Where to Stay In Charleston SC Based On Budget | Full Guide
Charleston is easily one of the best small cities to visit in the United States, with things to offer for all age groups and personalities, in a setting that offers an incredible amount of natural beauty on all sides. When it comes to where to stay in Charleston SC you have lots of choices, from the downtown area, to the beautiful beaches and everything in between. Use this guide to find out what area and hotel is best for your trip to the Holy City.
- How to Decide
- Map of Hotels
- Downtown Charleston
- Mt Pleasant
- North Charleston
- West Ashley
- Folly Beach
- Isle of Palms
How to Decide Where to Stay In Charleston SC?
Before you choose where to stay in Charleston SC you should determine about what you have to budget for in terms of accommodation, how long you have and whether you want to visit the beach, city or both.
First Determine Your Budget
Budget is the most important factor when it comes to where to stay in Charleston, because it can get very pricy, especially Downtown and at the beaches. To save money on your accommodation, consider staying farther away from the most busy tourist spots which are: Downtown Charleston, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach. Bringing or renting a car will make it easy to get anywhere you want to go in the area. If renting a car isn’t an option, keep in mind some hotels have a free shuttle service that you can take advantage of.
A great option for a less expensive stay is Mount Pleasant. It’s right across the bridge from Downtown Charleston and hotels here usually go for less per night. As an added bonus, walking across the bridge is an awesome, free activity with beautiful views. I wish I had had the chance to walk it during my last trip to Charleston! North Charleston is another good area to try for a more budget-friendly stay near downtown.
Consider checking Airbnb to see if you can find cheaper accommodations that way, especially for longer stays or bigger groups. Keep in mind that some Airbnb owners offer weekly and/or monthly discounts. You can also opt for a “Room” versus an “Entire Place” which usually means you would be renting one room in a shared home, which will understandably save you money.
If you don’t have any money constraints – congratulations and you have tons of choices! Read on to find out about all the best spots.
Best Areas to Stay Based On Budget Summary:
- Best discount areas to stay:
- Downtown at the only hostel Charleston SC: NotSo Hostel
- Certain hotels in Mt Pleasant
- North Charleston
- West Ashley
- Beach Stay: James Island near Folly Beach
- Best midrange areas to stay:
- The edges of Downtown Charleston
- Nicer hotels in Mt Pleasant
- Beach Stay: Folly Beach
- Best luxury areas to stay:
- French Quarter in Downtown Charleston or anywhere near the Harbor
- Beach Stay: Isle of Palms
How Many Days In Charleston Is Enough?
You should also take into consideration how many days in Charleston your stay will be before deciding where to stay. In general Airbnbs and vacation rentals are great for stays that are seven days or more, while hotels are better for short visits or luxury stays with all the amenities.
Really any amount of time is great for a stay in Charleston, whether you have a day or a week, or more. Ideally you should try to give yourself at least a weekend, while there’s plenty to do to keep you busy for a week.
For digital nomads, backpackers and long term travelers – Charleston is a great city to work remote from! My husband and I did this for a month in the Fall and had such a great time exploring the city and surfing.
Where to Stay In Charleston SC : Beach or City Trip?
Charleston is unique in that it’s within an easy drive of two beautiful beach towns. If you’re a beach person consider staying in either Folly Beach of Isle of Palms, and driving into the city to explore after your days on the beach.
Map of Hotels In Charleston SC
View my map of hotels in Charleston SC broken down by budget and which you can save to your phone at my blog.
Downtown Charleston : #1 Choice For Where to Stay In Charleston SC For First-Time Visitors
I’ve outlined all of the best areas to stay in Charleston, with accommodation options for all budget levels for each. If there aren’t any listed for that location, for example I don’t have any luxury stays listed in North Charleston, that just means there isn’t really anything of that budget-level in that area.
If you’re visiting Charleston for the first time, in order to see as much of the city as possible try to stay close to Downtown. The absolute best places to stay in Charleston would be the historic district, French Quarter and the Charleston harbor, and then anywhere close to those places.
Being downtown gives you easy access to everything the city has to offer including all of the amazing dining options, Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, the Pineapple Fountain, waterfront and so much more.
King Street and Broad Street are two major roads to know in Charleston. King Street is where all the action is in Charleston, while Broad Street is known for its architecture and rich history.
Budget Stay In Downtown Charleston
The Charleston Hostel, NotSo Hostel : #1 Choice For Where to Stay In Charleston SC On A Budget
The best choice for a TRUE budget stay in Downtown Charleston, and really all of Charleston as a whole, is the NotSo Hostel off of Cannon street. This is my number one choice for where to stay in Charleston as a digital nomad, backpacker or solo traveler coming for a short stay.
NotSo Hostel is the only Charleston hostel and it’s conveniently placed within walking and biking distance to everything in Downtown. They have all girls dorm rooms or coed dorm rooms start at around $30 per night, and they have private rooms for under $100 with both shared and ensuite bathroom options. These prices are great for a US hostel!
Comfort Inn Downtown Charleston
The other option for a budget private room stay is to check the rates for the Comfort Inn Downtown Charleston. Sometimes rates are high and you’re better off staying elsewhere, but other times it’s the cheapest hotel the downtown area. It gets great reviews for a no-frills hotel.
Downtown Charleston Airbnbs
There aren’t many other hostels in Charleston, but luckily you can generally get a cheap rate on Airbnb if you’re willing to stay in a room within a shared house – similar to a hostel. To search for this on Airbnb select “Room” instead of “Entire Home” within filters. Make sure to read the reviews and check out your host to be extra safe.
If you aren’t keen about staying in a hostel or shared house, the next best idea for where to stay in Charleston without breaking the bank is to find a small Airbnb. Keep in mind I haven’t really been able to find a vacation rental downtown that offer guest rooms for less than $200 ish per night for short stays during the high season, but you could always get lucky!
Longer stays of seven days or more will be more affordable with an Airbnb. If you’re willing to stay for 30 days or more, for example if working remote in the area, your choices will expand a lot. This bright one bedroom Airbnb on King Street in the middle of downtown has a 30-day minimum, offering a price much cheaper per night than others in the area. This guest suite in the Westside neighborhood offers a great weekly price.
Moderately Priced Stay In Downtown Charleston
Homewood Suites Charleston Downtown
The Homewood Suites Charleston Downtown is an excellent choice for a moderately priced stay right in the middle of Downtown Charleston next to some of the best dining and city museums. There’s a variety of different types of rooms whether you need a larger or smaller room, a small heated saltwater pool with fountains and a complimentary evening social hour.
Courtyard Marriott Waterfront
The Westside Charleston area on the Ashley river is a great area to target to save some money while traveling to Charleston. This is my choice for where to stay in Charleston SC on a budget outside of Airbnbs, and this is where my husband and I choose to stay a lot of the time.
One example of a more wallet-friendly hotel in downtown Charleston is the Courtyard Marriott Charleston, right on the river with a waterfront pool and a free shuttle to the main area of downtown. It’s also on a beautiful path you can take along the Ashley river to the harbor, although it’s a pretty long walk especially in the heat so beware. I stayed here and loved it!
Francis Marion Hotel
Depending how booked up the hotel is and what time of year it is, the historic 4-star Francis Marion hotel can have great rates and is a fantastic place to stay right in the middle of everything you’ll want to see, making it my top choice for a moderately priced stay.
Airbnbs
You can also find moderately priced Airbnbs in the downtown area, which is the price level most Airbnbs in the area fall under. This bright one-bedroom apartment, which I found on Airbnb, has a beautiful kitchen and patio space, and it’s right in the middle of downtown Charleston pictured above.
I also think this cozy one-bedroom guest suite would make for a great moderately-priced stay in a great location with really impressive reviews, as long as you don’t mind smaller spaces.
Luxury Hotels : Where to Stay In Charleston SC Downtown For A Luxurious Stay
If you aren’t limited on budget, there are tons of hotels in the downtown area for you to choose from. The best place to stay is probably right along the harbor in the historic district and French Quarter. Definitely look into all of the amazing 4 and 5 star hotels that Charleston offers, as most of them offer a great location.
Keep in mind if you like to swim or have kids with you, staying downtown may not be the best option as it’s about a 30-minute drive from the beach and most hotels only have small pools if that.
The Spectator Hotel
The Spectator Hotel is a specialty boutique hotel offering a complete luxury stay in downtown Charleston. Although there’s no pool or on site restaurant, you will have your own butler service, with lots of extra perks and high end details to make your stay feel really special. Because of that, this is my choice for the best hotel for couples in Charleston if you can afford it.
Hotel Bennett
Hotel Bennett is another one of the best luxury hotels in the city, a little farther from the Charleston harbor right off of King Street next to Marion Square. Perfect for couples, the hotel has a full service spa and beautiful rooftop lounge.
HarbourView Inn
The HarbourView Inn has beautiful views of the harbor (could you have guessed?) from the rooftop terrace, little extras like nighttime milk and cookies, a free ticket to a museum and more. Stay on the historic side of the hotel for some beautiful architecture like exposed brick walls and 14-foot ceilings.
Ryder Hotel : Where to Stay In Charleston SC For Influencers
Recently mentioned in Condé Nast Traveler, the Ryder Hotel is an instagrammable reboot of the historic King George Inn, making it my choice for where to stay in Charleston SC for influencers. This boutique hotel would also be great for groups who are visiting for a Charleston bachelorette or similar special occasion. The trendy design of every inch of the hotel will blow you away.
The Ryder Hotel isn’t a traditional luxury stay, since it isn’t huge and there aren’t that many amenities, but if you’re hoping to stay somewhere with excellent design and decor for some great photos, this is the hotel for you. They also have one of the most photograph-friendly pool bars and lounges in all of Charleston.
John Rutledge House Inn
The historic John Rutledge House Inn is right on Broad St. in a perfect central location. Offering historic architecture, a charming courtyard and little things like afternoon tea, pastries and happy hour, you’ll feel like royalty here getting the full Charleston experience at this boutique inn and gem of a hotel.
Zero George : Where to Stay In Charleston SC For Couples & Special Occasions
Zero George is one of the few 5 star hotels in the city, with an enchanting, romantic atmosphere, stunning rooms and excellent dining. This is a bucket-list worthy stay to make you feel like luxury, and it’s perfect for couples.
Planters Inn
The Planters Inn is another classic Charleston hotel offering a luxurious experience with beautiful interiors and guest suites, stunning architecture, onsite dining, a rooftop terrace and an upscale atmosphere that will stick with you throughout your stay in Holy City.
Mount Pleasant : Where to Stay In Charleston Near Downtown
Mount Pleasant is my go-to recommendation for anyone visiting the city for the while time who are hoping to save some money but still be close to everything. Mt Pleasant is directly across the bridge from downtown Charleston with hotels that are significantly cheaper, although you can definitely find luxury hotels if you want to.
Mt Pleasant is also home to the beautiful waterfront restaurants and boardwalk of Shem Creek, and within an easy drive of the quieter Sullivan’s Island and lively beach town of Isle of Palms.
Budget Stay
Staybridge Suites Mt Pleasant
There are a few chain hotels in the Mt. Pleasant area which have very very low rates, making them my top choice for a budget stay near Charleston. Staybridge Suites Charleston Mt Pleasant has large suite style rooms with a pool and fitness center. This may be my #1 choice for a budget stay for anyone visiting who has a car!
Candlewood Suites Mt Pleasant
Candlewood Suites Mt Pleasant is right next door, offering similar suite-style rooms and amenities for a great price with easy access to most of Charleston making it a great choice for a budget stay.
Moderately Priced Stay
Shem Creek Inn
The Shem Creek Inn is a high-quality boutique inn on the water in Shem Creek, which is a hub for many waterfront restaurants and lively bars, plus lots of wildlife and best of all beautiful views of the water and marsh. There’s even a small pool here to relax in while watching out over the water, boats and possibly even dolphins. Shem Creek Inn is a great option for a budget stay within walking distance of tons of food and drink options.
Embassy Suites Mt Pleasant
Lastly the Embassy Suites is a mid-range hotel right across the bridge from the Charleston harbor. If you’ve ever stayed at an Embassy Suites you know they have a free daily social hour with free drinks which is an incredible deal. I’ve never found anything like it outside of hostel nights with free drinks! There’s also free breakfast, room service, and a pool + fitness center.
Harborside at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
Usually on the high end of a moderate stay, the Harborside at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is the best moderately priced stay in Mt Pleasant. It’s a gorgeous resort, on the same property as the luxurious Beach Club side of the resort with lots of amenities.
Luxury Stay
The Beach Club at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
Speaking of the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, The Beach Club is a luxury stay with everything you could want in Mt Pleasant including an on-site spa, beautiful views of the Charleston skyline and bay, a large pool with cabanas, tropical tiki bar, a kids program and more. The Beach Club side is more upscale in comparison to the Harborside.
North Charleston : Where to Stay In Charleston SC Near the Airport
North Charleston is a surprisingly good place to stay during a first time visit, especially if aren’t hoping to spend every day at the beach as it’s a little farther out, and are looking for a more budget-friendly stay.
This is because it’s near the airport and is only about 20 minutes outside of the center of Downtown, making it a very reasonably priced stay compared to downtown but close to everything you would need. This area is more suburban but within an easy drive of the center of downtown. As a bonus there’s also tons of breweries in this area!
Budget Stay
Starlight Motor Inn
The Starlight Motor Inn is the best budget stay in North Charleston because it’s on the edge of town closer to Downtown than others in this area. The Starlight Motor Inn is a boutique inn and staple in Charleston, which opened in 1961 and was renovated in 2023 with cute mid-century modern decorations and design.
There’s a variety of standard rooms here and also bunk rooms, which would be great for a group. There’s also a game room and it’s in a great location.
Residence Inn Charleston Ashley Phosphate
The Ashley Phosphate area has the most concentrated amount of hotels in North Charleston, with mainly chain hotels like the Residence Inn.
West Ashley
Avondale is the center of West Ashley, and the reason to stay in this area is its close proximity to downtown, just across the bridge from downtown, also with local restaurants and bars within easy reach.
Budget Stay
Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston
My choice for a budget hotel in West Ashley is the Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston, which has a pool and a variety of different room types in a great location.
West Ashley Airbnbs
Another option for a budget stay is to find an Airbnb offering rooms as opposed to renting the entire place, like this room in Charlestowne Landing hosted by Susan who is the author of a few Charleston tourism books.
There are also really well priced studio or one-bedroom Airbnbs and vacation rentals in West Ashley. For example this one-bedroom stay is right in the middle of West Ashley within walking distance to countless restaurants, bars and recreation opportunities.
Moderately Priced Stay
Town & Country Inn and Suites
Town & Country Inn and Suites is a great hotel to consider in West Ashley. They have a wide variety of room types along with a pool and on site restaurant.
Charleston Creekside Inn : Where to Stay In Charleston SC For Outer Banks Fans
While not technically in West Ashley, the Charleston Creekside Inn is just a short drive past West Ashley and offers beautiful water views, a more natural landscape, a pool AND it’s the place where the TV show Outer Banks was filmed, so you can pretend like you’re in the show while you’re there.
Folly Beach : Where to Stay In Charleston SC For Surfers
The two main beaches within easy driving distance of Charleston are Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. Kiawah Island is within about an hour, so it may be a stretch to see both Charleston and Kiawah Island in one trip, unless you decided to split your trip into a few days in each destination.
Folly Beach is the area’s artsy beach town where hippies, musicians, surfers and locals go. I love Folly Beach and it’s one of my favorite beaches on the east coast, although I’m biased as my husband and I got engaged here! Folly is about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston, making it a great spot to visit if you’re okay with driving or Uber-ing into the city after your beach day.
Folly Beach is definitely the best choice for where to stay in Charleston SC as a surfer, as it’s the best surfing beach closeby with several surf spots and a friendly culture. Folly Beach is actually the best surfing beach in South Carolina, so make sure to check out the waves on the surf report and see if it’s a spot you want to check out. Keep in mind it is pricy at Folly Beach, as it as all the other beaches in the area, and it may be better to visit Folly Beach for a day trip where there is plenty of parking outside of major holidays as long as you don’t mind a bit of a walk.
Also, keep in mind that all of Folly Beach’s restaurants are located right off of Center Street or very close to it, so you’ll either want to stay within walking distance or have a golf cart rental, bike rental or a car with you.
Budget Folly Beach Stay
Folly Beach Airbnbs
Folly Beach isn’t a cheap destination to visit, and if you’re hoping to stay directly on Folly Beach your best bet is to check Airbnbs, either on the beach or if you don’t find anything directly in Folly Beach, staying a short drive away in the James Island area.
The cheapest way to have a Folly Beach vacation is to stay in James Island and drive over to the beach. This location will also put you even closer to downtown which is a plus. A great example is this studio-style Airbnb which is in the top 5% of rentals on Airbnb, located in a guest suite on the side of the owner’s home with a really cute outdoor area. There’s also this stand alone beautiful Guest Favorite studio Airbnb which looks like a great place to stay for solo travelers and couples.
Sometimes you can find affordable Airbnbs right on the beach, especially if you’re looking for a longer-term rental. This guest favorite one bedroom apartment shown below is just steps from the beach and really affordable.
As I’ve said before, another great way to get a discounted stay is to gather a group of friends and get an Airbnb or vacation rental with multiple bedrooms. This 3-bedroom Airbnb on the water has enough space for 6 guests, each with their own bedroom and a community pool, all for a great price per person or couple.
Vera Hotel
I’ve also seen the Vera Hotel have great rates during certain times of the year, for example $120 or so per night during November on a week night, so this one is worth checking for a budget stay but more than likely it will be too pricy to call it a budget stay.
Moderately Priced Stay
Beachside Boutique Inn and Riverside Cottages
The Beachside Boutique Inn and Riverside Cottages is my choice for the best moderately priced stay in Folly Beach. You could call it a rustic-chic boutique inn, with each room having its own character. This is where I stayed for my perfect combined 30th Birthday and Engagement weekend and we fell in love with it! I would love to eventually stay at all the rooms.
We stayed in the Seacret Cottage which was so cute and unique. The King’s Tower is the largest room it looks like which is great for couples, and there are also individual rooms to rent within the inn where you’re sharing common areas with others – which is great for solo travelers.
Outside of the Beachside Boutique Inn, Airbnbs in Folly are typically around this price range and are a great option, especially if you could benefit from having a kitchen or more space. This adorable bungalow is right in the middle of downtown Folly, sleeping 4 guests with a living room (although the TV looks pretty tiny), kitchen and plenty of space for at least one person to get some work done.
Luxury Stay
Most of the hotels in Folly Beach are in the luxury stay category because of their price tag. In my opinion some of these hotels aren’t as high end as compared to what you would expect for the cost, but it’s completely worth it if you love Folly Beach as much as I do. The beach town has so much character and so much to offer, from fun bars to mouthwatering restaurants, art and surfing.
Tides Hotel
The best hotel in Folly Beach is the oceanfront Tides hotel. There has been a few more hotels popping up over the years, but the classic Tides Hotel is still my choice for a more luxurious stay in Folly Beach. There’s a heated oceanfront pool here with a tiki bar, on-site restaurant, room service and oceanfront views available.
The Regatta Inn
The Regatta is another luxury option for your Folly Beach stay, featuring a location right on the water on the bayside, a sunset terrace, yoga, complimentary breakfast and happy hour, plus a beach shuttle for even more convenience and beautiful balconies in each room.
Folly Beach Airbnbs
You can also look for large or luxurious Airbnbs, like this 4-bedroom home with a backyard private pool or gorgeous 6-bedroom mansion right on the ocean.
Isle of Palms
Another great choice for where to stay in Charleston SC for a beach stay is the stunning Isle of Palms. Known as a beach and golf destination on the north eastern side of Charleston, you’ll find Isle of Palms is more upscale than Folly Beach, while still having a casual energy as compared to Kiawah Island. This makes it the perfect spot for families who enjoy a little luxury with moderate budgets.
Budget Stay
Comfort Inn Isle of Palms Connector
While there aren’t really any budget hotels in the Isle of Palms area, you’ll find cheaper hotels located about ten minutes away from the beach toward the edge of Mt Pleasant. My choice for the best option is the Comfort Suites Isle of Palms Connector although you’ll find several right there.
Moderately Priced Stay
Palms Oceanfront Hotel
The Palms Oceanfront Hotel is a great option for a moderately priced stay right on the beach and next to some of the best restaurants and bars in Isle of Palms. It’s relatively bare bones but the oceanfront rooms are bright with new finishes and they offer stunning views, plus there’s a small pool area.
Isle of Palms Airbnbs
My top choice for a moderately priced stay in Isle of Palms is to try to find a vacation rental to split between a group. There aren’t as many rentals on these beaches as compared to some of South Carolina’s other beaches, so try to book well in advance. I wasn’t able to find many via Airbnb but you could try. Most of the rentals I found were either on Vacasa, or listed independently which I found via Google search. This Lagoon Villa 24 by Vacasa sleeps 6 and is a great price, qualifying on the high end of a budget stay.
Luxury Stay
Wild Dunes Resort : #1 Choice For Where to Stay In Charleston SC For Golfers Or For A Family Beach Vacation
The Wild Dunes Resort is the Isle of Palm’s main resort and a golf destination known around the world. This is my choice for where to stay in Charleston SC for a family beach vacation. Wild Dunes isn’t AS expensive as the other luxury resorts and hotels in the Charleston area, for example as compared to some of the 4 and 5 star hotels downtown and Kiawah Island.
Wild Dunes is located on the coast with beach access along with resort pools, restaurants, bars, other amenities and an on site spa. One thing I noticed during my visit is how stunning the whole resort is, from the natural surroundings and pristine golf courses to the beautiful coastal architecture and pastel colors resembling Rainbow Row.
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
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