I know Charleston, I know Charleston bed and breakfasts, and believe me, you can do LOTS better than the Phoebe Pember House! I booked the carriage house for a couple of days' stay in September---we'd brought friends from France who'd never been to Charleston and thought having that extra space would be ideal for two couples. Besides, the photos of the carriage house looked so adorable! Imagine our disappointment to find a dark and bedraggled living room, a terrace whose table and chairs were absolutely loaded with bird droppings, and two bedrooms, one of which was plain and tattered to the point of ugliness. Since we gave our guests the better of the two rooms, of course, I can't report in detail on their room. At a distance, it looked attractive enough, though.
Overall, the accommodations were dingy and careworn and very disappointing. If this were your aunt's house and you were staying for free, you'd be gracious and grateful to be there, I guess. But at the rates the Phoebe Pember House charges (on the high end for Charleston), it's an insult to provide rooms that are so little cared for.
The location is not good, what with the East Bay Harris Teeter and associated traffic noise right across the street.
I have no problems, of course, with this b and b being also the site of yoga retreats and suchlike, but this fact may account for some of the positive reviews here on Trip Advisor. I assume the programs offered by the Sophia Institute are enjoyed by the people who attend them, but for the discriminating tourist, the rooms and services are decidedly below par. In our rooms in the carriage house, there were new age magazines and brochures everywhere, which probably attests to the fact that this is the main purpose of the Phoebe Pember House, that of providing rooms for workshop attendees.
The breakfasts were lamentable, featuring dried cereal, cheap yogurt, large and lumpish-looking pastries that no doubt came from Harris Teeter, and bad coffee. There was nothing to redeem this meal.
Charleston is one of the world's most beautiful cities, so it was especially distressing to have this bed and breakfast as an introduction to it for our visiting friends from abroad. Two much better places to stay are: 15 Church Street B and B and the Cabell House Bed and Breakfast, also on Church Street, both of which are immaculate and very attractive.
I'm sorry to give such a negative review, but I feel obligated to point out the fact that the Phoebe Pember House is not what it should be and is not what it appears to be on its website.

This had to be the most horrific B&B experience I have ever had! Very overpriced tacky closet of a bedroom. Antiques Not! Beuatiful art Not! Website is very misleading - have no idea who Ms Pember was or what the house looked liked. If you want breakfast go into town. rock hard Muffins and croissant....Yum. smelly room...noise from the street all night...And I loved the feeling of the hard burlap rug when I got up in the morning! Yoga studio!!! with one class on Saturday! Oasis -
we thought about going to a different hotel..but were too tired and dissapointed....

I found Phoebe Pember house to be just the peaceful retreat I needed to get away and quiet my thoughts. The bedding in the Kitchen House room was just too luxurious to stay out of, so nap time was on the agenda - and blissful.

The Yoga right there on the property was unlike any I'd experienced in 10 years of practicing all over the country - and overseas. It enriched my practice even more.

The personal touches offered by the Henk and Carolyn, the lovely breakfast, and tips for visiting Charleston (my first time) added to the experience. Not to mention the restaurant recommendations - spot on.

The location is ideal, shame I can't keep it a secret so when I go back, "my room" is still available.. :) Thank you again, Carolyn and Henk, for a blissful week!

I couldn’t have envisioned a better place to spend our wedding anniversary! The carriage house was the perfect choice, very quiet and with its own private entrance. We found the breakfast to be exceptional. We especially loved all the organic offerings. You just don't find that too many places. Your custom-made granola is the best we've ever been served. The staff and the personal care is top-line, enhancing an already lovely setting. Charleston was already one of my favorite cities and Phoebe Pember House has instantly become my top-choice for a bed and breakfast in town. We hope to return to this charming place many times. Thanks for making this a memorable weekend!