The big buzz in downtown Charleston, SC these days is the opening of The Cooper, the city’s first waterfront hotel. A member of Preferred Hotels’ Legend category, The Cooper has a private marina, an infinity pool, four dining venues, and a spa that we’re pretty sure will attract affluent locals as well as visitors to the Holy City.
Good to know: The Cooper is part of the BHC portfolio, which means guests have access to its very nearby sibling property, The Charleston Place.
Lukus Grace, Managing Director of The Cooper Source: The Cooper
We asked Lukus Grace, managing director of The Cooper, for his impressions of what the hotel will mean to luxury travelers just days after the property opened. He’s been working on opening the hotel for two-and-a-half years and he’s got a great luxury hotel background that includes Atlanta's Thompson Buckhead, as well as several luxury brands, such as Capella, St. Regis and Hotel Bel-Air, which is part of the Dorchester Collection.
World of Luxury: Please tell us what it is like to be heading up this hotel. What does it mean to your career, and to the community it’s in?
Lukus Grace: Leading the opening of The Cooper is incredibly meaningful to me on both a professional and personal level. Opening a hotel is always a significant milestone in one’s hospitality career, but doing so in Charleston makes it even more special. The Cooper is the city’s first luxury waterfront hotel, which gives us a unique opportunity to connect guests and locals directly to Charleston’s waterways in a new, exciting way.
From a career perspective, it’s the kind of opportunity a hotelier hopes for. I’ve been fortunate to work with some extraordinary luxury brands throughout my career, and each experience has shaped how I see hospitality and service. Being entrusted to bring this vision to life, from building the team to shaping the guest experience, is incredibly rewarding.
What excites me most, though, is what this hotel means for Charleston. Our goal is not just to welcome travelers, but to create a place locals feel proud of, with waterfront restaurants, wellness experiences, and gathering spaces that become part of the community’s daily life.
World of Luxury: What have you learned in your past roles at the hotel that you will bring to this new role as managing director?
Lukus Grace: One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned throughout my career is exceptional hospitality comes down to the people. I began my career in food and beverage, and that early experience taught me that the most memorable moments are created by teams who genuinely care about what they do.
Working with brands such as Capella, St. Regis, and Hotel Bel-Air gave me a deep appreciation for highly personalized service and showed me how important it is to build a strong culture with your internal team from day one.
At The Cooper, my focus is on creating a team environment where people feel empowered and inspired. When your colleagues feel proud of where they work and supported in what they do, that energy organically translates into the guest experience. This culture-first philosophy is something I carry into every role.
A guestroom at The Cooper Source: The Cooper
World of Luxury: Are there any consumer luxury trends that have influenced the hotel and its offerings?
Lukus Grace: Today’s luxury traveler is looking for something deeper than traditional hotel amenities, they want experiences that feel authentic to the destination and support their overall wellbeing.
Our team was very intentional about designing The Cooper’s guest experience with these trends in mind. Wellness plays a significant role at property, from the full-service spa and recovery-focused fitness offerings to spaces that encourage balance and relaxation. We’ve also leaned into experiential luxury, with a private marina and on-the-water excursions that allow guests to explore Charleston Harbor steps away from the hotel.
Another important trend is blending the feel of a resort with the destination it’s in, which is reflected in the duality found at The Cooper. Guests can spend the afternoon by the rooftop pool overlooking the harbor, then step out the lobby doors and be just minutes away from iconic Charleston landmarks, such as King Street and Joe Riley Waterfront Park.
World of Luxury: How important is the U.S. market to the hotel? How do you work with travel advisors ?
Lukus Grace: The U.S. market is incredibly important for us, particularly as Charleston remains one of the most sought-after leisure destinations in the country. We anticipate many of our guests will come from key domestic gateway cities, whether for long weekends, celebrations, or “bleisure” trips to the Lowcountry.
Travel advisors are essential partners in reaching discerning luxury travelers around the world. The Cooper is part of the Legend Collection with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, which provides global sales and distribution support and strong relationships with luxury travel networks."
World of Luxury: Do you have a favorite area of the hotel you like to visit for a quiet moment?
Lukus Grace: Naturally with The Cooper’s waterfront location, two of my favorite places are along the marina or on the rooftop pool deck, especially early in the morning before the day begins. There’s something peaceful about watching the light build on the water, and if you’re lucky, you can sometimes spot dolphins feeding in the harbor. Both spaces really capture one of the most unique aspects of the hotel: unobstructed views and the feeling of being connected to the city and water simultaneously. Those moments really build my excitement to open our doors and share this experience with guests.
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