Bright and beautiful Charlotte is North Carolina’s biggest city, filled with excellent museums, restaurants and stacks of family-friendly activities. Popular with both business and leisure travellers, there is a considerable variety of accommodation on offer, ranging from intimate B&Bs to chic, contemporary hotels. Our pick of the best places to stay in Charlotte includes a lavish centrally-located property, a historic mansion and an expansive resort with lots for everyone to do.

Having grown rich during Carolina Gold Rush, and later benefitting from the cotton and textile boom, the city is now one of the largest banking hubs in the USA. Its centre dominated by futuristic skyscrapers, Charlotte remains a funky, lively city, with top-notch museums, galleries and historic sites to explore. Big hitters include the Levine Museum of the New South, the Charlotte History Museum and the Mint Museum Uptown. Uptown — as Charlotte’s downtown area is known — is also home to restaurants aplenty, as well as one of our favourite luxury hotels. Head to trendy NoDa, where cool cafés and hip breweries are housed in old textile mills, or to the boutiques and eateries of Plaza Midwood, for a real sense of the city. Don't miss admiring beautiful edifices — including that of one of our other hotel recommendations — as you stroll through the historic neighbourhood of Myers Park, to the south.

Beyond the city limits, the Historic Latta Plantation and the Billy Graham Library will be of particular interest to history aficionados looking to delve deeper into the South’s complex past. Adventurous travellers of all ages, on the other hand, will adore adrenaline-fuelled fun at the US National Whitewater Centre, the race-car simulator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and learning about birds of prey at the Carolina Raptor Centre.

Whether you're in the city on business, dreaming of a romantic hideaway or keen for an active family holiday, the best places to stay in Charlotte promise beautiful bedrooms, fantastic facilities and a wonderful Southern welcome.

The Best Places to Stay in Charlotte

For Swish City Style

• The Ritz Carlton Charlotte is a super-swish property in Charlotte's vibrant downtown area. Expect smart, stylish rooms featuring big cosy beds and local artwork, an indulgent two-level spa, a rooftop garden and a selection of top-notch bars and restaurants. Brilliant for business or leisure travellers.
• Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel is an impressive, ultra-modern pick. Housed in a glittering glass edifice, luxurious guestrooms offer splendid city views, marble bathrooms are large and lavish, and there's a trendy rooftop bar. The in-room massages are the icing on the cake! For well-heeled visitors.
• Grand Bohemian Hotel promises an elegant fusion of contemporary comforts with retro-inspired glamour. Stay here for the richly-decorated interiors, including patterned wallpapers and twinkling chandeliers, as well as the delicious fare served at the taps and fine-dining restaurants. The cool cocktail bar is a highlight! Appealingly central.

For Boutique Chic

• The Dunhill Hotel is a chic boutique bolthole in uptown Charlotte, with 60 stylish, deep turquoise-walled rooms and heaps of Southern hospitality. Pick this place for a central hotel with a fresh, crisp feel and a lovely restaurant.
• The Ivey's Hotel is a glamorous boutique choice with 42 spacious, sophisticated guestrooms and striking marble bathrooms. Stay here for a romantic uptown getaway. 5Church, the popular onsite restaurant, is not owned by the hotel, but it is a lovely local favourite. Hip and decadent.

For a Heritage B&B

• The Duke Mansion is a gorgeous heritage property, perfect for romantic retreats or intimate weddings. The 100-year-old house boasts 20 beautifully-appointed bedrooms and sits within the historic Myers Park neighbourhood, full of shops and restaurants. Stay here for the classic Southern charm and sense of seclusion, just 2 miles from the city centre.

For a Family-Friendly Resort

• The Ballantyne is an extensive, newly-built resort on the outskirts of Charlotte. Pick this place for its terrific facilities -- including an 18-hole golf course, a spa and slick business centre -- as well as its attractive interior decor, fusing contemporary touches with a classic feel. Kids will love the junior golf lessons, bike rides, whirlpool and lawn games. An excellent family, business or wedding choice, with stacks of space and lots to do!

FOR AN APARTMENT OR VILLA

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Fly to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and hop aboard a bus or take a taxi into the city. The journey should take around 30 minutes by bus.
• North Carolina is a wonderful region to explore by road. Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Summers in Charlotte are hot and can be very busy. Time your trip for the spring (March - May) or autumn (September - November) for fewer crowds, lovely temperatures and great hotel offers.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our pick of all the best places to stay in Asheville.
• Broaden your search to include the best places to stay in North Carolina.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.