Charleston hotelier Michael Bennett has bought The Inn at Middleton Place from the Middleton Place Foundation, according to a news release.
Bennett and his family bought the 55-room inn through Bennett Hospitality. The inn sits on a bluff overlooking the Ashley River, next to Middleton Place National Historic Landmark. The release did not disclose a price.
Salamander Collection, which manages the Bennett family’s Hotel Bennett on King Street in Charleston, will operate the inn. Salamander will also take over management of the Restaurant at Middleton Place and The Pavilion meeting space.
“We are extremely proud that The Inn will remain locally owned and welcoming for the entire Charleston community and beyond,” Bennett said in the release.
The foundation said historic sites across the country have faced unprecedented challenges since the pandemic. Over the past year, its board of trustees explored ways to secure the site’s long-term sustainability, according to the release. The foundation said the deal lets it focus on its mission of education, preservation and research while handing hospitality operations to partners.
“We were seeking a partnership that would both preserve Middleton Place and take it into the future,” said Mike Laughlin, chair of the foundation’s board of trustees.
The inn opened in 1987. Its design won the American Institute of Architects’ highest awards and brought architect W.G. Clark to national prominence, the release said. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, and guests get free admission to Middleton Place and its gardens, which connect to the inn by a riverfront walkway.
Middleton Place draws more than 100,000 visitors a year. Its 110 acres include America’s oldest landscaped gardens, a house museum and stable yards, according to the release.
“We are excited to introduce our many Salamander loyalists to this unique Lowcountry setting and look forward to working with the Inn’s team to further elevate the guest experience,” said Sheila Johnson, Salamander Collection’s founder and CEO.
Bennett Hospitality describes itself as the largest locally owned real estate and hospitality company in Charleston. Bennett’s Hotel Bennett opened on Marion Square in 2019, according to the company.
