11 Top-Rated Resorts in Charleston, SC

Whether you are looking for a beachfront resort or one in the historic downtown area, Charleston is filled with hotels for all styles and budgets. Many of the top resorts in this popular South Carolina vacation destination are located right on the Atlantic Ocean and cater to both families and couples looking for a romantic getaway.

There are also properties in the Charleston Historic District, some of which have a more boutique vibe, and these hotels are a good choice if you are looking for more of an urban feel. These properties are usually child-friendly but also cater to romantics. The Belmond Charleston Place, which is right in the heart of the old town, is one such example.

Then there are properties like The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort and the Wild Dunes Resort, which are truly destinations in their own right. These resorts have multiple restaurants and amenities like championship golf courses, spas, and wellness centers, which keep you entertained day and night.

Also, note that not all properties here are in downtown Charleston proper. Kiawah Island is home to a number of top resorts, including the Andell Inn, and is located about 25 miles south of the city center.

Whether you want an urban base or an island escape, find the best place to stay with our list of the top hotels in Charleston, South Carolina.

1. The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Accommodation: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

On Kiawah Island, south of Charleston, The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is right on the ocean and a destination in its own right, especially if you like to play golf. There are five championship golf courses on the grounds of this luxury resort, as well as other outdoor activity opportunities and a wonderfully relaxing spa.

When it comes to sleeping, expect swanky, elegant rooms and suites with Italian linens, marble bathrooms, and balconies with either direct ocean or dune views. There are also multiple restaurants to choose from when it comes time to dine.

2. Wentworth Mansion

Accommodation: Wentworth Mansion

A small inn with resort-style amenities, the Wentworth Mansion is the top 5-star hotel in historic downtown Charleston and exudes yesteryear grandeur. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, the Wentworth Mansion is set inside an 1800s mansion that once served as a private residence.

It is a glamorous affair throughout, with stained-glass windows, Italian crystal chandeliers, and hand-carved fireplaces. There are just 21 rooms and suites, each unique in size and shape. All feature Gilded Age elegance.

Rates include a full breakfast at the Circa 1886 restaurant. The restaurant also serves excellent Lowcountry-inspired fare at dinner. Other amenities at the Wentworth include a spa with a full range of treatments, concierge services, and valet parking. If you are traveling with a dog, the hotel allows up to two pups of any size per room for a $40 nightly fee.

Address: 149 Wentworth Street, Charleston, South Carolina

3. The Dewberry Charleston

Accommodation: The Dewberry Charleston

Facing Marion Square in Charleston’s downtown historic district, The Dewberry is a 5-star property that is within walking distance from many attractions. The resort also runs a complimentary car service around the city for sights further afield.

Located in a former federal building, it has a mix of stylish rooms and suites. All are elegant luxe with yesteryear Southern charm, custom furnishings, hand-crafted metalworks, and local art gracing the walls. Marble bathrooms have separate showers and free-standing soaking tubs along with high-end toiletries. Beds are extra comfy, boasting mattresses imported from Ireland and quality sheets.

If you are celebrating a special occasion, book the John Derian Flat, which has the vibe of a well-traveled collector’s residence. This designer suite has separate living and dining spaces and a bedroom with a king canopy bed. The glass-enclosed marble bathroom features a cast iron soaking tub.

The Dewberry Spa features treatments that draw inspiration from the native dewberry plant as well as incorporating botanicals, antioxidants, and sea extracts. There is also a fitness studio on-site with Peloton bikes, and personal training sessions can be booked.

The two on-site restaurants serve ingredient-driven menus. Head to the rooftop Citrus Club for light bites with views, or partake in a more substantial meal at The Living Room, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Address: 334 Meet Street, Charleston, South Carolina

4. Harbourview Inn

Accommodation: Harbourview Inn

The Harbourview Inn is a charming property right on the waterfront in the Charleston Historic District. Inside a converted old cotton warehouse, it has 52 rooms that are either “traditional” or “historic.” The historic rooms have original brick walls, handcrafted furnishings, and deep soaking tubs.

Breakfast is included in the rate and can be enjoyed in your room, in the lobby, or on the fantastic rooftop terrace with panoramic views. Other amenities here include an afternoon reception, with complimentary cheese and snacks, and a milk and cookie service in the evening.

5. The Charleston Place

Accommodation: The Charleston Place

In the Charleston Historic District, The Charleston Place is an elegant property, which appeals to couples and families alike and is also pet-friendly. The sophisticated rooms and suites offer plenty of space to move around, quality linens on comfortable beds, and a soothing white and grey color palette.

Bathrooms are done up with Carrara marble and L’Occitane bath products. Away from the rooms, you’ll find a rooftop deck with a saltwater pool, a fitness center, a spa, boutique shops, and a few different dining options.

6. Wild Dunes Resort

Accommodation: Wild Dunes Resort

Right on the oceanfront, Wild Dunes Resort offers accommodations in two different hotels, as well as private condos and beach houses, which all share central amenities like dining, golf, and a spa and wellness center.

For hotel-style accommodations, there is the luxe Boardwalk Inn just a few hundred feet from the beach, which has spacious and comfortable rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and adults-only swimming pool.

There is also the Village at Wild Dunes, which is a great choice for families as it comes with one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites and is at the center of the resort where many of the restaurants, the spa, and the large swimming pool are.

A total of eight different restaurants are on-site, as well as two 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf courses.

7. The Spectator Hotel

Accommodation: The Spectator Hotel

In the heart of Charleston’s historic district, located between the French Quarter and Market Street, the Spectator Hotel is a grand four-star property in a 1920s Art Deco building filled with Southern charm. The hotel has a romantic ambience designed to take you back to the Jazz Age.

The rooms and suites are lovely and feature personal butler service. They are done up with a lot of local products, from the mattresses to custom pillows. Bathrooms feature marble, and there are in-room Nespresso machines.

Other cool perks include a gourmet continental breakfast that is delivered directly to your room each morning. There are also bikes that guests can borrow to explore the city.

8. The Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton

Accommodation: The Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton

Right in the heart of historic Charleston, The Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton is a charming property dating back to the 1850s and has a lovely front courtyard complete with a fountain.

The décor is modern Southern charm, with plush furnishings and details like color-coordinated bedspreads and drapes in the comfortable rooms and junior suites.

The rooms come in a variety of sizes and shapes — some have awesome balconies; others open onto the swimming pool deck.

The public spaces here are worth wandering as they are packed with museum-quality antiques and art. Other on-site amenities include an outdoor pool and large sundeck, a gourmet restaurant, and a fitness center.

9. French Quarter Inn

Accommodation: French Quarter Inn

Right in the Charleston historic district, just a few minutes’ walk from the Charleston City Market, the French Quarter Inn is a beautifully designed luxury property.

It offers a range of rooms and suites, and all are artistically decorated and filled with modern amenities. The oversized bathrooms are filled with Italian marble, and the beds are draped in high-thread-count linens. There is a pillow menu with seven different options, as well as evening turndown service.

There is no on-site restaurant, but a continental breakfast is served for free in the mornings. There are also loaner bikes for guests to take out and an evening cheese hour. In-room spa treatments can also be arranged.

10. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina

Accommodation: The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina

On the waterfront at Charleston Harbor, across the bridge from downtown, The Beach Club is a cheerful, luxe boutique property.

The 92 rooms and suites are all done up in maritime designs and feature bright colors and plenty of space to move around. The beds are comfy, and rooms come with fireplaces and deep soaking tubs. All have balconies, but the best come with direct harbor views.

Suites add separate living rooms and even more space. On-site amenities include a few different dining choices, a private beach area, multiple swimming pools, a kids’ club, a 24-hour workout room, and a posh spa.

11. Andell Inn

Accommodation: Andell Inn

Within Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island, the Andell Inn overlooks the Kiawah River and features laid-back rooms and suites. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, while suites add one or two bedrooms and have fully-equipped kitchens and separate living spaces.

On-site amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast, a heated outdoor saltwater swimming pool, and a workout room. There is also an on-site restaurant serving gourmet flatbreads and regional cheese and charcuterie boards. The property is also part of a resort community with a number of restaurants and shops that are just a short walk away.

Charleston, SC – Climate Chart