55 Best Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina

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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.

Hilton Club Liberty Place

$$$$ | 475 East Bay St., Charleston, SC, USA

Conveniently located to both the International African American Museum and Gaillard Center, the Hilton Club Liberty Place offers a selection of suites and studios. Meals aren't included in the price, but you can purchase continental breakfast. Better yet, walk to any number of local restaurants and cafés sited just minutes from this business-appropriate hotel's polished front door.

Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront

$$$$ | 45 Lockwood Dr., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

A sunny swimming pool and breezy patios overlooking the Ashley River are among the main attractions at this modern hotel that's a convenient stop for boaters docked at the nearby marinas. Guest rooms include docks for your electronic devices and 42-inch flat-screen HD TVs. There's also a fitness center and a 24-hour convenience store.

Pros

  • Complimentary shuttle service to downtown
  • Free parking
  • Near the marinas, MUSC, and the Citadel

Cons

  • Too far to walk to King Street
  • No complimentary breakfast
  • Lacks the character of a historic hotel
45 Lockwood Dr., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-637–4074
Hotel Details
141 rooms
No Meals

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Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District

$$ | 415 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA

Centrally located along the Upper King corridor, this hotel balances location, modern amenities, and relative affordability. The brick-and-wood lobby includes wide windows for people watching during the full breakfast each morning or the evening social on weekdays. There's a heated outdoor pool in a courtyard.

Pros

  • Nice fitness center and heated outdoor pool
  • Free drinks at the evening happy hour
  • Central location

Cons

  • Generic features lack the charm of independent options
  • The pool area is largely shaded except at midday
  • Parking is valet only
415 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA
843-724--8800
Hotel Details
139 rooms
Free Breakfast

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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 over-the-top charming
  • Grab-and-go breakfast isn't overly inviting
  • No pool
115 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-990–7500
Hotel Details
50 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Hotel Bennett

$$$$ | 404 King St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA
This opulent hotel has set the bar even higher for luxury Charleston accommodations, with rooms featuring pedestal tubs, high-end bedding, and—from rooms with a balcony—sprawling views of the city. There's a rooftop bar, a Europe-inspired restaurant with outdoor terraces, and Camelia's Bar, which boasts a "ladies first" attitude and theme.

Pros

  • One of the best spas in town
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Rooftop yoga offers the best workout views in town

Cons

  • It may be the most expensive downtown hotel
  • Wedding parties may take over the hotel on weekends
  • Club access is a very pricey upgrade
404 King St., Charleston, SC, 29403, USA
844-835–2625
Hotel Details
179 rooms
No Meals

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Hotel Indigo Mt. Pleasant

$$$ | 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Charleston, 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., Charleston, SC, 29464, USA
843-884–6000
Hotel Details
158 rooms
No Meals

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Hyatt House Charleston/Historic District

$$$$ | 560 King St., Charleston, SC, USA

Despite its size, this pair of hotels (there's a Hyatt Place in the same complex) manages to feel tucked away amid the buzz of Upper King Street. Amenities like a heated indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center allow for a seamless transition from the convenience of a modern hotel into the heart of the city. A popular rooftop bar, Pour Taproom, boasts excellent views from the top floor.

Pros

  • Central location in the booming Upper King district
  • Plenty of space to spread out, especially in the larger suites
  • A full breakfast is included

Cons

  • Sterile atmosphere compared to nearby boutique hotels
  • Upper King is rapidly becoming a hotel district rather than a locals' neighborhood, and this hotel led that charge
  • Decor a bit dated
560 King St., Charleston, SC, USA
843-207–2299
Hotel Details
113 suites
Free Breakfast

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Indigo Inn

$$$ | 1 Maiden La., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

Repeat guests are the norm thanks to the central setting—and $20 self-parking—at this newly renovated, family-owned inn with a peaceful vibe. Take your complimentary "hunt breakfast" or the nightly wine and cheese in the lovely courtyard adorned with greenery and a fountain. 

Pros

  • Excellent location
  • Free breakfast and nightly wine and cheese
  • Revamped interiors with touches by local artisans

Cons

  • Rooms are relatively small
  • Motel-style rooms open to the outside
  • No pool
1 Maiden La., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-577–5900
Hotel Details
40 rooms
Free Breakfast

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The Jasmine House

$$$$ | 64 Hassell St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

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 $20/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

  • Newly revamped communal lounge
  • Evening wine-and-cheese spreads on the sideboard
  • Several rooms have working fireplaces

Cons

  • Amenities located in separate building
  • Period decor not for everyone
  • No pool
64 Hassell St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-577–0041
Hotel Details
11 rooms
Free Breakfast
No children allowed

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John Rutledge House Inn

$$$$ | 116 Broad St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

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
Free Breakfast

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Kings Courtyard Inn

$$$$ | 198 King St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

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
Free Breakfast

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The Lindy Renaissance Charleston 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. 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.

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
No Meals

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Lowcountry Conference Center

$$ | 406 Sigma Dr., Summerville, SC, 29483, USA

Combining a Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites, this spot draws large groups away from the crowded peninsula to its modern complex set tucked into a pine forest just off I-26. Suites feature full-size fridges, views of the woods, and handsome, modern decor. The large outdoor pool and cabanas 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 area restaurants and sights
406 Sigma Dr., Summerville, SC, 29483, USA
843-832–1304
Hotel Details
250 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Market Pavilion Hotel

$$$$ | 225 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

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).

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
Free Breakfast

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The Meeting Street Inn

$$$ | 173 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

Guest rooms in this 1874 stucco mansion, with porches on the second, third, and fourth floors, overlook a lovely courtyard with fountains and a hot tub. The nightly wine-and-cheese reception in the lobby is the reincarnation of a more genteel time. Four-poster or canopy beds, chair rails, and patterned wallpaper create a period feel, and many rooms have hardwood floors and oriental rugs.

Pros

  • Some rooms have desks and other extras
  • Bathrooms sport nice marble fixtures
  • Fun wine-and-cheese nights

Cons

  • Lacy canopy beds and exquisite wallpaper aren't for everyone
  • Some rooms overlook a parking lot
  • Breakfast spread not up to par with boutique competitors
173 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-723–1882
Hotel Details
56 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Moxy Charleston Downtown

$$$ | 547 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, USA

Offering both a view of the Ravenel Bridge and a free welcome drink (a Moxy-wide amenity that feels especially appropriate in Charleston), the 131-room Moxy is a high-spirited stay close to popular restaurants. Meals aren't included, but there's a full-service restaurant on the premises, as well as a podcast studio for guests who want to be heard beyond city limits.

Pros

  • Up-to-date decor
  • Games in the lobby
  • Excellent shower

Cons

  • Small rooms
  • Aggressively pet-friendly
  • Very little peace you'll find
547 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, USA
843-620--8300
Hotel Details
131 rooms
No Meals

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The Pinch

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

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. 

Pros

  • Buzzed about on-site restaurants
  • In-room massages and facials available
  • Sparkling new rooms and facilities

Cons

  • Rent adds up fast here for an extended stay
  • Not a hot breakfast
  • No EV chargers
40 George St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
854-895--4422
Hotel Details
24 rooms
Free Breakfast

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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
112 N. Market St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-722–2345
Hotel Details
64 rooms
No Meals

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The Ryder

$$$$ | 237 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA

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. 

Pros

  • Modern, natural-feeling rooms
  • Filtered water station with glass carafes
  • Fun amenities like beach blankets and coolers to borrow

Cons

  • Not the best pool for kids
  • Breakfast is via a $10 credit that doesn't cover the whole meal
  • Valet parking only, at $49/night
237 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
844-209--6830
Hotel Details
91 rooms
No Meals

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Seabrook Island

$$$$ | 3772 Seabrook Island Rd., Charleston, SC, 29455, USA

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.

Pros

  • Safe haven for kids to play
  • The only place in the Charleston area where you can ride horses on the beach
  • Nearby upscale shopping and restaurants

Cons

  • A 45-minute drive from Charleston
  • Security can be stringent—don't drive over the posted 25 mph speed limit
  • Wi-Fi access varies according to units
3772 Seabrook Island Rd., Charleston, SC, 29455, USA
843-768–5000
Hotel Details
350 units
No Meals

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Shem Creek Inn

$$$$ | 1401 Shrimp Boat La., Charleston, SC, 29464, USA
Shem Creek is the heart of Mount Pleasant, and this long-standing inn makes the charming waterway an attractive place to call home for the night. Each of the hotel's 51 rooms includes a private balcony with views of the action along the creek and marsh below. There's even an outdoor pool (since swimming among the shrimp boats in Shem Creek isn't recommended).

Pros

  • Daily continental breakfast
  • Free on-site parking
  • Easy access to Shem Creek's restaurants and kayak tours

Cons

  • The bars across the creek host live music and can get noisy on weekends
  • It's a drive or a cab ride to get downtown
  • The inn's location and affordability guarantee that some guests come here to party
1401 Shrimp Boat La., Charleston, SC, 29464, USA
843-881--1000
Hotel Details
51 rooms
No Meals

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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

  • Gym is off-site at sister property
  • No pool or rooftop terrace
  • Dark, moody lobby interior isn't for everyone
67 State St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
866-476–4212
Hotel Details
41 rooms
Free Breakfast

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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 (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.

Pros

  • Attractive blend of classic finishes and artistic flair
  • Soundproofing masks street noise
  • Terrific on-site restaurant

Cons

  • Some of the art won't appeal to everyone
  • 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
No Meals

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Wentworth Mansion

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

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
  • It's a multi-block walk to sights and restaurants
  • No on-site gym
149 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC, 29401, USA
843-853–1886
Hotel Details
21 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort

$$$$ | 1 King Cotton Rd., Charleston, SC, 29438, USA

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.

Pros

  • Great choice for golfers
  • Wonderful beach cabana
  • Atmosphere is laid-back and unpretentious

Cons

  • No daily housekeeping services
  • Hard to book at peak times
  • Many units are atop two to three flights of stairs
1 King Cotton Rd., Charleston, SC, 29438, USA
843-869–4500
Hotel Details
250 units
No Meals

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