Historic Hotels in Charleston

Housed in a beautifully renovated mansion dating to 1843, the Jasmine House Inn has all the charm of a B&B and the comfort of an upscale hotel, plus a central location in downtown Charleston. It has 12 large rooms with hardwood floors, 15-foot ceilings, flat-screen TVs and unique decor that might be a bit too much for some (think matching bedspreads and drapes, patterned rugs, and flowal wallpaper). There are a bunch of great freebies, including a continental breakfast, Wi-Fi and evening hors d'oeuvres -- but you'll have to pay for parking.

Still considered one of Charleston's grand dames, the historic Francis Marion Hotel has lost some of its luster -- the decor is a bit dated, the bathrooms are small, and the restaurant is only so-so. The hotel's location in historic downtown remains the highlight, and rooms come with comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs.

Across the street from Marion Square, the upper-middle-range Embassy Suites Charleston is housed in the original Citadel Military College that looks like an aged fortress. The lobby, with an oddly placed array of plants, oriental rugs, and chairs, isn't as inviting as some other Charleston hotels, but the Historic Downtown location and the large suites -- complete with separate living rooms, wet bars, mini-fridges, and microwaves -- are the highlight.

Indigo Inn gets its name from the historic building in which it is housed; the structure, built in 1850, was a warehouse for indigo plants, valued for their blue dye. This 40-room B&B has quaint, spacious rooms overlooking a lovely courtyard, traditional-style decor (dated for some), and no hotel-style amenities. However, it has a few interesting freebies, including Wi-Fi; breakfast; and afternoon cheese, wine, and fruit. Plus, it's situated in a gorgeous location in the heart of Charleston's Historic Downtown, within walking distance to major tourist attractions. It is not quite luxurious (though it has some nice touches), but it is definitely charming and cozy, and geared toward those who appreciate a quaint B&B experience.