Hotel at a Glance: Regatta Inn

Southern Living magazine named Regatta Inn one of the top 10 best new hotels in the south in 2015, saying that ”staying at this 10-room property… feels a lot like you’ve lucked into a rich friend’s getaway house for the weekend instead of checking in to a carefully curated retreat opened by two industry insiders.” Guests can watch the sunset over the Carolina lowcountry; the next morning, hoof it to the other side of the isle to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic. If you’d prefer not to walk, golf cart shuttle regularly whisks passengers to the beach.

• Home-style breakfast is served each morning from 8–10 a.m., free of charge.
• In-room amenities: Guest rooms come with a king-size bed, gas fireplace, mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker, and a screened-in porch or balcony, many with peaceful views of the ocean or the river.
• Happy hour: Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and homemade Folly punch daily from 4–7 p.m.
• Go fishing on the Edwin S. Taylor Pier, which juts out 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

Folly Beach, South Carolina: Beach Town with Incredible Marine Wildlife Just South of Charleston

Folly Beach locals refer to the town as the “Edge of America.” It’s got an enviable oceanfront position on South Carolina’s coast, and the town is surrounded by water, wedged between Folly River and the Atlantic. The town has a labyrinth-like network of saltwater estuaries, which brim with marine life including dolphins, manatees, and shorebirds; rent a kayak to explore them. At dusk, partake in the fish fry at Bowen’s Island, a fried-fish shack popular with the locals for its finger-lickin’ fried shrimp, hush puppies, and incredible sunset views.

A few miles north, you’ll find Charleston, named one of the best historic destinations in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Georgian mansions line the waterfront, the spires of colonial-era churches punctuate the skyline, and horse-drawn carriages frequently clop along its cobblestone streets. You can get an added sense of the city’s history by visiting a number of preserved period buildings and national historic landmarks such as the Battery & White Point Gardens, a living Civil War museum with Confederate cannons and views of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, and a double-parked Camry.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.