The 10 Best Boutique Hotels in Charleston [2023]

Charleston is packed full of Southern charm and elegance, rich history, beautiful waterfronts, excellent shopping options, and amazing world-class eateries. It is a destination for art lovers and is home to the Gibbes Museum of Art, one of the most important locations for viewing Southern artworks.

Such a beautiful location can only have plenty of boutique hotels to match its reputation.

The Best Boutique Hotels in Charleston

Andrew Pinckney Inn

Price: From $179

The beautiful Andrew Pinckney Inn is located in 2 historic buildings only minutes away from the City Market in the Historic District. Continental breakfast is served every morning on the rooftop terrace, weather allowing. Seasonal welcome receptions are available, as are afternoon coffee and cookies.

All rooms have access to marble bathrooms, writing desks, and pull-out sofas, and some have access to private whirlpool tubs and intimate Juliet balconies. The casual, refined hotel redefines Southern hospitality.

There are petite, queen, and traditional guest rooms and Junior, Cotesworth, St. Philip, and Townhouse suites. The hotel is designed with a warm and elegant West Indies style. The unbeatable location and one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of the city provide a wonderful experience for guests.

The Dewberry

Price: From $796

Situated on Marion Square in downtown Charleston, The Dewberry is right next to the Charleston Museum. Before being converted into a 5-star hotel, The Dewberry was a federal building. It is now the stunning result of a collaboration between artists, preservationists, artisans, and architects.

All the rooms have expensive finishes and original artwork. Luxury details like custom limewash, handmade metalworks, and Irish linens contribute to the opulent atmosphere. The Stickley armoires have a custom botanical pattern from artist Becca Barnet. The bathrooms are made from Danby Vermont marble and include signature Dewberry amenities.

The rooms come in various options, from the Charleston Flat that allows exclusivity and privacy to the Signature, Superior, Grand, and Deluxe rooms and suites. Luxury is assured at The Dewberry, and guests can enjoy the views of historic Charleston from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

French Quarter Inn

Price: From $319

A charming gem of a boutique hotel, the French Quarter Inn can be found in a photogenic building in historic downtown Charleston, only steps away from Market Street and 3 minutes away from the City Market.

The French Quarter Inn is designed to provide a luxury experience that is as warm and welcoming as possible, echoing the feeling of staying at a friend’s or with family. The focus is placed on Southern hospitality and high quality.

This hotel is one of the most lauded ones in the city. It includes various accommodation options, from traditional guest rooms to full suites. They all include modern functionality with cutting-edge technology and luxurious details like bathrooms made from Italian marble.

All rooms include numerous amenities designed to pamper guests, such as evening turndown service, triple-sheeted European bedding, and a 7-option Sound Sleep pillow menu.

HarbourView Inn

Price: From $229

This recently-renovated prime hotel can be found on the Charleston waterfront, in a central location within the Historic District. An intimate hideaway that is ideal for romantic trips, the HarbourView Inn includes personalized offers named after some of the biggest love stories in media.

The hotel design redefines Southern style while still including the elegance of the city and its history. All rooms include soft waffle-weave robes, luxury bathroom amenities from Antica Farmacista, and delivery service of craft cocktails or nighttime cookies.

The Tempur-Pedic beds offer immense comfort to all guests. There is also a minifridge, safe, and flat-screen TV in every room.

At HarbourView Inn, there are Traditional, Park Side, Historical, and Grand Harbourview rooms, as well as a Landmark Suite and accessible room options. They all benefit from sophisticated tiled bathrooms, vanity mirrors, Southern furnishings, and wide windows to better enjoy the views.

Hotel Bella Grace

Price: From $260

Set in Charleston’s Historic District, in the Ansonborough neighborhood, the Bella Grace is a marvelously-located jewel right across from the Mother Emanuel AME Church and half a block from Marion Square.

The rooms blend Charleston charm with European accents, offering a perfect mix of preservation and modernity. Guest rooms and suites are available, with the King Studio Suite and Governor Suite including a fully-equipped kitchen and a sleeper sofa to accommodate guests in high style.

All rooms benefit from Illy coffee service, an HDTV with functionality for in-room entertainment streaming, and cozy bathroom robes. The Penthouse Suite is the most spacious option with a sectional sofa and a dining table opening out to a 600-square-foot rooftop deck with amazing views over Marion Square and the Historic District. This beautifully modern hotel ensures comfort and convenience for all.

Hotel Bennett

Price: From $399

This grand hotel takes its inspiration from Charleston’s rich history and the European influence on style. Set on Marion Square in the historic part of town, the Hotel Bennett is only a short walk away from City Market and the Charleston Museum.

It is a popular luxury hotel with ultra-refined accommodations that offers 2 stunning bars and an on-site patisserie to delight all its guests. This dog-friendly and non-smoking choice has a great variety of rooms, but all offer the same level of sophistication.

There is huge attention to detail in every aspect of the Hotel Bennett’s rooms. Separate showers are available, while designer pedestal tubs allow guests a pampering experience. Bedding linens are of the highest quality, and local artwork adorns every space.

There are King, Double Queen, and Suite options and exclusive Club Access that provides personalized VIP treatment and a private retreat for its beneficiaries. All rooms include hugely cozy terry-cloth bathrobes, hypoallergenic luxury linens, an in-room safe, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room dining, and Nespresso coffee machines.

The Spectator Hotel

Price: From $329

This impressive luxury hotel is so sophisticated that it includes butlers with traditional training. Set in a 1920s art deco building in the midst of the historic district, the Spectator Hotel is a vision of glamor, both nostalgic and modern.

The hotel is right next to the city market and within walking distance of numerous Charleston attractions, like Waterfront Park. Gourmet breakfast is served in bed, and for a lavish Jazz-era experience, guests can attend the speakeasy-influenced Bar at the Spectator.

The accommodations put a modern twist on the sumptuous 1920s lifestyle of the rich. They feature extremely comfortable Southern Lady mattresses, premium linens, and Harris pillowcases, as well as bathrooms that take inspiration from spas with Carrara marble and heated towel racks. There are king, queen, and opulent suite options available.

The Vendue

Price: From $197

Located in Charleston’s French Quarter, this boutique hotel is spread across 5 warehouses dating back to the 1780s. This elegant hotel doubles as an art gallery with 300 original artworks on display. There is an artist in residence at all times, and guests can get free tours of the art.

Art and wine receptions are available, as are evening cookies and milk, and bicycles are on hand to allow guests to explore the beautiful Historic District that surrounds the hotel.

All rooms at The Vendue feature premium Egyptian cotton linens, contemporary artwork, refined antique furnishings, and highly comfortable beds. There are 2 suite options: a Gallery and a Junior.

The Gallery suite has a large walk-in shower and a separate tub for convenience. There is a separate sitting area for lounging next to the bedroom, a writing desk, and not 1 but 2 flat-screen TVs.

Wentworth Mansion

Price: From $91

A stunning boutique hotel located in a mansion dating back to the 19th century, Wentworth Mansion is a jewel that guests can find in Charleston’s history-filled downtown. This luxurious hotel pays homage to Charleston’s grandeur and finery with all the opulence of the Old South.

Guests looking for a full pampering experience will find that and more at Wentworth Mansion. All accommodation options include amenities like full breakfast every morning, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres, a fine selection of port, wine, or brandy in the evenings, and evening turndown service.

Bottled water and soft drinks are available in-room, and complimentary valet parking is at the guests’ disposal. All the room and suite options feature unique elements but present the same luxurious comforts. The design of the rooms transports guests back to Charleston’s gilded age.

Zero George

Price: From $379

The Zero George spreads across 5 buildings dating back to the 19th century, with a gorgeously landscaped courtyard in the middle. The Zero George redefines the concept of luxury to make it more authentic while not limiting the opulence of the experience.

Old Charleston refinement is present in every aspect of the Zero George, as are modern comforts and convenience. There are 4 types of rooms available: the Veranda Queen and Veranda King, the Anson Suite, and the Garden Suite. All of them feature luxury amenities like Boca Terry bathrobes, triple sheeting, Frette linens, and Posturepedic mattresses for enhanced comfort. Malin + Goetz provides deluxe bathroom amenities, and Nespresso coffee machines are available.

The serene furnished outdoor piazza is available for all guests to enjoy. Heart pine floors, hand-laid marble bathrooms, high ceilings, and historic millwork provide even more premium accents.

Final Thoughts

Charleston is home to beautiful beaches, impressive landmarks, and some of the trendiest boutique hotels around. To add to the timelessness, there are cobbled alleys and streets with gas-lit lamps. Visitors can easily feel like they’ve fallen back through time to witness the vibrant history of Charleston unfold.