5 Best Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina

Set on an idyllic peninsula surrounded by salt marsh, the seven fully furnished cabins at this state park are a perfect place to spend an afternoon or an entire week. The cabins are actually climate-controlled houses, with flat-screen TVs, comfortable couches, and all the amenities of home. A trail system connects to 7 miles of hard-packed pathways through the woods or across several bridges and hammock islands to the beach. The park also has two campgrounds—one in the maritime forest and another that's beachfront.

Designed with the young, hip, and high-tech traveler in mind, this chain hotel has everything from touch-screen check-in kiosks to a stylish bar with a pool table. The small rooms continue the retro-chic look with smartly designed wall panels and high-tech touches like 42-inch flat-screen TVs with plugs to connect your own device. The inexpensive price tag alone may be enough to tempt you away from the downtown peninsula. But be forewarned—it's a $20 cab ride from downtown.

This company's inventory of privately owned beach homes ranges from one-bedroom condos to six-bedroom manses smack-dab on the beach. Units are furnished, with one to several TVs and DVD players, and their kitchens are stocked with pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, and microwaves. During peak summer months, most properties require one-week minimum stays.

Centrally located along the Upper King corridor, this hotel balances location, modern amenities, and relative affordability. The brick-and-wood lobby includes wide windows for people watching during the full breakfast each morning or the evening social on weekdays. There's a heated outdoor pool in a courtyard.

Combining a Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites, this spot draws large groups away from the crowded peninsula to its modern complex set tucked into a pine forest just off I-26. Suites feature full-size fridges, views of the woods, and handsome, modern decor. The large outdoor pool and cabanas are a perk for families and summertime visitors, and a nature trail winds from the parking lot through the adjacent wetlands.