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The Francis Marion Hotel Charleston, South Carolina
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Hotel comparison guide

The Francis Marion Hotel vs The Cooper

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

Grand lobby seating area with columns and chandeliers at The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

Historic · Event-friendly · Downtown

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

The Cooper, Charleston, South Carolina

The Cooper

Five-star · Waterfront · Highly rated

Best for guests who want a modern, five-star waterfront stay with strong guest-satisfaction scores and full-service resort amenities.

Quick Verdict: The Francis Marion Hotel vs The Cooper

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.

The Francis Marion Hotel vs The Cooper – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for The Francis Marion Hotel and The Cooper
CategoryThe Francis Marion HotelThe Cooper
Overall vibeHistoric downtown hotel with classic Lowcountry character and formal ballroomsContemporary five-star waterfront hotel with resort-style amenities
Location387 King St, across from Marion Square in the historic district176 Concord Street, steps from Waterfront Park and Charleston City Market
Size (rooms)Roughly 235 rooms across 12 stories191 individually decorated guestrooms
Era / styleBuilt 1924; historic landmark, last major renovation 2008Modern luxury positioning (five-star)
PoolsNo on-site swimming pool or hot tub1 outdoor pool (on-site)
Restaurants & barsSwamp Fox Restaurant & Bar (Southern/Lowcountry) + on-site Starbucks3 restaurants, Mediterranean cuisine at The Crossing, 24-hour room service
Spa & fitnessThe Spa of Charleston (boutique, 2 treatment rooms) and 24-hour fitness centerFull-service spa with multiple treatment offerings and 24-hour fitness facilities
Known forHistoric ballrooms, wedding and conference spaceVery high guest ratings and polished luxury waterfront experience
Family policyAll ages welcomed (family-friendly)
Accessibility & meetingsExtensive ballroom and meeting space (~18,000 sq ft); wheelchair-accessible rooms availableLarge conference center (20,000 sq ft), multiple meeting rooms, broad accessibility features

A Look Inside The Francis Marion Hotel

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Location: Downtown historic access vs Waterfront convenience

The Francis Marion Hotel – Location

The Francis Marion sits at King and Calhoun Streets, directly across Marion Square in the heart of Charleston's historic district.

  • Steps from King Street shopping, the College of Charleston and several museums
  • Short walks to Charleston City Market and a range of downtown restaurants
  • No on-site beach access; beaches require ground transport from downtown

Choose Francis Marion for immediate access to historic downtown attractions and King Street shopping.

The Cooper – Location

The Cooper is centrally located near Waterfront Park and the Charleston City Market with quick access to harbor-front sites.

  • Steps from Waterfront Park and a short walk to City Market
  • Addresses waterfront activities and has a marina/boat services listed
  • Roundtrip airport shuttle available for a surcharge (arranged in advance)

Choose The Cooper if you want waterfront proximity and easy access to harbor attractions.

Rooms: Classic historic rooms vs Individually decorated luxury rooms

The Francis Marion Hotel – Rooms

Francis Marion rooms skew classic and traditional, with a range from standard rooms to the Francis Marion suite.

  • Room types include Traditional Room, Deluxe Room, Standard Room and Suite (Francis Marion)
  • Complimentary Wi‑Fi in rooms and public areas
  • Some rooms offer harbor views and select rooms include sofa beds

Pick Francis Marion for a traditional downtown Charleston room in a landmark building.

The Cooper – Rooms

The Cooper lists 191 individually decorated guestrooms, including waterfront and balcony room options plus suites.

  • Room types include Deluxe Room, Premier Room, multiple waterfront and balcony options, Studio and Presidential Suite
  • Rooms feature iPads, minibars, pillowtop beds and premium bedding
  • Digital programming and complimentary Wi‑Fi throughout

Choose The Cooper for modern, design-focused rooms and several waterfront-facing options.

Dining & drinks: Local Lowcountry fare vs Multi-venue dining

The Francis Marion Hotel – Dining & drinks

Dining centers on The Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar and an on-site Starbucks for quick coffee.

  • Swamp Fox serves Southern/Lowcountry cuisine with set breakfast, lunch and dinner hours
  • Live piano music in the lounge on select evenings
  • Parkview Room available for private dining and smaller events

Francis Marion suits travelers looking for classic Lowcountry meals and a downtown lounge atmosphere.

The Cooper – Dining & drinks

The Cooper offers multiple food-and-drink outlets, including Mediterranean options and 24-hour room service.

  • Three restaurants on site; The Crossing serves Mediterranean cuisine
  • 24-hour room service and a coffee shop/café with snacks
  • Cooked-to-order breakfasts available daily (surcharge)

Pick The Cooper for a greater variety of on-site dining choices and full room service.

Pools & signature amenity: No pool vs Waterfront pool and marina

The Francis Marion Hotel – Pools & signature amenity

The Francis Marion does not have an on-site swimming pool or hot tub; it points guests to nearby public pools or wellness centers.

  • No on-site pool — guests directed to MUSC Wellness Center or public pools for day passes
  • Downtown location emphasizes walkable access to city attractions instead
  • Fitness center is available 24/7 for guest workouts

If an on-site pool matters, Francis Marion is not the right pick.

The Cooper – Pools & signature amenity

The Cooper provides on-site outdoor pool access and lists a marina/boat services on property.

  • One outdoor pool available for guests
  • Boat on site and boat tours/boat services offered
  • Pool access hours and policies are set by the hotel (supplier listing notes typical pool hours)

The Cooper is better if pool access and waterfront activities are priorities.

Wellness & nightlife: Boutique spa and classic lounge vs Full-service spa and nightlife options

The Francis Marion Hotel – Wellness & nightlife

Francis Marion has a boutique Spa of Charleston and a small-but-complete fitness center with Pelotons.

  • Spa of Charleston with 2 treatment rooms and signature Lowcountry treatments
  • 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes, treadmills and weights
  • Swamp Fox lounge offers live piano music several evenings a week

Francis Marion suits guests who want a boutique spa plus downtown evening options.

The Cooper – Wellness & nightlife

The Cooper offers a full-service spa, 24-hour fitness facilities and multiple on-site outlets for evening dining or drinks.

  • Full-service spa with a range of massages, body treatments and facials
  • 24-hour fitness center and fitness classes available on site
  • On-site dining and bar options support evening plans without leaving the hotel

The Cooper is the stronger choice for comprehensive on-site wellness and after-hours dining.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for weddings & big events
View down the carpeted lobby corridor with chandeliers and seating at The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

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

Best for waterfront stays
The Cooper, Charleston, South Carolina

The Cooper

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

Best for a polished five-star stay
The Cooper, Charleston, South Carolina

The Cooper

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

Best for historic Charleston atmosphere
Lobby view with central round table and seating under chandeliers at The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

Francis Marion — a 1924 landmark with classic Lowcountry dining and a central King Street address.

Frequently asked questions

The Francis Marion Hotel vs The Cooper: FAQs

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Which hotel is closer to Charleston's historic sites and King Street?

The Francis Marion is directly on King Street across Marion Square and puts you a short walk from many historic attractions.

Does The Francis Marion have a pool?

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.

Is The Cooper family-friendly or adults-only?

The Cooper is not listed as adults-only; children are allowed (supplier listing shows adultsOnly: false).

Which property is better for on-site dining and room service?

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.

Seating area by tall draped windows in the lobby at The Francis Marion Hotel
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The nightly rate shown is the lowest nightly rate we found for The Francis Marion Hotel after searching every available night up to 12 months in advance, based on single occupancy (one guest). We compared that rate with publicly available rates on other online travel agencies (OTAs), such as Expedia, Hotels.com and similar sites, and show the price difference we found. We don't name the specific site each comparison came from.

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