The Rhett House Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina

We enjoyed a complimentary stay at the Rhett House Inn. All opinions are my own.

While we love all the bed and breakfasts we’ve visited, the Rhett House Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina, is special to me. It’s the first B&B we ever stayed in, and it inspired me to change the focus of my travel blog to B&Bs.

The Rhett House Inn, built circa 1820, boasts a beautiful white antebellum-style exterior, elegant columns and sprawling verandas on two floors. The porch has hammocks and seating areas—the perfect spot to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a glass of wine in the evening or one of their homemade desserts at night. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a horse and carriage trotting by.

Framed by Spanish moss, the main house encompasses a parlor, kitchen, dining room, and 10 guest rooms. A private stay can be found in the Newcastle House, a home built with luxury and hospitality in mind. Extra rooms can be found in the Cottages. Built in 1846 as a store for freed slaves to buy and sell goods, the Cottages have been transformed to mirror the rooms of the Rhett House Inn.

While we have stayed in and love both the main house and the Cottages, we prefer staying in the main house due to the convenience of simply walking downstairs to breakfast or sitting on the porch.

Breakfast at the Rhett House Inn is the star of the show, and perhaps the best part is hearing the cooks have fun in the kitchen. Chef Beverly makes a wonderful Southern breakfast, served in the dining room or on the veranda. Guests order from a menu including grits, French toast, biscuits, eggs and pancakes—the perfect fuel for a day in Beaufort.

Beaufort, South Carolina, is my all-time favorite coastal town. The laidback location has plenty to keep you occupied while giving you permission to slow down and take it easy. The inn’s beach cruiser bicycles are the perfect way to explore and admire the town’s historic homes.

If bikes aren’t your thing, Rhett House Inn is a short walking distance to the waterfront park and the shops and restaurants downtown.

We highly recommend you visit The Social Betty (home decor), Scout Southern Market (home decor and a sweet tea bar), Tidal Creek Haven (home and garden), Lulu Burgess (an eclectic gift shop), M Interiors (home and garden), and Nevermore Books.

This trip, we spent time perusing the artwork in the Rhett Gallery. Sound familiar? The Rhett House Inn is named after the prominent Rhett family of Beaufort, who built and lived in the main house. This gallery has beautiful artwork from four members of the family.

When we’re not taking a stroll downtown or walking the waterfront, we’re taking a drive to Hunting Island State Park to stick our toes in the sand. The Rhett House Inn offers beach towels, beach chairs and one state park pass. We always stop by Lowcountry Cider and Superior Coffee on our way to the beach. You can also find a location downtown.

Beaufort is also one of the best spots to find a bite to eat. For lunch, we love Lowcountry Produce, a stunning cafe offering breakfast, lunch, and market goods. Snag a jar of peach preserves on your way out and thank me later.

For dinner, we recommend Saltus River Grill (fine dining), Old Bull Tavern, and Madison’s (in Port Royal). This go-round we opted for AMAZING tacos at Lost Local (go for the barbacoa and blackened fish tacos) downtown and fresh seafood at Fishcamp on 11th Street (a fan favorite) in Port Royal.

From the food to the shops and waterfront, Beaufort is one of the South’s best destinations, and your trip would not be complete without a stay at the lovely Rhett House Inn. We will most certainly be back, and we hope to see you there too.

Looking for another coastal South Carolina B&B? Check out our stay at 620 Prince in Georgetown, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram to see where we go next.