The Governor's House Inn
117 Broad St., Charleston, South Carolina 29401, United StatesWhy We Like It
For travelers wanting an authentic peek at colonial-era Charleston, this laid-back B&B fits the bill. Off-street parking, satisfying breakfasts, and its Broad Street location make it a convenient option, while wine-and-cheese hour and the historical significance of the property provide added perks.
Fodor's Expert Review
Built in 1760 as a traditional Georgian double house, The Governor’s House Inn gives travelers a peek into what it might have been like to live in the Holy City during colonial times. Once home to Edward Rutledge—the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence and the 39th governor of South Carolina—the property is dubbed a National Historic Landmark, making it a smart choice for history buffs. Comfortable-enough period furnishings and reproductions fill the home, which offers a spacious ground floor and two stories worth of piazzas for guests to lounge, mix, and mingle. Complimentary off-street parking is a major bonus, as are the self-serve sherry station and the B&B’s location in the well-heeled South of Broad neighborhood.
Tip Headed to the beach during your trip? Beach towels and chairs are available upon request.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Original pine floors, triple-hung windows that double as doors to the piazzas, 12-foot ceilings, and decorative fireplaces add stately grandeur to rooms, which hold canopied four-poster beds and other antique furnishings. Guest rooms vary in size and layout from suite to suite.
You Should Know Plantation shutters cover the rooms’ triple-hung windows. While in keeping with the historic vibe of the property, they aren’t the most effective at blocking light. Also, not all rooms provide access to piazzas.
Bathroom
Some bathrooms are spacious with a walk-in shower while others are tight with an old-school tub. Regardless, the bathrooms are tidy and equipped with comfy robes and Gilchrist and Soames soap products.
Tip Want the best powder room? Book The Rutledge Suite, which is clad in marble and offers both a walk-in shower and whirlpool tub.
Lobby
Three sitting rooms and a wide ground-floor piazza offer plenty of room for reading, chatting, and sipping tea or spirits.
Tip Look to the right when you walk in the property’s front door and you’ll find a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Have the friendly innkeeper point out former-owner Edward Rutledge’s signature.
Dining
Made-to-order breakfast is served hot every morning and features family recipes such as poached eggs with fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and tomato quiche. Eat in the dining room, on the piazza, or in your room.
Drinking
Nosh on hors d’eouvres like deviled eggs, cherry cheesecake bites, and pimiento cheese as you sip vino with fellow travelers during wine and cheese hour, held daily from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Also, swing by the self-serve sherry station in the ground floor’s red room anytime.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Your free off-street parking spot will allow you to come and go as you please. Drive to the Lowcountry’s beaches and historic sites off the peninsula. Walk, pedicab, ride-share, or take the DASH trolley when exploring downtown.
Restaurants
Seeking quintessential Lowcountry fare? Snag a reservation for dinner at 82 Queen (4-minute walk) or Slightly North of Broad (AKA S.N.O.B., 13-minute walk). For above-average grab-and-go sandwiches, crepes, smoothies, and salads, swing by Queen Street Grocery (5-minute walk).