The Palmetto Hotel

Charleston, South Carolina is, by any measure, one of the most picturesque cities in the United States, and the city’s historic French Quarter is one of its most attractive neighborhoods. It comes as no surprise, then, to learn that this neighborhood is home to one of Charleston’s most stylish boutique hotels. The Palmetto Hotel brings the charm of Charleston’s elegant mansion-style hotels to a decidedly urban setting, steps from the waterfront; though the hotel is surrounded by the unmistakable buzz of city life, within its walls the atmosphere is reminiscent of a stylish country house, a luxe, self-sufficient escape.

Its lobby and public spaces freely mix authentic, eclectic antiques with contemporary art and a modern design sensibility. Upstairs, its 45 rooms are sunny and bright, both in the literal sense and in their soft, botanical-inspired décor. Every detail, from the palmetto-leaf wallpaper to the custom-designed antique-style furniture, reinforces the Palmetto’s sense of place. And while there’s not quite a restaurant, the hotel’s bar is a remarkably full-featured one, serving light Low Country bites alongside cocktails, beers, and wines, all in a convivial space that’s equal parts cocktail-bar elegance and living-room warmth.