Meet the Dreamboats! The British-born, Charleston-based duo of Restaurateur Ben Towill and Chef Charlie Layton of Basic Projects are preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean in the 2022 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. They were inspired to take on this extraordinary feat of athletic and mental endurance when they were in the depths of the most challenging days of running a restaurant during the Covid pandemic.
3 Hotels Showcase the Power of Secondary U.S. Cities
A trio of properties in second-tier markets make a strong case for the growing cities they inhabit
Words by: Will Speros + Caitlin St John
Austin s Hotel Magdalena nods to local lake culture with a pool in the center of the four-building complex
While major urban hubs in the U.S. like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles naturally get the lion’s share of attention, secondary cities have their own growing appeal. Take Austin, which continues to be the city of the moment. Big brands and developers have staked a claim in recent years, but the originator of Austin cool, Bunkhouse Group, endures with laidback properties that cement the Texas capital as a must-visit destination. On its heels are coastal settings like Charleston, South Carolina and Newport, Rhode Island. Each exudes an effortless charm that attracts hoteliers and designers alike. In these cities that are ripe for development, three inviting properties embrace both t
Credit: Kirk Robert
Post House Inn brings grandmillenial-meets-modern charm to Mt. Pleasant, the quaint town located between Charleston and Sullivan’s Island. Originally built in 1896, the inn hearkens to pubs in the heart of English villages that lack lobbies, but have charming rooms above.
Thanks to Post House’s owners (and designers) Kate and Ben Towill, the inn is also a source of design inspiration. Because it’s located in a historic residential community on Charleston Harbor, the Towills wanted to give the inn a chic coastal vibe where anyone from couples to families to solo travelers can feel welcome. “You want the touch of an antique dresser, but then you want a gorgeous white hotel robe to put on. That’s how we do a lot of our projects,” says Kate. “You want something to feel like it’s been here for a long time, but don’t want it to give you a feeling of discomfort.”