Comfort Suites West of the Ashley

Comfort Suites delivers exactly what you would expect from a budget, chain hotel: Rooms and facilities are clean though uninspiring, and thoughtful amenities in-room and on-site ensure you’ll have everything you need for a pleasant stay. The vibe is relaxed, welcoming and -- aside from the breakfast buffet which can get crowded -- generally quiet. The roomy suites and on-site pool make it an attractive choice for families on a budget, and the meeting facilities draw some corporate travelers as well. Who it doesn't suit is sightseers; travelers hoping to tour Charleston's main attractions should keep in mind that the hotel’s location is about a 20-minute drive away from buzzworthy restaurants and must-see sights. 

Comfort Suites is set along the busy Savannah Highway, where it’s surrounded by other hotels, fast food chains, and big-box stores. A sidewalk running along the highway makes it easy to navigate on foot, but the stark landscape next to heavy traffic means strolls in the area are hardly scenic. There are a few dining options within walking distance, but the city’s best restaurants are located in downtown Charleston, which is about a 20-minute drive away. Most of the area’s top attractions, including the Charleston Museum and City Market are also found downtown, making this spot less than ideal for tourists looking to hit all the sights. However, popular beach destinations like Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach are less than a 30-minute drive away. The nearest airport is Charleston International Airport, which is about a 10-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms are decked out in generic, contemporary decor. Their striped brown carpeting has a chain-hotel feel and walls are decorated with a few forgettable prints. Burnt sienna accent walls add some life to the otherwise dull neutral color palette, and gold bed runners give a finishing touch. But despite the ho-hum furnishings, rooms are quite spacious and comfortably outfitted with Serta mattresses and long work desks with swivel chairs. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout and both air-conditioning and USB charging outlets are available. Flat-screen TVs are also standard, picking up a range of channels.

All rooms include sitting areas with armchairs and sofa beds, with many featuring frosted glass room dividers to separate this space from the bedrooms. Microwaves, mini-fridges, and one-cup coffeemakers are standard, with some upper-level suites including complete kitchens with two-burner stovetops, full-size fridges, and dishwashers. Simple bathrooms offer shower/tub combos or shower stalls, with many featuring separate jetted tubs (although some tubs are awkwardly located out in the bedroom). Wall-mounted hairdryers are provided and long countertops are stocked with the chain’s RAIO brand bath products.

Comfort Suites has a solid lineup of on-site amenities, many of which you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see included at this low a price point. The hotel offers a small, square indoor pool set in a bright room with high ceilings and lots of natural light. A handful of plastic loungers line the concrete deck surrounding the pool, and a little sundeck outside offers additional space for relaxing. There's also a tiny, well-maintained fitness center with two treadmills, a stationary bike, and an elliptical machine, along with some free weights. 

A free buffet breakfast is included in rates, with a section of the roomy lobby also serving as the breakfast area. A cluster of wooden four-top tables are set in front of a buffet station, where guests can help themselves to a diverse spread of eggs, cereal, and waffles, among other dishes each morning. 

There's a business center as well as two meeting rooms, which can hold up to 100 people and 25 people, respectively. Like the guest rooms, the meeting rooms are tidy but have a drab brown color scheme. A 24-hour mini market found just off the lobby has a modest selection of snacks, drinks, and some basic over-the-counter meds. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and there’s a free parking lot found at the front of the property.