Best of the Holy City Beauty and Wellness

Voted on by our readers, these award-winning attractions, top-notch shopping and services have helped make Charleston the #1 Best City in America. Use this guide to discover (or rediscover) what makes Charleston such a great place to live, work and play. We’ve got recommendations from locals for everything from the best antique store and best family-friendly attraction to the best spot to grab a martini. Cheers!

By Sophia Rodriguez, Daria Smith, Denise K. James, Maddie Cleland and Beverly Barfield

Best Allergist

Charleston Allergy & Asthma

charlestonallergy.com

Charleston Allergy and Asthma has been providing allergy and asthma care in the Charleston area for over 30 years, now with three locations in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant and Summerville. The award-winning team consists of eight board-certified allergists who pride themselves on using the most up-to-date and advanced treatments.

Best Assisted Living Community

Franke At Seaside

frankeatseaside.org

Franke At Seaside is situated in the heart of Mount Pleasant among beautiful lagoons and Spanish moss draping over ancient oak branches. It’s a haven for older adults seeking an active, worry-free future. As a continuing care retirement community, they offer independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support and rehabilitation.

Best Chiropractor

The BodyFix

thebodyfixchiro.com

The BodyFix in Mount Pleasant takes a holistic health approach with personalized, innovative care that addresses the root cause of pain and dysfunction. Their multi-faceted approach combines cutting-edge technologies, advanced techniques and a whole-body perspective to help you achieve lasting relief.

Best Day Spa

Charleston Medical Spa

charlestonmedicalspa.com

Charleston Medical Spa employs skin rejuvenation techniques for your face, skin and body. This James Island spa aims to enhance your beauty by providing a personalized approach to aesthetic medicine. Highly-trained estheticians transform your skin and body with skin care techniques and medical grade skin care products, from laser hair removal to non-invasive body firming and cellulite treatments.

Best Dentist

Pleasant Family Dentistry

pleasantfamilydentistry.com

Pleasant Family Dentistry is a general family dental practice, making Mount Pleasant smile for over 30 years. They strive to create a soothing, relaxed, compassionate environment to put anxious patients at ease. Dental services include checkups, dental cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, children’s dentistry, cavity detection, and non-surgical gum disease treatments. Additional options include Invisalign, crowns, bridges, root canals, dental implants, dentures, teeth whitening, and sleep apnea treatments.

Best Dermatologist

Epiphany Dermatology

Note: Dermatology & Laser Center has now partnered with Epiphany Dermatology.

epiphanydermatology.com

Epiphany Dermatology is a full-service dermatology practice with two locations in Summerville and West Ashley that treat all conditions of the skin, hair and nails. They place special emphasis on skin cancer prevention, screenings and treatment. 

The team consists of board-certified dermatologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and aestheticians.

Best Eye Doctor

The Look Eyecare Center

thelookeyecare.com

Optometrist Dr. Chad A Carlsson offers personalized solutions, cutting-edge technology, and a wide selection of glasses at The Look Eyecare Center in Charleston’s Cainhoy neighborhood. Dr. Carlsson is backed by his friendly, knowledgeable staff, and regulars look forward to their annual eye exams.

Best Eyebrow Artistry

Knox & Olive - A Lash and Brow Studio

vagaro.com/knoxandolive

Knox & Olive is a lash and brow studio located in historic downtown Charleston, inside Cirque Salon Studios in suites 209 and 210. They specialize in lash extensions and offer keratin lash lifts, brow lamination, lash and brow tinting, threading, and full body hair removal. Customers rave about staff expertise and years of experience.

Best Hair Salon

Charleston InStyle Salon

vagaro.com/instyle 

Charleston InStyle Salon is a full-service hair salon in West Ashley for men and women, offering full hair services plus waxing. Owner Brook Chavis is a Paul Mitchell graduate and specializes in men’s and boy’s cuts, beards, highlights and waxing. Most stylists have 10-15 years of experience.

Best Hospital

MUSC Medical Center

muschealth.org

MUSC Medical Center in downtown Charleston offers scheduled appointments and urgent care. According to US News & World Report, they’re #19 in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology, #23 in the nation for ear, nose, and throat and nationally-ranked in six specialties in children’s health. Hollings Cancer Center also ranked as a high-performing hospital.

Best Local Pharmacy

Plantation Pharmacy

plantationpharmacy.com

Pharmacist Deborah DaPore opened Plantation Pharmacy to offer an array of services including filling prescriptions, medication adherence, medication therapy management, travel vaccinations, compounding, immunizations and medication synchronization. With three locations in West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island, they also service nursing homes and maintain an extensive inventory of ostomy supplies, compression stockings and mastectomy prosthetics.

Best Manicure/Pedicure

Victoria Nails

facebook.com/victorianailswestashley

Victoria Nails in West Ashley specializes in dip powder nails, acrylic nails, gel nails, and pedicures. Regulars will tell you, Franklin does the best work and he’s gained high praise for his dip manicures. Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s best to call ahead for an appointment because they do get busy.

Best Massage

Urban Nirvana

urbannirvana.com

Founded in November 2000 by a massage therapist and attorney, Urban Nirvana is on a mission to create a beautiful spa experience without the pretentious attitude that often comes with it. It’s a sweet escape. Spa and salon services include facials, waxing, body scrubs, massages, haircuts, coloring, and highlights. Exact treatments vary by spa and salon locations in West Ashley, Kiawah Island, Mount Pleasant, downtown, and North Charleston.

Best Med-Spa

Totality Medispa

totalitymed.com

Totality Medispa provides treatments and technologies that rejuvenate, revitalize, sculpt and restore the face and body downtown and in Daniel Island. Under the direction of Dr. Nicole Nadel, each appointment comes with a consultation prior to an aesthetic enhancement treatment. Featured services include fillers, toxins, lasers and body sculpting.

Best Men’s Grooming

Recitals Hair Salon

recitalshairsalon.com

Recitals Hair Salon in Mount Pleasant is known for its Keratin Bond extensions. Services include scalp massages, blowouts, Kertain conditioning treatments, haircuts, color, extensions, highlights, barbering, waxing and wedding updos. Owner William Murphy has over 30 years of styling and coloring experience and manufactured his own line of hair care products, Recitals haircare. Military and first responders receive a 10% discount.

Best OBGYN

Women's Health Partners

whpobgyn.com

Women’s Health Partners offers comprehensive healthcare for women of all ages at two Summerville locations. They specialize in gynecology and obstetrics and aid in contraception and endometriosis. Board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners offer specialized treatment for obstetric and gynecologic conditions including minimally invasive surgery.

Best Orthodontist

Nash Orthodontics

nashorthodontics.com

Nash Orthodontics is a people-centered practice with two Mount Pleasant locations. Dr. Travis Nash and his son Dr. Jansen Nash serve all ages, offering individual treatment plans. Services include clear and metal braces for all ages, Invisalign, early orthodontic treatment and palatal expanders.

Best Pediatric Dentist

Coastal Kids Dental & Braces

coastalkidsdental.com

Coastal Kids Dental & Braces provides specialized pediatric dental care in a comfortable and friendly setting at nine practices scattered throughout the Lowcountry. Dentists are highly trained in teaching oral hygiene and prevention and strive to create a relaxing and entertaining environment, teaching kids to think of the dentist as their friend.

Best Pediatrician

Coastal Pediatric Associates

cpakids.com

Open seven days a week, Coastal Pediatric Associates is a designated Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care, recognized for providing the highest level of care in the three-tiered quality grading system. Physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants have cared for the children of the Lowcountry for over 25 years, across four continent locations in Mount Pleasant, James Island, West Ashley and Summerville.

Best Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Marcelo Hochman

facialsurgerycenter.com

Dr. Marcelo Hochman at The Facial Surgery Center has been featured on ABC, CNN, NBC, Fox and more. Surgical procedures include rhinoplasty, breast reconstruction, facelift and abdominoplasty. Non-surgical procedures consist of injectable fillers, migraine treatment, laser and hemangioma treatment. Dr. Hochman takes a personalized approach to facial care, sharing his insights to highlight and restore your natural beauty.

Best Retirement Community

Franke At Seaside

frankeatseaside.org

Franke At Seaside in Mount Pleasant is a non-profit ministry and continuing care retirement community focusing on the enrichment of resident lives. Numerous services and amenities foster old hobbies and encourage new adventures. Caretakers get to know each resident personally to provide nursing care tailored to each individual.

Best Urgent Care

South Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center

scsportsmedicine.com

All physicians at the South Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in North Charleston are board certified in orthopaedic surgery and are trained in respective sub-specialties. The staff includes sports medicine physicians, knee surgeons, shoulder surgeons, hand surgeons and others specialized in arthroscopic surgery, surgery of the upper and lower extremities, reconstructive joint replacement, and surgical and nonoperative treatment of the spine.