
The Francis Marion Hotel
Best for weddings, meetings and a historic downtown Charleston experience with easy access to King Street and Marion Square.
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The Francis Marion Hotel is a long-running, historic 4-star hotel in downtown Charleston that suits travelers who want classic Lowcountry charm and large event space. The Cooper is a five-star, waterfront Charleston hotel with very high guest ratings for travelers seeking polished, modern luxury and waterfront proximity.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for weddings, meetings and a historic downtown Charleston experience with easy access to King Street and Marion Square.

Best for guests who want a modern, five-star waterfront stay with strong guest-satisfaction scores and full-service resort amenities.
When The Francis Marion Hotel wins: choose Francis Marion if you prioritize a central historic location, multiple grand ballrooms and dedicated event space for weddings or conferences, plus a classic Charleston atmosphere.
When The Cooper wins: choose The Cooper if you want contemporary five-star service, waterfront views, an outdoor pool and a polished spa-and-dining program reflected in very high guest ratings.
Bottom line: both are luxury contenders in downtown Charleston; pick Francis Marion for history and event capability, pick The Cooper for elevated waterfront accommodations and highly rated guest experience.
| Category | The Francis Marion Hotel | The Cooper |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic downtown hotel with classic Lowcountry character and formal ballrooms | Contemporary five-star waterfront hotel with resort-style amenities |
| Location | 387 King St, across from Marion Square in the historic district | 176 Concord Street, steps from Waterfront Park and Charleston City Market |
| Size (rooms) | Roughly 235 rooms across 12 stories | 191 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Era / style | Built 1924; historic landmark, last major renovation 2008 | Modern luxury positioning (five-star) |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool or hot tub | 1 outdoor pool (on-site) |
| Restaurants & bars | Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar (Southern/Lowcountry) + on-site Starbucks | 3 restaurants, Mediterranean cuisine at The Crossing, 24-hour room service |
| Spa & fitness | The Spa of Charleston (boutique, 2 treatment rooms) and 24-hour fitness center | Full-service spa with multiple treatment offerings and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Known for | Historic ballrooms, wedding and conference space | Very high guest ratings and polished luxury waterfront experience |
| Family policy | All ages welcomed (family-friendly) | |
| Accessibility & meetings | Extensive ballroom and meeting space (~18,000 sq ft); wheelchair-accessible rooms available | Large conference center (20,000 sq ft), multiple meeting rooms, broad accessibility features |
The Francis Marion sits at King and Calhoun Streets, directly across Marion Square in the heart of Charleston's historic district.
Choose Francis Marion for immediate access to historic downtown attractions and King Street shopping.
The Cooper is centrally located near Waterfront Park and the Charleston City Market with quick access to harbor-front sites.
Choose The Cooper if you want waterfront proximity and easy access to harbor attractions.
Francis Marion rooms skew classic and traditional, with a range from standard rooms to the Francis Marion suite.
Pick Francis Marion for a traditional downtown Charleston room in a landmark building.
The Cooper lists 191 individually decorated guestrooms, including waterfront and balcony room options plus suites.
Choose The Cooper for modern, design-focused rooms and several waterfront-facing options.
Dining centers on The Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar and an on-site Starbucks for quick coffee.
Francis Marion suits travelers looking for classic Lowcountry meals and a downtown lounge atmosphere.
The Cooper offers multiple food-and-drink outlets, including Mediterranean options and 24-hour room service.
Pick The Cooper for a greater variety of on-site dining choices and full room service.
The Francis Marion does not have an on-site swimming pool or hot tub; it points guests to nearby public pools or wellness centers.
If an on-site pool matters, Francis Marion is not the right pick.
The Cooper provides on-site outdoor pool access and lists a marina/boat services on property.
The Cooper is better if pool access and waterfront activities are priorities.
Francis Marion has a boutique Spa of Charleston and a small-but-complete fitness center with Pelotons.
Francis Marion suits guests who want a boutique spa plus downtown evening options.
The Cooper offers a full-service spa, 24-hour fitness facilities and multiple on-site outlets for evening dining or drinks.
The Cooper is the stronger choice for comprehensive on-site wellness and after-hours dining.

Francis Marion — multiple historic ballrooms and ~18,000 sq ft of event space make it ideal for large weddings and conferences.

The Cooper — waterfront location, marina and outdoor pool put you closer to harbor activities and views.

The Cooper — five-star positioning, many on-site dining outlets and a full-service spa match elevated guest expectations.

Francis Marion — a 1924 landmark with classic Lowcountry dining and a central King Street address.
The Francis Marion is directly on King Street across Marion Square and puts you a short walk from many historic attractions.
No — The Francis Marion does not have an on-site swimming pool or hot tub; guests are referred to nearby public pools or wellness centers.
The Cooper is not listed as adults-only; children are allowed (supplier listing shows adultsOnly: false).
The Cooper has more on-site dining venues (three restaurants) and 24-hour room service; Francis Marion has the Swamp Fox Restaurant and an on-site Starbucks.
Explore how The Francis Marion Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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