CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hotels and motels in Charleston, SC
Hotels and motels in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area: 202 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 38-person team.
- Establishments
- 202CBP 2023
- Employees
- 7,657mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 23.2U.S. 16.4
- Rank
- 47th of 917areas by count
How many hotels and motels are in Charleston, SC?
There were 202 hotels and motels in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 721110, Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels). They employed 7,657 people in mid-March and paid $291.4 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 47th out of 917 areas with published figures for hotels and motels.
Measured against its 870,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 23.2 hotels and motels per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 16.4, so Charleston, SC is 41.3% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 37.9 employees, compared with 26.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $38,063, 3.3% below the national $39,374.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 202 | 1,131 | 55,895 |
| Mid-March employees | 7,657 | 26,778 | 1,497,840 |
| Annual payroll | $291,448,000 | $857,807,000 | $58,976,358,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 37.9 | 23.7 | 26.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $38,063 | $32,034 | $39,374 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 23.2 | 20.6 | 16.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at hotels and motels in Charleston, SC
Of the hotels and motels in Charleston, SC that had employees in March 2023, 18.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 30.9%). 35.9% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 37 | 18.7% | 30.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 34 | 17.2% | 14.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 47 | 23.7% | 21.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 59 | 29.8% | 23.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 21 | 10.6% | 9.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a hotel in Charleston, SC has to catch
Independent hotels take reservations, guest requests and group inquiries by phone, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. Calls that go unanswered may become bookings elsewhere. That holds for hotels and motels in Charleston, SC as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to hotels and motels in Charleston, SC:
- An event planner calls about a room block.
- The hotel calls a guest to confirm a late arrival.
- A guest calls the front desk for extra towels.
Texting guests
Hotels text check-in details and guest service updates.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for hotels and motels in Charleston, SC
The average hotel in Charleston, SC has 37.9 employees, so a 38-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 38 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $1,140.00 a month and 38 on Ooma Office Pro cost $948.10. Callata comes to $759.00 a month for 38 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $4,572 less than RingCentral for a hotel in Charleston, SC of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $759.00 | $9,108.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $722.00 | $8,664.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $874.00 | $10,488.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $948.10 | $11,377.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,026.00 | $12,312.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,140.00 | $13,680.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Charleston, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 843 has the most, with 267 of 330 exchanges (81%). A local number lets guests in Charleston, SC call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 843 | 267 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 63 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What hotels and motels in Charleston, SC get with Callata
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Charleston, SC is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many hotels and motels are there in Charleston, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 202 hotels and motels in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 7,657 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 38-person hotel?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 38 users cost $1,140.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $948.10 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $759.00.
What area code should a hotel in Charleston, SC use?
Area code 843 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 854. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hotel?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.