Set in the heart of downtown Charleston, The Ansonborough stands out for both its convenient location and its historic charm. The hotel opened in 2024, a reimagination of what was once The Ansonborough Inn, with a more modern design that still maintains the building’s original historic elements. Originally built in 1901 as a three-story stationer’s warehouse, the structure’s thick heart pine beams and exposed fire-red brick have been preserved with the hotel’s revamp. As you walk into the space, your eyes drift upward where the beams are hit with shafts of light from the windows rimming the vaulted ceiling. Meanwhile, the design team behind Studio 11 Design has made updates throughout, with touches like brushed gold fixtures, subway tile backsplashes, and mosaic tile flooring. The 45 rooms are all spacious with unique layouts, and many show off 16- to 20-foot-high ceilings and are punctuated by original artwork.
Set directly beside The Ansonborough’s lobby entrance, Scarborough & Squirrel acts as both a breakfast nook and gathering space by day, and a cocktail bar by night. A complimentary continental breakfast is available to all, but guests must order through an app, which also offers additional items like breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and quiche. In the afternoon, the selection changes to charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and pimento or she-crab dips, and the cocktail menu appears with options like a peach bourbon mule and the Water Lily, made with Hendrick’s gin, Cointreau, crème de cassis, and fresh lemon. There’s also a selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Don’t miss a peek at the poker room, tucked into a hidden enclave toward the back of the bar.
A highlight of a stay here involves taking the elevator up to the lush rooftop garden where fire pits and views of the Cooper River Bridge seem to float above the city’s cobblestone streets. From there, the hotel’s location on East Bay Street, right near the city’s waterfront park, makes it easy to get out and explore.
