Looking for reasonably priced, conveniently located lodging in Charleston
 

We are going to be in Charleston for 2 nights -- arriving Fri., Feb., 17; departing Sun., Feb. 19. We will arrive by rental car and will either keep the car till we leave or may drop it when we get to Charleston and get by on foot (and bus). I'd appreciate recommendations of reasonably-prices lodging ($100-$150/nt.) that either has good parking or is located in or within wallking distance of the historic district. If we keep the car and find lodging with good parking that's outside the historic district, is it going to be a problem parking when we visit the historic district?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Look at my trip report; click on my name to find it. We stayed across the river and were 15 minutes from the historic center by car.

You need to decide if you want the convenience of staying in the Historic District (which I highly recommend if it's your first trip) or if you want to save a few bucks and stay in Mt Pleasant or West Ashley. If you keep the car you'll have to pay to park either way. Our public transportation system is lacking. You are here a short time and, if you plan on using it you'll spend most of your time waiting on the bus to show up.

I, again, think staying in the HD is best. You won't waste time driving into town and finding a parking place.

I just realized that the Southeast Wildlife Festival is that weekend, which will drive hotel prices up for that weekend. There may be limited availability that weekend.

AMEN to what Sue said!!

Gretchen, hallelujah :)

Holiday weekend so book something now while you continue to browse around. Best Western near downtown on the river has a $124 advance purchase rate with breakfast (2 queens but rooms are on the small side/cramped.) Trolley stops there to the historic district, or a $10 cab ride or long long walk. I wouldn't try to drive and park, it's a hassle.

We had absolutely no problems finding parking, which was during the garden walks weekend, and hotel prices with free parking were considerably lower on the other side of the river.

Michael, the weekend of 2/17-2/19 will be more crowded than usual. That SEWE gets very busy. Even the Mt Pleasant places are full, since some of the events are on this side. I'm assuming you mean the Cooper River, right?

I'm lousy on recalling names, but it is nominally across the river, north of Charleston. Whether a special weekend or not, I would think that the relative prices would still hold, and if the person is arriving by car, downtown hotels may have the addition of paid parking.

I've booked a room at the 27 State Street Bed & Breakfast. Location looks good and reviews were pretty good. Does anyone know anything about this place? Room is $199/nt + tax. Everything else I looked at in the historic district was considerably more expensive.

That a great location and the price is excellent.

As suewoo noted, the location WAS excellent. Here's what I said about 27 State St. B&B in my trip report (under a separate post): "We stayed at the 27 State Street Bed & Breakfast, in Wurdeman's Study. We were in Charleston during SEWE (Southeast Wildlife Exposition), and lodging was difficult to find. At $199 (+ tax) per night, 27 State Street was one of the best prices I found. The location was terrific. Nearly everywhere we went was a short walk from the B&B and, like Savannah, Charleston has free bus transportation within the historic district. Donna, the proprietor, was extremely helpful. When I made the reservation for the B&B, about three weeks before we arrived, she told me that it would be a busy weekend and advised that I make reservations for meals then. She kindly made dinner and lunch reservations for us. The room where we stayed was very nice (though the TV was very small), and the bathroom was terrific – granite countertop, drawers and cabinets for storing things, and a high ceiling. Breakfast was light (pastries, fresh berries and other fresh fruit, and fresh orange juice) but good. It was served between 8 and 10 am on the verandah. (It was also an option to have it served in the room.)"