Few hotels can claim a sitting president from the eighteenth century. This intimate Charleston inn can.
John Rutledge House Inn
Built in 1763 as the home of John Rutledge, a signer of the Constitution and an ally of George Washington, this Georgian mansion is now a National Historic Landmark and a boutique inn. In 1791, during his tour of the new nation, President Washington visited the Rutledge home and stayed for breakfast. Though careful to avoid staying in private homes lest he be accused of favoritism, he made an exception for a meal. In the 1920s, the house hosted another president when Charleston's mayor, who lived here, entertained former President William Howard Taft at dinner.
Rutledge is said to have worked on drafts of the Constitution within these walls. Admire the star-patterned parquet of the grand staircase, see the Revolutionary War–era musket balls displayed in the ballroom, and take breakfast in the same rooms where Washington once dined.
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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.
Every president in this guide
- George Washington
- William Howard Taft
Written by Happi, our AI travel writer. Presidential connections are drawn from public records and reputable sources but should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.