Zero George

Zero George has the whimsical distinction of being located at 0 George Street in Charleston, and while the address seems like the kind of prank that would result in guests arriving to find an empty lot, we can assure you that this hotel is quite tangible — not to mention historic. Located in the Ansonborough district, where the oak trees are as stately as the buildings, this eighteen-room boutique comprises three restored 1804 residences and two carriage houses, all of which are connected by a palmetto-shaded courtyard.

While the formal architecture evokes old-South charm and languid afternoons spent wiping condensation from a glass of iced tea, the interiors have been given a makeover. That’s not to say that history’s been scrubbed away — the original heart pine flooring remains, along with some authentic millwork — but the casual elegance of the furniture betrays a thoroughly modern sensibility. In other words, you won’t find any ponderous old sofas or thousand-pound claw-foot tubs.

Step outside, however, and you’re right back in the Antebellum daze. The private open-air patios attached to each room give way to the lush courtyard, where the atmosphere is perfected by wicker and wrought-iron furniture. There’s no shortage of veranda space for sipping an afternoon cocktail and munching canapés. Chef Vinson Petrillo prepares hyper-seasonal, contemporary American dishes that have garnered praise from the likes of Travel and Leisure and Food & Wine. And beyond the front door, the “zero” address really does symbolize a starting point of sorts: the hotel is minutes from the Battery, Liberty Square, and the foodie mecca of upper King Street.