Checking In: A Review of The Beaufort Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina

Welcome to Checking In, a series of posts dedicated to the places we stay when we travel.

When it comes to choosing a neighborhood to stay in Beaufort, there’s no better area than downtown. It’s compact, walkable, and filled with shops and restaurants.

And when it comes to choosing a place to stay in downtown Beaufort, look no further than The Beaufort Inn. The historic inn has been welcoming guests to the Lowcountry for over a century, even though the property looks a little different than it did in the 1920s. What was once a family’s stately summer retreat now boasts more than forty rooms ready to welcome the modern-day traveler. After finally getting the chance to visit last month, I’m so thrilled to be able to share my experience with you today. Heading to Beaufort yourself? You’ll want to keep reading to learn more about this charming inn.

Note: Our stay at The Beaufort Inn was generously hosted by Visit Beaufort, but as always, all opinions are my own. This post contains commissionable links.

ABOUT THE BEAUFORT INN

The Beaufort Inn is a 47-room boutique inn located in downtown Beaufort, South Carolina. The main building of this historic inn was built in 1897 and received its first overnight guests in 1920. But rather than a single building housing all of the guest rooms, The Beaufort Inn is now a collection of historic properties located within the same block, providing ample outdoor and courtyard space for today’s guests on the sprawling property. Even to this day, the most prominent building remains the Wallace Smith Mansion, or the Main Inn. This eye-catching pink building is where guests are greeted at check-in, and also houses nine guest rooms on the upper floors – only once you are outside do you begin to notice all of the inn’s other cottages (none quite as vibrant as the Main Inn, but all incredibly charming and very much in-line with the city’s architectural character).

The cottages range in style from studios to multi-bedroom apartments – but all are thoughtfully outfitted. Detailing each and every room here would be difficult, as each accommodation type is so very different – but you can view photos and read a description of each space here.

One of the perks of staying in an inn (or a traditional bed and breakfast) is the shared common areas. Guests have the run of the inside and outside of The Beaufort Inn, from the cozy parlor in the Main Inn to the wraparound porches to any of the outdoor courtyards. Comfortable seating is provided in each common space, and as there are so many options, guests can choose whether they want to interact socially or find somewhere more secluded to relax and unwind.

The inn offers ample amenities both on- and off-property (more on those in a moment!), as well as in-room. As each room, suite, and cottage differs from one another, I can only offer a look into our home-away-from-home during this visit: the Port Republic Cottages.

ABOUT THE PORT REPUBLIC COTTAGES

The Port Republic Cottages are two duplex cottages located next to the Main Inn on Port Republic Street, each ready to greet visitors with a set of rocking chairs and a patio table – setting the tone for your visit to Beaufort. The railroad-style apartment is accessed via keycard, and upon opening the door you find yourself right in the cozy living room. With a wet bar, coffeemaker, pull-out sofa, writing desk, and TV, this space would certainly come in handy for a lengthy stay or a family traveling with kids. Heading further into the cottage, you’ll find a spacious bathroom (truly – it’s as large as one of our spare bedrooms) which includes a feature you don’t frequently find in modern hotels: a bathtub. But those who prefer bathing standing up aren’t out of luck – there’s a large walk-in shower, too.

At the end of the line is the bedroom, with its king-size bed, armoire with television, extra seating, a closet (with bathrobes!), and a door to the back courtyards. There is plenty of storage for clothing and luggage, a pair of nightstands with enough outlets to charge your devices, and – my favorite – a ceiling fan. Although the weather was cool during our October visit, a ceiling fan is a very helpful thing to have in the Lowcountry. As a couple, we had more room than we possibly needed for our weekend away, which felt like such a luxury.

AMENITIES AND EXTRAS AT THE BEAUFORT INN

The Beaufort Inn offers all of the in-room amenities you’ve come to expect, but where they really spoil their guests is out on the property and beyond. Coffee and bottled water are available day and night in the Main Inn’s parlor room (plus a little candy during our visit, but I think that was just for Halloween!). S’mores packets are provided seasonally, so once the sun sets and the fire pits are ignited, guests have the opportunity to make their own sweet snack (I’m not ashamed to admit I made s’mores both nights!).

The inn also encourages guests to get active by providing a complimentary pass for Hunting Island State Park, free bicycle checkouts, and pool access (note, the pool is located off-site) – or you can simply stay and work on your cornhole skills out back.

Rather than providing breakfast in-house, guests receive a meal voucher for each night of their visit. This voucher is redeemable at two restaurants just a block away: Blackstone’s Cafe or Rain -N- Bagels. Both of these spots are favorites in the community, and you can’t go wrong with either!

A REVIEW OF THE BEAUFORT INN

I wasn’t ready to leave The Beaufort Inn, which speaks volumes about the quality of our stay.

From the moment we arrived, I felt like a weight had been lifted. The pace of life in Beaufort is a little slower than in Charlotte, and I fell in step with ease. The inn is right where you want to be to explore downtown Beaufort, and they provide ample parking so guests can avoid paying for street or private lot parking to access the area’s shops and restaurants. Each staff member we encountered was eager to help us find something to do or eat, and happy to guide us throughout the property if we needed help locating something. The desk was always staffed by at least one person, which meant we never felt lost and always had immediate access to the property’s amenities.

As for the setting, I appreciate that The Beaufort Inn embraces its history and age – none of the buildings pretend to be modern, and I love that the team didn’t paint over the character that comes with time or renovate anything in a trendy way. Everything in the Main Inn and our Port Republic Cottage felt authentic – from a slightly creaky spot in the wood floor to normal wear and tear on furniture that is no longer made like it once was. Our bed was supportive and comfortable, and loaded with pillow options (an important element I can no longer overlook), and there were more than enough surfaces where we could lay our things. We noticed our neighbors were a little louder than the average person, and their voices carried through the living room walls at times during the day (as for the evenings, my travel sound machine does an excellent job of drowning out excess noise) – regardless, we were grateful they were only our neighbors for one night. If I could change anything about our room, it would be adding a full-length mirror. I know not everyone feels this way, but I find it so helpful for getting ready for the day!

And speaking of the day – we tried our best to take advantage of as many of The Beaufort Inn’s amenities as we could. Both breakfast options are fantastic (the Cajun shrimp and grits at Blackstone’s Cafe is not to be missed, and you can’t go wrong with any of the bagels at Rain -N- Bagels). The bikes made cruising a little further into Beaufort a breeze, allowing us to stop and enjoy sights we might have otherwise missed on foot or in the car. Borrowing the inn’s pass for Hunting Island saved us $16 (this fact shouldn’t be overlooked as you’re comparing lodging options!). And most of all, I loved spending evenings at The Beaufort Inn by the fire pit, making s’mores and new friends.

FAQ

Where is The Beaufort Inn located?

The Beaufort Inn is located right in the heart of downtown Beaufort, at 809 Port Republic St, Beaufort, SC 29902.

Are there parking fees?

Nope! Parking at The Beaufort Inn is free – just be sure to share your tag number with the staff at check-in to avoid being towed from their private lot (I recommend taking a photo of your plate with your phone).

Does The Beaufort Inn offer housekeeping services?

While the room will be cleaned and prepared for your arrival, service may currently be unavailable during your visit. However, the front desk staff are more than happy to provide anything you may need. [edit: it appears housekeeping may have resumed]

Does The Beaufort Inn provide breakfast?

No… but also, yes! Breakfast at The Beaufort Inn actually occurs off-site. Guests currently have the choice of redeeming their breakfast vouchers at either Blackstone’s Cafe ($10 per person) or Rain -N- Bagels ($7 per person). We dined at both during our stay; I recommend the former for a sit-down breakfast and the latter for breakfast on the go!

What’s nearby?

It would be easier to share what isn’t nearby, as there are so many options for visitors to Beaufort: shopping, dining, parks, and more are all within walking distance. You can check out my Beaufort guide for all the recommendations! As for what’s not nearby – we missed having some sort of late-night grocery or convenience store (Chapman’s Grocer closes at 6 p.m.) within walking distance.

Are children permitted to stay at The Beaufort Inn?

Yes, however, children under 12 may not stay in the rooms located in the Main Inn.

Is The Beaufort Inn pet-friendly?

Yes! But only for dogs weighing up to 40 pounds. Guests wishing to bring their best friend should call the inn for availability, as pet-friendly rooms are limited. You can review the current pricing information on their website.

Can I host my event at The Beaufort Inn?

Absolutely – with eight different on-site venues, the inn is ready to host events ranging from work conferences to weddings.

Does The Beaufort Inn offer any discounts or specials?

They do! Whether you’re visiting Beaufort for a big event (like the Beaufort International Film Festival) or are celebrating a milestone with a loved one, be sure to check out the Special Offers page before booking. The inn frequently runs discounts and offers packages that may net you savings on your stay.

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Did I miss any of your questions about The Beaufort Inn? Let me know in the comments!