Water’s Edge Inn named “Top Bed & Breakfast” by Yelp reviewers
by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
Tucked in the grove of West Indian and 2nd Street West rests the quaint Water’s Edge Inn. The secluded location gives guests a quiet waterside retreat only a block away from Center Street and just a short stroll to the beach. The charming bed and breakfast was recently awarded South Carolina’s “Top Bed & Breakfast” for the high praise of the inn’s guests’ reviews on the popular website Yelp.
Owner, builder, manager, designer, and firefighter Paul Lauer first visited Folly Beach while working on a building project in Summerville.
“There was a hurricane rolling in and I came out here and bought a surfboard at McKevlin’s. After the project was finished, I went home, packed up my things and moved to Folly Beach,” said Lauer. That was 25 years ago. A decade later, Lauer built the cozy nine-bedroom inn on a beautiful riverside spot along the Folly River.
Lauer designed the garden himself and incorporated native Hawaiian plants into his landscape. Growing up on the island of Oahu, Lauer likes to weave his experience in Hawaii with southern hospitality, which is evident in the design of the Water’s Edge Inn.
Guests’ amenities include a hot breakfast, happy hour, golf cart shuttles to Center Street and the beach, as well as bikes and a riverfront hot tub on the marsh. Lauer is proud of the inn’s design and amenities, but believes that it is his friendly staff who brings guests back.
According to Lauer, guests have traveled from as far as South Africa, Australia, and Germany.
In addition to the recent Yelp accolade, Water’s Edge Inn was voted among “The South’s Most Charming Getaways” and “Best of the South” in Southern Living as well as featured by Condé Nast Traveler.
