The Inn at Middleton Place Acquired by Bennett Hospitality

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

USA, Charleston, South Carolina. September 01, 2025

Bennett Hospitality, owned by renowned Charleston hotelier and businessman Michael Bennett, has acquired The Inn at Middleton Place from Middleton Place Foundation.

Together with his family, Bennett purchased the 55-room property, which is perched on a bluff overlooking the Ashley River and neighbors Middleton Place National Historic Landmark - home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America and one of the Charleston area's most visited historic sites.

At The Inn at Middleton Place, Bennett Hospitality will again collaborate with Salamander Collection to manage the Inn. Salamander manages numerous acclaimed properties in the US and Caribbean, including the highly decorated Hotel Bennett on King Street in Charleston which is owned by the Bennett family. In addition to operating The Inn, Salamander will also assume management of the Restaurant at Middleton Place and The Pavilion meeting space.

One of the Lowcountry's most treasured works of modern architecture, The Inn originally opened in 1987, won the American Institute of Architecture's highest awards and catapulted architect WG Clark to national prominence. Intentionally designed to blend seamlessly within its pristine natural environment, it offers spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests receive complimentary access to Middleton Place and its stunning gardens, connected by a riverfront walkway, and which were envisioned by Henry Middleton in 1741 to reflect the grand classic style that remained in vogue in Europe and England into the early part of the 18th century.

"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, who was born and raised in Charleston. "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."

Historic sites across the country have faced unprecedented challenges in the wake of the pandemic. Over the past year, the Middleton Place Foundation Board of Trustees has carefully explored opportunities to secure the long-term sustainability of the historic site. This new partnership strengthens the Foundation's ability to deliver on its core mission - education, preservation, and research - while entrusting hospitality operations to respected partners who share its values.

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."

Located a short drive from historic downtown Charleston, Middleton Place welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually. Through authentic, immersive experiences led by interpretive guides, artisan craftspeople, and educators, it encourages all who visit to deepen their understanding of American history. The historic landmark has a history spanning three centuries of one family - with one member being a signer of the Declaration of Independence - and tells the essential stories and contributions of over 3,200 enslaved people who lived and labored on Middleton properties. Today Middleton Place encompasses 110 acres and, in addition to including America's oldest landscaped gardens, also features a house museum, stable yards, and Eliza's House - an African American 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 Salamander Collection Founder and CEO Sheila Johnson. "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."

The collaboration between the three groups is grounded in a shared commitment to ensuring that Middleton Place continues to engage, educate, and inspire generations to come. The collective goals are to welcome a new generation of visitors, enhance the visitor experience, and advance the Foundation's mission to preserve and interpret the rich and complex history of Middleton Place.

"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."