Accommodations

If the Lowcountry knows a thing or two about putting up guests, it’s because millions of them visit the Trident each year, and no one sees an end to this upward trend in sight. To accommodate these visitors, developers are poised to build new and better tourist accommodations both downtown and in the burgeoning North Charleston and Mount Pleasant areas to reap the benefits of this incoming tide of dollars. Through the years, Southerners have established a reputation for hospitality, and they often compete to maintain the highest standards. Research and experience tell us that Charleston area visitors arrive with varying expectations, and a diverse accommodations industry has evolved to meet those needs.

We have included in this chapter what we consider to be good choices for people who may be looking for vastly different accommodations. We start with Trident area hotels and motels—some for the bargain-minded, some that are large and grand—then discuss the more intimate bed and-breakfasts and atmospheric inns and vacation and beach rentals. Like friends in an eclectic gathering, each accommodations category has something different to offer. Prices vary greatly as well.

Downtown Charleston has the greatest number and the widest variety. We start our listings with downtown properties, then extend our coverage using the geographical order detailed in the How to Use This Book chapter. We end with information specifically helpful to the Lowcountry visitors who arrive by air and those among them seeking accommodations convenient to the airport. Unless we tell you otherwise, expect that these lodgings offer smoking and non-smoking rooms and access for wheelchairs and that they do not allow pets.

Overview

There are several viable lodging options in the East Cooper and West Ashley areas. The resort islands of Kiawah and Seabrook feature an array of cottages, villas, condominiums, and private homes. For the most part, rental companies for the resorts and other traditional vacation spots (Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, and Folly Beach) prefer to deal with stays of one week or longer.

A friendly word of advice: Charleston attracts droves of visitors year-round, and we strongly recommend that you make reservations well in advance. For major events like Spoleto Festival USA and holiday weekends, it’s advisable to plan up to six months in advance.