Often known as the Queen City, the darling of the South makes a chic and attractive city destination. Reasons to visit North Carolina’s largest city include the excellent shopping, fine restaurants, diverse and interesting neighborhoods, a collection of great museums, uptown’s gleaming skyscrapers and award-winning beer.
Head to the hipper part of town NoDa for former textile mills turned trendy breweries, eclectic cafes, lively bars, galleries and street art galore. Find somewhere funky to stay and make your trip even more interesting, from intimate boutiques to sleek and modern, here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Charlotte, North Carolina (in no particular order)…
1. Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, an IHG Hotel – a hip, modern and trendy hotel located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte
With a splash of traditional Southern hospitality blended with modern luxury, Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in Uptown Charlotte gives you an unforgettable experience every time.
Featuring 19 stories of spacious, bright rooms using the finest materials and a subdued color palette that gives an elegant and relaxing look, you can expect the very best service and complete luxury during your stay.
That begins as you enter the lobby, with its frosted glass-lined staircase rising away to your right and cool modern furniture providing a wonderful space to just take in the ambience, and this continues in Angeline’s, the modern American eatery with Italian-inspired cuisine that gives you the option of outdoor dining under the stars if you like.
In addition, Merchant and Trade sits right at the top of the cool and hip hotel, a rooftop bar with its own unique ambience, including music, curated drinks and shareable snacks. This is a hotel that excels in luxury and service while providing easy access to all the attractions.
2. JW Marriott Charlotte – an elegant 5 star luxury hotel offering the perfect blend of relaxation and city life
Just across the street from the Charlotte Convention Center, JW Marriot brings together the best of Southern service with the latest in luxury, a state-of-the-art hotel that excels in every way.
JW Marriott describes the rooms as ‘quiet luxury’, and it’s pretty accurate. Everything is beautifully made and finished, with high-quality materials including marble tiling in bathrooms and wood in the living areas.
With a steakhouse, oyster bar and a rooftop bar, you have plenty of dining choices in-house, but of course, you are never far from world-class food in Charlotte, so whatever your preference, you will find everything you need.
A rooftop pool, fitness center and spa service give you options of workouts and relaxation, and as a whole, JW Marriott offers a superb experience from the moment you arrive.
3. Le Méridien Charlotte – a cool and trendy newly renovated hotel perfect for partying Millenials and Gen Zs
Sitting close to the convention center in Uptown Charlotte, Le Méridien is a stunning modern hotel with a unique look, making it an unforgettable place to stay.
Enter the lobby and you are greeted by gorgeous wood walls, stunning modern seating designs in black and yellow and large pillars, it lets you know straight away this is a special place to spend time.
Rooms at the cool hotel are luxurious and simple, with brown, black and white the predominant colors.
Quality furnishings, light and space make them especially nice places to spend time, with each featuring a feature wall that includes map designs to make things interesting.
Dining is taken care of by celebrity chef David Burke, with the Red Salt offering a seasonal menu of modern American cuisine, as well as a couple of bars that feature light bites and city views.
An outdoor pool and fitness center finish off the amenities, but it’s the service and stunning décor that you will remember the most.
4. Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, Autograph Collection – a vibrant and very Instagrammable boutique hotel where guests can indulge in a relaxing spa
You can step out of the lobby of the Grand Bohemian in Uptown Charlotte and be at the convention center, NASCAR Hall of Fame or Truist Field in a few minutes, making it a great choice whether you are travelling for business or pleasure.
From that entrance on South Church Street, you walk into the dazzling lobby, with its white walls, bold artwork and stunning floor, along with the most impressive reception desk you will ever find, its glorious mirror finish and abstract pattern definitely one to remember.
Rooms offer elegant luxury, with sumptuous materials and space that give them an airy, welcoming feel. Dining is taken care of by Mico Restaurant, a wonderfully decadent place with an eclectic cuisine that brings South American flavor to life, while the 16th floor Buhu Bar offers incredible views over the city, outdoor dining from the tapas menu and a cocktail bar.
With a Spa and fitness center to help you take care of yourself as well, Grand Bohemian is a great choice for a luxury stay.
5. The Ivey’s Hotel – an upscale chic boutique hotel within walking distance of Charlotte’s top attractions
Sitting at the heart of Uptown Charlotte, Ivey’s Hotel is a short walk from the best of Charlotte’s attractions, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the convention center. A chic boutique hotel featuring 47 spacious rooms, it is every bit the luxurious destination hotel you expect it to be.
Blending modern luxury with the elegance of continental design, décor is classical Parisian style, creating sophisticated by welcoming rooms you will love spending time in.
Elsewhere in the boutique hotel that European style continues, with fine dining in sumptuous surroundings, world class meeting facilities and a fantastic fitness center all there to make your stay a great one.
A highlight is The Library, which is exactly what it says, but also a place to read a book, do some work or relax and enjoy a drink in a quiet environment. Ivey’s brings the best of the grand European hotel tradition to the heart of Charlotte, and is not to be missed.
6. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte – a contemporary and luxury eco-friendly hotel perfect for a memorable stay
Recently rethought and redesigned, The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte is a haven of urban style and modern design, with a choice of stunning suites and rooms to fit every need.
Rooms at the cool hotel feature pieces sourced locally to build that connection and create a unique look that reflects Charlotte today, and include all modern amenities and a range of eco features.
Whether you want to experience a 1930’s speakeasy stile bar in The Punch Room, Cocktails and shared plate eating in the relaxing K Lounge, American steak cuisine with a French twist in BLT Steak or indulge in chocolate fantasies at Bar Cocoa, there is plenty on offer for your dining needs at the hotel.
Add in a spa and pool area to ease the mind and body, and you will find the complete package for a fantastic stay at this impressive hotel.
7. Omni Charlotte – an upscale, trendy and Instagrammable hotel ideal for those wanting to experience what Charlotte has to offer
With a sky bridge linking it to 12 blocks around Uptown Charlotte, if you want the very best of the city on your doorstep, Omni Charlotte is the place to stay.
From the geometric patters of the lobby, with its marble-finished reception desk, to the dark wood and clever designs throughout the hotel, this is a very modern approach to luxurious living.
Rooms at the modern, trendy and fun hotel have the feel of urban loft apartments, with clean lines and plenty of space, using the finest materials, with every surface you touch feeling special.
Dining options include a comprehensive in-room service, the Coin Bar which offers outdoor eating in a stylish bar and grill, and the Trade Restaurant and Bar, offering modern American cuisine and a relaxed dining experience.
With a concierge service and fitness center including in-room ‘fit kits’ for those that prefer a more private workout, Omni Charlotte is a great choice for experiencing the area.
To book, check prices or availability for Omni Charlotte
8. AC Hotel by Marriott Charlotte City Center – a trendy and modern and pet-friendly hotel that is well equipped for an enjoyable stay
From the lobby of this Uptown Charlotte hotel you can see the skyline of the city and so many of its famous attractions, from the convention center to banking headquarters and more.
Unashamedly modern in design, AC Hotel blends the finest materials with simple, elegant design that enhances space and light while ensuring every surface feels special, making them wonderful places to stay during your visit.
Details throughout the cool party hotel include geometric-shaped lighting, curated modern art, both sculptures and paintings, and incredible service that reflects traditional Southern hospitality.
The AC Lounge provides relaxed dining, and the hotel organizes in-room delivery for many local restaurants, giving you an endless choice for your meals. A fitness center provides a welcoming space to workout, giving you everything you need for a stay in Charlotte.
9. Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel – a newly renovated hip-design hotel blending comfort and style
Located in the upscale SouthPark neighborhood, Renaissance features beautifully throughout out modern décor, a wealth of technology and the special brand of hospitality and service you only get in the South.
Beautiful light wood floors and details combine with white walls and furniture to create a sense of space that make each room a pleasure to spend time in, with the communal spaces featuring beautiful water features and majestic design that draw you into the relaxing atmosphere the trendy hotel exudes.
Modern, stylized furniture looks great and is even better to use, comfort is all around you at Renaissance. With dining taken care of by the R Bar, offering casual American cuisine and a relaxed dining experience, or try the R Café coffee house for snacks on the go.
An indoor pool and gym are available for your daily fitness routine, and of course, being close to everything Charlotte has to offer, you can find world-class dining just a short walk away.
10. Aloft Charlotte City Center – a fun, quirky and funky design and tech-savvy hotel ideal for both business and leisure stays
With its loft-inspired design and more relaxed atmosphere, Aloft Charlotte City Center is directly connected to the Overstreet Mall and within easy walking distance of everything Uptown has to offer.
Rooms are beautifully finished with a simplicity that belies the quality and comfort on offer, splashes of color reminding you this is a truly modern experience.
Tech-focused, rooms, a business center and other areas have everything you need to stay connected and get work done on the move, while dining comes from the WXYZ® Bar that serves a range of quality cuisine in an informal atmosphere.
A gym is there for your workout, while exceptional service underpins the entire experience.
11. Dunhill Hotel – a historic, elegant and charming hotel is a piece of tranquillity amongst the hustle of the city
Step back in time with the historic Dunhill Hoteljust steps from the museums, galleries and attractions of Uptown Charlotte.
A member of the Historic Hotels of America, it has been serving travelers since 1929 and is the only historic hotel to be found in the city.
Each of the 60 rooms in this boutique hotel bring the 1920’s to life in their looks, while featuring the modern amenities and technology we expect today for a truly comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Also found in the hotel is The Astbury, its in-house restaurant, offering the best of Southern cuisine with ingredients sourced from throughout the region.
A comprehensive concierge service is the icing on the cake for the superb service you enjoy from the hotel, making this a fantastic choice for those who want to experience the best of modern Charlotte with a glimpse of its wonderful past.
To book, check prices or availability for Dunhill Hotel
12. Kasa Charlotte FreeMoreWest – a cozy, hip and Insta-worthy aparthotel perfect for both short or long-term stays
For those who like to do everything at their own pace, Kasa Charlotte FreeMoreWestgives you the option for relaxed apartment living with all the amenities of a hotel.
Accommodation is well laid out with comfortable seating. TV and other amenities, as well as a fully fitted kitchen and a washer and dryer, so you have all the flexibility of home throughout your stay.
But that doesn’t mean missing out on your hotel luxuries, within the building you can enjoy an outdoor pool, gym, business center and outdoor BBQ, giving you the best of both worlds.
Close to many of the must-see attractions in Charlotte, this is a fantastic way to enjoy your trip exactly how you want to.
Born and raised in Brazil, Gaby has always had a taste for the intriguing, the off-beat and the far flung. After travelling around most of South America, living in Spain and Italy and then moving to England, her feet have stayed continually twitchy. Studying for a degree in Spanish translation and then learning five more languages only poured more fuel onto her travelling ardor.
Gaby likes nothing better than discovering new destinations and meeting the locals, tasting the cuisine and hearing about the local stories. Her other indulgences include French cinema, boxing, photography, colourful manicures and soaking up the rays on a sun-infused beach. She counts Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cornwall as her most favourite places in the world.
