Best Hotels in South Carolina

The stunning Harbour Town area is a great place to station yourself during a Hilton Head trip. And its standout accommodations, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town (part of The Sea Pines Resort), is certainly one of the most popular resorts on the island. Guests who choose to make the (somewhat long) trek here delight in the lush scenery, the luxurious rooms and the professional, approachable and welcoming staff. Rooms come with large flat-screen TVs, blackout-lined window treatments and spacious bathrooms with soaking tubs and Molton Brown toiletries. Visitors like to venture out of the hotel to eat (particularly at The Quarterdeck, one of Hilton Head's favorites), but most insist that you stick close to home for Sunday brunch. Harbour Town rests in the bottom boot of Hilton Head Island.

Guests rave about Wentworth Mansion, applauding its long-standing commitment to the building's history and its ability to deliver on contemporary luxury. Constructed in the late 1800s, the Wentworth Mansion exudes old-world charm, meaning it's also the perfect Charleston home base for history buffs. Lodgers particularly praise the elegant decor, fantastic customer service, on-site spa, evening brandies and sherries, and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Rooms include spacious bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, fireplaces or outside porches and, in some suites, sunrooms. Though guests say the rooms and overall atmosphere are relaxing, they note that the luxury doesn't come cheap. However, its location is another feather in its cap; The Battery is nearby, as is the South Carolina Aquarium. Also, keep in mind that this hotel is a part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which means that members of the INVITED rewards program can earn and redeem points here.

Named after John Dewberry, one of the South's most polarizing and powerful real estate developers, The Dewberry Charleston is the result of an almost eight-year renovation of a former federal building. Designed to exude old-world Charleston, South Carolina, charm, all of the property's 155 guest rooms and suites feature hand-painted wallpaper by a local artist, chandeliers, queen- or king-sized beds dressed in Irish linens, flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers. Recent visitors raved about the beautiful and clean accommodations, although some bemoaned the lack of coffee makers and work desks. Should you need to conduct business while staying here, three event venues, including a ballroom and its adjacent pre-function space, are available. Fitness buffs, meanwhile, can work out in the fitness studio, borrow a bike for a ride around town or participate in rooftop yoga classes. Once you've worked up an appetite, sit down for a meal at Henrietta's, where international dishes are served in a mahogany-paneled dining room with Roaring '20s-themed artwork. After filling up on gourmet fare, reserve The Dewberry's Volvo house car to reach sights like The Battery and the Charleston City Market.

If you want a quiet, stress-free getaway, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort might be just the place. Sitting right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, this hotel is a destination unto itself. Sun-seekers will feel right at home here with five championship golf courses and plenty of outdoor recreational activities, while on-site amenities like the spa will make your stay on Kiawah Island rejuvenating. When it's time to sleep, rooms include Italian linens and robes, marble walk-in showers and a balcony with ocean or dune views. Recent guests recommended splurging on an ocean-view room to fully appreciate the hotel's idyllic setting. But if you're hoping to explore Charleston, be warned this hotel is located approximately 25 miles south of the city. Keep in mind that members of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program can earn and redeem points by choosing to stay here.

For recent guests, The Spectator Hotel's distinct style and unbeatable customer service are what sets this Charleston property apart from its peers. Situated just one block from the Charleston City Market and a short walk from the popular Waterfront Park, The Spectator Hotel offers a convenient home base for sightseers. Aside from the location, recent visitors raved about the rooms, particularly the comfy beds and spacious bathrooms. Accommodations also come equipped with minifridges, coffee makers, complimentary Wi-Fi access and personal butlers – perhaps the biggest delight among lodgers. While the property doesn't have its own on-site restaurant (though it does offer a free continental breakfast each morning), recent visitors didn't seem to mind; travelers said their butlers and the front desk staff were quick to offer suggestions and advice for guests. But after you've explored the Charleston dining scene, consider heading back to The Spectator to sample some of the handcrafted cocktails at its bar, which is designed to look like a 1920s-era speakeasy. The Spectator also lacks a fitness center, but you can get in your exercise with the hotel's complimentary bikes.

Surrounded by some of Charleston's favorite attractions – including the Old City Market and the Nathaniel Russell House – this boutique hotel is a convenient and luxurious home base for leisure travelers. It features carved beds in spacious rooms equipped with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, Blu-ray DVD players, free wireless internet and a private veranda (in some rooms). Additionally, the French Quarter Inn offers complimentary breakfast and a variety of free snacks (like a bedtime plate of cookies and milk) throughout the day. Past guests have nothing but praise for this property for its prime location and the kind and welcoming hotel staff.

The City Market sits right outside the lobby and attractions like the Old Slave Mart Museum, numerous art galleries and the Nathaniel Russell House are just a stone's throw away. So in other words, Charleston Place makes a great home base for sightseers visiting this city for the first time. Plus, the hotel's decor – complete with exquisitely carved furniture, sweeping staircases and bright, cheerful colors – add a taste of Southern comfort. Inside the rooms, guests will find minifridges, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers or soaker tubs, and Belmond Charleston Place toiletries. Along with the hotel's furnishings, Charleston Place also boasts a spa and an infinity-edge, saltwater indoor/outdoor swimming pool (the glass roof retracts). But what keeps customers coming back is the excellent quality of Charleston Place's customer service.

Sitting smack-dab in the heart of downtown, this beautiful hotel claims to be the "heart and soul of Historic Charleston." And guests agree, citing the homey atmosphere and Southern charm as major reasons to stay here. Decked out in beautifully carved furniture accented by rich neutrals and cozy curtains, Planters Inn exudes an Old World aura, but it also embraces modern standards of luxury. The hotel offers nightly turndown service (with macarons and a weather card to help plan your next-day activities) and spacious Italian marble baths. And you can enjoy some true low country cooking at the on-site Peninsula Grill. Because Planter's Inn is a Relais & Châteaux outpost, Club 5C members can earn or redeem complimentary perks here.

Some see Bluffton, South Carolina, as the gateway into Hilton Head Island, which is just 8 miles farther east. But this quaint town is also rife with opportunities to explore the South Carolina low country. And for recent visitors, there's no better place to make your home base than the alluring Montage Palmetto Bluff. You don't even need to leave the resort premises to enjoy the culture – the property's screened-in shabby-chic porches are a prime setting to enjoy a Carolina sunset. You can dine on the area's freshest seafood at the inn's Canoe Club and experience some of the South's trademark charm from the ever-present and accommodating staff members. Guests can choose to stay in a room within the main house, or within a private cottage. There's also a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course on-site, as well as alligator-spotting excursions, day trips to Daufuskie Island and marshland kayaking in the surrounding area. (Though the resort also charges a $40 daily amenities fee.) The Montage Palmetto Bluff sits on Village Park Square, right along the May River (about 95 miles south of Charleston and around 20 miles northeast of Savannah).

Just as its name suggests, this hotel sits right along the coast, boasting spectacular views of Charleston Harbor. And it's just a short walk from some of the city's best things to do, including the Old Slave Mart Museum and the City Market. However, according to recent guests, location isn't the only thing the HarbourView has to brag about: People rave about the hotel's handcrafted furnishings (the four-poster beds, complimentary wireless Internet and 42-inch flat-screen TVs are nice touches) and the inn's relaxed, homey atmosphere. They also say that the complimentary breakfast alongside waterfront views from the rooftop terrace and the impeccable customer service are worth returning for.

Sitting just down the street from the historic Charleston City Market, this hotel is ideal for anyone who prefers all things luxury. Many guests find it hard to believe that Market Pavilion only dates back to 2003; intricately carved furniture and elaborate decor evoke a sense of history, while the hotel's rooftop pool and Pavilion Bar add contemporary flair. Recent guests rave about the hotel's friendly staff and top-tier room amenities, which include two-poster beds, plush robes, oversized marble baths and Hermès brand toiletries.

According to recent guests, The Restoration is more than just a hotel. Spread throughout five buildings in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the property offers a bevy of unique amenities. Visitors and locals can wander through The Port Mercantile retail store in search of one-of-a-kind goods; soak up the sun on the rooftop or by the Indigo Pool; indulge in a treatment at The Amethyst Spa; or enjoy farm-to-table eats at The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits. Other on-site amenities exclusively available to guests include a fitness center and complimentary bicycle rentals. Travelers also rave about the property's location, which puts lodgers within walking distance of many popular Charleston attractions, including the Charleston City Market and The Nathaniel Russell House Museum. Additionally, recent guests said they weren't disappointed when they retired to their rooms. The all-suite accommodations are described as spacious, comfortable and stylish. Ranging from 500-square-foot studio suites with kitchenettes to two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, rooms are equipped with Smart TVs, personal iPads, complimentary Wi-Fi access and made-to-order breakfast baskets, among other amenities. Aside from the standout facilities, reviewers were most impressed with the exceptional service. 

Nestled in historic downtown Charleston's French Quarter, The Vendue offers unique lodgings that exhibit distinct Southern charm. Due to the age of the property (the hotel is a combination of old warehouses that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries), no two rooms here are the same. While the specific design of each room varies, the historical theme of the property remains central across all accommodations, each boasting antique furnishings as well as modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and in-room Wi-Fi. Aside from the room accouterments, The Vendue also boasts complimentary bike rentals, two restaurant, rooftop bar and top-notch customer service, according to guests. There is also a rotating art gallery in-house as well as an afternoon wine reception and evening milk and cookies, creating for an utmost cozy stay. 

This Westin rides the middle – it's not so luxurious that it out-prices visitors, nor is it in any way a downgrade from the other island resorts. It's not flooded with children like some of its competitors, but there are still plenty of kid-friendly amenities to make young families feel at home. And guests say the service they received was ideal, and that the restaurants all offer tasty fare. When it comes to rest and relaxation, the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa has three swimming pools and a whirlpool, plus the brand's Heavenly Spa. For youngsters, the hotel hosts movie nights and offers a kids club day camp and excursions the whole family can participate in. The resort is located on the northeastern tip of Hilton Head. And because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Rewards members can earn and use points here.

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, which is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is separated from the hustle and bustle of downtown Charleston by the Cooper River. The property’s unique setting gives guests access to everything South Carolina has to offer. Visitors have direct access to a private beach, while The Beach Club also provides quick transportation to all the shopping and dining available in downtown Charleston. If you'd rather lounge by the pool, the resort has a 30,000-square-foot pool deck where a variety of games can be found. For those seeking more serious rest and relaxation, a tranquility pool is available for extra peace and quiet. Plus, while kids participate in organized activities at the Mini Mariners Camp, parents can indulge in a treatment at the on-site Estuary Spa. When it's time to dine, guests can enjoy harbor views and seasonal fare at the Charleston Harbor Fish house. The property also includes four bars and lounges for travelers to take advantage of. Recent guests gave mixed reviews of the on-site cuisine and some recommended venturing into the city for more delectable options. Travelers were most pleased with the accommodations, though, which offer either waterfront or harbor views and have standard amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffee makers and minifridges. If you opt for a suite, you'll also receive additional perks like fireplaces, balconies and multiple bathrooms. And while some guests reported minor snafus with the staff, most commended the resort for providing personalized customer service.