lorilovestravel

My daughter and I are planning a trip to Charleston in Novenber for YAllfest. We are thinking about flying in. I would rather not rent a car and would prefer to get around by public transportation and on foot. I would like to stay under 200.00 per night. Would I be better off staying near the airport. All the events are on and around King Street. We've never been to Charleston and need lots of advice! Thanks everyone!

JanetKMR

I would stay downtown. That is how you will experience Charleston. $200/night should be doable, though you will likely be at least a few blocks off King St.

Gretchen

do not stay at the airport. and you should be able to stay in the HD for your amount although with a special event, I can't really say for sure.

Dukey1

Regardless, and since you are willing to "get around on foot" it seems foolish to stick yourself out at the airport. You can walk to King Street if you are in town.

Gretchen

Just realized you WANT to be on King Street. It's all close downtown, as dukey suggests.

DebitNM

Indigo Inn is a really nice hotel and serves free breakfast and afternoon wine and snacks. Clean, great location and excellent prices.

Dang, just looked. Their prices are high for Fri and Sat of the week of the Festival. I think will be the case wherever you book. I would get on it NOW.

http://www.indigoinn.com

$211/271/271 for Thursday -Sunday .

JanetKMR

When checking prices, I have found it very common in Charleston for the rate to shoot up for the weekend. And while the OP won't have a car, parking prices can by high.

Gretchen

It is very common for hotel rates in Charleston to match whatever might be happening there for the week OR the weekend, but rates on weekends, as mentioned, are often higher. DGS has had tennis tournaments there at times when other things are going on and the hotel prices are awful. Look on Priceline.
Parking can be expensive. There is a free trolley that circles the HD from the visitor center (which is near King Street, I think, but who knows which end the "festivities" are on).

BetsyinKY

If you will be there for at least three nights, you might check VRBO. There are a number of apartments/condos in that area that might work for you. I've also noticed that VRBO prices tend to rise/fall by season more than by event and summer is usually the highest time, so you might luck into something nicer than a hotel.

Ackislander

Any money you save near the airport you will spend going back and forth.

Gretchen

And not being able to go back to your room to freshen up or just relax.
There's a Hampton Inn right at the Visitor's Center that is very nice. Not inexpensive but probably that range.

Ackislander

We stayed at Gretchen's Hampton Inn near the Visitors Cener several years ago. It was more expensive than many Hamptons, but it was nicer as well, and yo do get breakfast.

The Visitors Center is interesting, and there are shuttles to the heart of the King Street-Battery area.

BetsyinKY

Ok, so out of curiosity I searched on Kayak.com for dates checking in Nov. 7 and checking out Nov. 9. I was surprised at how high the downtown hotels are for that weekend. The Days Inn on Meeting, which is usually the cheapest downtown option (and I've never stayed there, but the reviews are not too great) is showing $203 and the Hampton Inn in the HD is $369! If it were me, I think I would go ahead and book someplace that you can cancel if necessary and then keep looking and/or trying Priceline. Another thought, if it were me, and I couldn't find anything downtown, I would rather stay across the bridge in Mt. Pleasant, than out by the airport.

DebitNM

I think the rates are particularly high for the OP's dates are the very reason she is going to CHS. I am guessing that event is a BIG event with large attendance, hence the high rates. We stayed at Indigo Inn for under $150 a night in September when it was still pretty prime tourist season last year.

JanetKMR

Indigo Inn is $615/night for those dates...yowza.

We are staiying at Wentworth Mansion next month for $410/night. That weekend in Nov. no rooms are available.

JanetKMR

The Hampton Inn on Daniel Island is $209/night for that weekend.

DebitNM

WOW, the rates I posted up top were way better! A few days makes a BIG difference. Better book soon.

OP did not want to rent a car.

suewoo

Please do NOT stay out at the airport. The Air Force shares runways with the commercial airport and those C-17s can be loud.

I lived there for the better part of 2 decades and never heard of a Yallfest. Cooler months are popular, and there's always something going on.

Gretchen

I had to look it up also sue--new thing it seems, and interesting. I was going to mention the Blue Bicycle Book Shop as a must stop--I think it must be a sponsor, maybe. Interesting name if you sort of dissect it all for its meaning--or not!! LOL

suewoo

I love that bookstore!