Places Worth Planning Around: Local Favorites

Some trips are about the destination, some are about the journey, and others – well, where you stay is the destination. Across the SouthState footprint, there are properties that feel inseparable from the places they call home. When we asked our team members where they stay, these places came up again and again; hotels that aren’t chasing trends, but are shaped by their communities, their location, and the people who run them.

Here are a few worth building an itinerary around:

Charleston, South Carolina: Timeless Hospitality, Reimagined

In Charleston, charm isn’t an accessory; it’s a way of life. The best hotels here don’t just give you a key, they welcome you in like you’ve been coming for years. For Thomas Anderson, SouthState’s Division President for the Charleston region, that is what sets these properties apart in a city already known for hospitality.

“These hotels provide a luxury experience that is really driven by attention to detail at the guest relationship level,” Thomas says. “It’s less about exclusivity and grandeur and more about welcoming you into a relaxed, highly personal experience. Ultimately, the experience is how you make the guest feel.”

At The Spectator Hotel, that feeling is immediate: equal parts refined and personal, with butler service, bespoke cocktails, and a sense that the team is always one step ahead. It’s no surprise the hotel earned a Michelin Key in 2025, a distinction reserved for the world’s most exceptional stays.

Just steps away, HarbourView Inn leans into Charleston’s waterfront identity, pairing sweeping views with an unmistakable sense of history. Also awarded a Michelin Key, it blends location, legacy, and understated luxury in a way that makes it tempting to plan your return before you’ve even left.

Then there’s French Quarter Inn, where the atmosphere is as welcoming as the location is convenient. Here, it’s the little things (a glass of champagne, freshly baked cookies, and a team that remembers your name) that turn a one-time visit into a tradition.

Together, these properties capture Charleston at its best: polished, personal, and rooted in a city that knows how to host. They don’t just reflect the destination, they help tell its story.

From coastal elegance, head west to a downtown that feels made for wandering – where storefronts invite you in and the best nights start on foot.

McKinney, Texas: Where Small-Town Charm Meets Big Personality

There’s something special about downtown McKinney. Close enough to Dallas to feel connected, yet full of small-town ease, it has the kind of charm that made an immediate impression on Amy Cox, SouthState’s Director of Human Resources.

“Downtown McKinney is one of those suburbs that is close to big city but has major small-town vibes,” Amy says. “Imagine the setting of a small town in a Hallmark movie.”

At the center of that experience is The Grand Hotel & Ballroom, a historic property dating back to 1885. “You walk into the hotel to a fireplace crackling and every room outfitted with true Texas décor,” Amy says. “When you make your reservation, you’re asked if you want a room with or without a window because each room is different, which reminds you that you are staying in a little bit of history.”

That local character continues beyond the room. Amy recommends starting the morning with fresh coffee in the lobby or walking across the street to Collective Coffee for a Kentucky, a caramel-and-sea-salt latte. For dinner, she points visitors to Rick’s Chophouse, especially the back bar, where “full wood cabinets and walls” make it feel like “a bourbon or cigar lounge.” If that’s not your vibe, she says, “walk over to Cadillac Pizza.” And one more practical perk: “There is plenty of parking on the street and surface lots and the best part: it’s free.”

And if you want a trip that feels like stepping back in time, few places deliver that sensation as completely as St. Augustine.

St. Augustine, Florida: A Stay Steeped in History

In the nation’s oldest city, history isn’t just something you visit; it’s in the brick streets, the courtyards tucked behind gates, and the rhythm of a town that asks you to slow down.

At St. Francis Inn, that spirit comes to life in a way that feels both intimate and timeless. This historic bed and breakfast invites guests to settle in, trade the schedule for a slower pace, and soak up the charm of a bygone era, without sacrificing comfort.

With cozy courtyards, thoughtfully prepared breakfasts, and hospitality that feels genuinely personal, it’s easy to see why so many guests return year after year. It doesn’t just offer a place to stay; it offers a sense of belonging that travels home with you.

Then, for a different kind of momentum, Denver offers a stay where the city’s past and present meet right in the middle of the action.

Denver, Colorado: Where History and Energy Converge

Some hotels put you near the action. The Crawford Hotel places you in it, starting with an arrival that feels distinctly Denver.

For Mellissa Slover-Athey, SouthState’s Director of Community Engagement and CRA, part of the appeal begins before check-in. Travelers can take the train from the airport directly to downtown Denver, with its final stop at Union Station, where The Crawford Hotel is located. “The Crawford is such an excellent way to enter Downtown Denver,” she says. “Super convenient.”

Inside, that sense of place continues. The hotel’s history as a train station, and at different points a bank, apartments, and business offices, shows up in small preserved and recreated details throughout the property. Mellissa recommends taking one of the hotel tours to spot those hidden touches, almost like a scavenger hunt. Even the rooms nod to the building’s railroad roots, with design details inspired by sleeper cars.

But what stood out most to Mellissa was the service. During one visit, her team mentioned a colleague’s birthday and joked about finding pineapple upside-down cake in an unfamiliar city. The Crawford team overheard, asked a few questions, and later arranged for a cake, flowers, chocolate, and a card to be delivered to his room, without charging the group. “Truly remarkable,” Mellissa says.

The convenience continues beyond the hotel. Union Station itself offers restaurants, bars, shops, a florist, and even a speakeasy, while the free 16th Street Mall shuttle is just steps away. For travelers with more time, Mellissa points to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Garden of the Gods, Boulder’s Chautauqua Park and Dushanbe Teahouse, Pearl Street Mall, and Estes Park as easy additions that show off Colorado’s range.

More Than a Place to Stay

What makes these destinations stand out isn’t just their design or their accolades. It’s the sense of place, the people behind the scenes, and the small moments that shape the trip: a remembered name, a well-timed recommendation, a room that feels like it belongs right in the heart of it’s city.

These are the kinds of places that don’t just host your trip; they become part of the story you tell when you get home – and the reason you start planning your next visit.