Mattress storeNear Me Charleston, SC

Year after year, Charleston, South Carolina lands among the top U.S. cities in Travel + Leisure’s World's Best Awards, and it’s easy to see why it’s a fan favorite. From its charming cobblestone streets and vibrant seafood restaurants to its laid-back coastal energy and famous Southern hospitality, there’s really no other place quite like Charleston.

Charleston’s unique character and culture can be found in spades throughout the many hotels that pepper the city—and one particular property stole the hearts of readers this year.

What comes to mind when you hear the word Charleston? Maybe something about the beautiful beaches or the local cuisine? Or maybe it’s those charming hotels and inns you can find throughout the city? According to our readers, all of the above would be correct. Each hotel on this list truly has something special to offer. Take HarbourView Inn (No. 15) for example—in addition to sleeping in stunning rooms a reader described as “beautiful and posh,” you can order nighttime milk and cookies from the comfort of your bed here. Our readers also can’t seem to get enough of that famous Southern hospitality. After staying at The Spectator Hotel (No. 5), one person wrote that, “the butler service is the best luxurious amenity I have experienced.” Whether you’re planning a vacation for the family or a romantic getaway, Charleston has a little bit of something for everyone.

Still, one property rose above the rest—and it may be a familiar name.

The Winner

Wentworth Mansion

You guessed it: For the third year in a row, Wentworth Mansion was voted the No. 1 hotel in Charleston by T+L readers. What was once a grand 19th-century mansion on landscaped grounds is now a gorgeous hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. The property has just 21 rooms with Italian crystal chandeliers, hand-carved marble fireplaces, and luxurious amenities like around-the-clock concierge service and fresh flowers. And while there are many things to love about this unique property, it was the warm staff that cinched the deal for guests. “Fabulous service, delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, beautiful venue,” one reader said. “The knowledgeable staff made it an exceptional stay.”

The Full List

South Carolina is home to two of the nation’s best places to visit, a new report finds.

Charleston ranks No. 3 and Greenville is No. 7 on a list of cities travelers love the most, according to results published July 8.

While Charleston has spent years ranking as a fan-favorite destination, Greenville received a nod for making a “strong debut” on the list from Travel + Leisure.

To choose the best U.S. vacation spots, the magazine teamed up with researchers at Proof Insights. From Oct. 21, 2024, to Feb. 24, it received hundreds of thousands of responses in an online reader survey. For cities, scoring criteria included “sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping” and value, according to the magazine’s website and details shared with McClatchy News via email.

In the resulting World’s Best Awards, Charleston was the highest-ranking South Carolina destination in the best U.S. cities category. Travel + Leisure said fans raved about its architecture and charming downtown.

“After 12 straight years at the top of the list, this coastal escape has moved into the third spot,” the magazine wrote. “Still, there’s much to adore about the Holy City, which is brimming with history and Southern hospitality.”

Meanwhile, Greenville was praised for being a hidden gem in the Southeast, a region that boasts several destinations in the top 10.

“A newcomer to the list, this mid-size city was described as one of the South’s ‘best kept secrets,’” the magazine wrote. “Visitors appreciated the high number of locally owned restaurants and the proximity to the outdoors — the Reedy River, which flows right through downtown, also provides a peaceful setting.”

Across the country, places that offer travelers a glimpse into the past and a taste of regional foods received high marks in the rankings.

“When choosing city escapes in the United States, travelers continue to seek destinations with pedestrian-friendly streets, dynamic arts and culture institutions, and excellent food,” the magazine wrote in its report. “For many visitors, it was also important to have access to activities that suit everyone, whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or as a multigenerational family.”

Nationwide, the top-ranked vacation spot was Santa Fe, New Mexico. The other destinations that round out the top five:

In addition to boasting winners in the best cities category, places in South Carolina made their mark in the top 10 on other World’s Best Awards lists. Here’s where those destinations landed in the continental U.S. rankings:

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Lowcountry animal shelter is calling on the community to take on emergency foster dogs because of a critical air conditioning unit failure that won’t be resolved for weeks.

Pet Helpers Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic, located at 1447 Folly Road in Charleston, announced Friday morning that 40 dogs are in urgent need of foster care because of the broken AC unit.

The unit’s compressor failed, and shelter officials said they’ve been told that the replacement parts are on backorder, forcing the shelter to fight the heat of the summer for the next three to five weeks.

Team members have deployed several emergency measures, ranging from the installation of portable AC units and industrial fans to the housing of dogs in administrative offices; however, this is not enough, as it still leaves several areas in the shelter to be far too hot for dogs to comfortably or even safely inhabit and these solutions will not last for the long term.

The shelter said intake has not been slowing down, creating a “desperate need” for the public’s immediate help by providing temporary homes for those dozens of dogs. These emergency fosters are taking place through the “Summer Break Foster Program,” a rapidly-launched initiative designed to secure safe housing for these dogs.

“We are doing everything in our power to ensure our animals are safe, cool and comfortable, but the reality is that we need help,” Executive Director of Pet Helpers Melissa Susko said. “This community has always shown incredible compassion, and we’re counting on that same support now. These dogs deserve more than a temporary solution — they deserve care, comfort, and a path to a forever home.”

Right now, Pet Helpers is looking for members of the community to step up and provide temporary homes for the shelter dogs until the AC system has been fully repaired, which is expected to take several weeks.

Dogs are eligible to leave starting July 20.

Foster families will be matched with a dog who fits with their lifestyle and home environment and will receive all needed supplies, including food, crates, leashes and medical support.

“Most of the dogs needing placement are medium to large breeds, and some are best suited to homes without other pets,” the shelter said in a release.

They also stated that the program is about more than getting these dogs out of the heat.

“Importantly, this program is not just about temporary relief. These fosters will also serve as adoption ambassadors — helping their foster dog find a forever home by sharing photos, introducing them to friends and family and posting on social media. With more dogs arriving daily, it’s critical that these fosters don’t all return in five weeks, only to find the shelter at capacity,” shelter officials said.

Applications for the program are officially open. Those who wish to apply can click here.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County leaders discussed several updates in departments, officials and projects at their retreat meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

One of the presentations involved new ideas for the transportation sales tax.

After the presentation from the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments and the county’s new consultants, the council made a motion to move forward with exploring the idea of a new referendum, but with a different approach.

In the past, the council has been focused on roadways, transit, bike and pedestrian ways, and a Greenbelt project, where the council has put the referendum on the ballot first before going to the public.

Charleston County Council Member for District 9 Jenny Costa Honeycutt said they learned from their mistakes when introducing a referendum on the ballot without getting the public’s feedback prior to decision making.

“I think everyone across all districts wants to know that they were heard,” Honeycutt said.

In 2024, community members voted against a referendum when it was on the November ballot.

However, with this possible new referendum, the council will gather the data and public feedback before any decisions are made or any voting is to be done.

“What the council is doing is they’re leading a campaign to gather data to help them make informed decisions about possibly putting another transportation sales tax on the 2026 ballot,” Deputy County Administrator for Public Services Steve Thigpen said.

With the Tri-County council asking the Charleston County council to lay down a framework, it helped provide new goals and a clear understanding of where this referendum could be headed. Their overall message was to begin with the end in mind.

“I think you can learn a lot from failure and so I think one of the priorities has been how we structure this in a way that really captures the public engagement, and making sure if we do proceed with another referendum that we do so in a way that the public really understands,” Honeycutt said. “Not only understand the question being asked, but they understand the program as it currently exists today.”

For Honeycutt, she said in her district, they really pushed for connectivity along with other initiatives.

“Capacity is always an issue. Traffic’s always an issue, and without additional roads to help with that increased capacity coming across the islands, we have to use our existing infrastructure. So, we need to figure out the best way to improve that,” she said.

She said they’re prioritizing transparency and making sure the public is informed of any possible new decisions, along with making sure they’re educated on what has already been done in previous projects.

While they move forward to explore this idea, the council’s transportation consultants must come back within 60 days, providing an analysis and data before the decision process for any future transportation can begin.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON — The Holy City's 12-year streak as Travel + Leisure's "Best U.S. City" has officially been snapped as it dropped down to the No.3 spot.

Santa Fe took the crown for the 2025 list, released July 8, with New Orleans in a close second.

Charleston may no longer be No. 1, but it still beat cities like Savannah and Honolulu. It also wasn't the only South Carolina city to make the list, as Greenville earned the No. 7 spot.

When asked about this year's rankings, Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford said Charleston’s 12-year run at the top is "a testament to its timeless charm."

"(Charleston's) rich history, vibrant culinary scene, and signature hospitality have long resonated with our readers," she said.

The city is still going strong on the best of list at No. 3, while Kiawah Island and multiple resorts and hotels were recognized in various categories, including several “Best in the U.S.” lists.

South Carolina newcomer Greenville also earned a spot on the "Best U.S. City" list for the first time. Travel + Leisure wrote that the Upstate destination "made a strong debut" at No. 7 and cements the Southeast as a "powerhouse region."

"This mid-size city was described as one of the South’s best kept secrets. Visitors appreciated the high number of locally owned restaurants and the proximity to the outdoors — the Reedy River, which flows right through downtown, also provides a peaceful setting," the publication wrote.

Santa Fe's rise, Gifford said, comes in turn as a result of it's "unique blend of art, history and Southwestern culture."

Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston, said regardless of the ranking, the region has forged a reputation for "delivering meaningful experiences and genuine hospitality." She added that readers clearly continue to "recognize the Charleston area’s uniqueness and character."

“In addition to Charleston being voted a top three U.S. city, the market’s outstanding reputation and desirability are further illustrated by the number of industry partners regionwide — from our beaches to the historic district — that were voted among the best in the country,” Hill said.

Charleston's $14 billion tourism machine saw more than nearly 8 million visitors last year. Almost 25 cents of every dollar spent in the region is attributable to the industry, College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis estimated in a study last year.

Views from afar

Randy Randall, director of Tourism Santa Fe — the visitor's bureau for the New Mexico city — said Charleston and Santa Fe have been running neck-in-neck in the Travel + Leisure rankings for the last few years. He gives The Holy City credit for retaining the title for so long.

Randall said he's asked often what city Santa Fe competes with, and his response is always, "No one." But when it comes to what city Santa Fe is most like, he always answers, "Charleston." He said it's the cities' authentic storytelling and preserved history that create a resemblance, but each has something the other does not. Charleston has a waterfront, while Santa Fe has mountains.

"One thing we're very proud of the fact that we don't change much," Randall said. "We've been very protective of our history. Santa Fe is the second-oldest city in the United States, and it's the oldest state capital. Very early on, we created the urban historic protection rules that we have in our historic district."

Santa Fe's welcomes 3 million visitors per year, with 2.2 million overnight stays and 800,000 day trips, according to Tourism Santa Fe data. Much of Santa Fe's tourism is regional, similar to Charleston's "drive-in" visitation trend of several years ago, before the growth in local air service options began to pull travelers from a wider geographic area.

Santa Fe is a community of roughly 92,000 people, while its greater county has a population of 142,000. Meanwhile, the city of Charleston has more than 155,000 residents, with the county totaling closer to 424,000, according to Census Bureau data.

Randall said many are surprised to hear Santa Fe is home to more than 250 art galleries, a world-class opera house and a robust culinary scene of more than 400 restaurants. It's also known for its rich cultural and art festivals.

"We live above our size and I think that's one of the things that makes us different than most places," Randall said. "It's the visitation that is our lifeblood. Because our communities are smaller we deal with less issues that other cities face, like rush-hour traffic."

Randall said he has a deep respect for Charleston and the city's tourism leaders. He's no stranger to South Carolina, having worked on Hilton Head Island for a few years. If anyone had to take the crown from Charleston, he said he's "honored it was Santa Fe."

The magazine's annual survey fetched more than 180,000 responses that rated the best places to visit and stay around the world. The Travel + Leisure survey rates top cities based on sights, landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping and overall value.

Charleston first climbed to the top of the Travel + Leisure best U.S. city ranking in 2013.

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