For generations, Charleston’s charms have been defined by its delectable cuisine, remarkably well-preserved 18th-century architecture, and network of lush garden squares. There’s so much Spanish moss–draped allure in the historic city that you can easily forget you’re in a major port town. But the opening of a resplendent hotel is recasting the waterfront as an essential part of any itinerary.
Commanding a prominent stretch of Charleston Harbor, the Cooper—named for…

