The Best Hotels to Book in Beaufort, South Carolina

Perfectly positioned in Beaufort’s Historic District, this sleek motel-style boutique hotel is just a block from the water. Cheerily decorated rooms come with either balconies or patios, and luxurious amenities – you can even watch TV while relaxing in the soaking tub. Peruse the newspapers over speciality coffee and pastries at in-house City Java, then take a stroll along nearby Bay Street to see all those splendid antebellum homes, or else jump on a complimentary bike and head for the Pat Conroy Literary Center for a workshop or poetry reading.

A wonderful blend of old-time charm and modern luxury, the Beaufort Inn in the downtown Historic District comprises a range of historic accommodations clustered around the main reception mansion. The individually-styled rooms come with wrought-iron bedsteads or four-poster beds, while the Port Republic Cottage boasts a deep soaking tub, and the Historic King Room features a wet bar. Some come with a private porch or balcony to watch the world go by. As a bonus, you’re two blocks from the waterfront, while popular restaurants such as Wren, and the Old Bull Tavern gastropub, are just two minutes on foot.

Just off the main highway approaching town, this hotel is easily walkable to numerous fast food joints and less than 2mi (3km) away from Beaufort’s Historic District, and such attractions as the USCB Center for the Arts. While the rooms are not instantly memorable, amenities such as mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker are a boon. Complimentary hot breakfast includes bacon, pancakes and eggs, cooked to order. You’re within walking distance of the Spanish Moss Trail, a 10mi (16km) walking/cycle path, which takes you through some of the best Lowcountry landscapes.

Overlooking the harbor and marina from its superb vantage point, the brick-and-wrought-iron Sea Island Inn – one of the best hotels in Beaufort – is the ideal spot for exploring the historic downtown district on foot, or via a horse and carriage tour, and for taking a boat cruise from nearby Waterfront Park to see the dolphins. Its cream-and-gray color scheme is livened up with nature prints, the boutique-style rooms are well appointed and some have balconies over Bay Street, while accessible rooms are on the ground floor. Nearby dining options range from the seafood-heavy fine-dining bastion of Saltus River Grill, to casual down-home eatery Plums.

Battery Creek Marsh views are just one of the perks at this colorful Hampton Inn, where rooms come with leaf-patterned carpets and lime green sofa beds. Lap desks are a boon if you want to catch up on emails from your armchair in between bouts of sightseeing. The wetlands out front are particularly bewitching at dusk and sunrise, and while the only nearby restaurants tend to be chain joints inside the Beaufort Plaza Shopping Center, the inn is just a six-minute drive from the historic downtown district and the better options there, and equidistant from the Spanish Moss Trail trailhead – well worth exploring by bike or on foot.

If you’re in town for a graduation at Parris Island, the Sleep Inn on the western outskirts of town is an excellent choice, just 2mi (3km) from the Marine Corps Air Station. It’s handy for sightseeing, too, being a 10-minute drive from Tabby Manse, Secession House and Beaufort History Museum, located in Beaufort’s Historic District. Rooms are decorated in creams and browns, with cheerful orange statement walls. It’s a short walk to the Beaufort Plaza Shopping Center and a handful of restaurants – try the shrimp and sausage gumbo at Gilligan’s next door.

Suites here come decked out in creams, grays and mustard yellows, with standard amenities, such as coffee maker, refrigerator and microwave. Appealing to self-caterers, there’s a self-laundry and convenience store on site, and guests have use of the indoor pool with hot tub, and fitness center. The decor won’t make your Instagram posts, but the hotel’s location on the outskirts of town means that you’re only a short drive from nearby hiking trails, the beaches of Hunting Island State Park, and its lighthouse, and less than 10 minutes by car from the stores, restaurants and historic monuments of downtown Beaufort.