Charlotte is a sprawling Southern city where the centre city, known locally as Uptown, holds the museums, sports venues and main business district, while much of the accommodation spreads out towards the airport, the university and the southern suburbs. It is a place where your choice of base has a direct effect on how easily you can move around.
For a visitor, the city is laid out around a compact centre with large hotels, with other clusters of lodging near the airport, in the University area and further out in Ballantyne, plus the usual options at highway and interstate exits. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Charlotte
1. Center city (Uptown)
Uptown is the centre city and the most practical base if you are not driving or renting a car. Staying here puts you within reach of the city's core without depending on taxis and buses for every trip.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone planning to spend their time on the central sights. Most of the city's large hotels are found here, so this is where you find the widest choice of full-service accommodation.
2. Near the airport
The area around the airport is one of the main clusters of large hotels in the city. It suits travellers with an early flight or a short stopover, and those who prefer to be close to their departure point.
Be aware that this is away from the centre city, so if you are not driving you will be relying on cab and bus fares to reach the sights.
3. University area
The University area is the third main concentration of the city's large hotels. It suits visitors with business or connections at the university, and those who want a quieter base away from the centre.
As with the airport area, it sits outside the centre city, so plan on paying for transport if you do not have a car.
4. Ballantyne
Ballantyne is where some luxury hotels have appeared, in the southern part of the city. It suits travellers looking for upscale accommodation in a suburban setting, particularly those with a car.
It is not a central base, so you will need to drive or take cabs and buses to reach the centre city and its sights.
5. Highway and interstate exits
Off the highways and interstate exits you find the typical options that line major roads into a city. This suits budget-conscious travellers and those driving through or staying on the outskirts.
These locations are convenient by car but poorly placed for reaching the centre city on foot, and public transport will be limited.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: the typical options found off the highways and interstate exits, generally requiring a car or accepting longer journeys into the centre.
- Mid-range: the large hotels clustered near the airport and in the University area, plus options in the centre city.
- Splurge: the large hotels Uptown and the luxury hotels that have appeared in Ballantyne.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in the centre city, Uptown. It is the most practical base if you are not driving, since you avoid depending on cab and bus fares for every trip, and most of the city's large hotels are here. For a first visit, being able to move around freely matters more than the setting of your room.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to get around Charlotte?
Not necessarily, but if you are not driving or renting a car you should try to find lodging near the centre city. Otherwise you will be stuck paying cab and bus fares and will find it harder to move around as freely as you would like.
Where are the city's large hotels located?
Most of the city's large hotels are either Uptown, near the airport, or in the University area.
Where can I find luxury accommodation?
Some luxury hotels have appeared in Ballantyne, in addition to the large hotels Uptown.
What accommodation is available outside the main areas?
There are the typical options off the highways and interstate exits.
Compare live prices for these areas with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.