The best luxury hotels and resorts in Charleston, South Carolina, can be found below. These are the very best luxury hotels for families, couples, and businesses in the city and for the pool and the historic district.
Charleston is a richly cultured city in the American state of South Carolina with elegant cobblestone streets, still attracting the odd horse-drawn carriage and pretty pastel antebellum houses in the French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery Promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, and Fort Sumter lies across the water. 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.
1. Belmond Charleston Place
Belmond Charleston Place has one of the best club lounges in Charleston and is nestled in the historic district. Surrounded by some of Charleston’s most historic buildings, the hotel exudes 17th-century majesty with a Georgian open-arm staircase in the lobby, Italian marble floors, and glistening chandeliers. Redesigned suites are particularly special here and include Carrara marble baths, Tempur-Pedic sofa beds (in the one-bedroom suites), and wet bars.
For rest and relaxation, head to our full-service spa, where you’ll find a saltwater infinity pool with a retractable roof. A more private experience awaits at our exclusive Club Level that provides an upscale experience for guests with dedicated staff and all-day complimentary food and beverage. This club-level floor boasts stunning views of the city, and guests receive complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea service, evening hor d’ouvres, and nightly drinks and desserts.
Charleston Grill at Belmond Charleston Place oozes atmosphere. Here, acclaimed Executive Chef Michelle Weaver’s elegant plates put a modern spin on local tradition and come served with a helping of live jazz. The Palmetto Cafe offers great Lowcountry plates in a gorgeous garden-style setting, while the Thoroughbred Club’s expert mixologist pairs bespoke bourbons with the freshest ingredients. Traditional pub fare can be found at Meeting at Market.
2. The Dewberry Charleston
Honoring the history of the landmark L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building (circa 1964), The Dewberry is a historic gem that captures the luxury and quiet restraint that are hallmarks of historic Charleston. It is probably one of the best-located hotels in Charleston. The Dewberry looks out upon the centrally located Marion Square, which is where many of Charleston’s festivals and the Saturday Farmers’ Market happen. King Street’s shops, galleries, and restaurants are also across the Square. Beaches east of the peninsula are a 25-minute drive away. Rooms and suites feel more like a stylish home than a hotel, with handcrafted furniture and personal touches.
Inside and out, The Dewberry is a manifestation of founder John Dewberry’s vision of “Southern Reimagined.” The hotel was brought to life over eight years by a team of architects and designers who shared Dewberry’s mission to present Charleston from a uniquely personal perspective.
3. Zero George Street Hotel
Zero George’s immaculately restored circa 1804 buildings and private courtyard are the ideal ground zero for exploring Charleston’s allure. Meander shady lanes on their complimentary bikes, indulge in award-winning cuisine and relax with an innovative cocktail.
Located on an oak-shaded street in Charleston’s historic Ansonborough neighborhood, this hotel offers a modern plantation feel with a spacious veranda and patio to enjoy the outdoors. Rooms are beautifully furnished, each unique and each with period features, including fireplaces and original wood floors. Each opens onto the piazza, where you can drink complimentary evening wine and eat complimentary cheese as the sun goes down.
4. The Wentworth Mansion
Wentworth Mansion is the grand 19th century home of a wealthy cotton merchant which has been transformed into a small luxury hotel just a short walk from King Street shopping in the heart of Charleston’s historic Radcliffeborough neighborhood. Unusually for central Charleston hotels, this boutique hotel offers free onsite parking. The 21-room hotel features soaring ceilings and original Italian crystal chandeliers. The 360-degree panoramic cupola view is magic at sunset. There is a library and a living room on the main/lobby floor and a lovely courtyard garden. Rooms feature king-size beds, 14-foot ceilings, original marble-surround fireplaces with working gas fires, and some have window seats. While the hotel doesn’t have a swimming pool, in every other way, this is one of the best hotels in Charleston.
5. The Restoration Charleston
The Restoration Charleston is steps from the heart of King Street with the Historic mansions along The Battery and grand buildings and gardens South of Broad Street nearby. The Restoration is a mix of historic and modern styles across a number of different buildings.
Highlights include a rooftop pool and another rooftop terrace overlooking King Street. The hotel is all-suite with a living area, king-sized beds in the bedroom, and marble bathrooms. These are some of the largest guestrooms in Charleston.
6. 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. It is one of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in 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.
7. Hotel Bella Grace
Bridging nearly 200 years of history and architecture Hotel Bella Grace (pictured above) 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 newly built modern guest rooms, an 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.
8. 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 of the historic district and is instead located along the Ashley River. Still, they offer a shuttle into town, which costs around $6 USD per day, runs every 30 minutes, and drops you off by the waterfront park on Queen St. You call for the return trip, and they will pick you up from anywhere 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 instead an alternative hotel within this brand, which is more centrally located.
9. 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. However, 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 a beautiful outdoor function space reminiscent of a Charleston garden.
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. Still, you can’t argue with the location in the Charleston Historic District, offering easy access to destinations downtown, from the Historic Charleston City Market to the South Carolina Aquarium.
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