Charleston offers a breadth of hotel options, from major chains to intimate B&Bs. But if you’ve come for history in the Holy City, there’s no better place to stay than 86 Cannon Historic Inn. Comprising five 1860s-era residential buildings that house 10 rooms of various styles and layouts, the property settles you into a living piece of Charleston history. Originally built by a former chief of police, the property was owned by merchants, political families, and later, by Peter Poinsette, whose sister Septima P. Clark was a noted Civil Rights activist.
In 2015, Marion and Lori Hawkins bought the property from the Poinsette family, who had owned it for more than 60 years. The Hawkinses spent one-and-a-half years on the initial renovation to transform it into an inn. While guest rooms in the main house have been open for several years, 86 Cannon became fully realized in the summer of 2024—having acquired a few other properties next to the original, the Hawkinses have put the finishing touches in place, including the addition of a petite, razor-edge pool and surrounding courtyard, with an additional building housing a pool cabana as well as another guest room.
Today, the adults-only property is ready to welcome you with its mid-century touches, European finesse, and spacious modern bathrooms. There’s a luxurious breakfast served daily and a wine hour each evening, as well as plenty of private common areas, like a salon, a piazza-like porch, a vinyl- and book-stocked library, and a luscious garden courtyard. It’s just the spot to settle in for a good, long stay.
The Neighborhood
A 5-minute walk from King Street, this luxury property sits amongst other residences but remains at the heart of the city’s action. You’re not far from attractions like the South Carolina Aquarium and Aiken-Rhett House, but you can also make like a local and spend your time having lunch at Leon’s Oyster Shop, shopping King Street, and grabbing a drink at Vintage Lounge.
The Food Scene
Breakfast each morning goes beyond continental, with fresh vegetarian quiche from babas on Cannon, breads from Tiller Baking Co., and yogurt, eggs, pastries, and more all served in the inn’s second-story cafe in the main house. You can take your coffee and breakfast items out to the piazza, where a breeze rustles the lightweight curtains. In the evenings, a charcuterie spread and chilled wines are set in the same space for a happy hour experience. You’re also at the heart of the city’s best dining neighborhood with favorites like Vern’s, Sorghum and Salt, and Kultura within blocks of the property.
The Digs
Spread across five buildings, the inn’s 10 rooms each have their own distinct appeal. The main house’s loft king and piazza king are central to the property and provide direct access to rooms like the salon and library, while the cottage suites, set in a dogtrot-style building next door, offer more spacious privacy, complete with access to the landscaped courtyard. No matter which room you choose, you can expect nods to the property’s historic past, with exposed brick, wood beams, and a mix of traditional and modern furnishings, as well as luxury linens, sound machines, Drybar hair dryers, and Boca terry robes and slippers.
