Charleston, S.C. boasts an abundance of charms, from its perfectly-preserved architecture to gorgeous beaches, top-tier food festivals, historic landmarks, and one of the countryâs buzziest dining and nightlife scenes. So itâs no wonder the city has become one of the countryâs top travel destinations in recent years.
Whether youâre planning your first-ever trip to Charleston, or its charms have lured you back more times than you can count, here are three standout hotels youâll want to call home on your next visit to the Holy City.
With its singular combination of style, charm, apartment-style guest rooms and suites, and an ideal location a block from Marion Square, on the corner of King and George Streets, The Pinch boutique hotel from Method Co. hospitality group has set itself apart from the crowd since it opened in 2022.
Thanks to their curated collections of books, artwork, bar carts, live plantsâplus in-room washer/dryer units and kitted-out kitchensâstaying in any of the hotelâs 25 rooms and suites feels more like having a friendâs stylish apartment to yourself than bunking in a hotel.
The interiors are plush and energetic, with a deft mix of modern art, contemporary patterned wallpapers, and high-end furnishings like velvet sofas, mid-century coffee tables, and statement-making chandeliers.
This month, The Pinch added to their on-site offerings with the grand opening of Lowland Tavern, and the re-opening of The Quinte oyster bar. Both are helmed by James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef Jason Stanhope, formerly of Charlestonâs beloved FIG restaurant.
Highlights
- Welcome cocktail
- Fully-equipped kitchens and washer/dryer units in every room
- Chic living areas with high-end furniture
- King-sized beds in every room
- Luxe bathrooms with rain showers
- Complimentary bike loans
- Free in-room coffee
This chic and cheerful boutique hotel is situated in the historic Old Village area of Mount Pleasant, just a ten-minute drive from downtown Charleston. (If the villageâs tidy 18th-century white clapboard houses, streets shaded by live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, and old-fashioned storefronts bearing vintage neon signs look familiar, itâs probably because they were used as filming locations for the cult-favorite movie, The Notebook.)
Post House Innâs cheerful blue-shuttered building dates back to 1896. Over the decades, it served as an inn, a neighborhood gathering place, a hardware store, and a school before Ben and Kate Towill of Charleston-based hospitality and design firm, Basic Projects, gave the interiors a serious refresh and re-opened it as an inn in 2020.
The self-described âcoastal tavern and inn offering seasonal fare, classic cocktails, seven cozy hotel rooms and a bit of salty airâ offers guests the best of both worlds. Not only does the Innâs Old Village Mount Pleasant location give it a relaxed, beachy, and nostalgic feel, but it also puts them just across the Ravenel Bridge from Charlestonâs buzzy restaurant and bar scenes, and countless historic sites.
Highlights
- Charming colonial-meets-contemporary decĂłr and furnishings
- Only seven rooms, and each one is unique
- A top-notch restaurant and bar program
- Complimentary bikes to ride through the Old Village, Pitt Street Bridge Park, and roads that end at the Charleston Harbor
When you enter The Loutrel, the upscale hotel in Charleston, S.C.âs fashionable French Quarter, you might feel as if youâre on the front porch of someoneâs grand old Southern home instead of a hotel lobby. And that warm and relaxed welcome is exactly how the hotel wants guests to feel when they walk through its doors.
But thatâs not the only calming space that will beckon to you at The Loutrel. Head up to the hotelâs rooftop terraceâone of the cityâs bestâto survey the Charleston skyline. Thereâs a nightly happy hour with signature cocktails and delicious canapĂ©s, which you can enjoy while getting a birdâs eye view of dozens of historic church steeples and listening to the bells of St. Michael’s church. Since the rooftop is open exclusively to hotel guests and their visitors, it means you donât have to worry about fighting the crowds at other rooftop bars to enjoy sweeping views of the city alongside top-notch classic cocktails.
And while the serene lobby and rooftop spaces make guests feel worldâs away, The Loutrelâs prime central location in the heart of the French Quarter means youâre within a few blocks from King Street, Charleston City Market, and more of Charlestonâs most popular destinations and landmarks.
Each of the 50 rooms and suites is decorated in a soothing and sophisticated color palette of blues and grays. Ranging from 350 to 700 square feet, guests have the option to book traditional rooms with California king beds, corner rooms with views of the Ravenel bridge or Charleston harbor, five suites, and a premier suiteâmany of which boast balconies with enchanting views of the Quarter.
Highlights
- Prime central location in the French Quarter
- Exclusive access to one of the best rooftops in Charleston
- A delicious complimentary European-style breakfast
- Access to private mezzanine-level clubroom with local snacks and curated books
- Complimentary cocktails and canapés at the rooftop happy hour