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Landmark Charleston Hotel, Mills House, Relaunches as a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel Following Multi‑Million Dollar Reimagination

Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Exterior
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
The property’s transformation includes two new culinary concepts, sophisticated redesign, and an elevated guest experience

Charleston, S.C. – The iconic 218-room Mills House, located in the heart of downtown Charleston’s historic French Quarter neighborhood, officially relaunches following a complete renovation and conversion to a lifestyle hotel under the ownership of RLJ Lodging Trust. With the relaunch, Mills House transitions to Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton as the portfolio’s first property in South Carolina. 

Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Lobby
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Lobby

The transformation of this landmark hotel includes a complete reimagination of all original guest rooms and the addition of premium suites, while maintaining the old-world charm and warmth for which Charleston is known. Guests enter through a lush hidden garden, one of the hotel’s many new bespoke spaces, which also include a new rooftop bar and terrace. Mills House now offers multiple new food and beverage concepts, including The Black Door Café, aptly named for its paneled door on Queen Street that offers a quintessential Charleston moment for visitors to The Holy City. Tucked inside the hotel’s walled courtyard, and soon to be one of Charleston’s favorite hidden gem eateries, is Iron Rose, a new signature restaurant where guests can enjoy Southern coastal cuisine by an outdoor fireplace. 

“Celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2023, Mills House has a long and storied history in Charleston, and we look forward to introducing guests to this new and exciting next chapter,” says Michael Linder, general manager. “With the complete, top-to-bottom transformation, the hotel offers an elevated take on Southern hospitality, making it the perfect home base for visitors seeking a genuine Charleston stay. From the moment you enter the hotel, it’s as if you’ve been invited into a friend’s home, complete with an evocative sense of charm and warmth that’s carried throughout the entire guest experience.” 

“We are thrilled to introduce Curio Collection by Hilton to South Carolina with the debut of Mills House,” said Jenna Hackett, global brand head, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Curio Collection by Hilton hotels offer guests authentic, curated experiences in some of the world’s most exciting destinations through elevated food and drink, best-in-class amenities and design inspired by the local area. Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton will set the stage for southern hospitality with its prime location in the heart of Charleston, bringing the best of the city into the guest’s stay.” 

Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Lobby - Guest Arrival Area
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Lobby - Guest Arrival Area

Mills House - A Charleston Icon Reimagined

As Charleston’s iconic and beloved pink landmark, Mills House exemplifies a timeless commitment to Southern hospitality. Originally established in 1853 by local entrepreneur Otis Mills, the hotel was later reconstructed in the 1960s. Continuing its legacy in this exciting new chapter, the hotel’s current renovation is overseen by Ealain Studio, an award-winning hospitality interior design firm with projects across the country. 

The newly reimagined Mills House offers modern, sophisticated design aesthetics with comfortable yet upscale touches that elevate the Southern lifestyle. Upon arrival, guests enter through a lush, intimate hidden garden complete with an outdoor fireplace and shade canopies. Throughout the first-level communal areas, including the lobby and courtyard, the hotel’s design seamlessly blends the indoor and outdoor living style synonymous with the Lowcountry. Inspired by a traditional southern porch, the lobby captures rich natural light through expansive glass windows to offer guests an inviting, approachable space in which to start or end their day. Just beyond the lobby, the hotel’s courtyard represents an extension of the interior space that pays homage to its original design by famed Charleston landscape architect Loutrel Briggs while providing a tranquil, elevated gathering spot.

Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Interior - The Porch
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - Interior - The Porch

A standout amenity, the hotel’s renovated rooftop pool and terrace, features sophisticated, bold touches of black and white with hints of the building’s signature pink throughout the design palette. With a newly added outdoor terrace bar, guests can conveniently enjoy beverages and light bites from chaise lounges and secluded cabanas that line the pool, surrounded by lush landscaping. Daily yoga classes are also offered on the terrace, led by certified local instructors, for guests to take advantage of the scenic, serene setting. 

On the hotel’s upper floors, the fully renovated guest rooms bring a fresh, timeless elegance and residential feel. The redesign incorporates modern, stylish furnishings; custom cabinetry; pops of rich color in the city’s namesake Charleston Green; original artwork by Southeastern artist Tracy Murrell; and sleek, multi-functional elements in the upgraded bathrooms.

Holy City Dining Destination 

Alongside updates to the community spaces and guest rooms, the hotel also introduces two new dining concepts – The Black Door Café and Iron Rose. 

The Black Door Café is Mills House’s vibrant all-day café, with an intimate, casual coffee bar atmosphere. Open to hotel guests and locals alike, the café features a robust coffee program alongside renowned roasters La Colombe, artisan pastries and indulgent treats, light yet satisfying breakfasts and lunches, thoughtfully prepared grab-and-go items, and a selection of culinary retail items sourced from local purveyors. Situated at street level on the corner of Queen and Meeting Streets, The Black Door Café is more than a hotel coffee shop – it’s a true neighborhood gathering spot that’s cozy and welcoming, with comfortable seating and high-speed internet.

Iron Rose debuts as the hotel’s signature, full-service restaurant offering a vibrant, convivial atmosphere for both indoor and outdoor courtyard dining. Led by Executive Chef Gary Mennie, Iron Rose features contemporary Southern dishes, rotating seasonally and spotlighting local ingredients. With Charleston’s exemplary dining scene garnering national acclaim, Iron Rose is the newest culinary destination worth seeking out in the city.  

Meet Me at Mills House 

When it’s time to gather, Mills House provides the ideal setting in the heart of downtown Charleston. The hotel offers more than 15,000 square feet of flexible, multi-use meeting and function space across the Signers Ballroom, Hibernian Hall next door, and several smaller breakout rooms. Versatile spaces are filled with natural light for seminars, workshops, conferences, and intimate get-togethers such as social celebrations and corporate parties. 

When it comes to weddings, no place does romance like Mills House. Intimate venues with indoor and outdoor spaces and photo-worthy backdrops set the hotel apart, including the courtyard, a stunning rooftop, and the Planter's Suite balcony overlooking Meeting Street with original ironwork from 1853. Mills House is also the preferred caterer for the adjacent Hibernian Hall, providing food and beverage and audiovisual services to the venue.

Premier Location in the Heart of Charleston

Mills House is located on the corner of Queen and Meeting Streets in Charleston’s historic downtown, in an irreplaceable location on the peninsula within walking distance of local art galleries, world-class shopping, renowned dining establishments, and historic city sites. The property is also just a short drive from attractions off the peninsula, including area beaches, famed gardens, event venues, and more. A top leisure destination with more than seven million visitors annually, Charleston has been named the “No. 1 Small U.S. City” for the eighth year in a row by Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards and the “No. 1 City in the U.S.” for the tenth year in a row by Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards. With daily non-stop flights from 37 cities across the U.S. and easy drive-in access from major markets throughout the Southeast, including Charlotte and Atlanta, Charleston is beloved for its rich history, southern charm, and a deep culture rooted in hospitality.

A True Charleston Experience 

With the relaunch of Mills House, guests can take advantage of new opening offers, including the “Mills House Reimagined” package, which includes a custom in-room welcome gift and cocktail; dinner for two in Iron Rose; and a credit to Black Door Café. Please contact the hotel at 843-577-2400 for additional details. 

As a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, Mills House joins a global portfolio of more than 120 hand-picked and one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories. The collection provides authentic, curated experiences through distinctly local and elevated amenities, while offering the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors. 

For more information about Mills House or to book a reservation, please visit www.millshouse.com, and follow along on Instagram at @millshousehotel.

Media Contact

Hilton Corporate Communicationshiltonpr@hilton.com

Media Contact

Jamie GnazzoC&R PR jamie@candrpr.com845.820.2498


About Hilton

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising more than 7,500 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 180 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube


About Curio Collection by Hilton

Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of 160 individually remarkable hotels hand-picked to immerse guests in one-of-a-kind moments in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Each hotel in the Curio Collection evokes a bespoke story through distinctive architecture and design, world-class food & beverage and curated experiences, while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. Experience Curio Collection by Hilton by booking at curiocollection.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Curio Collection by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/curio, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.


About Mills House:

Charleston’s iconic and beloved pink landmark, Mills House exemplifies a commitment to Southern hospitality with a refined, elevated guest experience. Widely regarded as one of Charleston’s premiere properties, Mills House offers world-class accommodations, dining, wedding and event space, and amenities suited to a range of travelers. Mills House relaunches as a luxury lifestyle hotel in October 2022, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that transformed the property from top to bottom, and marks South Carolina’s first Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton.


About RLJ Lodging Trust:

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 96 hotels with approximately 21,200 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms. For more information, please visit the website at www.rljlodgingtrust.com