For the third year in a row, Charleston was named the best U.S. city by Condé Nast Traveler readers. It beat out such cities at Santa Fe, San Francisco, Honolulu, Chicago, New Orleans, New York City and its Southern neighbor Savannah (No. 9).
Readers highlighted nearby beaches and impressive architecture as reasons for Charleston to top the list but what really impresses visitors are the “insanely nice” locals, magnificent bed and breakfast venues and “amazing shopping.” One reader called it a “bucket list city.” Another said, “The charm of this city brings me back every year.”
Charleston came in at No. 5 on the list of 25 best cities in the world.
Condé Nast Traveler readers also rated the top 10 hotels in Charleston with the Wentworth Mansion coming out on top. Rounding out the top five are the John Rutledge House Inn, French Quarter Inn, Planters Inn and Harborview Inn.
Also garnering accolades on list of the 20 best resorts in the South were The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island (No. 4), Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms (No. 16) and Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina (No. 20).