Best Charlotte Hotels

The Ballantyne is really the only true resort hotel in Charlotte. Guests will need to have a car to reach this country club, spa-like resort, since it’s a half-hour drive from downtown. The Ballantyne has a grandiose main building that overlooks the property, while the lodge and cottage have a country feel to them. Ask for a room with a golf view, otherwise you may be staring out at a parking lot. Guest rooms are average in size, and feature charming southern décor, with large flat-screen televisions and a wet bar. We especially like the suites, which have as much as 1,200 square feet of space. The hotel’s 20,000 square-foot spa is widely-acclaimed; others come to the Ballantyne for the golf. While the Gallery restaurant is okay, we prefer the Gallery Bar and Veranda Bar, which has a great view of the 18th Fairway. Other amenities on-site include two swimming pools, tennis courts and boutique shops. 

The Dunhill Hotel is one of the best Charlotte hotels, and one with a vibrant and colorful past that dates back to the early 1900s. With its beautiful architecture and grandiose décor, it's by far the most elegant hotel in the city. Only 10 stories high, it retains the same historic architecture as it had when it opened in 1929. Guest rooms at the Dunhill offer a nice balance of vintage décor and contemporary furniture—although the beds are not the most comfortable we've ever stayed in. The staff is attentive and welcoming; guests are often older and loyal clientele who have been visiting for years. The onsite restaurant, Monticello, is pricey, but well done and worth it. With its Uptown location in the heart of the city, Dunhill provides easy access to downtown Charlotte restaurants and attractions.

This Bed & Breakfast is listed in the national Register of Historic Places. Once owned by James Buchanan Duke, founder of Duke University, it is now operated as a nonprofit with all proceeds going to preserve this community treasure. The mansion and its beautiful grounds are located in Myers Park, one of Charlotte's most prestigious neighborhoods. The décor is southern Victorian, with black and white marble floors and a big porch with white columns and rocking chairs. Each of the 20 guest rooms is unique, combining classic elegance with modern comfort, such as plush robes, fine toiletries and comfortable beds. We love the newspapers at our door each morning, and the huge homemade breakfasts. 

Guests without a car prefer this Charlotte hotel, as it offers complimentary shuttle services to nearby areas of town, and is conveniently located in Uptown, close to downtown restaurants and attractions. The Marriott is one of the city’s older-looking hotels, but inside offers the first-class amenities and service that are expected from Marriott. The 297 rooms include a work desk and ergonomic chair for business travelers. The beds are comfortable, and the TVs include HD channels. The hotel features an outdoor pool, which is popular with the kids during the summer, as well as an indoor pool for cooler months. Other amenities include a spa, sauna, fitness center and complimentary Internet access.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Charlotte is an upper-class business hotel at a value. Ideal for the business traveler on the go, the Crowne Plaza cuts out unnecessary amenities and related costs, but provides everything needed for a comfortable stay. We like the comfortable beds and the light breakfast included in our stay. The staff—from the van drivers to the front desk—is very friendly and helpful. Even the GM has a reputation for going above and beyond. Since it’s located in the Uptown neighborhood, the hotel is close to many of downtown Charlotte’s services and attractions.

Free happy hour, free breakfast, free Internet and big two-room suites—these are some of the reasons we like the Hyatt Summerfield Suites. The hotel has a low-key, comfortable ambiance, and the guest rooms feel more like a condo than a hotel, with amenities such as a kitchenette, cookware, refrigerator and microwave. Located right off Interstate 77, the hotel is just minutes from the Charlotte airport. A complimentary shuttle is available at scheduled times throughout the day, and the staff is helpful and friendly.