Greenville's Hotel Hartness is a great spot for a local getaway

For travelers seeking smaller, more elevated, and authentic places to stay, add Hotel Hartness to your list. Located in the award-winning Hartness community next to a 180-acre nature preserve, Hotel Hartness opened earlier this year with features like elevated dining, a world-class spa, luxury accommodations, and resort-style amenities.

The hotel represents a new chapter in the Hartness family’s history that started in 1940 when inventor Tom Hartness purchased the Greenville bottling rights to Pepsi-Cola. In the ’80s, his son, Pat, built the mid-century French manor house on Greenville’s eastside. Converting the house into a luxury hotel meant merging old and new. Jenny Rutledge and Melissa Wylie, Principals at Sims Patrick Studio in Atlanta, led the design efforts for interior architecture, from space planning, three-dimensional design, furnishings, and accessories, to coordinating with other disciplines. 

“This was the Hartness home, and we were very sensitive to make it feel like it was still their home,” says Rutledge. “The family hosted many parties there, and it was a special gathering place in the community. So, they wanted it to feel comfortable, not pretentious. They wanted it to feel timeless and, most importantly, authentic.”

From Marketplace Greenville:Sticking to vision: Village gets luxury Hotel Hartness in Greenville

Artfully tying together elements of nature with the family’s rich heritage to shape the design narrative, the design team worked to bring the manor to an authentic place with fresh spaces where guests can enjoy a high level of hospitality.   

The property is situated on a scenic 449-acre site boasting old pecan groves, a pond, a winding creek, and rolling meadows -- all natural elements interpreted through design in each space.

The guest experience begins in the manor house’s grand vestibule entry leading to an elegant reception area. The design contrast is striking between the vibrance of the vestibule with bold statement pieces like a sun-like pendant light fixture against the reception area’s subdued hues and moonbeam lighting.

“It’s all about the shimmer and light that cast on nature – there’s a lot of drama,” Rutledge says.

In the adjacent boardroom, shades of saturated blue work together with light. “The beautiful twilight blue coloration is subtle but luxurious, tailored but refined,” says Rutledge. 

Much of the architecture and spaces, such as the entry vestibule, boardroom, and great room, are part of the original manor house. The former master bedroom now serves as a sunny breakfast spot, where a complimentary breakfast is served daily.

Throughout the property, oversized windows are used to showcase nature – particularly prominent in the hotel’s beautiful new restaurant, Patterson Kitchen + Bar. 

More:Patterson Kitchen + Bar offers fresh takes on Southern classics

The heart of the hotel is the vaulted great room, an inviting, light-filled gathering space with garden views. The dual two-story fireplaces at opposite ends of the room complement the pecan wood-wrapped columns. Features like hidden doors are placed for discrete access by staff. 

“This room ties in with the outdoors,” says Wylie. “We used a lot of green in places like the rug and furnishings to make that connection with nature.”

At every turn, a unique guest experience unfolds. Details tell stories, like a curated collection of art books reflecting the family’s hobbies, and are subtle reminders that this was once a home. 

“We’re very passionate about that final layer,” Wylie says. “Adding in those details and accessories makes it feel more residential, welcoming and comfortable.”

Important in the layering process is local art. Greenville-based Art Houzze curated more than 40 pieces of original works by local artists for the hotel. A brochure is available for guests to take a self-guided art tour.

Behind the reception area, the family den has been transformed into a handsome bar, The Captain, a popular spot for great cocktails and small bites. The décor honors the family patriarch with aviation accessories, machine elements and a commissioned portrait that anchors the space.

More:Drinkin’ on the job … saluting ‘The Captain' is a staycation winner

The conference center's indoor-outdoor ballroom features a retractable glass wall opening to an expansive plaza. Nature makes a connection through the carpet pattern, which reflects the winding stream nearby. The Hartness family bottling heritage is recalled in chandeliers with glass and metal work.

With 69 suites in the main hotel and four spa suites, lux accommodations are well-appointed with everything you need. The stylish décor creates a comfortable refuge with clean, modern lines and furnishings that play on nature through warm hues and layers of texture, pattern, and finishes. 

Hotel Hartness is located off Pelham Road and SC-14, just a short drive from downtown Greenville. For more info, visit hotelhartness.com