Best Boutique Hotels in Charleston
Originally founded in 1670 around its port, this deep south city is now a blend of modernist art culture and historic gems. Come here to wander the cobblestone streets and admire the pastel antebellum houses of the French Quarter and Battery districts. Or to check out artists’ studios, catch some experimental theatre and savour South Carolina’s cuisine. Those wishing to swim or surf can do so at one of five beaches. You may spot pineapples at the entrance of venues and homes; the fruit is traditionally used in the “holy city” as a method of demonstrating hospitality.
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South Carolina, Charleston
Planters Inn
(4 stars)Stay in the Historic District in one of 64 bedrooms at Planters Inn. Built in 1844, it retains a period feel, with handcrafted four-poster beds from the Baker Historic Charleston Collection, 10-foot ceilings, working fireplaces and antique furnishings. Each bedroom has Italian hemstitched bedding by Mascioni, private-label bath products, travertine marble bathrooms, etchings from Elizabeth O’Neill Verner and prints from John James Audubon. Pass through the lantern-lit carriage courtyard to enter the Peninsula Grill, the city’s pre-eminent restaurant, where Chef Kalen Fortuna presents fine Southern dishes. Planters Inn is found opposite the Charleston City Market.
South Carolina, Charleston, Historic District
Wentworth Mansion
(5 stars)Dating back to the Gilded Age, this was once the private home of wealthy cotton merchant Francis Silas Rodgers and his 14-strong family (plus 24 servants). Built in the Second Empire style by architect Daniel G. Waynes, it has a rooftop cupola and spans 24,000-square-feet over four floors. Now a boutique hotel, it has 50 bedrooms, some of which have hot tubs for two and library nooks. Original features — including pocket doors with 19th century brass hardware, 14-foot ceilings, Tiffany windows, hand-carved moulding and marble fireplaces — are everywhere making it a veritable sweetie shop for fans of period residences. The stables have been repurposed as a luxe spa and the carriage house as a restaurant.
South Carolina, Charleston
The Loutrel
(4 stars)Set in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, The Loutrel is a 50-room luxury boutique hotel that seamlessly blends contemporary sophistication with the city’s rich architectural heritage. Opened in November 2021 the property draws inspiration from Charleston’s renowned gardens and classic Lowcountry design, creating an inviting retreat for discerning travelers. The property features a garden-inspired lobby bar called the Veranda Lounge, an all-inclusive private Clubroom for guests and a picturesque biophilic-designed rooftop terrace boasting sweeping views of the city skyline. Designed for the traveler who values time and life experiences above all else, The Loutrel embraces Charleston’s present moment with an upscale, refined aesthetic and exclusive, thoughtfully curated programming to personalise every guest’s visit.