Charleston again voted best U.S. city by T+L readers

Make some room in the trophy case! The readers of Travel + Leisure magazine voted Charleston their number one city in the nation … for the 11th consecutive year.

The magazine annually honors the 15 best cities in the country and 25 best cities in the world. This year, the Holy City placed on both lists, ranking No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 19 internationally.

“Being recognized by such a highly regarded publication is an absolute honor. The competition grows each year for these accolades and the associated downstream benefits they generate, particularly in the post-pandemic environment,” said John Laverne, Explore Charleston’s board chair and founder of Bulldog Tours. “We do not take for granted that its readers — avid travelers — who determine the winners and that most cities in the country would love to be in our position.”

Travelers around the world are taking advantage of what Charleston has to offer, according to a recent release from Explore Charleston. With tourism being responsible for nearly 25 cents of every dollar spent in the region, the city’s tourism generated a record-high impact at $12.8 billion for the Greater Charleston area in 2022. Workers in the local tourism industry also set a record in 2022, having over 51,000 local residents in the industry.

“A successful visitor market enhances the quality of life for residents through increased air service, vibrant cultural and entertainment amenities, as well as diverse dining and retail options,” said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston. “A stronger tax base generated by hospitality and travel reduces the reliance on property taxes paid by local residents and creates revenue that improves the sustainability of our community.”

Travel + Leisure readers also gave nods to the Charleston area with several other awards: The Loutrel Hotel was named No. 2 among the 15 Best Hotels in the Continental U.S. and No. 20 for the 100 Best Hotels in the World. Kiawah Island ranked No. 3 for Best Islands in the Continental U.S.

“These accolades provide invaluable exposure as we reinforce to potential visitors the many attributes that make our area an ideal and iconic destination — from world-class accommodations to cultural arts region wide, from engaging attractions to renowned cuisine, from outdoor activities in our beach communities to historic sites on the peninsula,” said LaVerne.

To see the complete results of Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World Best’s Awards, visit the survey here.

According to another T+L survey, the 15 Best Hotels in Charleston are: