32 Best Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina

Background Illustration for Hotels

Charleston has a well-earned reputation as one of the most historic and beautiful cities in the country. Among travelers, it's also increasingly known for superior accommodations, ranging from lovingly restored mansions converted into atmospheric bed-and-breakfasts to boutique inns to world-class hotels, all found in the residential blocks of the historic downtown peninsula. Most are within walking distance of the shops, restaurants, and museums spread throughout the nearly 800-acre district.

Chain hotels pepper the busy, car-trafficked areas like Meeting Street. In addition, there are chain properties in the nearby areas of West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, and North Charleston, where you’ll find plenty of Holiday Inns, Hampton Inns, Marriott Courtyards, and La Quinta Inns. Mount Pleasant is considered the most upscale suburb; North Charleston is the least, but if you need to be close to the airport, are participating in events at the Coliseum complex, or aim to shop the outlet malls there, it is a practical, less expensive alternative.

Overall, a visit to Charleston is a lifetime memory, and to know it is to love it. The city’s scorecard for repeat visitors is phenomenal. Charleston is a port of embarkation for cruise ships, and most cruisers wisely plan on a pre- or post-cruise stay. This premier wedding and honeymoon destination also draws many couples back for their anniversaries.

Andrew Pinckney Inn

$$ | 40 Pinckney St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

Nestled in the heart of Charleston, this West Indies–inspired inn offers a range of accommodations, from charming rooms perfect for couples to two-level suites big enough for the whole family. A heavenly breakfast with fresh-baked pastries and biscuits with sausage gravy is offered in the fourth-floor solarium, which overlooks the church spires. Parking is valet only, at $25a day. It's in the bustling Market area, so ask for an interior room.

Pros

  • The town houses are ideal for longer stays
  • Afternoon wine and cheese with fresh-baked cookies
  • Central location

Cons

  • Elevator access in only one of the two buildings
  • Nearby horse stables and restaurant deliveries can be noisy
  • No pool
40 Pinckney St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-937–8800
hotel Details
41 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Ansonborough Inn

$$$ | 21 Hasell St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA Fodor's Choice
https://www.facebook.com/Ansonborough-Inn-153391923935/

At this boutique hotel you can relax in your comfortable suite or indulge in evening wine and cheese on the expansive rooftop terrace while enjoying views of the city and Cooper River. The architectural details of this early-1900s building—a former stationer's warehouse—have been emphasized by leaving brick walls exposed and designing around the grand heart-pine beams and wood ceilings. Oil paintings of hunting dogs hang above clubby leather chairs and sofas around the fireplace. The classy British pub downstairs is perfect for a nightcap. Self-parking is $20 at an open lot across the street—a bargain among downtown hotels.

Pros

  • Lots of period details
  • 24-hour upscale supermarket across the street
  • Easy walking distance to the Market

Cons

  • Gym only has treadmill and weight machine
  • Some rooms open to a central atrium directly over the lobby
  • No pool
21 Hasell St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
800-723–1655
hotel Details
45 suites
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Belmond Charleston Place

$$$$ | 205 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA Fodor's Choice

Guests and casual passersby alike enjoy gazing up at the immense handblown Murano glass chandelier in this hotel's open lobby, clicking across the Italian marble floors, and browsing the gallery of upscale shops that completes the ground-floor offerings of this landmark hotel with bright, modern rooms. Should you need more enticements, there is also a deluxe day spa, a fitness center, and an inviting indoor salt-and-mineral-water pool with an illuminated skylight for night swimming, along with four fantastic restaurants and bars that include the equestrian-theme Thoroughbred Club, known for their top-shelf whisky selection. The service is impeccable, particularly on the club level, where you receive a breakfast spread, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and pastries.

Pros

  • At the heart of the city's best shopping district
  • Excellent amenities, including salt-and-mineral-water pool
  • Great on-site restaurants and bars

Cons

  • Hosts lots of conference groups in shoulder seasons
  • Lacks the charm of more historic properties
  • Many common spaces are shared with nonguests
205 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-722–4900
hotel Details
435 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Recommended Fodor's Video

Carolina One Vacation Rentals

$$ | 440 Hwy. 174, Edisto Island, SC, 29438, USA

This company's inventory of privately owned beach homes ranges from a two-bedroom apartment over a gallery to one-bedroom condos and six-bedroom manses smack-dab on the beach. Units are furnished, with one to several TVs and DVD players, and their kitchens are stocked with pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, and microwaves. During peak summer months, most properties require one-week minimum stays.

Pros

  • Southern hospitality
  • Sparkling-clean, well-maintained properties
  • Wide diversity of offerings

Cons

  • No resort amenities
  • Style and quality of units varies dramatically
  • Units require that you empty your own trash and put away all dishes or be fined
440 Hwy. 174, Edisto Island, SC, 29438, USA
843-580–0500
hotel Details
100 units
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

  • $$

Embassy Suites Historic Charleston

$$$ | 337 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA

A courtyard where cadets once marched is now a soaring atrium—complete with a glass ceiling, frilly palm trees, and a babbling fountain—in this 1822 building that once served as the Old Citadel. The restored brick walls of the breakfast room and some guest rooms contain original gun ports. Handsome teak and mahogany furniture and sisal rugs in the common areas recall the British-colonial era. Guest rooms are not nearly as chic, but are comfortable and serviceable. The wall of the tiny pool literally backs up to Marion Square.

Pros

  • Located directly on Marion Square
  • Free made-to-order breakfast
  • Complimentary drinks nightly in the lobby bar

Cons

  • The suites lack charm
  • Some rooms have little or no natural light
  • It's overshadowed by flashy neighbors Hotel Bennett and The Dewberry
337 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA
843-723–6900
hotel Details
153 suites
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Francis Marion Hotel

$$ | 387 King St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA

Wrought-iron railings, crown moldings, and decorative plasterwork speak of the elegance of 1924, when the Francis Marion was the largest hotel in the Carolinas. Still the tallest downtown hotel, it's a National Historic Trust property. In the handsome guest rooms—many of which overlook Marion Square—bountiful throw pillows and billowy curtains add flair. For the best views and the most serenity, ask for an upper-floor room facing King Street. Flavorful Lowcountry cuisine is served at the Swamp Fox restaurant, and a Starbucks is on the ground floor.

Pros

  • In the midst of the peninsula's best shopping
  • On-site Spa Adagio
  • Some of the best city views

Cons

  • Rooms are small, as is closet space
  • On a busy intersection
  • Often hosts conferences that fill the hotel
387 King St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA
843-722–0600
hotel Details
235 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

French Quarter Inn

$$$$ | 166 Church St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
French Quarter Inn

A grand circular staircase under a light-filled cupola—with a wrought-iron banister embellished with iron leaves by a local blacksmith—sets the lavish tone at this boutique hotel steps from the City Market. Breakfast, afternoon wine-and-cheese, and evening milk and cookies are all part of standard service, and can be enjoyed on the charming terraces on each floor. The pillow menu is hard to beat; for an extra bit of luxury, try the big body pillows. Some rooms have fireplaces (yes, it does get cold enough for these October to February) and private balconies. Among the best rooms are No. 220, a suite with an office niche overlooking the courtyard, and No. 104, with a spacious L-shape design.

Pros

  • Afternoon wine-and-cheese and nightly turndown service
  • Champagne at check-in
  • Free bike rentals

Cons

  • Gym access is off-site
  • No pool
  • Parking is $34/day and valet-only
166 Church St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-722–1900
hotel Details
50 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast, Note that the address to enter the hotel is 10 Linguard St.

Quick Facts

Fulton Lane Inn

$$$ | 202 King St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
Fulton Lane Inn Lobby
Fulton Lane Inn

This inn is both lovely and quirky: its Victorian-dressed rooms (some with four-poster beds, handsome fireplaces, and jetted tubs) are laid out in a bit of a floor-creaking maze, but it adds to its individuality. Enjoy the appetizers and wine at the daily happy hour offered at neighboring property Kings Courtyard Inn. Fulton Lane Inn is run by the same folks who operate gems like the Wentworth Mansion and the John Rutledge House Inn.

Pros

  • Great central location
  • Charming choice of rooms
  • Evening wine, cheese, and sherry

Cons

  • Nonsuite rooms are a bit cramped
  • Street noise
  • The only communal spaces are next door at Kings Courtyard Inn
202 King St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-720–2600
hotel Details
47 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Grand Bohemian Charleston

$$$$ | 55 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
One of the entrances to this luxurious Marriott-affiliated hotel steers guests directly into an art gallery, an indication of the modern, creative flair that awaits inside the Instagram-worthy lobby. From the on-site Élevé restaurant to the funky rooftop patio with views across the city, the focus is on style at the Grand Bohemian. The colorful rooms vary from tight to spacious, but all are adorned with original paintings and hip, nouveau furniture.

Pros

  • In-house wine-blending program offered for guests
  • One of the best rooftop bars in town
  • Central location for walking the Historic District

Cons

  • Priced higher than some competitors
  • The unique emphasis on art won't appeal to everyone
  • No pool
55 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-722–5711
hotel Details
50 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

HarbourView Inn

$$$ | 2 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

If you ask for a room with a view or even a private balcony here, you can gaze out over Charleston Harbor and on to the fountain at the center of Waterfront Park. Some of the rooms are in a former 19th-century shipping warehouse with exposed brick walls, plantation shutters, and whirlpool tubs. Four-poster beds and sea-grass rugs complete the Lowcountry look. Afternoon wine and cheese and evening milk and cookies are included. Parking is valet-only for $32 a day. A new hotel is planned across the street that may block some views by 2022, so ask before you book.

Pros

  • Continental breakfast can be delivered to your room or the rooftop
  • Attractive rooftop terrace with soaring views
  • Lovely Lowcountry design

Cons

  • Chain hotel feel in some parts
  • Not as new and exciting as similarly priced options
  • No pool
2 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-853–8439
hotel Details
52 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Hotel Bella Grace

$$$$ | 115 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
Marriott's answer to the city's boutique hotel boom is quite charming, thanks in part to the adjacent Delaney Oyster House restaurant in an 1830 Charleston single house. The 50 sleek rooms—30 of which include full kitchens—are set in a modern building that's framed by whitewashed brick and portraits of women, by women, in every room. An attractive fitness center gets lots of natural light. Parking is valet-only and $36 a day.

Pros

  • Nice fitness center with a Peloton
  • Modern decor with a historic element
  • Boutique hotel that's in the Marriott Rewards program

Cons

  • Not as over-the-top charming as some boutique competitors
  • Breakfast not included
  • No pool
115 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-990--7500
hotel Details
50 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Hotel Indigo Mt. Pleasant

$ | 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464, USA

Just a five-minute drive over the scenic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston, this is the perfect outpost for those who plan to explore the city for hours on end but want a quiet, modern, and economical spot to lay their heads. The snap-to-it staff is most helpful and professional, and the decor is contemporary, including sleek public spaces and meeting rooms galore. An on-site restaurant includes breakfast service, but is not complimentary.

Pros

  • Lovely pool and fitness center
  • State-of-the-art business center
  • Good value

Cons

  • Out-of-the-way location
  • Lacks historic atmosphere
  • Breakfast not free
250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464, USA
843-884–6000
hotel Details
158 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Indigo Inn

$$ | 1 Maiden La., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
http://www.indigoinn.com/en-us/photos

Repeat guests are the norm thanks to the convenient setting of this family-owned former warehouse with a peaceful vibe, despite its central location near Market Street. Guest rooms are done in period reproductions and all have four-poster beds—some have writing desks. Take your complimentary "hunt breakfast" or the nightly wine and cheese in the lovely courtyard adorned with greenery and a fountain. Self-parking is $16 a day in the adjacent lot.

Pros

  • Excellent location
  • Free breakfast and nightly wine and cheese
  • Due to its age, it's priced more competitively than other boutique hotels

Cons

  • Rooms are not large and some are dark
  • Furniture and decor can feel a little tired
  • No pool
1 Maiden La., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-577–5900
hotel Details
40 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

Jasmine House Inn

$$$ | 64 Hassell St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
http://www.jasminehouseinnbnb.com/en-us/photos

This glorious 1843 Greek revival mansion—yellow with white columns—feels like a private gem; the front desk, parking lot, and other amenities are at the Indigo Inn, across the $16 a day self-park lot. The main house has royally large rooms; several, including the Canton Room—which opens to the second-story veranda—have sitting rooms. A third-floor apartment has a fully equipped kitchen and views of the city. The carriage house, or "dependency," which looks out to a courtyard, has four cozy rooms of its own.

Pros

  • Complimentary beverages
  • Evening wine-and-cheese spreads on the sideboard
  • Several rooms have working fireplaces

Cons

  • Amenities located in separate building
  • Decor is dated
  • No pool
64 Hassell St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-577–0041
hotel Details
11 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast, No children allowed

Quick Facts

John Rutledge House Inn

$$$ | 116 Broad St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
John Rutledge House Inn exterior
John Rutledge House Inn

The New Orleans–esque exterior of this National Historic Landmark (the former residence of politician and slaveholder John Rutledge) has wrought-iron architectural details, and inside, parquet floors sit beneath 14-foot ceilings adorned with plaster moldings. Families gravitate to the privacy and quiet of the two carriage houses overlooking the shaded brick courtyard. Breakfast—continental as well as at least one hot item—can be taken in the ballroom, the elegant but simple courtyard, or your room.

Pros

  • Incredibly comfortable Tempur-Pedic mattresses
  • Afternoon tea in the former ballroom
  • Carriage house rooms have privacy and quiet

Cons

  • You can hear some street and kitchen noise in the first-floor rooms
  • The two carriage houses are not as grand as the main house
  • Limited restaurants within a five-minute walk
116 Broad St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-723–7999
hotel Details
19 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Kings Courtyard Inn

$$$ | 198 King St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
Kings Courtyard Inn Lionshead courtyard
Kings Courtyard Inn

The three delightful courtyards at this centrally located circa-1853 inn are great places to enjoy your continental breakfast, afternoon sherry, or evening wine and cheese in the open air courtyard. Numerous windows give some of the guest rooms—filled with antique reproductions and Oriental rugs on the original hardwood floors—great views of busy King Street. Despite the historic touches, rooms still feel modern. Working fireplaces add romance to a selection of rooms, and the two-room suites give families ample space.

Pros

  • Ideal location for walking to shops and restaurants
  • Double-paned windows muffle street noise
  • Romantic ambience

Cons

  • Walls are thin
  • Guests from Fulton Lane Inn share in the evening receptions in the outdoor courtyard, making it crowded at times
  • No pool
198 King St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-723–7000
hotel Details
41 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Lowcountry Conference Center

$$ | 406 Sigma Dr., Summerville, SC, 29483, USA
Combining a Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites, this spot draws groups away from the crowded peninsula to its modern complex set amid a pine forest just off I--26. Suites feature full-size fridges, views of the woods, and handsome, modern decor. The large outdoor pool, cabanas, and grills are a perk for families and summertime visitors, and a nature trail winds from the parking lot through the adjacent wetlands.

Pros

  • On-site restaurant serving breakfast and dinner
  • Modern lobby with a bar constructed from an impressive recovered cypress log
  • Lovely nature trails

Cons

  • Conference center can fill up on weekends with specialized groups
  • Pool is not heated
  • It's a drive to other restaurants and sights
406 Sigma Dr., Summerville, SC, 29483, USA
843-832–1304
hotel Details
250 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Market Pavilion Hotel

$$$ | 225 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
https://www.facebook.com/MarketPavilionHotel/

The hustle and bustle of one of the city's busiest corners vanishes as soon as the uniformed bellman opens the lobby door of the Market Pavilion Hotel to reveal wood-paneled walls, antique furnishings, and chandeliers hung from high ceilings; it resembles a European grand hotel from the 19th century, and you'll feel like you're visiting royalty. Big-name celebrities and politicos have been known to stay here, especially in the presidential suite. Rooms are decadent (almost to the point of overkill) with French-style chaises and marble baths. One of Charleston's most prestigious fine-dining spots, Grill 225, famed for its steaks, is on the ground floor. All guests are served a continental breakfast, and those on the concierge level also enjoy afternoon tea and a beer, champagne, and hors d'oeuvres reception in an exquisitely dressed parlor. Join sharp-looking Charlestonians on the rooftop Pavilion Bar (gents, be sure to wear a collared shirt).

Pros

  • Opulent furnishings
  • Architecturally impressive, especially the tray ceilings
  • Excellent on-site restaurant

Cons

  • Gym is small
  • Some may find the interior over the top
  • Pool terrace is open to nonguests
225 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-723–0500
hotel Details
70 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Planters Inn

$$$ | 112 N. Market St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

Part of the Relais & Châteaux group, this boutique property with well-appointed, expansive, and beautifully maintained rooms is a stately sanctuary amid the bustle of Charleston's City Market. Light streams into the Victorian front parlor with its rich velvets, 19th-century portraits, and Asian antiques. Rooms in the historic main building (versus those in the newer Piazza Building, which overlook a tranquil garden courtyard) have more atmosphere and a more residential feel. Service is unobtrusive, but not stuffy. The best rooms have fireplaces and verandas; all have four-poster beds. Top-tier suites are suitably over the top in terms of comfort. Packages with breakfast and/or dinner at the amazing on-site Peninsula Grill are a good value.

Pros

  • Double-pane windows render the rooms soundproof
  • Front desk staff knows your name upon arrival
  • Complimentary evening cocktails and bedtime macarons

Cons

  • No pool
  • Gym access is off-site
  • Parking is valet only, at $34 a day
112 N. Market St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-722–2345
hotel Details
64 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No Meals

Quick Facts

Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel

$$$ | 68 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

Marriott aimed for the feel of a boutique hotel with their renovation of this upscale stalwart in the heart of town. The welcoming lobby, furnished with a modern take on traditional decor, has an atmospheric fireplace to keep you toasty on cooler days. Vivan Howard has two restaurants here—the upscale Lenoir and Hot & Handy, a grab-and-go spot for coffee and delectable biscuits. Guests rave about the inviting rooftop pool and comfortable beds, but the downside is that many rooms offer views only of neighboring buildings.

Pros

  • Located in the King Street shopping district
  • Sizable gym
  • Top-notch on-site restaurants and rooftop pool

Cons

  • Parking is either off-site or a pricey valet
  • Families may find the pool small
  • Views are only of neighboring buildings
68 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-534–0300
hotel Details
166 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No Meals

Quick Facts

The Cabins at Edisto Beach State Park

$$ | 8377 State Cabin Rd., Edisto Island, SC, 29438, USA Fodor's Choice
Set on an idyllic peninsula surrounded by salt marsh, the seven fully furnished cabins at this state park are a perfect place to spend an afternoon or an entire week. The cabins are climate-controlled houses, with flat-screen TVs, comfortable couches, and all the amenities of home. A trail system connects to 7 miles of hard-packed pathways through the woods or across several bridges and hammock islands to the beach. The park also has two campgrounds—one in the maritime forest and another that's beachfront.

Pros

  • Screened porches with rocking chairs overlooking the marsh
  • Well-appointed kitchens and bathrooms
  • Firepits and picnic tables at each cabin

Cons

  • The water smells like sulfur, so bring your own to drink
  • Reservations need to be made at least a month in advance
  • A drive to the beach
8377 State Cabin Rd., Edisto Island, SC, 29438, USA
843-869–2156
hotel Details
7 cabins
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

The Dewberry

$$$$ | 334 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA Fodor's Choice
Built in the renovated Federal Building overlooking Marion Square, the Dewberry exudes style and sophistication from the travertine marble to the mahogany and walnut that adorn the lobby and in-house bar and restaurant. Rooms are among the city's priciest and most luxurious, from the Irish linens to the original local art. French-focused Henrietta's on the ground floor is a dining destination, and the reservations-only rooftop Citrus Club has enviable views of the city.

Pros

  • One of the city's best cocktail bars on-site
  • Perfectly central location
  • World-class spa

Cons

  • Sheer indulgence doesn't come cheap
  • Hotel Bennett a block away may out-luxury its competitor
  • No rollaway beds or sleeper sofas
334 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA
888-550–1450
hotel Details
155 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

The Elliott House Inn

$$$ | 78 Queen St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

The cozy rooms—all updated with modern beds and furnishings—at this quaint, central inn surround a greenery-laden courtyard where you can sip a glass of wine and listen to the chimes of nearby churches. Although some consider the best rooms to be those on the second or third floor overlooking the courtyard, guests who enjoy more privacy might opt for the ground-level rooms along the back of the inn, which each have their own small patio.

Pros

  • Ground-floor rooms are private and have own patios
  • Free bikes
  • Nightly wine-and-cheese reception

Cons

  • Street-view rooms can be noisy
  • No roll-away beds for the kids
  • Repeat guests will miss the oversized hot tub that's been replaced with an outdoor fireplace
78 Queen St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-518–6500
hotel Details
26 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

The Governor's House Inn

$$$ | 117 Broad St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
http://www.governorshouse.com/

The stately architecture of this quintessential Charleston lodging radiates the grandeur, romance, and civility of the city's bountiful colonial era. A National Historic Landmark, the 1760 property is filled with antiques and period reproductions in the public rooms and the high-ceilinged guest rooms, some of which have whirlpool tubs. Nice touches include a proper afternoon tea, where wine and cheese are also served. You can take breakfast on either floor's wide, inviting piazza, in the dining room, or have it delivered to your room.

Pros

  • A true taste of the Charleston high life
  • Chairs and beach towels provided for day trips
  • Free off-street parking in an elegant courtyard

Cons

  • Sophisticated vibe isn't ideal for families
  • Period decor isn't as trendy as newer options
  • No elevator, so don't book an upstairs room if you need one
117 Broad St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-720–2070
hotel Details
11 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

The Hampton House Bed & Breakfast

$ | 500 Hampton St., Walterboro, SC, 29488, USA

Built in 1912 by the patriarch of the prominent Fishburne family, this B&B has all of the accoutrements of a Lowcountry mansion, from its high ceilings to the charming literary nook, as well as modern-day luxuries like a crescent-shape pool. Guest rooms have canopied or four-poster queen-size beds. There's even a garden pergola tucked among the greenery, and the country breakfast can be taken in the formal dining room or outdoors. The gracious owners, Henry and Diane, relocated to Walterboro from Long Island, and quickly adopted Southern hospitality. Diane's contemporary artwork is juxtaposed with the heirloom antiques that furnish the home (one room upstairs houses her gallery, with original paintings, jewelry and handbags for sale). The home's Forde Doll & Doll House Collection may be the largest such display in the South. The exhibit is open to guests and available to nonguests by prearranged tour.

Pros

  • Caring and hospitable owners
  • Delicious country breakfast
  • Forde Doll & Doll House Collection on-site

Cons

  • Less private than a contemporary hotel
  • Some areas could use a refresh
  • Rooms are only accessible via stairs
500 Hampton St., Walterboro, SC, 29488, USA
843-542–9498
hotel Details
3 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, No credit cards

Quick Facts

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The Spectator Hotel

$$$$ | 67 State St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
The corner rooms at this elegant luxury hotel, with balconies overlooking the city's church steeples, are among the best accommodations in the city. Opulent, Roaring '20s--inspired fixtures and furniture lend the bar and communal areas a pampered, upscale feel, as do daily butler service and the included in-room continental breakfast each morning.

Pros

  • Central location
  • Complimentary in-room snacks and drinks
  • Free bike rentals

Cons

  • Weekend prices nearly double
  • No on-site gym or pool
  • In the most heavily touristed part of town
67 State St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-724--4326
hotel Details
41 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

The Vendue

$$$$ | 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

Thanks to its gorgeous art-filled space, the Vendue feels as much like a contemporary art museum as it does a boutique hotel. Little evidence of this pair of 19th-century warehouses remains, but you will find white marble and hardwood floors, flowing chandeliers, and an eccentric collection of modern art and a rotating artist-in-residence program (there's a daily art reception at 4 with the hotel's in-house art director). There’s an inspired on-site restaurant, Revival, and the ever-popular Rooftop, an adjoining double-terrace bar with soaring views of the city and harbor. Rooms maintain a classic style with exposed brick and four-poster beds. If you're willing to sacrifice windows, the interior rooms are a bargain for a luxury hotel in the heart of town.

Pros

  • Free bike rentals
  • Soundproofing masks street noise
  • Terrific on-site restaurant

Cons

  • No complimentary breakfast
  • Some halls and spaces are small as in centuries past
  • Communal spaces are shared with nonguests
19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-577–7970
hotel Details
84 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No Meals

Quick Facts

Two Meeting Street Inn

$$$ | 2 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

As pretty as a wedding cake, this 1892 Queen Anne–style mansion wears overhanging bays, colonnades, balustrades, and a turret; two original Tiffany stained-glass windows (worth as much as the house itself), carved-oak paneling, and a crystal chandelier dress up the public spaces. While rocking on the front porch you can look through soaring arches to White Point Garden with the Ashley River beyond. Some guest rooms have verandas and working fireplaces. Expect to be treated to afternoon high tea as well as a delightful, creative Southern breakfast that includes specialties like crème brûlée French toast.

Pros

  • Free on-street parking
  • Community refrigerator on each floor
  • Ringside seat for a Battery view and horse-drawn carriages clipping by

Cons

  • Decor might be too opulent for some
  • Not equipped for handicapped guests
  • No restaurants in easy walking distance
2 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-723–7322
hotel Details
9 rooms
Rate Includes: No credit cards, Free Breakfast, No children under 12

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Wentworth Mansion

$$$$ | 149 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
Wentworth Mansion exteior
Wentworth Mansion

The grandest inn in town features Second Empire antiques and reproductions, elaborate woodwork, and original stained-glass windows, as well as sweeping views from the rooftop cupola. In the colder months, the staff draws the velvet drapes and lights the gas fireplaces of the baronial, high-ceilinged guest rooms. Italian linens and down pillows add to the opulence. The complimentary evening wine and delectable hors d'oeuvres are served in the sunny, glass-enclosed parlor. The hot breakfast is made in the inn's laudable restaurant, Circa 1886, which shares the former carriage house with a spa, where treatments include couples massages.

Pros

  • Fantastic on-site restaurant and spa
  • Opulent guest rooms
  • Free parking

Cons

  • Style can strike some people as forbidding
  • Outside the tourist areas
  • No on-site gym
149 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-853–1886
hotel Details
21 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

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Woodlands Mansion

$$$$ | 125 Parsons Rd., Summerville, SC, 29483, USA

With the distinct feel of an English country estate, Woodlands offers 18 suites in a modernized 1906 Greek-revival-style inn. The grounds invite a leisurely stroll under grand live oaks and soaring magnolia trees. Immaculate and beautifully maintained, each guest room is individually decorated but all share elegant touches. Some rooms feature private patios, marble bathrooms, whirlpool tubs, and fireplaces.

Pros

  • A country retreat excellent for de-stressing
  • Beautiful landscaping
  • Luxurious bedding and electronic blinds (with drapes) make it ideal for sleeping

Cons

  • Far (45 minutes) from downtown Charleston
  • The entire property often books out in advance for events and weddings
  • Only one room is ADA-equipped
125 Parsons Rd., Summerville, SC, 29483, USA
843-875–2600
hotel Details
18 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

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