Hotels in Charleston, SC

Best places to stay in Charleston

Observing the pastel antebellum architecture, moss-draped trees, and horse-drawn carriages along the gas-lamp lit cobblestone streets of Charleston, you’ll feel like you have traveled back in time. Also known as the Holy City, due to its strong tolerance for all religions, the port city of Charleston proudly showcases its history and heritage. The city also offers a stark contrast in the form of trendy restaurants, interesting shops, and contemporary art galleries. Where you choose to stay in Charleston depends on the experience you want to remember. One that is filled with history, art and culture in the Historic District, or one where you can wake up to the sound of waves crashing against a sandy coastline on a beautiful island within minutes of Downtown Charleston.

French Quarter

A quaint historic neighborhood on the southeastern corner of the peninsula, the French Quarter gets its name from the high concentration of French Protestants that immigrated to and lived within the area. This part of the city is filled with historic churches and countless art galleries. On Church Street, just a block from the Charleston City Market, experience the best of southern hospitality in an intimate boutique hotel, The French Quarter Inn. Close by, on State Street, you have The Spectator Hotel set in a 1920s-dated Art-Deco building, just a 2-minute walk from Charleston City Market and a 7-minute walk from the Riley Waterfront Park. The hotel features posh rooms that combine Jazz Age elegance with the glamor of the Old South. You can also check out The Vendue, an award-winning art-filled boutique hotel, just a 5-minute walk from the historic pastel-painted buildings of Rainbow Row.

Harleston Village

Harleston Village is a multifaceted, historic neighborhood that features quiet residential streets, and a wide range of restaurants and bars. This area is also home to the College of Charleston campus. Enjoy a luxurious stay in the Wentworth Mansion hotel, set in a grand 1880-dated historic mansion, just minutes away from the award-winning dining and shopping of Harleston Village. You can also look at The Restoration, a chic, all-suite hotel with classy interiors, room décor, and service that warmly reflect Charleston’s vibrant history and culture.

Cannonborough / Elliotborough

Cannonborough / Elliotborough is another historic neighborhood, and it’s known for quiet, residential streets, and a wide range of unique eateries. Enjoy the spacious, comfortable rooms and contemporary amenities at the Hyatt Place Charleston / Historic District hotel. Check out The Cannonboro Inn, an elegant B&B set in a restored 1853-dated Victorian home. The hotel features refined rooms decorated in Victorian-style furnishings, and serves a gourmet breakfast on a veranda overlooking a beautifully landscaped garden.

Upper King Design District

Best known for its energetic nightlife and plenty of modern restaurants, bars and shops, Upper King is located north of the Historic District. The Charleston Area Convention Center and Visitor’s Bureau is in this neighborhood. Hotel rates in this area are slightly lower than the pricey options in the main Historic District. You will still be within a short walk of most attractions, including the 10-acre Marion Square city park. Across the street from the park, at the corner of King and Calhoun Street, you have the Francis Marion Hotel set in one of the tallest buildings on the Charleston peninsula. This 1924-dated sophisticated hotel features traditionally decorated rooms and suites, some with harbor views. Near Meeting Street, overlooking Marion Square, stay in The Dewberry, a posh hotel that features stylish rooms with custom furniture, local artwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the historic downtown area. The hotel is just a 3-minute walk from The Charleston Museum.

The Islands

Charleston’s best beaches are less than a 30-minute drive from downtown. Folly Beach, south of downtown, is home to a range of wildlife, including Loggerhead turtles and bald eagles. Further south of Folly Beach, Kiawah Island’s main feature is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Northeast of downtown, Isle of Palms is more residential, and mainly filled with shops and paths for walking and biking. Check out the Wild Dunes Resort, a golf resort with 2 waterfront courses overlooking the Isle of Palms beach. The sprawling property offers a variety of accommodation options, several laid-back restaurants, and a 10,000-square-foot Village Plaza that houses a market and a spa. Enjoy stylish, contemporary rooms with oceanfront balconies at the Tides Folly Beach resort, just a minute’s walk from the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. Enjoy uniquely decorated rooms, a 24-hour hot tub, complimentary bike rentals, and a beach shuttle service at the Water’s Edge Inn, an upscale B&B. It is just a 9-minute walk from the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. The hotel features rooms and villas with screened-in porches or private ocean-front balconies.