41 Best Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina

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. Vivian 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.

The hustle and bustle of one of the city's busiest corners vanishes as soon as the uniformed bellman opens the lobby door 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. Rooms are lavishly decorated (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).

Tucked just off King Street in the heart of the College of Charleston district, this upscale 24-room inn offers spacious rooms with king beds and in-room laundry, plus suites with full kitchens. From the muted natural tones of the lobby to Instagram-worthy linens and wallpaper in rooms, The Pinch embodies the beautiful South of the city's favorite magazine, Garden & Gun. The ground floor features two restaurants—the Quinte Oyster Bar and Lowland, a 2024 opening from James Beard award–winning chef Jason Stanhope, formerly of FIG. 

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.

When The Ryder opened in 2021, repurposing the old King Charles Inn, it immediately endeared itself to locals thanks to its poolside bar, Little Palm. On steamy summer days, it's the place to kick back with a cocktail. A stay here puts you close to the action—and the City Market. Rooms sport natural and muted tones, and furniture with surprisingly few right angles, creating a relaxed aura. 

About 350 fully equipped one- to six-bedroom villas, cottages, townhomes, and homes are available on Seabrook, one of the most private of the area's island resorts. Seabrook is endowed with true Lowcountry beauty, and wildlife sightings are common: look for white-tailed deer, alligators, and even bobcats. Going to the beach is as popular as playing golf or tennis. The Beach Club and Island House are centers for dining and leisure activities. Because each unit is individually owned, Wi-Fi access varies accordingly, and rentals are made via Vacasa. The smallest units are often priced as cheaply as a hotel room, making the island a secluded, quiet value for relaxed family time. The pool complex is oceanside and is across the street from the clubhouse.

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.

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 (occasionally garish) collection of modern art and a rotating artist-in-residence program. On-site, there’s an inspired white tablecloth restaurant, Revival, and the ever-popular Rooftop, an adjoining double-terrace bar with soaring views of the city and harbor. Across the street, the hotel's annex, The Enclave, offers rooms away from the lobby's bustle. If you're willing to sacrifice windows, the interior rooms are a bargain for a luxury hotel in the heart of town.

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.

If you're looking for amenities in a get-away-from-it-all escape, the island's only resort has both. These 250 time-share units can be rented out with a two-day minimum stay. Summers are solidly booked, especially the weekends. Although none of the accommodations sit on the beach, most are just a short walk away, and there are three swimming pools within the resort (four, including the indoor pool). The family-oriented recreation staff knows how to keep kids amused with everything from painting classes to organized nocturnal turtle-watches. There are also Lowcountry shrimp boils and nature walks, but the primary activity here is enjoying the island's golf complex. (There’s even a mini-golf course on-site.) A tram transports you to the resort's beachfront cabana, which is delightful and stocks plenty of chaises.