Pet Friendly Hotels in Charleston, SC: 16 Dog-Friendly Stays

Written by Robert Smith. 15 October 2026 Posted in Charleston Insider

One Charleston hotel caps dogs at 25 pounds, while another welcomes pets of any size. The best pet friendly hotels in Charleston, SC depend on your dog, so this guide covers 16 stays in downtown, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Folly Beach. Each one was checked against its own published policy.

Charleston welcomes dogs, but each hotel sets its own rules. Fees run from $70 per pet for a stay to $100 per night. Weight limits run from 25 pounds to no limit at all. Some hotels let dogs into the courtyard, while others keep them in the guest room.

You will find 11 downtown hotels, two in Mount Pleasant, two in North Charleston, and one on Folly Beach. Each entry gives the size limit, the pet count, and the fee when the hotel publishes one.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Charleston at a Glance

Hotel	Area	Size and number rules	Pet extras
The Charleston Place	Downtown	Pets of all sizes	Pet sitters through the Concierge
Emeline	Downtown	Up to 2 dogs, 100 lb or less	Pawsome Package
Mills House	Downtown	Up to 2 pets, under 50 lb each	Bandana, bowl, blanket
The Ansonborough	Downtown	Up to 2 dogs, under 50 lb each	None listed
Hyatt House Charleston/Historic District	Downtown	1 dog up to 50 lb, or 2 dogs at 75 lb combined	Three nearby dog parks
Francis Marion	Downtown	1 dog per room	Pet rooms on set floors
The Ryder	Downtown	Up to 2 dogs, 40 lb or less	None listed
Hotel Bennett	Downtown	Up to 2 dogs, 25 lb each	Guest rooms only
The Vendue	Downtown	Dogs only	Bowls, mat, treat
Wentworth Mansion	Downtown	Limited pet rooms	A Dog's World Package
Kings Courtyard Inn	Downtown	Limited dog rooms	Puppy Package
Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant	Mount Pleasant	Up to 2 pets, 70 lb each	Near Memorial Waterfront Park
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina	Mount Pleasant	Dogs allowed, not left alone	Marina setting
Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston	North Charleston	2 pets, 80 lb combined	Cats allowed
Staybridge Suites Charleston-Ashley Phosphate	North Charleston	Not mentioned	Signed pet agreement
Tides Folly Beach	Folly Beach	Designated pet friendly rooms	Beach rules from the hotel

How Pet Policies Differ in Charleston Hotels
Dog Friendly Hotels in Downtown Charleston, SC
Pet Friendly Hotels in Mount Pleasant, SC
Pet Friendly Hotels in North Charleston, SC
Pet Friendly Beach Hotel Near Charleston
Dog Friendly Places Near Charleston Hotels
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Author

How Pet Policies Differ in Charleston Hotels

Size limits are the biggest difference. Hotel Bennett caps each dog at 25 pounds, The Ryder at 40, and Mills House and The Ansonborough at 50. Hotel Indigo allows 70 pounds per pet, Emeline allows 100, and The Charleston Place accepts pets of any size. Drury Plaza limits the room to 80 pounds combined.

Pet counts vary too. Most hotels allow two pets per room, but the Francis Marion allows one dog. Most take dogs only. Drury Plaza accepts cats, and it treats emotional support animals as pets, so its daily fee applies to them.

Access rules matter as much as fees. Some hotels keep pets out of restaurants and bars, and Hotel Bennett bans them from public spaces. Several hotels do not let you leave a pet alone in the room. Fees come per stay, per night, per pet, or as part of a package.

Dog Friendly Hotels in Downtown Charleston, SC

Downtown has the most choices, and the hotels below run from the largest dogs to the smallest.

The Charleston Place: Best for Large Dogs

The Charleston Place welcomes pets of all sizes, so it suits owners of large breeds. Pets cannot go into restaurants or bars. Guests also cannot leave a pet alone in the room. The Concierge can arrange a pet sitter, which helps if you plan a long dinner out. The hotel does not publish a pet fee, so ask the front desk for the amount when you book.

💡 Local Tip: Ask about a pet sitter when you reserve the room, not on the day of a dinner reservation. Then you know your dog is covered before you head to a restaurant that does not allow pets.

Emeline: Best for Pampered Dogs

Emeline calls its pet program the Pawsome Package. It includes a dog treat made by the pastry chef, a bowl, and a comfortable bed. The hotel allows up to two dogs at 100 pounds or less. The fee is $200 per stay, so a longer visit costs no more than a short one. Cats are not allowed. The concierge can also point you to pet friendly restaurants, parks, and services.

Mills House: Best for Courtyard Time

Mills House allows up to two pets, and each must be under 50 pounds. The cleaning fee is $200 and is charged one time. Your dog gets a bandana, a bowl, and a blanket. Pets can use the lobby and the courtyard, which gives you a spot for short breaks without leaving the property. They cannot enter the restaurants, so plan your meals at places that welcome dogs.

The Ansonborough: Best for Two Mid-Size Dogs

The Ansonborough allows up to two dogs, and each must weigh under 50 pounds. The limit applies to each dog, so weigh both before you book. The fee is $120 per pet for the stay. That means two dogs cost $240 in total, no matter how many nights you stay. This flat pricing works well for a long weekend or a longer trip. It is a good fit if your dogs are medium-sized and travel as a pair.

Hyatt House Charleston/Historic District: Best for Dog Park Access

Hyatt House allows one dog up to 50 pounds, or two dogs with a combined weight of 75 pounds. The combined limit matters, because two 40-pound dogs would be over the cap. The pet fee is $100 per stay. Three dog parks sit nearby: Canon Park, East Bay, and Hampton Park. The Hampton Park Dog Run is a small fenced area inside the larger park. Having three options close by makes morning and evening walks easy to plan.

Francis Marion: Best for One Dog

The Francis Marion takes dogs only, and you can bring one per room. Pet rooms are limited to certain floors, so book early. The fee is $50 per night for dogs 30 pounds or less. For dogs 31 pounds or more, the fee is $100 per night. A three-night stay with a 40-pound dog would add $300. Guests cannot leave dogs alone in the room.

The Ryder: Best for Dogs Up to 40 Pounds

The Ryder, at 237 Meeting Street, welcomes dogs up to 40 pounds. Weigh your dog before you leave home, since 40 pounds is the cap. The hotel allows up to two dogs per room. It does not accept cats. Booking sites list different pet fees and perks for this hotel, so confirm the current amount and what comes with the room before you book. Ask about the exact room rules at the same time.

Hotel Bennett: Best for Small Dogs

Hotel Bennett allows a maximum of two dogs per room, and each must be under 25 pounds. This is the lowest weight limit in this guide. Dogs can stay in guest rooms, but they cannot enter public spaces. Ask the front desk how to reach your room with your dog before you arrive. The hotel does not publish a pet fee, so ask for the amount when you reserve.

The Vendue: Best Near a Dog Park

The Vendue takes dogs only. Your dog gets bowls, a mat, and a treat. Waterfront Park and its public dog park are close. Dogs must stay leashed in designated areas. The hotel page gives no fee amount, so ask before you reserve. Cats are not allowed.

Wentworth Mansion: Best Dog Package

Wentworth Mansion charges $40 per day for dog friendly accommodations. A three-night stay would add $120. The hotel has a limited number of pet rooms. Guests book them through the concierge rather than online. The hotel offers the A Dog's World Package for guests who want extras. Ask what the package includes before you pay for it.

Kings Courtyard Inn: Best for Puppy Package Perks

Kings Courtyard Inn also charges $40 per day, so a three-night stay would add $120. It has a limited number of dog friendly rooms. The concierge handles booking. The Puppy Package adds a $25 restaurant gift card and a $30 gift card to Woof Gang Dog Bakery. That is $55 in gift cards, which can offset part of the pet fee. Call early, since the pet rooms are few.

💡 Local Tip: Wentworth Mansion and Kings Courtyard Inn both hold only a few pet rooms. Call the concierge before you lock in your dates, and ask for a pet room first.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Mount Pleasant, SC

Mount Pleasant sits across the Cooper River from downtown. If you want pet friendly hotels in Mt Pleasant, SC, these two stand out.

Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant: Best for Two Larger Dogs

Hotel Indigo welcomes well-behaved pets. Each pet can weigh up to 70 pounds, and the limit is two pets per room. The fee is $70 per pet for stays of one to six nights. For stays of seven nights or more, it is $140 per pet. Two dogs on a week-long trip would add $280. The hotel charges a $200 disturbance fee for unattended pets, and Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is a short walk away.

Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina: Best for a Marina Resort Stay

Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina allows dogs with a $100 non-refundable fee, charged one time. It also adds $25 per day in cleaning fees. A four-night stay would cost $200 in total. Dogs cannot be left unattended. The hotel does not publish a size limit, so ask about weight and room type when you book.

Pet Friendly Hotels in North Charleston, SC

North Charleston is a smart pick if you want clear pet rules and easy airport access. Two hotels here publish detailed policies.

Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston: Best for Dogs and Cats

Drury Plaza, at 2934 West Montague, accepts both dogs and cats. Rooms with pets pay a daily fee of $50 plus tax, so three nights would add $150 before tax. The limit is two pets per room with a combined weight of 80 pounds. Pets cannot enter public areas like the lobby, dining area, pool, or fitness center. They must be leashed or in a carrier, and guests are asked to use the stairwells with pets. Pets cannot stay alone in the room, and service animals stay free.

Staybridge Suites Charleston-Ashley Phosphate: Best for a Flat Pet Fee

This Staybridge, at 7329 Mazyck Road, is an extended-stay hotel in North Charleston. It charges a nonrefundable $75 fee per stay. Because the fee is flat, a longer stay costs no more for your pet than a short one. You must sign a pet agreement on arrival and show current vaccination records. The hotel does not allow aggressive breeds, and service animals stay free.

Pet Friendly Beach Hotel Near Charleston

If you want sand and surf with your dog, Folly Beach is a short drive from downtown.

Tides Folly Beach: Best for a Beach Trip with Your Dog

Tides Folly Beach welcomes dogs in designated pet friendly rooms, and the hotel sets the fees. It does not publish an amount, so ask when you book. From May 1 to September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10 AM and 6 PM. From October 1 to April 30, leashed dogs can be on the beach at any time. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and pets are never allowed on the Folly Beach Pier. Local sources say fines can reach $500, so follow the posted signs.

💡 Local Tip: From May to September, plan your dog's beach walk for early morning or evening. The 10 AM to 6 PM ban covers the hottest part of the day, so use that window to rest at the hotel.

Dog Friendly Places Near Charleston Hotels

A hotel stay goes smoother when your dog has room to run. These parks sit close to the hotels in this guide.

Downtown, Waterfront Park and its public dog park are close to The Vendue, and dogs must stay leashed in designated areas. Hyatt House guests have three parks nearby: Canon Park, East Bay Dog Park, and Hampton Park. The Hampton Park Dog Run is a small fenced dog park inside the larger Hampton Park, where leashed dogs can walk the paths.

In Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is less than half a mile from Hotel Indigo. Keep your dog on a leash there. Palmetto Islands County Park has an off-leash dog park, and pets must stay leashed everywhere else in the park.

💡 Local Tip: The dog park at Palmetto Islands County Park is closed until 9 a.m., and the county park charges a small entry fee. Plan your visit for later in the morning.

Plan the Rest of Your Trip

Once your hotel is booked, the rest of the trip comes together fast. For attractions, tours, and everything else worth building a day around, start with our full guide to things to do in Charleston, SC.

Pet Friendly Hotels in Charleston, SC: FAQs

Where should I stay in Charleston with a dog?

Start with your dog's size. For large dogs, The Charleston Place accepts pets of all sizes, and Emeline takes dogs up to 100 pounds. For mid-size dogs, Mills House, The Ansonborough, and Hyatt House all use a 50 pound limit. Hotel Bennett is best for dogs under 25 pounds. For a beach trip, choose Tides Folly Beach.

Can I leave my dog alone in a hotel room?

Not at most of the hotels listed here. The Charleston Place, the Francis Marion, Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, and Drury Plaza all say no. Hotel Indigo charges a $200 disturbance fee for unattended pets. Ask any other hotel before you plan to leave your dog.

How do pet fees work in Charleston hotels?

It depends on the hotel. The Ansonborough charges $120 per pet for the stay, Hyatt House charges $100 per stay, and Staybridge charges $75 per stay. The Francis Marion, Wentworth Mansion, Kings Courtyard Inn, and Drury Plaza charge by the night or day. Hotel Indigo charges per pet, and the rate doubles for stays of seven nights or more.

Do Charleston hotels allow cats?

Some do, but most do not. Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston accepts cats. Emeline, The Vendue, the Francis Marion, and The Ryder take dogs only. Ask the hotel about cats before you book.

Are dogs allowed on Folly Beach?

Yes, with limits. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 AM to 6 PM between May 1 and September 30. Outside those dates and hours, leashed dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and pets are never allowed on the Folly Beach Pier.

Do big-brand hotels in Charleston allow pets?

Some do. Hotel Indigo, Hyatt House, Staybridge Suites, and Drury Plaza all accept pets in this guide. Rules vary by property, even inside one brand. The Staybridge in Mount Pleasant, for example, uses different pet rules than the North Charleston location.

About the Author

Robert Smith is the owner of Charleston.com and the founder of The Chart Group, a Johns Island media company that has spent years producing photography, video, and web work for Lowcountry businesses. He writes from first-hand experience: the restaurants he has eaten at, the shows he has seen, and the trips he has actually taken.