South Carolina City Has the #1 Worst Rated Hotels in the U.S.

A hotel experience can turn into a hotel nightmare pretty quickly! If you are a clean freak like me, then you know when you are looking up a hotel stay you are checking what the room looks like. I analyze what each room looks like, the hotel lobby looks like, and so much more to be sure it's clean. Planet Ware analyzed millions of hotel reviews on TripAdvisor to determine some of the worst-rated hotels in the U.S. With more than 9,000 hotels across 95 U.S. cities, there was some good information to view.

Unfortunately for us, a South Carolina city came in at #1 for worst-rated hotels in the U.S. You may have a few guesses of which South Carolina city that is just from the title of this article. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina came in at #1 for a U.S. city with the worst-rated hotels. The city has some of the most hotels with reviews coming in at 1 or 2 stars. Myrtle Beach had 20% of their hotels that have received 1 or 2-star ratings. This popular beach destination sees thousands of tourists every year, especially during the peak summer months. Many reviews showed over 100,000 reports of bed bugs. Which is quite a turn-off when it comes to looking for a place to stay on vacation.

Some of the top hotel complaints across the board include thin walls, the smell of smoking rooms, not enough toilet paper, and more. Myrtle Beach also came in at #16 for cities with some of the worst hotel service. Kinda crazy, but Myrtle Beach is going to have to redo some things to get better on these lists. Check out the full article here and see all of the details and cities on the list.

I've been lucky enough to stay at some pretty nice hotels in my lifetime including two of the top hotels in North Carolina The Grove Park Inn and The Inn on Biltmore Estate. I've also stayed in plenty of Days Inn, Holiday Inns, and the like. And hey, sometimes those are exactly what you need! So I was interested to come across this list by Travel + Leisure of the Top City Hotels. A quick skim through the list revealed two things. One- I've never stayed at any of these hotels and some are chains I hadn't even heard of. But the other interesting tidbit was that there were two South Carolina hotels named a Top City Hotel.

The hotels included on this list are of course in the heart of bustling cities. In the top 10, you'll of course see New York City, Washington DC, Beverly Hills, and Chicago. But among those major metropolitan cities, Charleston South Carolina hotels were featured twice. This is quite an accomplishment when you consider the caliber of places Travel + Leisure chose to recognize. The publication states that readers who voted on the hotels included in this list prioritize "impeccable service" as well as "chic interior design". But I'd wager the famed southern hospitality of the South Carolina Lowcountry is what delighted visitors about these two Charleston locales.

While I've visited Charleston many times I haven't stayed in or paid a visit two either of these spots. I guess I'll have to plan another trip. Keep reading to see which two luxury hotels in Charleston South Carolina were named a "Top City Hotel" by Travel + Leisure. You can read more about their rankings here.

Location: West Hollywood, California

Score: 95.68

Pendry West Hollywood embraces the best of California modernism and glamorous life in the Hollywood Hills. This storied location lies at the heart of LA’s rich film, music, and cultural history — and pulses with an energy all its own. With a fresh take on modern luxury, Pendry West Hollywood elevates the Sunset Strip to a new level of sophistication. Get more info.

Location: Chicago, Illinoise

Score: 95.69

The Peninsula Chicago is the five-star hotel that brought traditional Asian service to a city already renowned for the warmth of its hospitality. The hotel has become an integral part of Chicago life and is considered the top choice for everything from accommodation to celebrations and corporate events. Get more info.

Location: Charleston, SC

Score: 95.78

The Wentworth Mansion has been a special part of the Holy City for over 20 years. Charleston’s Grandest Mansion offers so much more than a dream address. An ornate Second Empire style showplace, the Wentworth Mansion exudes a sense of history and warm hospitality. Stay and Celebrate with us—all of life’s little luxuries included. Get more info.

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Score: 96.28

Established in 1975 on a palm-lined residential boulevard, L’Ermitage is a discreet, luxurious getaway located a stone’s throw from the beating heart of Beverly Hills. As the longest-tenured Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond all-suite hotel in the world, L’Ermitage is committed to offering travelers excellence in hospitality. Get more info.

Location: Alexandria, Virginia

Score: 96.42

Located on King Street in Alexandria, just minutes from Washington D.C you'll find the Morrison House. This charming 45-room Federalist-style hotel is the city's only AAA 4-star Diamond hotel the exudes the history of its location. Get more info.

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Score: 96.42

Once an enclave for Cincinnati's elite, the historic Lytle Park is rising to prominence once again and along with it "The Lytle Park Hotel," born within a historic 1909 building, and intimately connected to the neighborhood's park.  For Cincinnatians and out-of-town guests alike, this AAA Four Diamond hotel honors its refined roots while providing a refreshing hospitality experience animated by an irresistibly vibrant and captivating spirit. Get more info.

Location: Washington, DC

Score: 97.45

Riggs Washington DC is located in the historic former Riggs National Bank building on the corner of 9th and F Street. Paying homage to the building’s legacy, each of our 181 guest rooms and suites is reminiscent of a private safety deposit box, while serendipitous details throughout the hotel draw on a narrative inspired by the golden age of banking. Get more info. 

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Score: 97.60

Steeped in history, anchored in style. Set within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, Pendry Chicago is a modern-day luxury hotel that pays homage to both the past and the present with contemporary, comfortable interiors, signature culinary and cocktail concepts, and inspired gathering spaces throughout that embody the spirit of Chicago. Get more info.

Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Score: 98.00

Blending into the charming Georgian facades of Charleston’s historic district, The Loutrel is a genteel host for those who seek refined comfort and meaningful interactions over extravagance. Inspired by Charleston's public and private gardens, our luxury hotel in Charleston ushers the city’s past mystique and progressive future into the present moment—curating experiences that honor Charleston here and now. Get more info.

Location: New York City

Score: 98.80

A landmark luxury hotel, near central park, The Lowell rises 17 floors above an iconic residential neighborhood, a stone’s throw from the celebrated fashion houses of Madison Avenue and footsteps from Fifth Avenue and the vast oasis of Central Park . Established in 1927, The Lowell's boutique hotel in NYC reflects the timeless elegance and soul of the Upper East Side. Get more info.