When Lori Donaldson bought Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast in 2004, it was less a business decision and more a lifestyle choice.
"I did it because I like people, and I like most everything to do with running a B&B," she says. "Guys buy BMW convertibles; this is my midlife crisis."
Located a few blocks from downtown Greenville, the six-bedroom 1920s home hosts about 240 guests a month, offering relaxed hospitality, pleasant surroundings - and especially, gourmet breakfasts.
"My target audience is people who like good food," Donaldson says with a laugh. "You won't have a breakfast like mine anywhere else in Greenville."A recent menu included fresh melon, homemade granola, Krispy Kreme bread pudding with strawberries and an Italian soufflé.
Not all tourists who visit downtown Greenville want that vibe, of course. For those who enjoy a large, full-service hotel, a wide selection is led by the city's largest hotel and a centerpiece for Greenville's revitalized Main Street corridor: the 327-room Hyatt Regency, with its expansive, atrium-style lobby and outdoor seating area (the NOMA Square, short for "North Main") that can host a variety of events.
From the Westin Poinsett, a historic hotel near Greenville's West End, to the Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown at Riverplace, located near Falls Park at The Reedy, there are lots of choices all around Greater Greenville.
Two recent additions to the downtown scene have added even more options. The AC Hotel Greenville by Mariott is located at the Camperdown development, featuring a mix of retail shops, restaurants, residential and office space. The upscale Grand Bohemian Lodge on the beautiful Reedy River Falls offers a boutique experience with unique spaces and amenities.
Others of note include Marriott's Courtyard Greenville Downtown, the Crowne Plaza Greenville, Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Conference Center adjacent to The Links at Verdae Golf Course, the Greenville Marriott, Hampton Inn Greenville I-385-Woodruff Road, Hilton Garden Inn, the Hilton Greenville, and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
For more accommodations listings, visit UpcountrySC.com or VisitGreenvilleSC.com.
