Fodor's Expert Review The Cottages on Charleston Harbor

On the southwestern edge of Mount Pleasant—just minutes from downtown—10 quaint cottages hug Charleston Harbor, each with a spacious back porch (complete with a hammock and rockers perfect for sunrise gazing and dolphin watching) and access to a private sandy beach, where bunnies roam and Adirondack chairs wait. The Cottages on Charleston Harbor marries the privacy of rental-style accommodations with the perks of hotel travel, like attentive staff, a clubhouse common area, and complimentary breakfast, resulting in a picture-perfect recipe for total relaxation.

YOU SHOULD KNOW On Friday evenings during the summer, bands hit the beach next door at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. They don’t play late into the night, but the music is loud enough to hear from the cottages.

room

The two-bedroom three-bathroom cottages boast a full kitchen, comfy living room, and spacious sleep quarters. A master bedroom holds a modern four-poster king bed while the guest room features two doubles. Rattan furnishings, plantation shutters, and French doors to the back porch remind you that you’re waking up on the coast.

Cottage number six is wheelchair accessible.

Photo: Second Bedroom

Photo: Master bedroom with access to the porch.

Photo: Living room with gas fireplace.

Photo: Master bathroom

bathroom

The master bath is huge, with a walk-in glass shower, Jacuzzi tub, and double vanities, while the guestroom bath offers a shower-tub combination. Fresh tile floors and pastel hues keep the spaces feeling fresh and contemporary.

Photo: Master bathroom

lobby

A handsome clubhouse serves as home base for breakfast and concierge services. In each cottage, a living room boasts a fireplace, soaring ceilings, and wall of windows looking out onto the screened-in back porch.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Cottage 10’s porch overlooks a pond; all others have a view of the harbor.

Photo: Clubhouse where breakfast and snacks are served.

Photo: Waterfront View

Photo: Waterfront view while you enjoy the relaxation of the pool.

pool

A palm-lined pool deck with a fair-sized pool and hot tub overlooks Charleston Harbor. Lounge chairs line the deck and bistro tables are tucked beneath a covered porch.

Photo: Waterfront view while you enjoy the relaxation of the pool.

dining

Breakfast is served daily in the clubhouse and includes continental mainstays, fresh juices, and hot items that run the gamut from chicken biscuits and grits to eggs and sausage. Sweet treats and lemonade are set out in the afternoon.

Photo: Full kitchen

Photo: Private screened-in porch.

Photo: Breakfast is included with your stay.

drinking

There’s no bar onsite, though you can BYOB and store it in your cottage’s full kitchen.