The Holy City's Best Hotels for History Lovers
Charleston’s cobblestone streets, 18th- and 19th-century manses, and historical sights aplenty (Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, a host of house museums, etc.) attract history buffs from around the world. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to lay your head in one of these storied inns. These are the best hotels near Charleston's historic district.
86 Cannon
Why it made the list
This perfectly modern bed and breakfast’s original hardwoods and transom windows will remind you you’re in a historic space. But be sure to chat with the owners about the house’s rich history. They’ll tell you about the noteworthy Charlestonians who have called this property home, including Peter Poinsette, whose sister was civil rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark.
Francis Marion Hotel
Why it made the list
Built in 1924 and designed by New York architect William Lee Stoddart, this centrally located hotel—dubbed a Historic Hotel of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation—oozes Jazz Age glamour. Original wrought-iron accents and crystal chandeliers make the lobby a space to sit and stay awhile, and be sure to take a peek inside the grand ballrooms (available for conferences and special events), where impeccably restored molding and millwork stun.
Wentworth Mansion
Why it made the list
Immerse yourself in this grand mansion’s Second Empire architecture, which includes well-restored inlaid floors, wainscoting, marble fireplaces, intricate crown molding, and Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows. You’ll feel like the lucky houseguest of a well-to-do local in no time.
Two Meeting Street Inn
Why it made the list
This cute-as-a-button bed and breakfast will transport you to 1892, the year it was built (looking past modern conveniences like Wi-Fi, of course). The impeccably preserved Queen Anne-style manse is one of only a handful of Victorian-style homes on the peninsula and is rife with original architecture, including a pair of Tiffany stained glass windows and two ball-and-claw tubs native to the home. The genteel hospitality of the staff puts the cherry on top of your historic stay.
Inn at Middleton Place
Why it made the list
Though your room will be modern (the inn was built in 1987), the grounds on which you’ll be sleeping are dubbed a National Historic Landmark and hold one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the country (the oldest, some say). Get lost in the gardens, explore the working stable yard, and tour the House Museum as well as Eliza’s House, a museum telling the story of the enslaved families who lived on the land.
The Governor's House Inn
Why it made the list
Walk through the front door and look to your right: you’ll find a replica of the Declaration of Independence. Why? The bed and breakfast, which is filled with period reproductions, was once home to Edward Rutledge—the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence and the 39th governor of South Carolina.
John Rutledge House Inn
Why it made the list
Join the ranks of George Washington, who visited this property in 1791 when it was home to John Rutledge, the Palmetto State’s first governor and a signer of the U.S. Constitution. The main house of this beautiful B&B—named a National Historic Landmark—holds stunning marble fireplaces, soaring 14-foot ceilings, and intricate plaster molding, giving you a peek at luxurious living in 18th-century Charleston.
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