86 Cannon
86 Cannon St., Charleston, South Carolina 29403, USA
Why We Like It
While many local B&Bs share what it’d be like to live in 19th-century Charleston, 86 Cannon gives an authentic look at luxurious living in today’s Holy City. Its mid-peninsula location makes for easy commuting both in and out of downtown, while the staff’s hospitality and rooms’ gorgeous designs will leave you feeling utterly pampered.
Fodor's Expert Review
Tucked in the eclectic Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood, 86 Cannon combines the genteel sophistication of an old-school B&B with modern luxuries (dimmable lights, pristine bathrooms, text correspondence with innkeepers) and a perfectly polished contemporary design by local talent Betsy Berry. Holding only five guest rooms, a trio of common rooms, and pair of piazzas, the impeccably restored 1860s Charleston single house has a decidedly homey vibe. Exhibit A? Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the owners’ adorable Cockapoos, Gus and Sully.
You Should Know Cannonborough-Elliotborough is an up-and-coming neighborhood that boasts an easy walking distance to hotspot restaurants galore and quick access to beaches and other off-peninsula attractions. That said, Cannon Street is quite busy and early rush-hour traffic can be heard from guest suites.
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Room
Midcentury modern lamps, chandeliers, and wallpaper (some rooms are covered in Farrow & Ball while other designs are hand-stenciled) mingle with French-inspired furnishings, plantation shutters, original hardwoods, and transom windows. After slipping into the king bed dressed in crisp Frette sheets, a handy remote lets you dim then nix lamplight until morning.
Tip Hitting a local shore? Let the staff know and they’ll provide a beach bag with Turkish towels.
Bathroom
Relaxation awaits in the luxurious bathrooms, where roomy walk-in showers are clad in light and bright tile, marble vanities hold necessary toiletries, and, again, lighting can be dimmed to set the mood.
Tip Many travelers request guest rooms one and three, which boast direct access to the property’s piazzas, but guest room five is our favorite. The only suite on the third floor, it features gabled ceilings and a stunning bathroom where a glass and tile shower floats beside an exposed brick chimney.
Lobby
The owners will greet you in the detached kitchen house located just behind the inn. Within 86 Cannon proper, you’ll unwind on the piazzas and in three common spaces: a handsome ground-floor parlor, the second-floor café, and third-floor library—an über-comfy space where you’ll want to cozy up with a tome and a tipple.
Dining
Locally made quiche adds a warm touch to the European-style continental breakfast set out at 7 a.m. Make your plate, pour yourself a hot tea or coffee, and dine there in the petite café or on the piazza.
Drinking
Wine—along with locally sourced cheese—is served from 5 to 6 p.m. Thirsty for more? Visit the honor bar in the library to put a craft beer or bottle of wine on your tab.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Park your car in the complimentary lot behind the house. You’ll be able to walk to all the food-and-bev hotspots on upper King Street and bike to the French Quarter for daytime sightseeing on the inn’s cruisers. Drive or ride-share off the peninsula.
Restaurants
For a romantic dinner, the tucked-away vibe and hand-written, daily-changing menu at Chez Nous (6-minute walk) won’t disappoint. Walk to Xiao Bao Biscuit (4-minute walk) for flavor-packed Asian cuisine, and head to The Ordinary (9-minute walk) for an extraordinary raw bar experience.
Bars
Wine snobs will want to visit Vintage Lounge (10-minute walk). Find top-notch, super-fresh craft cocktails at Félix or The Belmont (11-minute walk).
Quick Facts
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