The Elliott House Inn

This former private residence, built the same year as the outbreak of the Civil War, is now a quaint and quiet 25-room bed-and-breakfast. The pink-and-white L-shaped building surrounds a beautifully landscaped courtyard, featuring patio furnishings underneath a shady pergola.The rooms are decorated in traditional southern style, but each is actually an individually owned condo, so decor varies slightly from room to room. Most units feature antique-style furnishings such as oversize armoires and four-poster beds; a few have private patios.The Elliott House provides a number of freebies, including continental breakfast (served in the courtyard or in-room), free bicycles to explore downtown, free Wi-Fi, and free wine and cheese every evening. There's no full restaurant on-site, but the hotel offers phenomenal room service from the restaurant next door, 82 Queen -- one of Charleston's best and most famous eateries.

The inn is located on a quiet tree-lined block with a few low-key businesses and a large parking garage. Attractions such as the harbor and Charleston Market are within easy walking distance, as are the Historic District's grand churches, historic sights, world-famous restaurants, and chic shops and galleries. More sights can be explored using the hotel's loaner bicycles.- 22-minute drive to Charleston International Airport

• 2-minute walk to Gibbes Museum of Art
• 2-minute walk to King Street, lined with high-end restaurants, art galleries and shops
• 4-minute walk to St. Philip's Church
• 5-minute walk from the Charleston City Market
• 10-minute walk to Waterfront Park
• 11-minute walk, or three-minute drive, to Calhoun Mansion
• 12-minute walk, or four-minute drive to the College of Charleston
• 22-minute walk, or four-minute drive, to Marion Square
• 5-minute drive to the Charleston Museum, the oldest museum in the US
• 5-minute drive to South Carolina Aquarium
• 13-minute drive to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
• 17-minute drive to Charles Towne Landing, the birthplace of America

The inn's 25 rooms are decorated in classic southern style.Each of the units is an individually owned condo, and some have extras such as patios. Entrances to the rooms are from exterior corridors around the courtyard.- Daily housekeeping and evening turndown service with a goodnight treat

• Free Wi-Fi
• 32-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels
• iHome or Sony MP3 docking stations with alarm clock and radio
• Wall-mounted air conditioners
• Some units have ceiling fans.
• Some units have mini-fridges.
• Guest rooms are divided into two categories: Traditional King and Traditional Queen, which denotes both the size of the bed, as well as the size of the room.
• A handful of Traditional King units feature private terraces with patio furnishings.

While the hotel welcomes families with children of all ages, there are no additional perks for children. Small rooms also make it difficult for groups of more than two to bunk together, unless multiple rooms are purchased.

While there is no on-site restaurant at Elliott House Inn, nearby dining options abound -- and one of the city's best, 82 Queen, even provides hotel guests with room service.- Free Continental breakfast, which can be served in-room or at the inn's courtyard

• Free nightly wine and cheese reception
• Room service from neighboring 82 Queen restaurant

Guests at the Elliott House Inn get free wine at the evening manager's reception. Next door, 82 Queen (which provides in-room dining for guests at the inn) has an extensive wine and cocktail menu as well. The great downtown location means that a variety of bars are nearby.

• Concierge services in the lobby for dinner and tour reservations
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Parking in a lot across the street (for a fee)
• Free use of bicycles for exploring downtown Charleston
• Laundry services (for a fee)
• Historic tour pick-up

• Guests can opt to not change bed sheets or towels daily
• The hotel recycles eligible materials
• Energy-saving incandescent bulbs throughout

The Elliott House Inn was built as a private residence in 1861 (the same year the Civil War broke out), and the hotel has preserved a number of historic elements, including the original layout, the lush courtyard, and the welcoming piazza.

Due to the historic significance of the property, the Elliott House is not required to have ADA-compliant rooms. Additionally, the rooms are individually owned condos, so each owner is responsible for room features. Still, the hotel does offer a few ground-floor units that have grab rails in the bathrooms. But there is no guarantee that these rooms will be wide enough for all wheelchairs.

Safety is hardly an issue in this area of Charleston; however, the property does have a 24-hour front desk clerk as well as a security guard who patrols the grounds at night. Rooms are operated with card keys.