12 cool Charlotte hotel amenities to plan your staycation around

In the year 2020, staycations have become the new vacations.

If you could use a little R&R or just a break from your routine, there’s never been a better time to explore the hotels and neighborhoods in our own backyard. Prioritizing your own self-care is a great excuse to get out there and support local businesses.

Charlotte is home to a plethora of amazing hotels, each with its own unique vibe and long list of amenities. And even during the pandemic, our hotel scene has continued to grow. With so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose where to stay, so we narrowed down 12 of the coolest Charlotte hotel amenities to plan your next staycation around.

(Note: Amenity availability and Covid-19 safety policies may vary. Check prior to booking.)

(1) Cordial, the rooftop bar and lounge, at AC Hotel SouthPark

New SouthPark hotel with a rooftop bar and a sophisticated vibe. 

Details: The hotel’s 8th-floor rooftop bar, Cordial, recently opened its doors offering fancy craft cocktails, a European-focused wine collection, craft beer, and Spanish-influenced small plates.

Location: 1824 Roxborough Road

Other hotel amenities: On-site dining and complimentary garage parking.

Room rates: Starting at $139/night

What to do: Start with a cocktail at Cordial. Then, grab Reid’s to go and have a picnic in Symphony Park. Finish the night with wine on the Foxcroft patio. The next day, explore the new RH Charlotte and do lunch on the rooftop.

Related Guide: A rooftop bar in new AC Hotel opens this Friday in SouthPark

(2) The pet-friendliness of Aloft Charlotte Uptown

Perfect for a modern Uptown staycation and some quality time with your furry BFF. 

Details: Pets can stay free and the hotel will even provide you with food and water bowls.

Location: 210 East Trade Street

Room rates: Starting at $119/night

What to do: Go for a nice long walk on Irwin Creek Greenway. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Blue Blaze Brewing or Pinky’s Westside Grill for some food (you can dine outside with your dog). Lucky Dog Bark & Brew is another fun dog-friendly option nearby.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for something more outside the city, check out Aloft Ballantyne. They are also pet-friendly and they have one of the prettiest indoor pools in the city.

(3) South American-inspired cuisine (and art) at the Grand Bohemian

The brand new Uptown hotel is oozing with luxury and South American flair.

Details: The Grand Bohemian is home to three new Uptown restaurants – Mico, The Bohemian Garden, and the recently opened Búho Bar, the hotel’s 16th-floor rooftop bar and lounge. You can expect flavorful, South American-inspired dishes and stunning decor. This hotel basically doubles as an art museum.

Location: 201 W Trade Street

Other hotel amenities: Full-service Poseidon Spa, pet-friendly, fitness center overlooking the city (with a Peloton), and a Starbucks in the building.

Room rates: Starting at $229/night

Related Guide: Here’s how to spend 24 hours at Charlotte’s new Grand Bohemian Hotel

(4) The Rocky River Golf Course at Embassy Suites Concord

This amenity-rich golf resort and spa is located just outside of Charlotte.

Details: The 18-hole Rocky River Golf Course is ranked in the top 100 golf courses in North Carolina. The course is situated on a beautiful property with no houses on the course and a back 9 that has several holes set around some natural wetlands and gently rolling fairways.

Location: 5400 John Q. Hammons Drive NW, Concord

Other hotel amenities: All rooms are two-room suites, complimentary drinks, free made-to-order breakfast, full-service Spa Botanica, and on-site dining options.

Room rates: Starting at $136/night

What to do: Head to Concord Mills Mall to do a little shopping or take the fam to SEA LIFE Aquarium. If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, travel up the road to The Depot at Gibson Mill for some serious antiquing. At over 80,000 square feet, it’s the largest antique mall in the South.

(5) City view clawfoot bathtubs at The Ivey’s Hotel

47-room boutique hotel located in the historic Ivey’s building in Uptown.

Details: There are only two rooms that will give you the city view clawfoot bathtub experience – The Balcony Suite and Superior City View Room. But the rest of the rooms have gorgeous spa-like bathrooms, too.

Location: 127 North Tryon Street

Other hotel amenities: On-site dining at Sophia’s Lounge and 5Church, Frette Italian bedding, Nespresso coffee machines, exclusive guest-only Library Lounge with full breakfast in the mornings, and cheese and wine in the evenings.

Room rates: Starting at $219/night

(6) Fine & Fettle, the new restaurant at Canopy by Hilton

New SouthPark hotel allows you to stay close to popular dining and retail.

Details: Executive chef Daniel Wheeler, previously executive chef at Dot Dot Dot, is behind the menu, which includes a mix of small plates and mains like roasted guinea hen ($25) and crab primavera ($27). The cocktail menu includes concoctions like “No Shrubs” ($14) made with Lunazul tequila, lime, agave, strawberry, and red pepper, and “Game, Set, Matcha” ($15) with Botanist gin, matcha orgeat, lime, mint, and egg white.

Location: 4905 Barclay Downs Drive

Other hotel amenities: On-site dining, pet-friendly rooms, and room service.

Room rates: Starting at $115/night

What to do: Start the day with brunch at Little Mama’s. Then head over to SouthPark Mall for some retail therapy and pop over to Legion for a couple of cold ones.

Related Guides: Fine & Fettle restaurant now open in the new Canopy by Hilton SouthPark,  15 things to do, eat, and see in SouthPark

(7) The Aqua Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton

Luxury Uptown hotel with a bi-level penthouse spa.

Details: All guests who purchase a spa treatment can enjoy the hotel’s Aqua Lounge, which includes an indoor pool and whirlpool. You sit poolside and sip cocktails in a plush robe while taking in city views.

Location: 201 E. Trade Street

Other hotel amenities: On-site restaurant BLT Steak, guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and 10-foot ceilings, bathrooms with flat-screen TV, plush robes, dual vanities, and separate tub and shower, and 24-hour room service.

Room rates: Starting at $454/night

(8) The Heavenly® Beds at the Westin Charlotte

The beds at this 4-star Uptown hotel are called heavenly for a reason.

Details: Westin hotels are known for their Heavenly® Beds. The mattresses are designed with a plush pillowtop construction and they’ll give you some of the best sleep of your life. You can even buy one for your bed at home.

Location: 601 South College Street

Other hotel amenities: 24-hour room service, an indoor heated pool and sundeck, and on-site restaurant and bar – JP Charlotte.

Room rates: Starting at $169/night

What to do: Check out the new exhibits at The Mint Museum Uptown, The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture a few blocks over. Then, grab dinner and drinks at Fin & Fino. Want a little extra pampering? Make an appointment for a mani-pedi and/or blowout at The Daily Details.

Related Guide: 17 things to do, see, and eat in Uptown

(9) Easy lake access at Homewood Suites Davidson

Cozy suite-filled hotel close to Davidson’s charming downtown and Lake Norman.

Details: It doesn’t have to be summer to enjoy some lakeside scenery. In fact, fall is one of the prettiest times to hang out on the tree-lined banks of Lake Norman. Here’s a map of public lake access points in Davidson.

Location: 125 Harbour Place Drive, Davidson

Other hotel amenities: Free breakfast, indoor pool, on-site restaurant

Room rates: Starting at $106/night

What to do: Grab a latte at Summit Coffee and walk around campus. Then have a lakeside lunch at Hello, Sailor. Do some shopping in Downtown Davidson (we love Main Street Books, Elisabeth Rose, and Moxie Merchantile), and then cap off the night with some milkbread at Kindred.

Related Guide: 15 things to see, do, and eat in Davidson

(10) The newly-renovated suites at Staybridge Suites Ballantyne

Spread out in a fully-equipped suite in the heart of Ballantyne.

Details: Their newly-renovated studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites come equipped with modern furnishings, full kitchens, and flexible workspaces.

Location: 15635 Brixham Hall Avenue

Other hotel amenities: Complimentary breakfast, heated indoor pool, and midweek socials Monday-Wednesday with complimentary beer, wine, and light fare.

Room rates: Starting at $101/night

What to do: Start off with a latte from Fior Ballantyne, explore the area’s 19 miles of walking trails, and grab tacos and margs at Cabo Fish Taco. Do a little shopping in Ballantyne Village and make sure you book a romantic Italian dinner at Zinicola to top off the day.

(11) Complimentary bikes at Kimpton Tryon Park

Luxurious boutique hotel lets you explore Uptown by bike.

Details: Kimpton bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will have an additional layer of disinfection with the guest present prior to bike check out.

Location: 303 S. Church Street

Other hotel amenities: On-site dining and drinks at Angeline’s and Merchant and Trade, complimentary evening wine or beer, pet-friendly, and in-room spa services.

Room rates: Starting at $179/night

Related Guide: What to expect at the new Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in Uptown

(12) The walkability of Courtyard Marriott Fort Mill

This Fort Mill hotel is located in the all-new Kingsley Village.

Details: If you’re looking for a super walkable staycation, the Courtyard Marriot in Fort Mill is nestled right in the middle of Kingsley Village, which offers over 150,000 square feet of boutique shopping and dining within walking distance.

Location: 1385 Broadcloth Street, Fort Mill

Other hotel amenities: Heated indoor pool, smart TVs with Netflix, and on-site dining.

Room rates: Starting at $139/night

What to do: Do some shopping at Broadcloth Boutique, grab lunch at Taco Molino or Spice Asian Kitchen, and then relax and enjoy Kingsley’s waterfront views. Cap off the day with wine from Corkscrew. If you feel like venturing out of the village, head over to nearby Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Need more itinerary inspiration? Check out charlottesgotalot.com for things to do, places to eat and drink, and more places to stay in your own backyard.

This content was created in partnership with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.