The Best Hotels to Book Near Fort Sumter, South Carolina

If you’re looking to spend your vacation, as well as the journey to Fort Sumter, on the water, then Shem Creek Inn in Mount Pleasant is just the place. It’s the only hotel on the Shem Creek waterfront, and you can easily kayak or boat up and down the channel. It’s close to some killer seafood spots – try the shrimp or scallop baskets at Red’s Ice House for a no-frills, down-’n’-dirty dinner, or the raw bar at the French-inspired NICO for a more refined evening. And, best of all, it’s just a short drive from the Fort Sumter ferry leaving from Patriots Point.

On the harbor itself, this 92-room waterfront hotel is a Southern dream. Wraparound porches, an arched lobby and custom-made slotted-wood headboards all add to the Lowcountry charm. Enjoy the resort’s amenities – these include a 33-seat movie theater, a bocce ball court and poolside cabanas – or take the water taxi over to downtown Charleston for the day. Just a few minutes’ walk away from the resort, the Fort Sumter ferry departs from Patriots Point several times a day.

Yes, that is the hotel’s real address – the early-1800s buildings that make up Zero George predate just about anything else on the block. Comprising three former homes and two carriage houses, Zero George and its suites draw heavily on European inspirations, including hand-laid marble and tile floors, hand-carved armoires with separate parlor and study areas. Conveniently enough it’s just steps from Bay Street, and is handy for Charleston’s Marion Square along King Street, Gadsdenboro Park and the ferry from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center.

This boutique hotel has the cosiness of a historic bed and breakfast with all the benefits that come with being a Marriott property – plus you can use your points here. Rooms are sleek and modern, with marbled wallpaper and stainless-steel appliances and are tailor-made for extended stays. Here, you’ll be close to King Street, just under two blocks away, and a 10-minute walk from the ferry that serves Fort Sumter; not to mention you’ll be right next door to the International African American Museum when it opens in 2022. Don’t forget to try out the Delaney Oyster House back at the hotel, where you can slurp down freshly caught bivalves and chomp down on a crispy fish-fillet sandwich.

You’ll be right in the heart of the action at Hotel Bennett, just off one of Charleston’s biggest highlights – Marion Square. Gaze over the leafy park below from your room, which is stuffed with amenities including a soaking tub, floor-to-ceiling armoires and built-in bookshelves. Opt for the King’s Club experience to be thoroughly pampered – rooms come with a terrace view of King Street, food and drinks from the chef de cuisine arrive all day, and your itinerary will be fully customised from the moment you arrive.

This quaint bed and breakfast – a mid-19th century inn – is full of history, with five rooms named after the local flora. Elegant, time-honoured details include four-poster beds, woven rugs and even the old fold-up ironing board in the bathroom. Before you head out for the day, grab breakfast downstairs; besides the standard fare – piping hot coffee, warm bagels and fresh fruit – the breakfast bar includes homemade goodies like chocolate-espresso banana bread. After you’ve eaten, you’re easily within walking distance of the Fort Sumter ferry to the north and Joe Riley Waterfront Park to the south.

A stay at the Dewberry makes getting around Charleston a breeze – forget the fuss of parking garages or meter-feeding. Here, you can opt for a spin on one of the hotel’s 21-gauge bicycles, or book one of the house cars for the evening. Back at the room, it gets even better – The Dewberry drew heavily on mid-century design when renovating the old 1960s federal building that once inhabited the space. Expect rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, cast iron tubs and attractive gold accents. On the rooftop, the Citrus Club – the highest terrace in town – whips up fruity cocktails from brunch to well past sundown.

This classic bed-and-breakfast is in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District, and it’s a local landmark for good reason. Most likely built in the late 1700s, the inn has retained many of its age-old details, such as the original wood floors, 18th and 19th century fabrics and sculpted plaster moldings above the chandeliers. Depending on which of the 14 rooms you choose, you’ll find four-poster beds, ornately upholstered loveseats and dark wooden armoires. Conveniently enough, you’ll be just two blocks south of Marion Square and a few blocks over from the Fort Sumter ferry.

Just off Market Street downtown, The Spectator bills itself as “Southern allure meets Jazz Age exuberance”. This translates into rooms full of art deco-informed details: blue-velvet headboards, gold-accented light fixtures and slick black-and-white custom-made closets. The Spectator’s biggest selling point though? A personally appointed butler, who can handle all kinds of tasks during your stay – from shoe-shines to ironing that dress shirt that got wrinkled in your suitcase. You won’t even need to get out of the bed in the morning, as breakfast is delivered straight to your doorstep. For a nightcap, head to the bar for a few Prohibition-era cocktails.

Constructed in 1852 as a wholesale grocery store, 181 Church Street has led many lives. The most recent is Emeline: a svelte boutique hotel overlooking the Historic Charleston City Market. Rooms are painted a rich blue-green and furnished with mid-century-style buffets and built-in closets. Luxurious touches include custom-embroidered pillows, vanity sets sculpted by a local artist and a sparkling-water dispenser. In the morning, grab a cold brew (or a soft-serve cone) from Clerks Coffee Company downstairs. Explore Fort Sumter in the afternoon, hopping aboard the ferry along the way. After dark, return to Emeline to check out the saloon-style bar and freshly caught fish at Hank’s Seafood Restaurant next door.