The 11 Best Luxury Hotels in Charleston

Above Marion Square: At the Hotel Bennett Charleston, the pool sits on the ninth floor and is heated year-round; cabanas are available to rent, and right next to it the Fiat Lux rooftop bar looks out over the steeples of the Holy City. The pool is reserved for hotel guests.The Charleston Place · French QuarterUnder glass: At The Charleston Place, you swim in saltwater on the fourth-floor terrace; the glass roof opens and closes, and there is a hot tub plus the Perch garden bar. Our advice for anyone who wants to swim laps in winter, too.

By the harbor: The infinity pool at The Cooper Charleston is on the fourth-floor terrace, with daybeds, cabanas and harbor views. Bar Marti serves cocktails and small bites, and access is reserved for hotel guests.

With a resort feel: At the Live Oak Charleston, the saltwater pool is the heart of the house. The Bloo pool lounge serves Nikkei cuisine beneath a ceiling mural inspired by David Hockney's pool paintings. If you want a quiet poolside, choose one of the rooftop pools among the luxury hotels in Charleston, since day guests are welcome at this one.

Recovery by design: The spa at The Cooper Charleston is built entirely around recovery. It has seven treatment rooms, one of them for couples, a hydrotherapy lounge, a Sanarium sauna, a heated laconium bench and experience showers; the recovery room adds compression therapy and a cryolounger. Guests must be 18 or older.The Dewberry Charleston · King Street Design DistrictCypress wood and Natura Bissé: The spa at The Dewberry Charleston is clad in cypress and inspired by owner John Dewberry's carriage house. Its signature treatments were curated by Lydia Mondavi, the products come from Natura Bissé, and couples have their own spa suite.

At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.

In the heart of town: At the Hotel Bennett Charleston, the menu runs from massages and facials to scrubs and dry brushing; the signature treatment is the Holy City Wrap, and day guests are welcome. At the Wentworth Mansion Charleston, the Woodhouse Spa occupies the mansion's original stables, with massages, body treatments and packages for couples. For many guests, a spa day is part of every stay at the luxury hotels in Charleston.

Rates start lowest at Emeline from 201 € and The Lindy Renaissance Charleston from 240 €. The Live Oak Charleston starts at 280 €, The Spectator Hotel Charleston at 287 €.Emeline · Historic DistrictIn the middle range are the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston from 300 €, The Charleston Place from 313 €, The Dewberry Charleston from 334 € and the Planters Inn Charleston from 344 €.

At the top end are the Hotel Bennett Charleston from 356 €, the Wentworth Mansion Charleston from 448 € and The Cooper Charleston from 690 €. Which rooms are free on your dates and what they cost today is shown in the hotel list below.

What's included: Nine hotels include breakfast for two, at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston as an American breakfast at Maison Café. The Hotel Bennett Charleston gives 30 US dollars a day per person for up to two people, The Dewberry Charleston a breakfast credit of 30 US dollars. An upgrade subject to availability comes everywhere, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability at ten hotels.

Credits and gifts: Seven hotels add a 100 US dollar hotel credit, the Wentworth Mansion Charleston 50 US dollars. At The Charleston Place, suite bookings of two nights or more come with an extra benefit. A welcome gift awaits at The Cooper Charleston, The Dewberry Charleston and the Live Oak Charleston, among others.

Minimum stay: At the Wentworth Mansion Charleston, the benefits apply from two nights, everywhere else from the first night.

Programs: I Prefer applies at the Hotel Bennett Charleston, The Cooper Charleston, The Charleston Place and The Dewberry Charleston, Marriott Bonvoy at the Live Oak Charleston, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston and The Lindy Renaissance Charleston. We book directly with the hotel at the hotel rate, so you earn points and elite nights, and your status is recognized on site.

Charleston through the year: In spring, azaleas and magnolias bloom in the gardens; in fall, the days are warm and the evenings long. In summer, the rooftop pools become part of the day, and the harbor invites you out on the water. For spring weekends, secure your 5-star hotel in Charleston early.

How long to stay: Three nights cover the old town, King Street, an evening by the harbor and a long dinner at one of the restaurants. If you want to visit the historic gardens along the Ashley River, add a fourth night.