Enjoy a luxurious stay at one of the best hotels in Charleston, SC. There are plenty of hotel options in Charleston, but these six of the best hotels in Charleston are not to be missed!
One of the best parts about visiting Charleston, SC is the variety of accommodations from which guests may peruse. Known as one of the top cities in the world, Charleston is home to some of the most elegant and luxurious hotels in the South. Whether you’re looking for Lowcountry fine dining options, relaxing spa retreats, or classic Charleston experiences, you’ll find all of those delights and more at the six best hotels in Charleston.
The Best Hotels in Charleston, SC, Set the Standard for Sophistication and Splendor
Sip on cocktails while admiring the beautiful Charleston skyline at the Dewberry's rooftop cocktail lounge.
The Dewberry
- 334 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Originally conceived as a federal office building in the sixties, the property has gone through meticulous renovations and now commands attention as it towers over Marion Square in Downtown Charleston. Visitors can easily walk to many of Charleston’s best attractions on King Street and Meeting Street, such as the Charleston Farmer’s Market, the Gaillard Center, and the Charleston Music Hall.
Inside the Dewberry, you’ll find spacious, elegant rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, mattresses imported from Ireland, and custom designed armoires. The Living Room is the Dewberry’s stately designated space for morning coffee, afternoon cocktails, and evening aperitifs, while the Citrus Club claims the highest rooftop bar in Charleston. As guests gaze out from the 8th-floor terrace, they’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the church-steepled skyline while the sea breeze drifts in.
The Dewberry Spa sends guests on a tranquil journey with facial, massage, and nail services that draw from a compilation of native Lowcountry plants, including the dewberry plant itself! If you’re looking for a relaxing stay surrounded by luxurious furnishings, the Dewberry is one of the best hotels in Charleston SC.
You'll feel like you stepped aboard the Titanic when you enter the lobby of the Charleston Place hotel.
Charleston Place
- 205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Long regarded as one of Charleston’s best hotels, the Charleston Place has undergone stunning updates to its various restaurants and common areas and added new programming and signature experiences, including the holiday snowfall and community-wide Easter Eggstravaganza.
Of the five dining options on-site, the AAA Four-Diamond-rated Charleston Grill is easily one of the top reasons to book a room at the Charleston Place. Its creative menu features dishes designed to honor the purveyors of seasonal Southern cuisine, while the downstairs Thoroughbred Club offers one of the best cocktail and wine selections in town.
The markers of opulence are hardly relegated to the hotel’s stately rooms, full-service spa, and stand-out restaurants. The Charleston Place is adjacent to the Shops at Charleston Place, a high-end shopping promenade housing retailers like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. If a shopping spree down iconic King Street is your reason for visiting the Holy City, then the Charleston Place is one of the best hotels in Charleston for your itinerary.
Go for a swim or lounge atop one of the Hotel Bennett's poolside cabanas.
Hotel Bennett
- 404 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful? The Hotel Bennett is the newest addition to the downtown area's long list of exceptional accommodations, and already claiming a top spot as one of the best hotels in Charleston. Encompassing more than 12,000 square feet of event space, the Hotel Bennett is an ideal venue space for weddings, conferences, or other special occasions.
Guests won’t want to miss out on a perfect photo op in Camellias, the hotel’s pink-plastered tea room, or atop the rooftop terrace, where they can lounge poolside with panoramic views of downtown Charleston.
Hotel Bennett organizes a regular schedule of unique happenings, including live music on the plaza on weekend evenings, floral design workshops, and rooftop yoga. Situated within a smattering of the best restaurants and bars on King Street – as well as jazz lounges, concert halls, and festival greens – the Hotel Bennett offers guests proximity to some of the best things to do in downtown Charleston.
Live the Lowcountry dream when you stay at Zero George.
Zero George
- 0 George Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Steps away from the immaculate Gaillard Center – home to some of Charleston’s best symphonies, theatrical performances, and guests artists – guests will find an understated yet elegant retreat at Zero George, a hotel restored from 1804 buildings.
Zero George stands out from other Charleston hotels through its featured experiences and itineraries, which make it easier for guests to explore the lesser-known jewels of the Holy City. The Way of the Waterman experience transports guests to the quaint fishing town of Rockville, where they will immerse themselves in learning about restorative shellfish farming and dine on oysters by the waterfront.
Foodies at heart can take part in hands-on cooking classes led by Chef Vinson Petrillo, or embark upon a private shopping experience at Hart Jewelry, where they’ll get to create a custom charm bracelet at one of Charleston’s most renowned jewelers. If you’re looking for a hotel that will ensure seamless transportation to and from one-of–a-kind Lowcountry experiences, the Zero George is one of the best hotels in Charleston for you to stay.
The John Rutledge House Inn is not your everyday bed and breakfast!
John Rutledge House Inn
- 116 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Don’t underestimate this spectacular bed and breakfast property along one of historic Charleston’s main arteries. The John Rutledge House Inn draws locals and out-of-towners in with its eye-catching green wrought-iron balcony and staircase, then continues to delight once guests enter the space. 12-foot ceilings, Italian marble fireplaces, and serene courtyards are just a few amenities that make this hotel special among its competitors.
Within only 19 rooms and suites, the John Rutledge House Inn is one of the smallest properties on this list, which may be exactly what guests are in search of. While close to King Street shopping and Broad Street art galleries, the John Rutledge House feels a part of the South of Broad community it inhabits – as you step out of the hotel, you’ll find entrepreneurs walking to work, families picking up provisions at the corner store grocery, and horse-drawn carriage tour guides leading groups on small excursions.
A complimentary gourmet breakfast is served each morning, which includes savory and sweet staples of Southern cuisine. Guests can enjoy their breakfast in the grand dining room, courtyard, of their own plush beds! Choose from a long list of amenities to add to your stay, including charcuterie boards, a dozen roses, a bottle of wine, or tours to one of several of Charleston’s historic homes, gardens, and plantations. If you’re looking for quintessential Charleston accommodations slightly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, the John Rutledge House Inn is one of the best hotels in Charleston for you.
The Wentworth Mansion is the most romantic hotel in Charleston.
Wentworth Mansion – a regular on lists of the best hotels in Charleston
- 149 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Dripping in opulence, a stay at the Wentworth Mansion is characterized by Italian crystal chandeliers, hand-carved marble hearths, and stained-glass windows. Complimentary services include full daily breakfast, and homemade chocolates in the evening accompanied by port, sherry, or brandy.
Guests and locals alike gravitate to the spa in Wentworth Mansion, housed in a building with exposed brick, vaulted ceilings, and rustic beams. The Signature Spa Experience includes a one-night stay along with an hour-long couples massage and bottle of champagne – perfect for the busy couple in search of an opportunity to unwind and reconnect.
The on-site restaurant – Circa 1886 – has a reputation as one of the most romantic restaurants in Charleston. Guests will be escorted to lush velvet booths while indulging in one of several tasting menus. The Cooper Tasting Menu, for example, includes servings of crab salad, seared foie gras, lobster tail, and prime beef short rib. If you’re in search of accommodations and amenities fit for the royal family, you’ve found your respite at the Wentworth Mansion, one of the best hotels in Charleston.
