Salamander Collection has added The Inn at Middleton Place in Charleston, S.C., its second hotel in the city and second deal with Bennett Hospitality, which acquired the hotel from Middleton Place Foundation. Bennett Hospitality also owns the Bennett Hotel, which joined Salamander in 2019.
The 55-room Inn at Middleton Place is located on a bluff along the Ashley River, adjacent to the Middleton Place National Historic Landmark in Charleston, S.C. The hotel opened in 1987 and is known for its modernist design by architect WG Clark. The property was intentionally built to integrate with its natural surroundings and features rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests receive complimentary access to Middleton Place and its 110-acre historic site, including landscaped gardens envisioned by Henry Middleton in 1741.
“I am honored and humbled for the trust that the Middleton Place Foundation board has placed in me as we undertake this exciting endeavor,” said Michael Bennett, owner of Bennett Hospitality. “Middleton Place is a national treasure, and my family and I take the stewardship of The Inn at Middleton Place very seriously,” “We are extremely proud that The Inn will remain locally owned and welcoming for the entire Charleston community and beyond.”
The Middleton Place Foundation explored long-term sustainability options following the pandemic. The agreement with Bennett Hospitality and Salamander Collection aims to preserve the site’s mission while transferring hospitality operations to experienced partners.
“We were seeking a partnership that would both preserve Middleton Place and take it into the future,” said Mike Laughlin, board of trustees chair, Middleton Place Foundation. “Middleton Place is not just a historic site; it is a national treasure. The Foundation remains deeply committed to its mission. With this partnership, we are ensuring that its powerful stories and its beauty endure—not just today, but for generations to come.”
Middleton Place welcomes over 100,000 visitors each year. The site’s programs include educational and interpretive experiences centered on American history and the lives of more than 3,200 enslaved people who lived and worked on Middleton properties. Features include a house museum, stable yards, and Eliza’s House, a freedman’s dwelling.
“We are thrilled to work with the Bennett family again in such a culturally significant setting, while also engaging closely with the Middleton Place Foundation,” said Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Collection. “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.”
“Michael Bennett and Sheila Johnson bring stellar reputations in the hospitality industry – and just as importantly, they bring values that align deeply with our own,” said Dana Hand Evans, president and CEO of Middleton Place Foundation. “Sheila Johnson’s lifelong commitment to inclusion across business, sports, hospitality and culture resonates strongly with our mission. With Bennett Hospitality and Salamander Collection, we are ensuring that Middleton Place remains a place of learning, reflection, and stewardship for generations to come.”
