A beautiful city that is rich in American history, Charleston is sure to tickle all of the senses. From tantalizing Southern cuisine to Southern hospitality to amazing architecture, Charleston is a destination that many visitors continue to make a vacation destination year after year.
Since parking can be an issue, most visitors desire to stay within the Historic District of Charleston and take advantage of the free trolley bus to get around.
The Historic District offers a variety of restaurants, fashion boutiques, spectacular old houses, horse-drawn carriage tours, and much more. Deciding where to stay in Charleston can be overwhelming, but my Charleston Travel Guide is a good place to start.
If this is your first time in Charleston, be sure to check out my 3-Day Charleston itinerary.
Here are the best hotels to stay at in Charleston!
Luxury Hotels in Charleston
86 Cannon
Location
King Street
Price
$$$
Great For
Adults-Only Historic Hotel
Rich with history, 86 Cannon offers guests a luxurious hideaway located on King Street. Built in 1862, this home has a layered history. First owned by a Confederate officer and later by a renowned civil rights activist, the walls have countless stories to tell.
With only seven rooms in the historic home, this is the place for an exclusive stay with a lovely bed and breakfast atmosphere.
The hotel offers complimentary bike cruisers, a fantastic breakfast, and a daily wine and cheeseboard hour.
I absolutely ADORED 86 Cannon Historic Inn — you can read my full review of 86 Cannon Historic Inn here. I will undoubtedly be back next time I am in the area.
If you want to see it for yourself, be sure to book well in advance. They have a limited number of rooms and book out well in advance.
86 Cannon is perfect for travelers looking for a personalized stay at an adult-only historic hotel.
BOOK HERE
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Planters Inn
Location
City Market
Price
$$$
Great For
Luxury and History
South Carolina’s only Relais & Chateaux Hotel, Planters Inn reflects its history in every element of the hotel. Planters Inn offers guests spacious suites and complimentary morning coffee and tea.
After spending the day exploring Charleston from the hotel’s prime location, visitors may have an enchanted evening at its on-site restaurant, Peninsula Grill.
Travelers looking for a great location, luxury, and history should choose to stay at Planters Inn.
BOOK HERE
The Restoration Hotel
Location
French Quarter
Price
$$$
Great For
Relaxation in the City
Offering guests the choice of boutique hotel rooms or spacious suites, The Restoration is a hotel that has it all.
Guests will begin their day with a continental breakfast packed in a picnic basket, receive daily freshly baked cookies, relax in the hotel’s spa or library, and can attend a wine and cheese reception on select nights.
Visitors can also experience beautiful views of the city from the rooftop pool, bar, and grill.
The Restoration is perfect for guests wanting to be in the heart of the city but also want to stay in a hotel with spacious suites allowing many opportunities to relax.
BOOK HERE
Mid-Range Hotels in Charleston
Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Location
Historic District
Price
$$
Great For
Location
Just an 8-minute walk from the beach, The Mills House offers southern elegance in an old colonial-style hotel.
Guests can take advantage of an outdoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant serving Southern Fine Dining Cuisine. Offering views of the pool or the city, guests can choose from a variety of rooms and suites.
The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel should be the choice for travelers looking for excellence in the middle of the Historic District.
BOOK HERE
Hotel Emeline
Location
City Market
Price
$$
Great For
Boutique Hotel Experience
Located beside the Charleston City Market, Hotel Emeline is an elegant oasis in one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods.
Guests can easily access attractions such as Fort Sumter or the Aquarium before enjoying a pizza or plate either at the on-site restaurant or in the comfort of guests’ rooms.
Hotel Emeline gives guests access to a fitness center, bar, garden, and a la carte or American breakfast as well as the ideal location to visit many popular restaurants in the area.
Guests looking for a unique boutique hotel experience should choose Hotel Emeline for their Charleston visit.
BOOK HERE
Indigo Inn
Location
City Market
Price
$$
Great For
Affordable Price
Originally an indigo warehouse, the Indigo Inn offers guests a bridge between the past and present. Guests can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and an evening wine and cheese reception.
Many of the rooms overlook the beautiful, European-style atrium where guests can relax to the soothing fountains.
The Indigo Inn is the ideal location for couples or singles looking for a romantic getaway at an affordable price.
BOOK HERE
Budget Hotels in Charleston
Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront
Location
Charleston Waterfront
Price
$
Great For
Affordable, Waterfront Stay
With stunning views of the Ashley River, Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront is one of the only hotels on the waterfront. Guests can unwind by a fire pit, whirlpool, or terrace after spending the day exploring Charleston.
The hotel offers a shuttle to the Historic District for a small fee, a fitness center, on-site dining, and an outdoor waterfront pool.
Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront is the optimal stay for travelers looking for an affordable, waterfront stay.
BOOK HERE
Town & Country Inn and Suites
Location
West Ashley
Price
$
Great For
Outside of the Historic District
Newly remodeled with plush bedding, air bathtubs, and modern furnishings, Town & Country Inn and Suites offer an impeccable guest experience at budget prices.
Located in the West Ashley area of Charleston, guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant and in-room seating areas to relax after a busy day.
Town & Country Inn and Suites is the perfect stay for travelers looking to be outside the Historic District, but at an inn with attentive staff to ensure that Charleston is enjoyed.
BOOK HERE
Do you have a favorite place to stay in Charleston? Let me know in the comments below!
