If you’re planning a trip to the South, you absolutely must add Charleston, South Carolina to your list of places to visit! While Charleston is the largest city in the state, it has a quaint little downtown area (called the Charleston Historic District) that is pedestrian-friendly and packed with fun things to see and do!
Charleston sits on Charleston Harbor – the confluence of the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers. So the charming historic area is conveniently close to Cooper River and the beautiful waterfront park that sits on its western bank. If you choose a hotel in the Charleston Historic District you’ll be close to historical sites and nature.
Charleston also has some truly stunning historical hotels and boutique retreats. So many, in fact, that you might have a hard time choosing the perfect one. So we’ve created a list of the 12 best hotels in Charleston to help you plan your perfect getaway!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: Top Boutique Hotels in Charleston!
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Where to Stay in Charleston
Most of the best hotels in Charleston are clustered in the Historic District. This is also where many of the top tourist sites in the city are, including the Historic Charleston City Market, the Charleston Museum, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and Joe Riley Waterfront Park.
And while Charleston has dozens of quaint neighborhoods that are worth exploring, we’d recommend using the Charleston Historic District as your home base. You’ll be close to amazing restaurants, lively bars, and cute boutiques. Plus the best hotels in Charleston are all centrally located here!
The 12 Best Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina
1. French Quarter Inn
If you are looking for a little bit of history and a lot of luxury during your stay in Charleston, then the French Quarter Inn is sure to impress! From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a glass of champagne and then treated like royalty for the entirety of your stay.
Start your day with a delicious continental breakfast and then wind down at the wine, cheese, and cookie reception in the evening.
The location of the French Quarter Inn is ideal for exploring the city! You’ll be right on Market Street and just a few blocks from Waterfront Park and the King Street shopping and dining area. The hotel offers a free bike rental service so you can easily cruise around to all of the top attractions.
Rooms are spacious and impeccably decorated with vintage-style furniture and decor. You’ll love snuggling into your plush bed at the end of the day and enjoying a show on the large flat-screen. Or better yet, book an in-room massage!
2. The Dewberry Charleston
The Dewberry Charleston is a darling boutique hotel with great amenities and the friendliest staff. And the location is absolutely perfect – all of the Charleston Historic District sites are within walking distance.
Some of the amazing features and amenities they offer include a luxurious spa, a fitness center, a library, a southern restaurant, and a bar serving up unique craft cocktails. If you’re not in the mood to venture out and see the city, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you occupied at the Dewberry Charleston.
Rooms are stylishly decorated and sparkling clean. The large floor-to-ceiling windows keep the room light and bright while offering beautiful city views. Take advantage of the yummy smelling Dewberry toiletries and the minibar!
3. Hotel Bennett Charleston
If you’re looking for a hotel that exudes glamour during your trip to Charleston, the Hotel Bennett Charleston is a great choice! It’s a stunning hotel – inside and out. In fact, you may not even want to leave the hotel during your stay.
Rooms are large and comfortable with sleek, classic decor and a terrace. But the real highlight of your room is the huge, sparkling clean bathroom with a soaking tub. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine at the end of a long day.
Other amenities include a flat-screen, a refrigerator, coffee making facilities, and a fitting area. The public areas of the hotel boast an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa, a rooftop bar, and a French bakery with delicious pastries.
Plus you can’t beat the location of the Hotel Bennett Charleston – it’s right off of Marion Square in the heart of the Charleston Historic District. You’ll be able to walk to all of the city’s main attractions!
4. Charleston Place, a Belmond Hotel
Charleston Place, a Belmond Hotel is a historic hotel that absolutely oozes glamour inside and out. You’ll love soaking in the picturesque saltwater pools, enjoying a relaxing massage at the full-service spa, and enjoying a cocktail during sunset at the rooftop bar.
Or better yet, listen to live jazz music while dining on southern comfort food at one of the hotel’s 3 gourmet restaurants.
Rooms are stylish and comfortable with dark wooden furniture and crisp white linens. Once you slide into your cozy bathrobe, you may never want to leave your room! And with wifi, cable, 24-hour room service, and all the amenities you could need during your stay, you really don’t need to!
Located right off of Meeting Street in the middle of the Charleston Historic District, you’ll be just steps from shops, restaurants, bars, and all the tourist sites that you’ll want to check out during your visit. Be sure to bring your camera – Charleston Place is the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram photo!
5. The Spectator Hotel
If you’re looking for a unique stay during your trip to Charleston, then you absolutely must check out the 1920s-inspired Spectator Hotel! This boutique hotel has thought of everything to make you feel right at home – including providing you with a personalized butler service. The staff really go above and beyond to ensure that you have an amazing stay.
Start your day with a delicious complimentary breakfast served right in your room. And after a day of wandering around Charleston’s Historic District, you can sip a Prohibition-era inspired spirit in the onsite speakeasy.
Rooms at The Spectator Hotel are sleek, modern, and stocked with everything you’ll need during your stay including drinks and snacks in the minibar. You’ll love the environmentally-friendly toiletries. And your butler will be available to help with packing and unpacking, shoe shining, turndown service, and anything else you may need during your stay.
The Spectator Hotel is located in the Charleston Historic District and just a short walk from Waterfront Park.
6. Grand Bohemian Hotel
Another option if you’re looking for a Charleston hotel that’s outside of the ordinary is the funky Grand Bohemian Hotel. Not only is this cool hotel full of fun artwork throughout, but it’s also home to the Grand Bohemian Gallery where you can check out artwork from both local and global artists.
Rooms have eccentric, vibrantly colored furniture and super plush king-size beds. Bathrooms are quite large and come stocked with toiletries. If you choose to spend an evening in your room, you’ll appreciate having a flat-screen cable TV and wifi.
All of the public spaces in the Grand Bohemian Hotel are impressive and artsy. But you’ll especially love the rooftop terrace and the onsite library – both are great options for relaxing in the afternoon with a coffee (or a cocktail).
And if those aren’t enough reasons to check out the Grand Bohemian Hotel during your stay in Charleston, you can’t beat the location either. This hip boutique hotel is right smack dab in the middle of the Historic District!
7. Zero George Street
If you’re looking for some real southern charm during your vacation in Charleston, then consider booking a few nights at the Zero George Street. This darling boutique hotel has just 16 guest rooms in 3 restored historic residences and 2 carriage houses. The buildings are over 150 years old!
Spend your afternoons relaxing on the comfortable wicker chairs on the wraparound porch with a glass of sweet tea – does it even get more southern than that? You’ll be served a delicious daily breakfast and you can take advantage of their wine and cheese hour during your stay.
Rooms are spacious and clean with simple decor and plush beds. All rooms feature cable TV, coffee-making facilities, a seating area, and any toiletries you may need during your stay. And all rooms boast a lovely view of the courtyard!
The location of the Zero George Street is ideal as well. It’s a short walk to the Charleston Historic Area and also right near Gadsdenboro Park.
8. Hotel Bella Grace
The Hotel Bella Grace is a beautiful boutique hotel located in the heart of the Charleston Historic District. With just 50 rooms, you know you’ll get individualized attention from the friendly and helpful staff members.
Rooms at the Hotel Bella Grace are sleek and modern with unique wall murals and artwork. Amenities include comfy robes, a flat-screen TV, coffee-making facilities, and toiletries. If you really want to blow it out during your vacation in Charleston, opt for the lavish Penthouse Suite – you’ll have your own rooftop deck!
This is a great option if you prefer staying in a smaller, boutique hotel with lots of charm. And the contemporary decor is so stunning that it’ll make you want to redecorate your own house when you get back home!
9. Hotel Emeline
The Hotel Emeline has so many perks that you’ll love, and the staff really goes the extra mile to ensure that you have an amazing stay. From super-plush towels and bathrobes to a cozy outdoor fire pit and a complimentary coffee delivery every morning, the amenities are endless!
Truly, the staff at the Hotel Emeline have thought of everything to make your stay in Charleston absolutely dreamy. The beds, pillows, and linens are so luxurious, you won’t want to get out of bed in the morning! You can enjoy the restaurant, the fitness center, and the garden with comfy outdoor furniture and fire pit.
Plus this Charleston hotel is pet friendly so you can bring your furry friend!
The location is absolutely perfect as well – right in the Charleston Historic District and quite close to the waterfront park. If you want to venture further out, you can use the complimentary bicycles provided by the hotel!
10. Market Pavilion Hotel
The real highlight of the Market Pavilion Hotel is the pristine rooftop pool that is surrounded by comfortable loungers. It’s absolutely where you’ll want to be in the heat of the day during your trip to Charleston – enjoying a refreshing swim and sipping on a fruity cocktail. And the view of the city can’t be beaten!
Rooms are elegant with antique furniture and super plush bedding and linens. The mattress is so comfortable you’ll find it hard to get out of bed every morning! Your room will also come outfitted with a flat-screen TV, a desk, a sitting area, and a bathtub. The polished gold fixtures in every bathroom make the room feel so ornate.
The freshly baked pastries that are included with your breakfast are not-to-be-missed! Guests rave about them.
The location of the Market Pavilion Hotel is perfect as well. You’ll be right in the Charleston Historic District and just a short walk from Waterfront Park. But with that stunning rooftop pool at your disposal, you may not want to venture out of the hotel!
11. The Restoration Hotel
The Restoration Hotel also has a beautiful rooftop pool, restaurant, and bar with a fabulous view of Charleston! It’s the perfect place to enjoy an appetizer with a glass of wine while watching sunset in the evenings.
Other hotel amenities include a relaxing spa, a library, a continental breakfast, and the occasional wine and cheese reception. As that wasn’t enough – they also offer guests freshly baked cookies every evening!
Rooms are quite unique with exposed brick walls and contemporary furniture. Your room will also have a flat-screen TV, a kitchenette, a spacious bathroom, plush robes, and an incredibly comfortable bed. You’ll have everything you need in your room for a wonderful stay and if you need anything, the helpful staff members are just a phone call away!
The Restoration Hotel is centrally located in the Charleston Historic District. You’ll be able to easily walk to the best restaurants, bars, and boutique shops in town!
12. 86 Cannon Historic Inn
If you’re looking to have a romantic couples getaway to Charleston, consider a stay at the 86 Cannon Historic Inn! This luxury boutique inn is set in a historic home that was built in the 1860s and has been expertly restored. Plus, this Charleston hotel is adults-only so you won’t have to worry about any noisy kids running around!
Take advantage of the courtyard garden, the library, the cozy piazzas, and their complimentary wine and cheese pairing during happy hour! You can also use their free bikes to zip around Charleston to all of the top tourist spots.
Rooms are sleek, modern, and cozy with super plush beds and linens. Also included in your room is a Nespresso machine for your daily cup of joe, the softest robe and slippers, plenty of toiletries, and nightly chocolate truffles.
That completes our list of the 10 best Charleston hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Charleston? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
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Thanks for the great resource. Just bought a house in Charleston and so excited to check it all out.