Top 10 Best Marriott Bonvoy Hotels In Charleston, South Carolina
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What’s the best and cheapest Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Charleston, South Carolina: Marriott vs. Renaissance vs. Courtyard vs. Aloft. Whether you are paying for your stay or redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points, whether you are traveling as a family or a couple or on business, it’s worth knowing which is the best and best value and best located Marriott Bonvoy property in Charleston and why.

Charleston was voted the #1 city in the US by the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines. You’ll find a region steeped in history yet surprisingly cutting-edge, so it is well worth a visit.

We reveal the secret to getting the best deal at luxury hotels including all these Marriott hotels, separately.

Here is an overview of which hotel is best for what, which should help you make your decision. Of note, the overall best is the North Charleston Marriott which has one of the best club lounges in Charleston and the Renaissance, which is the best Marriott located in the center of town (although beware of parking costs) and the best for luxury in town in the Marriott portfolio.

For overall luxury, go for the Belmond. While not one of the cheapest Belmond hotels in the world, this is a great choice, and our luxury travel concierge offers great free benefits at this property, but this isn’t a Marriott Bonvoy branded hotel:

  • Best for family pools: North Charleston Marriott with a lovely breeze and overlooking the water
  • Best for style: Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel or the newly refurbished Hotel Bella Grace
  • Best for location: Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel or the newly refurbished Hotel Bella Grace
  • Most stylish rooms: Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel or the newly refurbished Hotel Bella Grace
  • Best for points redemption: Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel is not cheap, it is a category 6 hotel and costs around 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. By comparison, the North Charleston Marriott is a category 4 property and costs 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (plus there is no $20 USD parking fee), making this a much cheaper option on points and a better deal overall
  • Best for parking: North Charleston Marriott & Courtyard Charleston Waterfront hotel. Park for free and shuttle into town for a small fee
  • Most expensive Marriott Bonvoy hotel: Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston, Autograph Collection at around $400 USD+ per night or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night or the newly refurbished Hotel Bella Grace. We prefer the latter for the modern style

1. Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel

The Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel is a smaller hotel located in the historic district, which is much better for walking around downtown Charleston. I love the look and style of this hotel. Step in through the doors of this hotel, and you feel more like you are in a superb boutique hotel than a member of a big chain.

Experience the Holy City from the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel. Quirky design touches and couches that invite you to sit and relax are waiting for you as soon as you step through the doors. Hotel rooms feature traditional, haint blue ceilings, local art, and modern amenities. Go for a swim in the outdoor saltwater pool, work out in the gym, or relax over a great meal at 1KEPT.

The location is excellent, right off the famed King Street (great for shopping), and all of Charleston’s most famous attractions are nearby. Parking is about $20 USD a day. The lobby is small but stylish, and the restaurant is decent, but there is no club lounge at this Renaissance hotel.

2. Hotel Bella Grace

Bridging nearly 200 years of history and architecture Hotel Bella Grace is one of Charleston’s best boutique hotels and is a rewards category 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotel and costs 50,000 per night. The circa 1830 Delaney House offers a personal connection to Charleston’s layered history and serves as the hotel’s breakfast and gathering space, which is in beautiful combination with 50 new build modern guest rooms, arrival lobby, and a fitness center. Guests of Hotel Bella Grace will enjoy a complimentary full breakfast and personalized concierge services in the historic Ansonborough district of Charleston.

3. North Charleston Marriott

The North Charleston Marriott is a convention hotel with free parking, outdoor pool, a state of the art 24/7 fitness center and small but comfortable rooms. It is a category 4 Marriott property and requires 25,00 Bonvoy per night, and is probably the best deal in Charleston. The North Charleston Marriott is not within walking distance to the historic district and is instead located along the Ashley River, but they offer a shuttle into town, which costs around $6 USD per day which runs every 30 minutes, and drops you off by waterfront park on Queen St. You call for the return trip, and they will pick you up from anywhere in downtown. The hotel actually backs onto a baseball field for the Charleston Riverdogs as well as The Citadel Military College, but there is little else in the vicinity.

This hotel has an excellent concierge club Lounge as far as food and drink. The hotel also has a very nice outside bar with views of the Ashley River. Probably one of the best outside bars in Charleston.

If you are a Marriott Bonvoy loyalty member, you may want to consider an alternative hotel within this brand that is more centrally located.

4. Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District

The Courtyard in the historic district which is an old Holiday Inn that was renovated. The location is right off Meeting and Calhoun street, and you can walk almost anywhere. It is about 3 blocks up from the Renaissance above and usually offers better value for such a central location, although, on points, this is also a category 6 property costing 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

One of the best things about this hotel is that it is newly renovated and located in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District, and adjacent to famed Marion Square and Charleston’s newest venue, The Gaillard Center (1 block away). The Courtyard Charleston Historic District also offers an ideal location for business meetings, formal events, and intimate gatherings; The Courtyard Charleston Historic District features over 7800 square feet of meeting space and beautiful outdoor function space reminiscent of a Charleston garden.

5. Courtyard Charleston Waterfront hotel

The newly renovated Courtyard Charleston Waterfront hotel is right down the street from the Marriott with free parking and great water views along with a nice pool and bar area. They don’t have a historic district shuttle, so you would have to drive down there and park in a garage (which can be expensive). It is a category 5 property costing 35,000 points per night.

Unique among hotels in downtown Charleston, where guests can experience stunning views of the Ashley River, unwind on the beautiful terrace, swim in the outdoor waterfront pool, or relax by the fire pit and whirlpool. This location on the beautiful Ashley River is a short drive from the city’s top destinations, including; the shopping on King St., a downtown market, historic plantations, and military parks. Take our convenient hotel shuttle into the Historic District for a small fee, or enjoy a 24/7 fitness center and a business center.

6. Springhill Suites Riverview

Springhill Suites Riverview is a category 5 property. Conveniently located near The Citadel, College of Charleston, Le Creuset, MUSC, Roper Hospital, United States Coast Guard Sector Charleston, FLETC, & BOEING, you will find your inspiration at the SpringHill Suites. From the moment you enter this downtown Charleston hotel located 1.5 mi from the bustling historic district, you will find breathtaking views, old-world charm, & unpretentious southern hospitality. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, their hot new breakfast, 24/7 modern market & an outdoor saltwater pool/whirlpool.

7. Residence Inn Charleston Downtown Riverview

Residence Inn Charleston Downtown Riverview is right next to Springhill Suites Riverview and is a reasonable choice if you don’t mind driving into the city centre. This is a Rewards Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy hotel with 35,000 points needed per night. Spacious king studio rooms, 1 & 2 bedroom suites equipped with full kitchens with room to eat and work are located just 1.5 miles from the historic district.

The hotel is just minutes away from SPAWAR, Boeing, Joint Base Charleston, FLETC, Army Corp of Engineers, Port of Charleston, MUSC, The Citadel, and the College of Charleston. This downtown Charleston hotel offers a complimentary hot breakfast & Monday-Wednesday Residence Inn “Mix”, free high-speed Wi-Fi. From breathtaking views of the battery and beaches to the historic homes and plantations, you will fall in love with all Charleston has to offer.

8. Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center

Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center is a newer hotel centered in the Tanger Outlet Mall with restaurants nearby and is a category 4 Marriott Bonvoy hotel.

9. The Courtyard Charleston Mt. Pleasant

The Courtyard Charleston Mt. Pleasant is another option which is better than your typical courtyard with a lovely lobby and rooms. It’s a category 5 and is about 5 miles from downtown Charleston and 3-4 miles to the beaches at Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. There is plenty of shopping and food, and the Boone Hall Plantation and Charles Pinckney site are 3 miles away. Ask for a room facing Highway 17 if noise is an issue. The Cat 1-4s properties are near the airport & North/Ashley Phosphate, neither of which is a good location.

10. Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston, Autograph Collection

Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston, Autograph Collection is one of the most expensive Marriott Bonvoy properties in Charleston with rates in the region of $400 USD+ per night and being a category 6, rooms cost in the region of 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. We prefer the look and the redemption price of the Renaissance or the Hotel Bella Grace, hence why this Marriott Bonvoy hotel comes at the bottom of our listing, but you can’t argue with the location in the Charleston Historic District, offering easy access to destinations in downtown, from the Historic Charleston City Market to the South Carolina Aquarium.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.