
The Francis Marion Hotel
Best for events and classic Charleston character — large ballrooms and historic meeting spaces make it a strong pick for weddings and conferences.
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The Francis Marion Hotel is a 4-star 1920s landmark on King Street for travelers who want historic downtown Charleston and event-ready ballrooms. The Dewberry Charleston is a 5-star, design-forward luxury hotel near Marion Square for travelers wanting polished mid-century–style interiors, an on-site spa, and a central urban stay.
Updated · about 0.1 mi (0.2 km) apart

Best for events and classic Charleston character — large ballrooms and historic meeting spaces make it a strong pick for weddings and conferences.

Best for design-minded couples and adults who want a polished luxury stay with a full-service spa and on-site bars and restaurants.
When The Francis Marion Hotel wins: choose the Francis Marion if you want a landmark, historically styled hotel in the heart of King Street with extensive ballroom and meeting space, family-friendly rooms, and easy access to downtown cultural attractions.
When The Dewberry Charleston wins: choose The Dewberry for a boutique-luxury, design-focused stay with a full-service spa, curated restaurants and bars, and a more modern, upscale urban atmosphere.
Bottom line: both anchor downtown Charleston and put you steps from Marion Square and the College of Charleston; pick Francis Marion for history, event capacity, and traditional Southern dining, or pick The Dewberry for contemporary luxury, an on-site spa, and a refined downtown experience.
| Category | The Francis Marion Hotel | The Dewberry Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | 1920s landmark hotel with classic Southern details and large historic ballrooms | Design-forward, mid-century–inspired luxury with polished urban interiors |
| Location | Corner of King & Calhoun Street, overlooking Marion Square in the historic district | |
| Size | About 12 stories and roughly 235 rooms | 152 rooms |
| Star rating / guest score | 4-star (historic hotel); public guest scores vary | 5-star · guest rating 9.6 |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool or hot tub | |
| Restaurants & bars | The Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar (Southern/Lowcountry) + on-site Starbucks | 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges, including The Living Room (on-site dining and room service available) |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa of Charleston (boutique spa with 2 treatment rooms) + 24-hour fitness center | Full-service spa with treatment rooms and fitness facilities |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive event space (~18,000 sq ft), multiple grand ballrooms (historic) and meeting rooms | 3 meeting rooms and a ballroom; smaller overall event footprint |
| Accessibility & practicalities | Valet and nearby city-owned garage parking; 24-hour front desk; pet policy updated (verify) | Valet parking (surcharge), uncovered parking, free WiFi, wheelchair-accessible features, 24-hour front desk |
| Known for | Historic charm, ballrooms, downtown proximity to shopping and museums | Mid-century design, polished luxury, on-site spa and bars |
The Francis Marion sits on King Street directly across from Marion Square in Charleston’s historic district.
Choose Francis Marion for immediate access to historic King Street attractions and Marion Square.
The Dewberry is centrally located on Meeting Street, also within easy walking distance of Marion Square and downtown sights.
Choose The Dewberry for a central downtown base with short walks to the same core attractions.
Francis Marion rooms emphasize classic, historic styling with a handful of room categories and suites.
Rooms at Francis Marion suit travelers after historic character and practical family-friendly layouts.
The Dewberry's room roster is design-forward and detailed, with many signature and ADA options.
The Dewberry is a better choice if you want a variety of modern, design-led room types and suite options.
Francis Marion centers on Southern and Lowcountry dishes at The Swamp Fox, plus an on-site Starbucks.
Francis Marion is the straightforward pick for classic Southern meals and event catering in a historic setting.
The Dewberry offers multiple on-site dining outlets and bars with room service and curated menus.
The Dewberry is the pick for guests seeking in-house dining variety and evening bar/lounge options.
The Francis Marion does not have an on-site pool or hot tub.
Don’t pick Francis Marion if you need an on-site pool; it’s a downtown, non-resort property.
The Dewberry supplier listing does not show an on-site pool.
The Dewberry prioritizes spa and design amenities over pool facilities.
Francis Marion offers a boutique spa and a 24-hour fitness center, plus an on-site lounge with live music.
Francis Marion gives a solid combination of spa services and late-night piano in a historic lounge.
The Dewberry includes a full-service spa and fitness facilities alongside on-site bars for evening drinks.
The Dewberry is the stronger pick for a full-service spa and in-house evening bar scene.

Large historic ballrooms and roughly 18,000 sq ft of event space make Francis Marion ideal for weddings and conferences.

The Dewberry’s mid-century design, curated room types, and full-service spa suit travelers who prioritize contemporary luxury.

Francis Marion is family-friendly, offers familiar Southern dining and easy access to museums and kid-friendly downtown attractions.

With a full-service spa and multiple bars/lounges, The Dewberry is better if you plan to stay on-site for wellness and evening drinks.
Both hotels are essentially steps from Marion Square; they sit about 0.1 mi (0.2 km) apart from each other.
No — neither The Francis Marion Hotel nor The Dewberry Charleston lists an on-site swimming pool or hot tub.
The Francis Marion is better for large weddings and meetings thanks to multiple grand ballrooms and extensive event space.
No. The Dewberry Charleston is not published as adults-only; it accepts guests of all ages.
Explore how The Francis Marion Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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