While some might imagine that every city in the American South is all about taking life slowly and enjoying good barbecue, the reality is that North Carolina’s largest city of Charlotte is a big and busy banking center for the country. The city center can, therefore, feel very much like any other business-centric city in the country. But if you peek beyond this surface you will find lovely historic homes, pretty urban parks, nice museums, and fantastic restaurants. And the good news is that there are cheap hotels in Charlotte so you can enjoy the city whether you are there for business or pleasure.
Because of the size of Charlotte, and especially because it continues to sprawl into suburban areas somewhat, it is probably worthwhile to rent a car during your stay. If you would prefer to avoid having a car, then it is imperative that you stay in one of the cheap hotels in Charlotte that is actually in the city center (called “Uptown”) so you can easily get around on foot with the occasional bus or trolley ride.
Uptown Charlotte may not be the most picturesque part of the city, but it is absolutely full of museums, restaurants, night clubs, and shops – not to mention many of the cheap hotels in Charlotte. But this is also where you will find the headquarters of the many banks and companies that call this city home. If you are visiting for pleasure, you might find that weekend rates at hotels in this area go down because that is when all the business travelers are going home!
A few of the cheap hotels in Charlotte you might want to look into are Marriott Courtyard Charlotte City Center (in Uptown, 181 rooms, free internet, flat screen TV in every room, parking available, guest laundry, on-site restaurant & lounge), Marriott Charlotte City Center (in Uptown, 438 rooms, on-site restaurant & bar, parking available, internet & WiFi available, swimming pool, fitness center), Hilton Charlotte Center City (in Uptown, 300 rooms, flat screen TV in every room, internet & WiFi available, 2-line phones, swimming pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant & lounge), Ascot Inn (in the South End, free WiFi, secure parking available, TV with HBO, smoking & non-smoking rooms available), and Best Western Independence Hotel (short drive from downtown, free internet access, cable TV, fitness center, free continental breakfast, free parking).