevators and a state-of-the-art ADA pool lift.
Anything left to mention?
In keeping with the 1960s motor inn spirit, the hotel is laid out like a rectangle with long run hallways and interior balconies overlooking a festive terrace below—a very relaxing and social spot, with a tiki bar, rattan furniture, tea lights, and a giant sun mural. It’s fun, youthful, unpretentious.
237 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina 29401
United States
https://www.theryderhotel.com