The Starlight Motor Inn

The Starlight Motor Inn is a restored midcentury motel on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, with bright retro rooms, cottages with full kitchens, and a private pool. Its Burgundy Lounge, a cocktail bar above the lobby, has been a favorite since the 1960s, and The Crabshack, a newer outdoor space, hosts rehearsal dinners and Lowcountry boils. The motel is independently owned by a Charleston native.

Rooms include King Deluxe, Double Queen and Poolside Bunk options, and the cottages sleep up to six guests. Check-in is self-service with a door code. A bus stop to downtown sits just outside, and downtown Charleston is about ten minutes away by car. The lounge and pool bar keep their own schedules, so check before you go.