If the hyper-intimacy of bed and breakfasts is not your thing, but you can't resist a stunning historic home, then the 1886 Wentworth Mansion may be your perfect stop in Charleston. Tucked into a pretty, leafy neighborhood downtown, the elegant Wentworth Mansion is warm and welcoming, but never makes you feel crowded or intruded upon or like you are staying in someone's home. Rooms are incredibly spacious, with tall ceilings and the kind of well-appointed, luxurious bathrooms (and great water pressure) to rival any newfangled 5-star stay, but with bespoke details like old-fashioned brass room keys and carved wood and stained glass architectural details that transport you to another time. A dedicated parking lot and no valet fees are especially appealing in the age of luxury hotel-parking sticker shock. There is a happy hour every evening with wine and hors d'oeuvres. A small room off of the parlor offers a boozy nook where guests can partake of a brandy, port or sherry nightcap or pre-dinner tipple. A sit-down breakfast in the pretty Circa 1886 restaurant on the hotel grounds features copious, interesting options, including daily specials like a Lowcountry-inspired crab cake Benedict, and is included with the room. Lemonade and iced tea and a cooler of to-go waters are great for beating the Charleston heat in the summer months. Best of all, it's easy to get into the spirit of this city steeped in history strolling the beautifully landscaped grounds or ascending to the rooftop cupola with an expansive view of the city and a cool breeze on balmy nights.