Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Downtown Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina has been voted one of the top cities in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure readers in the World's Best Awards for more than a decade. Its walkability, culinary landscape, cultural offerings, and beauty, both natural and human-made, come together to create a destination that appeals to all kinds of travelers. Its unique identity even extends to the city's incredibly diverse and dynamic roster of hotels, where historic mansions and luxury properties operate next to smaller, boutique accommodations. As both a travel writer and a former Charleston resident, I can attest to the fact that Charleston's hotels are a big part of the local community. These are the 15 best hotels in Charleston, South Carolina.

Top Places to Stay

Zero George

If you've been dreaming of the ultimate Charleston getaway, Zero George will check every box. Guests enter through the wrought-iron gates, which lead to the expertly manicured grounds, dreamy courtyard, and the three restored historic residences and two brick carriage houses that house the property's 16 guest rooms and suites. Every second of your experience—from check-in to checkout—will be filled with delightful, decidedly Charleston moments.

John Rutledge House Inn

For a thoughtful, intimate bed-and-breakfast experience, look no further than the John Rutledge House Inn. The building itself is highly recognizable from the outside, with its balconies, double-entry staircase, and photogenic black-and-white checkerboard sidewalk greeting guests and passersby. The inside, however, is just as welcoming, with rooms and suites outfitted with period antiques, elegant canopy beds, and Italian marble gas fireplaces.

Emeline is one of the "it" places to stay in the Holy City. All 212 guest rooms —128 of which are suites —come with a king-sized bed, bespoke embroidered Matouk linens and towels, custom ceramic vanity accessories by a local artist, and custom Wildsam Field Guides to Charleston. Like many other Charleston hotels, food and beverage are a top priority for this property.

The Ryder Hotel

The Ryder Hotel, inspired by Jack Kerouac's semi-fictional character from "The Dharma Bums," stands on its own two feet in the downtown area with its 91 rooms decked out in pale woods, custom-woven rugs, and plush linens. The star of the show, however, just might be the pool and its indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant, Little Palm. The cocktails at Little Palm are some of the best—and most creative—in Charleston, and the bar is perfectly Instagrammable.

The Palmetto Hotel

Each of The Palmetto Hotel's 45 king-bed rooms were designed to bring guests an "elevated experience without missing the comforts of home." Before heading out for the evening, stop by the Lobby Bar for signature cocktails and light bites; you'll even find local favorite Callie's Pimento Cheese on the menu.

The Loutrel

Comfortable, spacious, and convenient are just three ways you could describe The Loutrel, which sits on State Street in downtown Charleston, a couple of blocks from the water. The 50-room property is stylish and fresh, balancing elegance with tasteful touches of personality, and its garden-inspired lounge is reminiscent of the greenery and blooms that adorn the stunning architecture in the surrounding neighborhood.

The Spectator Hotel

For an extra-large helping of Southern hospitality, consider The Spectator Hotel for your next trip to the Holy City. The Spectator stands out with its plush rooms and personal butler service for every guest. You can expect this level of service from morning, enjoy the complimentary breakfast delivered right to your room, to night, when it's time for a celebratory drink.

The Vendue

The Vendue is housed in a row of historic warehouses dating back to 1780, but its interiors—including its 84 guest rooms—are bright, bold, and modern. Billed as "Charleston's art hotel," there's a sense of whimsy everywhere you look, from the French bulldog door knockers to its continually rotating collection of over 200 pieces of original art.

Wentworth Mansion

Wentworth Mansion is tucked away in Harleston Village, just a few blocks from bustling King Street, ensuring even more peace and privacy in this home away from home. The rooms and suites are all thoughtfully decorated and appointed with fireplaces, making it extra cozy in winter, and guests are encouraged to dine at Circa 1886, the restaurant located in the mansion's original carriage house.

Hotel Bennett

“Hotel Bennett is truly Charleston’s best full-service luxury hotel, in my opinion,” says Elizabeth Rhodes, senior editor at T+L and native South Carolinian. “In a city full of smaller boutique properties, it stands out with its rooftop pool, spa, massive suites, and four fantastic dining venues.” Part of the Salamander Collection of properties, the 179-room hotel juxtaposes European elegance with Southern glamour, which you'll experience as soon as you walk through the first-floor rotunda and into the Grand Court Lobby. While you'll never run out of places to eat in Charleston, keep the on-property restaurants La Pâtisserie, Gabrielle, Fiat Lux, and Camellias in mind as you plan your trip.

The Pinch is a 25-room property - inclusive of three furnished residences—that also features a spa, daily breakfast, and several restaurants, including The Quinte and Lowland Tavern. While you're certainly welcome to book a room for a night or two, accommodations are also available on a weekly or monthly basis, if desired. The interior decor highlights the history and simultaneously brings a bit of levity and freshness to the property.

The Restoration

For fantastic access to King Street's shops, restaurants, and bars, book a suite or one of the spacious residences at The Restoration. The hotel has more of an urban aesthetic than other Charleston properties, with modern photo installations and a variety of textures in the common spaces. Whether you're staying for a while or just for a long weekend, make sure you spend some time by the rooftop pool or grab coffee at The Rise downstairs.

Planters Inn

Planters Inn has roots dating back to the 1800s, and it claims the title of the only Relais & Châteaux hotel in South Carolina. Its rank also stems from the property's hospitable interiors and unforgettable dining experiences. The guest rooms strike that perfect balance between traditional and contemporary, with four-poster mahogany beds and working fireplaces living alongside a Nespresso machine and other must-have amenities.

The Dewberry

The Dewberry is a stalwart character in Charleston, not only housing 154 guest rooms and suites, but also a spa, rooftop cocktail lounge, swanky ground-floor bar, and a gift shop. Each aspect of the eight-story hotel feels like a manifestation of the "quiet luxury" aesthetic. The rooms are designed to answer every need you may have, and the decor in the common spaces nods to the city's charm and history without feeling too heavy or antiquated.

Post House

The only hotel on this list not located in downtown Charleston, the Post House is a destination in and of itself. The inn and its connected restaurant sit on one of the most picturesque corners in the Old Village Historic District in Mount Pleasant. It's become a favored spot for locals searching for a relaxing staycation, or just a great burger and a strong cocktail.

Know Before You Go

CHARLESTON — It could top out at 14 stories as it seeks to fit into a tight footprint on the downtown campus of the Medical University of South Carolina.

The new Comprehensive Cancer Hospital could also top $1 billion to construct, in line with many of the country’s new centers of its scope and size.

The MUSC Board of Trustees is backing the push by the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC to move up to top-tier National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center status when its next review comes around in 2028. The new cancer hospital is a key component of that.

Hollings was established in 1993 and achieved the NCI’s Cancer Center status in 2009, one of nine in the U.S. to hold that clinical cancer care status and the only one in South Carolina. But there are 57 Comprehensive Cancer Centers, the top designation, and Hollings has yet to reach that level in 17 years.

That’s about twice as long as it takes the average cancer center to get there, said Dr. Don Johnson, the board member who is chairing its Cancer Center Committee.

“That's one of the reasons that, as a board, we decided we're finally going to get over that hill and get to Comprehensive status,” he said.

The new cancer hospital will provide a “one-stop shop” for all cancer care under one roof, Johnson said. It will also serve the whole state with unparalleled care, said MUSC President David J. Cole, who is a surgical oncologist.

Once it is built, “there should be zero reason a South Carolinian goes elsewhere for cancer care — zero,” he said. “We’re not compromising. We will be best in class.”

But it will come at a cost. After much study and work with engineers and architects, the preliminary cost estimate is $1.15 billion, said Adam Bacik, chief officer of the cancer hospital. That would be $885 million for construction and $230 million for equipment. It would be 14 stories tall as it needs to fit into a spot on MUSC’s downtown Charlston campus bordered by Calhoun Street and Ashley Avenue.

“We don’t have the space to spread out,” said Dr. Raymond DuBois, director of Hollings. It will likely include a parking deck upgrade from around 800 spaces in the nearby structure to more than 1,200, Bacik said.

The cost is about double what was expected when the planning for the hospital began. DuBois said, but is in line with the rising cost of construction now, particularly the soaring price of steel.

Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston is planning a new 14-story cancer hospital in a similar tight urban setting with 250 parking spots. It was approved in June by the Boston Planning and Development Agency with a cited cost of $1.6 billion, but other estimates have pushed that to $1.7 billion.

The Hollings’ preliminary figure is also trying to look ahead to when the building hopes to be completed in April 2030, “which is a very fast timeline,” DuBois said.

Part of that is the cost of cancer technology, which is among the most expensive medical equipment, said Dr. Jason Newman, chief of the cancer service line at MUSC.

“We were anticipating what the infrastructure is going to need to be to support the cancer care of the future,” he said.

MUSC had a budget request for $350 million for the cancer hospital and Gov. Henry McMaster included $115 million in his executive budget for the coming fiscal year. A $250 million capital campaign by MUSC and Hollings will be part of the effort, as well, Bacik said.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston’s tourism season officially kicks off this weekend with the return of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, a three-day celebration of wildlife art, outdoor lifestyle and conservation education.

Known to many simply as SEWE, the exposition takes over downtown Charleston from Feb. 13-15, bringing artists, exhibitors, outdoor enthusiasts and families together across multiple venues, including The Charleston Place, Brittlebank Park, the Gaillard Center, Charleston Marriott and Marion Square.

A beloved February tradition since 1983, SEWE has grown from a modest gathering of about 100 exhibitors and 5,000 visitors into the largest event of its kind in the U.S., with roughly 500 artists, wildlife experts and exhibitors and an estimated 40,000 attendees each year.

The nonprofit exposition celebrates the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment, special events and interactive experiences while promoting wildlife conservation and education, contributing an estimated $33 million annually to the local economy.

This year’s programming includes many returning favorites, from DockDogs competitions and Center for Birds of Prey demonstrations to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary live shows and curated artisan markets. Children’s areas at Brittlebank Park and Marion Square have been enhanced in partnership with Charleston Parks Conservancy, offering educational and nature-focused activities.

SEWE is also set to feature some new offerings for 2026, including “Beyond the Page: Modern Huntsman Live,” a courtyard conversation series spotlighting outdoor storytellers, as well as daily live turtle demonstrations hosted by the Turtle Survival Alliance in Marion Square.

Special events throughout the weekend include VIP previews, art auctions and interactive experiences for attendees of all ages. An online auction that kicked off earlier this month will continue through the event, offering exclusive packages and outdoor adventure experiences.

Children 10 and under are admitted free to all general admission venues and demonstrations. Tickets were available online ahead of the event and are still offered at surrounding visitor centers and onsite at SEWE venues.

SEWE runs through Sunday. Tickets are available for purchase in-person at select locations; more information about the event and how to attend can be found here.

Want to see more? Watch all of Live 5 News’ SEWE 2026 coverage here:

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Along downtown Charleston’s Waterfront Park, volunteers picked up debris in the marsh spanning from pier to pier.

Keep Charleston Beautiful, Charleston Waterkeeper, and the MARSH Project partnered together for a cleanup to celebrate World Wetlands Day, improving something that the Lowcountry is known for.

“Here in Charleston, we have salt marshes, they’re a very vital part of our ecosystem. Again as litter accumulates in here, they can’t function as they’re intended to,” Darby Reed, volunteer and events coordinator for Keep Charleston Beautiful, said. “So there’s no better way to celebrate World Wetlands Day by then coming out and cleaning it up.”

40 volunteers showed up to collect litter and plastic nurdles, hoping to leave the marsh better than they found it. Reed said in past cleanups, she has found flip-flops, clothing, and even a musical instrument, but every time is different. Charleston Waterkeeper also assisted volunteers who wanted to help pick out plastic nurdles.

“This area is problematic both in macroplastic pollution and also pre-production pellets or nurdles,” Britney Prebis, community science manager for Charleston Waterkeeper, said. “We find high concentrations of nurdles, which are coming here from the Cooper River and the Ashley River and ending up here in the marshes.”

This year’s theme is “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: celebrating cultural heritage.” Organizers told News 2, Lowcountry marshes are part of the local culture and they plan to continue helping them thrive.

“We just hope World Wetlands Day should be treated as everyday. We live on the peninsula, we love taking our kids down to the marsh and we want it to be a clean environment for them,” Blake Scott, co-founder of The MARSH Project, said. “Also, the species that live there year-round and the species that pass through here, the original snowbirds. So, we want to take care of them too – the birds and the pollinators.”

Out of the many volunteers, some were participating in a marsh cleanup for the first time. The Muellers said they plan to come back to more events as they want to give back to their community.

“It’s always good to clean up your city and pick up trash where you can, and be involved. So, a part of it is getting involved in my community and giving back,” Sophia Mueller, a first-time volunteer, said.

“Just really want to make everything beautiful, and this is a great way,” Noah Mueller, a first-time volunteer, said. “Just out here to give back and spend a beautiful day on the marsh.”

Keep Charleston Beautiful has several cleanup events coming up, including a kayak litter sweep. Charleston Waterkeeper is expected to hold a river sweep, oyster recycling efforts, and more.