Hotels in Charleston, SC

Best time to visit Charleston

Try to visit Charleston between March – May or September – November to see the city covered in a colorful array of spring blooms, or to get a taste of various foodie events in fall. Average temperatures are around 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer months from June – August are Charleston’s peak tourist season, however, average temperatures soar to as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit during this time. Wear sunscreen and carry plenty of bottled water when you step out to explore the city. Winters are off-season, when both tourist traffic and hotel rates are at their lowest. Temperatures rarely dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t mind the slightly cooler weather, this is a good time to visit Charleston and get attractive deals and discounts on hotels and travel. Charleston hosts several key events and festivals between spring and fall, so if a particular festival is of interest to you, try to plan your trip around that time.

Getting around Charleston

Charleston’s Historic District neighborhoods are in a compact area that can be easily explored on foot. To venture out into surrounding towns, such as Mount Pleasant, you can use the CARTA-operated buses that cost $2.00 USD per ride. A day-pass is also available for $7.00 USD. To get around between most popular tourist attractions, you can make use of the free trolley services. Taxis are easily available throughout downtown, however, if you are staying or visiting outside this area, call ahead to book a metered taxi. Ride-share services such Uber and Lyft also operate in Charleston. If you plan to explore the outskirts of the city or indulge in some beach time, having a set of wheels is a good option. Look for interesting deals on car rentals with momondo.

Best places to stay in Charleston

Observing the pastel antebellum architecture, moss-draped trees, and horse-drawn carriages along the gas-lamp lit cobblestone streets of Charleston, you’ll feel like you have traveled back in time. Also known as the Holy City, due to its strong tolerance for all religions, the port city of Charleston proudly showcases its history and heritage. The city also offers a stark contrast in the form of trendy restaurants, interesting shops, and contemporary art galleries. Where you choose to stay in Charleston depends on the experience you want to remember. One that is filled with history, art and culture in the Historic District, or one where you can wake up to the sound of waves crashing against a sandy coastline on a beautiful island within minutes of Downtown Charleston.

French Quarter

A quaint historic neighborhood on the southeastern corner of the peninsula, the French Quarter gets its name from the high concentration of French Protestants that immigrated to and lived within the area. This part of the city is filled with historic churches and countless art galleries. On Church Street, just a block from the Charleston City Market, experience the best of southern hospitality in an intimate boutique hotel, The French Quarter Inn. Close by, on State Street, you have The Spectator Hotel set in a 1920s-dated Art-Deco building, just a 2-minute walk from Charleston City Market and a 7-minute walk from the Riley Waterfront Park. The hotel features posh rooms that combine Jazz Age elegance with the glamor of the Old South. You can also check out The Vendue, an award-winning art-filled boutique hotel, just a 5-minute walk from the historic pastel-painted buildings of Rainbow Row.

Harleston Village

Harleston Village is a multifaceted, historic neighborhood that features quiet residential streets, and a wide range of restaurants and bars. This area is also home to the College of Charleston campus. Enjoy a luxurious stay in the Wentworth Mansion hotel, set in a grand 1880-dated historic mansion, just minutes away from the award-winning dining and shopping of Harleston Village. You can also look at The Restoration, a chic, all-suite hotel with classy interiors, room décor, and service that warmly reflect Charleston’s vibrant history and culture.

Cannonborough / Elliotborough

Cannonborough / Elliotborough is another historic neighborhood, and it’s known for quiet, residential streets, and a wide range of unique eateries. Enjoy the spacious, comfortable rooms and contemporary amenities at the Hyatt Place Charleston / Historic District hotel. Check out The Cannonboro Inn, an elegant B&B set in a restored 1853-dated Victorian home. The hotel features refined rooms decorated in Victorian-style furnishings, and serves a gourmet breakfast on a veranda overlooking a beautifully landscaped garden.

Upper King Design District

Best known for its energetic nightlife and plenty of modern restaurants, bars and shops, Upper King is located north of the Historic District. The Charleston Area Convention Center and Visitor’s Bureau is in this neighborhood. Hotel rates in this area are slightly lower than the pricey options in the main Historic District. You will still be within a short walk of most attractions, including the 10-acre Marion Square city park. Across the street from the park, at the corner of King and Calhoun Street, you have the Francis Marion Hotel set in one of the tallest buildings on the Charleston peninsula. This 1924-dated sophisticated hotel features traditionally decorated rooms and suites, some with harbor views. Near Meeting Street, overlooking Marion Square, stay in The Dewberry, a posh hotel that features stylish rooms with custom furniture, local artwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the historic downtown area. The hotel is just a 3-minute walk from The Charleston Museum.

The Islands

Charleston’s best beaches are less than a 30-minute drive from downtown. Folly Beach, south of downtown, is home to a range of wildlife, including Loggerhead turtles and bald eagles. Further south of Folly Beach, Kiawah Island’s main feature is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Northeast of downtown, Isle of Palms is more residential, and mainly filled with shops and paths for walking and biking. Check out the Wild Dunes Resort, a golf resort with 2 waterfront courses overlooking the Isle of Palms beach. The sprawling property offers a variety of accommodation options, several laid-back restaurants, and a 10,000-square-foot Village Plaza that houses a market and a spa. Enjoy stylish, contemporary rooms with oceanfront balconies at the Tides Folly Beach resort, just a minute’s walk from the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. Enjoy uniquely decorated rooms, a 24-hour hot tub, complimentary bike rentals, and a beach shuttle service at the Water’s Edge Inn, an upscale B&B. It is just a 9-minute walk from the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. The hotel features rooms and villas with screened-in porches or private ocean-front balconies.

Home to several majestic museums and historic landmarks, Charleston generously showcases its role in shaping U.S. history. The city is known for majestic mansions and plantations, spectacular beaches, interesting shops and markets, and several art galleries. Your Charleston itinerary is sure to be exciting and entertaining.

• Opt for a guided walking tour to learn about the city’s history and explore the cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old mansions.
• Hop on a ferry and head to the Fort Sumter National Monument where the first shot of the Civil War was fired in 1861. Explore the thick stone caverns that feature several Civil War-era cannons, and stop by at the small yet informative museum.
• Visit the 1738-dated Drayton Hall, one of the oldest surviving plantations in the south. Explore the massive red-brick main house, and wander along the 2 walking trails that follow the Ashley River and the marsh.
• Check out the magnificent spiral staircase, detailed furnishings, and landscaped gardens of Nathaniel Russell House, a historic home in the heart of Downtown Charleston.
• Admire the antique furnishings, original wallpaper, and stunning bronze chandeliers at the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, a historic home that offers a glimpse of the true antebellum life.
• Watch historical re-enactments, book a specialized tour, and admire a burst of colorful foliage at the 65-acre French Gardens when you visit the 1755-built Middleton Place mansion. Inside, you will see an impressive collection of historic furniture and portraits. The mansion is also home to a stable with heritage-bred animals.
• Visit the Charleston Museum, one of the oldest museums in the U.S., to see its highly regarded collection of historic artifacts, natural history, and decorative arts.
• Stop by the Gibbes Museum of Art to admire an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures and artworks across eras.
• Head to Angel Oak Park on John’s Island to see the 66-foot-tall Angel Oak, a massive live oak tree believed to be over 500 years old. With a trunk circumference of 25 feet, the tree provides shade to more than 17,000 square feet of land.
• Nature lovers should not miss a trip to the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Opt for a guided tour that details the plantation’s history and its natural surroundings. You will see plenty of wildlife and birds.
• From the 12-acre Riley Waterfront Park, stroll along the mile-long stretch on East Battery Street to White Point Gardens. Admire The Battery area that features a row of southern-style mansions overlooking Charleston Harbor.
• When you have had enough of the historic and cultural attractions, spend a day at one of the spectacular, sandy beaches, such as Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, or Sullivan’s Island.
• Consider signing up for a boat tour to get a better view of the Charleston harbor. Learn about the city’s maritime history and top landmarks such as The Battery, Riley Waterfront Park, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Fort Sumter, and Castle Pinckney.
• Browse through toys, clothes, leather goods, and souvenirs at the Bustling Charleston City Market.