20 Best Luxury Hotels in South Carolina (2025)

Dripping with Southern charm and kissed by the Atlantic, South Carolina is a place that rewards unhurried exploration. From historic Charleston’s cobblestone streets to the breezy Sea Islands and vibrant Myrtle Beach, the state is rich in luxury stays that mix elegance with authenticity. Think grand downtown hotels, oceanfront resorts, tranquil inland hideaways, and a few golf sanctuaries that are destinations in themselves. Whether you’re chasing romance, relaxation, or a little Southern sophistication, South Carolina has a stay that’s sure to steal your heart.

For a Special Occasion

• Zero George Street is Charleston elegance reimagined — three beautifully restored 19th-century townhouses wrapped in Southern charm. With just 18 intimate rooms, luxe linens, and design-magazine interiors, it’s a haven for aesthetes. Food lovers can savour the open-kitchen restaurant in the former carriage house, while downtown’s cobblestone magic awaits just steps away.

For a Beach Break

• The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina brings seaside luxury to life with sweeping views over Charleston’s harbour. Its 92 rooms and suites spill toward the marina, ocean, and fiery sunsets. Families love the spacious Parlour Rooms, waterslides, sailing camp, and sunset s’mores. Couples gravitate to the spa, elegant dining, and the waterfront Tiki Bar — the perfect spot for a cocktail as the sky glows pink.
• The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is Southern elegance at its finest — a grand oceanfront retreat overlooking ten miles of pristine Kiawah Island beach. Its 255 rooms exude timeless grace, all space, serenity, and sea views. Beyond the balconies: championship golf, top-tier tennis, five restaurants, and a world-class spa.

For Charleston Chic

• Hotel Bennett is a gleaming white landmark with sweeping staircases, tall windows, and effortless glamour. Inside, 179 rooms and suites blend pale, classical elegance with lavish bathrooms and private terraces. Head to the rooftop for a dip and Mediterranean dining, or savour European sophistication at Gabrielle’s.
• Market Pavilion Hotel pairs traditional luxury with boutique intimacy. Its 70 rooms glow with dark woods, rich fabrics, and timeless style. Sip cocktails by the rooftop pool as the sun sets over the waterfront, then dine in the lively steakhouse or piano bar. For romance, book a Terrace Suite — marble bath and all.

For a Relaxing Retreat

• Hotel Domestique is a romantic, European-style retreat nestled in the Carolina foothills. Its 13 rooms and suites pair understated elegance with mountain views, fireplaces, and stand-alone tubs. Beloved by couples and cyclists alike, it offers yoga, massages, and serene spaces — from the pool and tennis courts to its effortlessly chic restaurant.

For Couples

• A true Charleston gem, Wentworth Mansion captures Gilded Age grandeur with marble floors, stained glass, and roaring fireplaces. Its 21 unique rooms brim with antiques and art, while the former stables now house a tranquil spa. Add a garden, library, and refined restaurant, and you’ve got timeless Southern sophistication. An intimate escape.
• The Spectator is Charleston cool with a vintage twist — Art Deco flair meets Southern charm. Its 41 rooms are sleek in white-on-white, many with balconies or terraces. The speakeasy-style bar is pure 1920s allure, and while there’s no restaurant, breakfast in bed and nearby dining seal the deal. Romance at its finest.
• An 1860s Charleston home turned intimate seven-room retreat, 86 Cannon fuses European elegance with Southern soul. Expect mid-century lines, patterned wallpapers, and evenings of wine and cheese on the verandah. Adults-only and effortlessly gracious, it’s boutique living at its most personal — and perfectly placed for exploring local gems.

For a Weekend Break

• Hotel Bella Grace marries Charleston history with modern polish. Behind its 1830s façade lies a world of marble, monochrome tones, and 50 sleek rooms, suites, and studios. Breakfast is included, self-catering an option, and a popular restaurant is next door. Expect gym sessions, airy terraces, and effortless urban style.
• The Anchorage 1770 is Beaufort's grandest townhouse, reimagined as an intimate boutique escape. Its 15 rooms brim with Lowcountry character and luxurious details. Guests linger in the garden, dine in the celebrated restaurant, or cycle along the waterfront — a peaceful, elegant retreat steeped in coastal charm.
• The Willcox in Aiken exudes timeless Southern grace. This 19th-century mansion’s 22 rooms mix antiques, plush furnishings, and golden-era glamour. With a welcoming spa, acclaimed restaurant, and easy access to world-class golf, it’s a haven of hospitality where history and indulgence meet.

For Families

• Montage Palmetto Bluff is a riverside haven on the May River where Southern charm meets five-star indulgence. Stay in elegant rooms, clapboard cottages, or private villas, and spend days golfing, sailing, riding, or simply relaxing by the pool. With five restaurants, a spa, beach club, kids’ club, and endless outdoor adventures, it’s the kind of place you’ll never want to leave.

For Resort Facilities

• The Inn and Club at Harbour Town is a full-service Lowcountry retreat, where an award-winning golf course meets a private beach club, tennis courts, yoga, and resort bikes. Its 60 spacious rooms and suites blend traditional elegance with tailored experiences — romantic hideaways on one side, family-friendly fun on the other.

For Design Chic

• Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston is bold, art-filled, and unapologetically luxurious. Its 50 rooms and suites feature velvet, printed drapes, ornate lighting, and smart tech. Expect champagne on arrival, a rooftop bar with city views, and a stylish restaurant and wine bar that match the hotel’s creative spirit.
• The Dewberry pairs historic charm with contemporary style in a 155-room Charleston landmark. Soft pastels, antiques, and modern touches create a warm, elegant atmosphere. Dine in the French brasserie, sip cocktails over oysters, or relax in family-friendly spaces.
• Emeline is an historic hotel with interiors made for magazines. Its 212 rooms and suites balance style, intimacy, and character, while the chic courtyard and terrace host lively dining. Original artwork, vintage touches, and complimentary evening limoncello toasts make every stay memorable.

For Historic Charleston

• Planters Inn is a 19th-century Charleston classic, centrally located and brimming with timeless charm. Its 64 rooms and suites blend original antiques with modern comforts, while the elegant restaurant, terrace, and bar serve refined fare in an intimate, historic setting.
• The Charleston Place is grand, historic, and unmistakably luxurious. In the heart of the city, its 434 rooms and suites offer Southern hospitality at scale, paired with a celebrated grill, lively bar, indoor pool, spa, and gym — a city landmark for style and service.

Best B&Bs

• 20 South Battery is an historic Charleston mansion reborn as an 11-room boutique B&B. Four-poster beds, antiques, period artwork, and stylish sitting rooms meet modern comforts like smart TVs and luxe bath products. With waterfront views, nearby gardens, and evening wine and cheese, it’s refined, intimate Lowcountry living.

Still not sure?

• Browse through our recommendations for all the best places to stay in South Carolina,
• Or refine your search to just the best places to stay in Charleston, Beaufort or the Blue Ridge Mountains,
• Or search by the type of hotel and explore our list of the best beach hotels in South Carolina,
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.