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Welcome to handcrafted luxury stays in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC. Once home to Mary Boykin Chesnut and General James Chesnut, this historic cottage offers a rare glimpse into 1850s architecture, famously spared by Gen. Sherman during the Civil War. Now meticulously restored by its new owners, Chesnut Cottage B&B invites you to elevate your travel experience—relax, unwind, and indulge in the finest accommodations Columbia has to offer. Recognized as the city’s top-rated 5-star Inn, Chesnut Cottage has been a B&B since 1991, and today, it stands as the only true bed & breakfast of its kind in Columbia. Ideally located just minutes from Main Street, the State House, the University of South Carolina, and the vibrant scenes of the Vista and Five Points. Whether you're visiting historic landmarks, attending events at Township Auditorium, or exploring Columbia's rich dining and entertainment options, everything you need is a few minutes away! Experience different.
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Nestled in a prime location ideal for concertgoers at the Township Auditorium, the Chestnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast is celebrated for its quaint charm and historical allure. Guests frequently commend the inn for its well-furnished and immaculate rooms that offer both luxury and privacy.
The attentive service, including gourmet breakfasts and personal touches, consistently impresses visitors, as does the inn's array of cozy amenities such as jetted tubs and luxurious bathrooms. The inn's commitment to cleanliness and its unique charm are repeatedly highlighted by satisfied travelers.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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We have truly found our home away from home! We met the Doyles prior to our daughter committing to go to USC, and we are extraordinarily grateful for the part they have played in our family transition to being regulars in Columbia. My husband and I also have more and more work engagements throughout both North and South Carolina and plan to use Chestnut Cottage as our homebase whenever we are in the general area. The inn is charming and excellently located, the breakfast is amazingly delicious artwork, and the hosts are perfection! ❤️
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Sep 6, 2024
💞 Thank you so much, Lisa! It’s truly an honor to have you as part of the Chesnut Cottage family, and we can’t wait to welcome you back; we love having you here! We are thrilled to be your home away from home, and your support means the world to us! xoxo
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This bed and breakfast was at another level of comfort. The inn keepers Christal and Ken were so hospitable, and so accommodating. From the moment we walked into the cottage, we were greeted by Ken who helped take our luggage up to the Carriage room, our room for the 5 days stay. Christal took us on a historical tour of the cottage, where the rooms were impeccably clean, and the attention to small details to create a theme for each room were on point. The breakfast served each day, prepared by Christal, had a lot of love put into making each breakfast an experience one will never forget. Ken was the front man, he took care of each guest during breakfast time, made sure we are well taken care of, and he was also well versed in all things and made each clients experience at the breakfast table fun, with lots of laughter, something they can take home and remember. Christal & Ken made staying at their cottage, feel like home.
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:No tips just enjoy the experience, everything around the area is easy to get to, shopping, food...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Jun 17, 2024
Ms Becky! Those 5 days went by far too quickly! So much fun at the breakfast table, stories and laughter shared. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay and hope that we have given you reason to return and tour South Carolina again :)
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Upon entering the Chestnut Cottage you find a charming, historical Inn. The owners are very gracious and welcoming. The gourmet breakfasts are delicious and beautifully presented. We even had freshly squeezed juice. The desserts at breakfast are unique and absolutely amazing. The rooms are graciously appointed with a comfortable bed and very large bathroom with bath and shower. During our visit we had a delicious baked good and some days also featured fresh fruit. Highly recommend this Inn. It is a true gem .
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Aug 17, 2024
Hi, Ms Connie! We are absolutely delighted to have had the pleasure of having you at the Cottage for 3 days - which flew by so quickly! Happy to hear you enjoyed your stay and we hope that another opportunity brings you back to us. xoxo CD
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I cannot say enough about this beautiful and historic B & B! We have visited several times and it’s truly a wonderful experience. The hosts are warm, welcoming and go above and beyond to make their guests feel like family. The home itself is immaculate with comfy beds, wonderful “extra” touches like fluffy robes and slippers, a welcoming front porch perfect for morning coffee, and a lovely garden out back for reading or relaxing. The breakfasts are delicious- Christal and Ken originally hail from California and offer wonderful gourmet dishes that are as beautiful as they are tasty. The location of the property can’t be beat- it is an easy walk to Main Street, USC Campus and the lovely Garden District to look at historic homes. We can’t wait to return for our next visit. Don’t hesitate-you will not be disappointed!
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Sep 25, 2023
Thank you for this loving review! Parents week was so much fun, that we woke up this morning walking the hallways missing ya'll! We are so glad you found us and we look forward to your next visit. xoxo
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The Chesnut Cottage is Clean, cozy and absolutely charming! The rich history and beautifully maintained cottage is the perfect place for a Hallmark-esk get away! Their delicious breakfast every morning was made with quality ingredients and elegantly presented. Every suite is thoughtfully themed and decorated and no matter which one you stay in, you're guaranteed privacy, The COMFIEST bed, and a large, luxurious jetted tub! It feels SO home-y! Their underground speakeasy provides a fun and unique experience and the whole places makes one feel like you've gone back in time. To top it all off, the Inn Keepers are are genuine, kind, and incredibly mindful of the guests and their needs. You can feel the love they have put into every detail, creating the most peaceful energy that fills the whole place. The Chesnut Cottage is THE ONLY place we will ever stay when we are in South Carolina.
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Date of stay: December 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Jun 17, 2024
ROGERS! Not a day goes by without us sending you and Kambri virtual hugs! You warmed our hearts and made our first Christmas in Columbia super special. Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to your next visit! xoxo
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We have stayed at so many Columbia hotels & rentals over the past 8 years while our 2 children attended USC, and this B&B was our favorite. We were just in town for a wedding and the cottage easily accommodated our family of 10 adults and 3 children. Our experience was wonderful. The rooms were beautiful, clean, and comfortable; everyone slept well (comfortable mattresses with nice linens). The breakfasts were great: 3 courses of fine cooking & presentation; coffee & tea service was available all day. The location was good: walking distance to USC campus and Main Street/downtown Columbia; while the house is in the city, it was well lit for nighttime returns and we felt safe at all times. The entire “mood” of the cottage was comfort, history, beauty, and what we felt was true southern hospitality. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Oct 26, 2023
Thank you so much, Annette, for this lovely, lovely review! We had so much fun with you and your family creating custom dishes, and we are honored you chose Chesnut Cottage to be part of such a special moment in your family’s lives. We miss y’all! We hope you come back again soon!
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We stayed at the Chesnut Cottage for our 40th wedding anniversary. Our visit began with a cheerful welcome from the owners, who kindly took all of our bags to our room. When we opened the door to the President Davis room, our first reaction was, “Wow!” The room was impressively decorated, inviting, and spotless !! We awoke each morning well rested from sleeping in a cool room on a very very comfortable bed💤. Each morning, we were sent off with a gourmet breakfast and a great cup of coffee☕️. Our stay at the Chesnut Cottage was simply wonderful!!❤️
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded Jun 17, 2024
Thank you so much for choosing Chesnut Cottage to celebrate your 40th! It was our pleasure to host you, and we are honored that you chose us for this milestone celebration! We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Chesnut. Y'all were so easy to spoil :) xoxo
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Such a quaint and beautiful historic cottage. The innkeepers are very nice and the breakfast was delicious! The tour and historic information was very interesting. I always appreciate when a bed and breakfast offers rooms with private bathrooms and our suite had its own bathroom and was furnished beautifully.
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Date of stay: April 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded May 27, 2024
Thank you so much, Ms Kathy! We enjoyed having y’all and hope to see you again! ❤️
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What a wonderful stay we had. Our room was simply gorgeous, had the fortune of a fully decorated and lit Christmas tree in the room which really added a great sense of both homey and extraordinary care put into our stay. We will definitely be staying again in the future.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded 2 weeks ago
☺️ Sometimes we are tempted to leave our Christmas trees up all year! It was wonderful to meet y’all, had a grand time with you at breakfast, and we look forward to your next visit!
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Could not have picked a better place to stay. The property was beautiful and clean. The owner went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed. We were there for a family event and she made sure we had a delicious breakfast before we left even though it was earlier than usual. It was a first class experience.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ken and Christal Doyle, Owner at The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast
Responded 2 weeks ago
It was a pleasure to serve you! Thank you for such a sweet review of your experience with us! Come back soon! Xoxo
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There are more places to choose from in the Columbia area.
PRICE RANGE
$338 - $338 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesSouth CarolinaColumbia
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Are there any historical sites close to The Chesnut Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast?
Many travelers enjoy visiting South Carolina State House (0.7 miles), Robert Mills House & Gardens (0.3 miles), and Hampton-preston Mansion And Gardens (0.3 miles).
