Southern charm is alive and well below the Mason-Dixon line, where romance is nurtured at every twist and turn of our favorite antebellum mansions and cobblestone streets.
Choosing the most romantic spots, then, is quite a difficult task, but we think we're up to the challenge.
From intimate city boutiques to sprawling Lowcountry estates, here are some of our favorite hotels ready for romance in the South.
The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina
This "inn" in Carolina Lowcountry, really more akin to a sprawling estate, provides a one-of-a-kind experience that uniquely blends southern history and almost otherworldly natural beauty: rivers, misty marshes, old oaks draped with wispy Spanish moss, and salty breezes. The main hotel building looks like a classic southern mansion, and the 50 Cottages and Cottage Suites are simultaneously homey and utterly luxurious, with working fireplaces, screen porches, and gorgeous bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a range of recreational facilities, including golf, bicycling, tennis, croquet, kayaking, and swimming (in the two pools), and the luxury spa is highly acclaimed. It's not an overstatement to say that the Inn at Palmetto Bluff is one of the most special properties in the entire country.
The Jasmine House Inn, Charleston, South Carolina
Housed in a beautifully renovated mansion dating to 1843, the Jasmine House Inn has all the charm of a B&B and the comfort of an upscale hotel, plus a central location in downtown Charleston. It has 12 large rooms with hardwood floors, 15-foot ceilings, flat-screen TVs and unique decor that might be a bit too much for some (think matching bedspreads and drapes, patterned rugs, and floral wallpaper). There are a bunch of great freebies, including a continental breakfast, Wi-Fi and evening hors d’oeuvres -- but you’ll have to pay for parking.
The Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi, Texas
The 78-room Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay is in a wonderful location right on the water in old Rockport. Rooms are classic -- if slightly outdated, with comforters instead of duvets, and tube TVs -- and offer decent amenities such as microwaves and mini-fridges. Balconies are the most appealing feature here, with two rocking chairs that face either the bay or the pool and gardens. This inn is full of scenic places to relax, including the big outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical landscaping and a fishing dock jutting out into the bay.
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