Where to Find the Best Family Hotels in Charleston SC

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south carolina resorts: Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mount Pleasant
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in Mount Pleasant is a private beachfront resort. Photo credit: Charleston Harbor Resort

With its sandy beaches, historic downtown and southern hospitality, Charleston, South Carolina, is a popular seaside getaway. And from budget-friendly to luxury, you’ll also find some of the best family hotels in Charleston.

Here are the Charleston hotels we recommend.

1. Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel

115 Meeting St.
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
(843) 577-2400

Located in Charleston Historic District, the Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel is an upscale family-friendly hotel with guest rooms and one-bedroom suites. Rollaway beds (surcharge) and free cribs/infant beds are available. An outdoor pool and free WiFi makes this hotel a good choice for a family vacation.

In addition, the hotel’s central location is a short walking distance to Charleston City Market and Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal. It’s also near Charleston Museum, South Carolina Aquarium and a golf course.

Why the Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel works for families:

  • Central location in Charleston Historic District
  • Outdoor pool
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Free WiFi
  • Walking distance to Charleston City Market, Waterfront Park and Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal
Charleston Harbor is the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
One of the most dramatic features of Charleston Harbor is the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Photo credit: Cathy Bennett Kopf

2. The Belmond Charleston Place

205 Meeting St.
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
(888) 575-3800

Located in the heart of the city, the Belmond Charleston Place is a luxury hotel with a full-service spa. Families will appreciate that up to three children stay free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room. In addition, highchairs and childcare services are available.

The 5-star hotel offers an array of guest rooms, free WiFi, roundtrip airport shuttle and a grocery/convenience market. Plus there’s an indoor pool, fitness center and onsite restaurant.

Why the Belmond Charleston Place works for families:

  • Up to three kids stay free in parent or guardian’s room
  • Children’s menu
  • Indoor pool with sun loungers and pool umbrellas
  • Free WiFi
  • Fitness center
  • Near the Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal

3. The Dewberry Charleston

334 Meeting St.
Charleston, South Carolina 29403
(843) 558-8000

The Dewberry Charleston is a kid-friendly luxury hotel near Marion Square. A variety of guest rooms (including some with a separate bedroom), free WiFi, 24-hour room service and a children’s menu will please the whole family.

A full-service spa and proximity to top attractions make the Dewberry a good choice for families seeking a luxury hotel.

Why The Dewberry Charleston works for families:

  • Variety of guest rooms
  • Onsite restaurant
  • Children’s menu
  • Laundry facilities
  • Near top attractions
south carolina resorts: Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mount Pleasant
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in Mount Pleasant is a private beachfront resortPhoto credit: Charleston Harbor Resort

4. Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina

20 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
(843) 856-0028

For a luxurious family vacation, consider the oceanfront Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in Mount Pleasant. This private beachfront resort is the perfect place to relax in the sand and splash in the sparkling outdoor pools. When the sun sets, head over to the bonfires for some evening s’mores!

Past guests recommend spending time at the resort sports courts or taking a yoga class. You can even book a ticket on the Charleston Water Taxi for a ride across the harbor. From here you can explore nearby historic Downtown Charleston.

The pet-friendly resort offers in-room childcare (surcharge), free WiFi, two onsite restaurants serving a hot breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, concierge services and a limo or town car service.

Why Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina works for families:

  • Kids can enjoy a special “Treat of the Day” served on the Beach Club pool deck during summer months
  • Kids ages 5 to 11 can be registered for the Mini Mariners Camp for supervised fun during the day
  • Rent the onsite 30-person movie theater for an epic family movie night
  • Recreational activities include outdoor pools, seaside soccer-ball court, seasonal wellness classes and more
  • Proximity to South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston City Market
south carolina resorts: Wild Dunes Resort
Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms is a kid-friendly beach resort. Photo Photo credit: Hyatt

5. Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms

5757 Palm Blvd.
Isle Of Palms, South Carolina 29451
(866) 359-5593

The Wild Dunes Resort in Isle Of Palms, South Carolina, is a beach resort that offers families many accommodation options from various hotels to vacation rentals with kitchens and the comfort of home. As resort guests, your family has easy access to outdoor pools, golf courses, bike rentals and water sports.

More family-friendly features include an onsite playground, laundry facilities and free parking.

Why Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms works for families:

  • Choose from hotels or vacation rentals with kitchens.
  • Outdoor pools
  • Bike rentals, golf courses, water sports and other activities.
  • Seasonal children’s programs for a fee.
  • Free parking!
  • Area attractions include the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

6. Residence Inn by Marriott Charleston Downtown Riverview

90 Ripley Point Dr.
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
(843) 571-7979

Sometimes less is more, as is the case with the budget-friendly Residence Inn Charleston Downtown Riverview. Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchens, free breakfast, free WiFi, free parking and a saltwater pool make this a great deal for a family vacation.

The pet-friendly hotel also offers a free shuttle to Downtown Charleston.

Why the Residence Inn by Marriott Charleston Downtown Riverview works for families

  • Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchens
  • Free breakfast
  • Free WiFi
  • Free parking
  • Saltwater pool
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free shuttle to Downtown Charleston

7. Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview

301 Savannah Highway
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
(843) 556-7100

The Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview is a comfortable hotel for families with an outdoor pool and free parking. Families will appreciate that kids stay and eat free. Well-appointed guest rooms are available with views and ADA features upon request. In addition, there’s free WiFi, a fitness center and onsite restaurant. Plus, a cooked-to-order hot breakfast is available for a surcharge.

Overlooking the Ashley River, the kid-friendly hotel offers a free shuttle to the historic downtown Charleston area. Nearby attractions include the South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston City Market.

Why Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview works for families:

  • Kids stay and eat free
  • Rollaway/extra beds available (surcharge)
  • Refrigerator
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor pool
  • Free area shuttle
  • Free parking
Native Angeleno and seasoned travel journalist Mimi Slawoff writes for numerous print and digital publications. She is also the author of Oldest Los Angeles (Reedy Press, 2022). A lifelong world traveler, Mimi is an award-winning journalist who writes about outdoor adventures, cruises, Europe and cultural activities. Mimi has three grown kids and lives with her husband and their dog, Maya, in Los Angeles.
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