John Rutledge House Inn

Charleston, United States

4.5

15 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

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Telephone:
+1 800-476-9741
Website:
www.johnrutledgehouseinn.com
Address:
116 Broad Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
King Street
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Dogs Allowed
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Charleston) 8:56 AM Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
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Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

In the heart of downtown Charleston, you’ll find one of Charleston’s grandest historic inns. The John Rutledge House is the only home of a signer of the Constitution of the United States that serves as both a living historic landmark, grand inn and bed and breakfast. Its historic setting, magnificent architectural details, and period décor mix with timeless hospitality and amenities to create an experience that’s equal parts celebration and luxurious restoration. Enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, afternoon tea, evening sherry, daily newspaper delivery and wireless internet.

Designated as a National Historic Landmark, The John Rutledge House Inn is a proud part of downtown Charleston. Located on historic Broad Street and steps from the stunning homes South of Broad, the inn offers gracious hospitality and nearly instant access to the antique and shopping districts, historic waterfront homes, and restaurants. As an added benefit, the John Rutledge House Inn is a dog friendly hotel.

History

Established in 1989.

John Rutledge built this elegant home as a wedding gift for his bride Elizabeth Grimke in 1763. He was Chairman of the Drafting Committee and Signer of the US Constitution. Several iterations of the Constitution were drafted here in his home.

In 1853, the house was renovated and many distinctive architectural features were added, including the Italian marble fireplaces, ornate parquet floors, and elaborate ironwork depicting the Federal Eagle and SC Palmetto tree as a tribute to Rutledge’s service in federal and state governments. During the Civil War, the house survived a great fire and took a direct hit from a Union cannon during the siege of Charleston.

The home served many purposes through the following centuries, and even sat vacant before a major restoration was undertaken in 1989 to restore the inlaid floors, plaster work, and staircase. An array of modern conveniences were added transforming this historic structure into an elegant, beloved inn.

Meet the Business Owner

Richard W.

Business Owner

Proprietor Richard Widman bought and restored The John Rutledge House Inn in 1989. He is also proprietor of Charleston’s Wentworth Mansion, its on-​site restaurant Circa 1886, and two inns on historic King Street, The Kings Courtyard Inn and Fulton Lane Inn.

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Vicinity

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15 reviews of John Rutledge House Inn

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Place rating: 2
Needham, MA
Aside from a nice location this bed and breakfast offered nothing special. In fact, one morning it didn’t even offer breakfast. We were told that the chef didn’t show up. But only told that after we inquired, twice. No compensation was offered; no voucher for a breakfast elsewhere. The room was a good size but in the basement. Beware that «ground floor» means basement. It smelled musty and of cigarettes, no doubt from a century of smokers in the old house. Finally, housekeeping was so-​so. We found hair in the bathroom as soon as we arrived. There are nice touches – tea and port in the afternoon, but the snacks ran out quickly. Overall this is a place that needs to up its game if it wants to compete with the many other options in Charleston. We won’t be back. (We stayed two night in December 2015.)
Place rating: 5
Delray Beach, FL
Although it was a bit pricey, they definitely give you your money’s worth with super friendly and accommodating staff. This turned out to be so much more than a place to sleep at night. Its history, beautiful architecture, complementary room service breakfast and afternoon tea and snacks really made this an extremely pleasurable visit on top of our daily activities in town. I hope to stay here again in the future
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
We had an awesome experience. The staff is so courteous and always available to help. They made our stay extra special. Very relaxing environment. Not sure what more would I ask for. Thank you Mike and Jim and entire staff.
Place rating: 5
Montgomery, AL
we chose this inn because it had a reputation for being dog friendly. we knew charleston is a dog friendly town and we were looking forward to exploring it with our dog. however, she got very sick during our stay, necessitating an ER visit, and the JRH staff went above and beyond in helping us out during this stressful and scary time.
beyond this, the place is very comfortable and cozy. the bed was so very comfortable, and the breakfast was quite good. the inn is in a great location, with much to see and do within a comfortable walking distance.
Place rating: 4
Arlington, VA
Worth the $ 400/​night price tag. Very nice room (stayed in room 11). Great king size bed. Beautiful building. A little out of the way for nightlife, but not much of a factor. Includes breakfast, which you can have served in the room (and we did). Food is fine. Tea service offered at 4pm – again, food is fine. Service at the hotel is prompt and very friendly. We would definitely return.
Place rating: 5
Arboretum, Charlotte, NC
Great Bed and Breakfast! Very dog friendly! We will definitely be making a return trip.
Place rating: 5
Hoboken, NJ
My brother was getting married and this was the venue the bride and groom chose so this is where I stayed. I was in the main house, on the third floor. As many have noted their is no elevator however it was not that big of a deal, maybe if I was 80. Breakfast was served every morning either in your room, ballroom, or the courtyard by one of the coolest cats on the block Maurice. Always friendly and polite and willing to get you anything you forgot to order the night before. Food was delicious albeit not that memorable.
The rooms in the main house are very large and worth the hefty price tag they come with. The carriage house rooms are smaller but also more affordable. The afternoon tea was a nice touch, really makes you feel like you are in the old south. I really enjoyed just looking at all of the different little touches inside the venue. Such a historical feel to a truly historical sight.
They did a great job accomodating the wedding and cocktail hour. Thanks again to the inn keeper who helped my brother with his boutineer; we never could have done it without you.
Complimentary sherry, port, and brandy every evening for those who need a night cap. Everyone was very friendly, but I feel like thats what Charleston is in general.
Thanks again Rutledge House!
Place rating: 3
Brighton, MA
Go on tripadvisor and read the reviews there. They are more accurate. We just stayed and honestly, Unilocalers let us down big time this time. Get more info before you book this place. (I also wrote a lengthy review there — not totally negative, but why I was disappointed.)
Place rating: 5
Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA
Clean rooms, great service, wonderful breakfast, friendly staff, pet friendly!
Place rating: 5
Marietta, GA
My husband and I spent a few weeks investigating places to stay in Charleston and The John Rutledge House Inn was the fourth place we wanted. All the other places were booked. For being our fourth choice, boy did we luck out! As this was our first time to Charleston, we don’t have anything to compare it to. We decided to upgrade to the junior suite and stayed in the Thomas Heyward Jr. room. A little costly, but quite lovely. The atmosphere is quaint and the location is great. They have an open parlor with a full balcony to sit and relax with a brandy.
I think the most impressive part of the stay was the concierge. More specifically, Patrice. She was a doll. Answered all our questions, booked all our excursions, gave great recommendations, and was extremely helpful. Can’t say enough about her.
Breakfast was good, not anything to write about but I recommend eating it out on the courtyard they have in the back.
They do have their own parking, they charge $ 12 a day for it.
The rooms are clean and historic with working fireplaces and jacuzzi tub (not historic).
We highly recommend this B&B (especially if Patrice is working that day)
Place rating: 5
Charlotte, NC
Fantastic, classic, traditional B&B downtown. Great location — superb history. Sherry and apps in the afternoon, phenomenal breakfast in your room each morning or in the courtyard. Rooms are spacious and well-​done. Staff is superb.
Place rating: 5
Charlotte, NC
We decided to visit Charleston at the last minute and with it being a Saturday night during the summer, most things were booked. I found this Inn on Unilocal and called to see if they had anything available. It was our Lucky Day! We were able to book a room and enjoy the greatness that this B&B had to offer. We arrived just in time for the afternoon tea and brandy. The little snacks were a great treat after the long drive.
After enjoying the snacks, we went back to the room. We literally booked the room 45 mins before getting there and they had a personalized card waiting on us. (nice surprise). I was also surprised when we found the mini fridge. The room was very clean and the beds were amazing.
Since this was my first stay at a B&B, I was pretty excited about the breakfast. There were plenty of items to choose from and everything we had was delicious! They did send one wrong entrée, but with a call to the front desk, that was corrected very quickly.
On top of everything above, the location was AMAZING. I would definitely suggest visiting this inn during your next visit to Charleston!
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
The John Rutledge House is a handsome inn in a good location. Our room was on the floor below reception, across from the kitchen. It was comfortable and pleasantly furnished (except for the fake brick floor). It looked out onto a cement wall. It had most of the usual amenities one would expect in such a place. It did lack an in-​room safe, but came with quite nice breakfasts that could be delivered to your room, the ballroom or the courtyard.
Unfortunately, the hotel is woefully understaffed. There was only one receptionist at a time and we often had to hunt for her as she was attending to a matter elsewhere. There is no valet parking and a series of one-​way streets makes the route from the hotel to the parking lot a bit torturous.
I had the impression that the quality of one’s stay must depend a great deal on which room you are assigned. Try to avoid the lowest floor (almost a basement) and also the lobby floor as the rooms there are right next to reception and must be noisy at times.
Place rating: 5
Dublin, CA
My husband and I are «easy keepers» when it comes to traveling. We often pick middle of the road hotels and spend our money on excursions and good food. This time, we wanted a bit more luxury.
The John Rutledge House was perfect for us. The concierge (Damian) was very helpful, he spent lots of time answering our questions and making suggestions. The wood floors and appropriate decorations of the hotel contributed to the vintage feel of the place. We stayed in the Heyward room on the top floor of the main building and very much enjoyed the room.
We used the gas fireplace every night and found the spacious room a wonderful place to relax after our daily excursions.
We enjoyed our complimentary breakfasts each morning (which they will serve to you at the time and place you request– ie courtyard, ballroom, room etc) We enjoyed the brandy, port and sherry they offered and the afteroon tea. We took advantage of the streetside balcony off the ballroom where my husband enjoyed a cigar and we watched the night.
The staircase in the hotel is apparently original to the house and it tells you all about it as you traverse the floors. I found the creaking wood a wonderful part of the experience and could not help but think of all the travellers before me each time I passed on them. The old Parkay floors in the house are a piece of art themselves and I can only imagine them in their prime.
We enjoyed our stay here, we were within 10 blocks of anything we wanted to see — we walked to all our events. The hotel is in the center of the historic district and we visited many old museum homes, went to the Charleston Museum (a 2+ hour event), took a carriage ride, took a night tour, during the days here we walked nearly every street in the historic district and enjoyed many nice meals in the quaint little restaraunts about the city.
We found the John Rutledge House to be worth the money for a no hassle, romatic and authentic vacation.
a few things to note…
this hotel does not have a elevator. (didn’t bother us a bit)
the parking for the hotel is around the back off of king street and you will need a code to get out of the lot (provided by the concierge)
there is no restaraunt on site… many wonderful restaraunts within just a few blocks
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I can’t believe I’m the first to review this place as it is amazing!!!
The staff is extremely friendly and accomodating and very knowledgeable!
The rooms are really beautiful, and you definately will get the feeling of being of feeling a little like royalty! We stayed here for our anniversary and the staff had given us a beautiful note w/​champagne to celebrate.
The breakfast is so delicious and delivered straight to you room (or pretty much anywhere else you would want in the house) l! The egg soufflé and shrimp and grits were delicious and the bread was still warn when served!
This B&B is a very very short walking distance from all the great shopping (on King St) and market street where the open air market is.
All in all great experience, beautiful well kept room with tempurpedic mattresses and four post beds in an optimal location!!!
Highly recommend!!!