Make Him Think Woodlands Inn in Summerville was His Idea

Off the beaten path and romantic seclusion make Woodlands Inn an ideal choice for a visit to Charleston

First get a post it note. Write subliminal message #1 on it: “Woodlands Inn, Summerville, South Carolina”

Now stick it on his bathroom mirror or computer screen. Walk away and promise yourself to not say a word.

Southern or not, belles want a little moss-draped Tara

Perhaps last anniversary he gave you an electric mop; maybe a few years back he even downright forgot your birthday. Any belle with a lick of sense knows that more often than not, in an otherwise good relationship, these things by themselves aren’t a reflection on the health of it.

Still wouldn’t it be nice to find a way to stop him from wasting time, effort and money on things like too small lingerie and floor cleaning appliances? Not to mention the price of the stress these issues can cause. Even if he is a gifter extrordinaire, one of these years, he could probably use some suggestions.

Now all you have to do is make him think it was his idea.

Mix your media. Maybe a photo of what the Woodlands Inn room fairy will leave for you upon arrival will get his attention

I have personally honed this technique with great success. The gifts my husband has given me that he believes were spontaneously sprung from the spirit of his own generosity and imagination include several romantic getaways and an anniversary trip to Kauai that included a “surprise” dinner on a secluded beach. Please note he is imaginative and generous, but I have learned to stop projecting my own highly thought-out gift giving skills on someone who has more than a little bit of awesomeness in a few areas I don’t.

The elegant and yummy gold leaf walls and seating alcove for two would be a great start for a memorable meal

Subliminal message #2: Woodlands Inn for anniversary 2011
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Of course utilize your own forms of non-verbal communication. Perhaps forward him this post. Insert your message into an email or a voicemail message. You can bring your older children into the process, but it’s best not to mention your exact romantic getaway idea directly in person.

My favorite modes of communication are emails and sticky notes. I’ll mix in one “Woodlands Inn” type message for every “Mow lawn,”  “Pick up a block of Parmesan,” and “Please build me a pergola.” If he ask you about your strange notes and emails, simply say, “Yes, very nice isn’t it? Were you able to pick up that block of Parmesan?”

Done correctly he won’t know what hit  him.###

Recently I had the opportunity to stay and eat one of the most amazing and memorable meals of my life at Woodlands Inn as their guest. I was with a girlfriend and we had a ball, but I couldn’t help but think the whole time we were there about what a wonderful special present a romantic weekend getaway here would be.

On over forty acres, Woodlands Inn has lots of places for private walks and bike rides

For many years running, Woodlands is one of a handful of hotels in the U.S. to receive the Five Star and Five Diamond hotel awards for both lodging and dining. The spectacular six course tasting menu with wine pairing with sommelier, Fabien Duboueix, the most mesmerizing sommelier, I’ve encountered in any country, was an especially memorable experience.

In addition to the high level of customized service, what I found most impressive about the Inn was how the 18 room hotel has managed to merge modern and easy elegance that is anything but stuffy, with enough old school gentility to make a belle of any age, southern or not, swoon a little. Whether celebrating a first or fiftieth anniversary the entire staff is going to go out of their way to be sure you feel special, yet right at home.

Half an hour from Charleston, and just under two hours from Savannah, Woodlands Inn would be easy to tack onto a visit to the area, or with Charleston airport nearby is a  potential destination in itself.

If life sometimes feels as if it has zapped the romance right out of us, aging us in dog years, a place like Woodlands Inn seems to undo that rather quickly. And speaking of dogs, you can bring your pooch with you where he or she too can appropriately be spoiled rotten.  Now get your sticky notes!

Woodlands Inn

125 Parsons Road

Summerville, SC 29483

(800) 774-9999

* More ideas of places to stay in and around Charleston

**Another place that you may want to make him think was his idea is The Red Horse Inn  in Greenville, SC. 

*** Disclosure: This hotel stay and dinner were provided to the writer by Woodlands Inn.  This in no way affects the editorial content of this piece.

** First three photos by Margo Millure. Fourth photo provided by resort.  © All rights reserved