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Menopause with Help from Better Life Carolinas

Hormone Replacement Therapy in Kiawah Island, SC

The impact of hormones on your physical, emotional, and psychological development is significant. In fact, hormones play a crucial role in various functions of your body, such as regulating sleep, managing stress, maintaining alertness, and promoting happiness. Having a healthy balance of hormones is important for feeling and looking great - especially for women. Unfortunately, when hormone levels fluctuate, several adverse effects can manifest that affect your health and well-being.

One day, you wake up in the morning and attack the day with a smile on your face and a goal in your mind.

The next day, it feels like your emotions are all over the place. Despite sticking to a healthy diet, your weight keeps going up. To make matters worse, hot flashes seem to pop up out of nowhere, making you irritable both at work and at home. The simple truth is that life is hard for ladies after their 50th birthday. That's especially true when it seems like your body is plotting against you every day of the week.

If you're a middle-aged woman and you notice your body going through changes, you should know this is a natural process of aging. It's called menopause - and according to the National Institutes of Health, over a million women experience this transition per year. During this time, it's common for your hormones to start depleting. When that happens, you'll probably notice symptoms that can be challenging to deal with and overcome.

Take a moment and see if any of these signs sound familiar:

  • Low Sexual Desire
  • Hot Flashes
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Vaginal Dryness
  • Weight Fluctuation
  • Mood Swings
  • Problems Paying Attention
  • Anxiety

Trying to deal with hormone deficiency can be a big ordeal for women and their partners. Thankfully, going through menopause and getting older doesn't mean you have to settle for an undesirable life. Hormone replacement therapy in Kiawah Island, SC addresses the hormonal imbalances in your body so you can get back to feeling normal. These clinically proven treatments are now available from Better Life Carolinas and can help women just like you reclaim the youthful vigor you're used to having.

Before we explore the many benefits of HRT for women, let's first look at two of the hormones that can fluctuate during menopause - progesterone and estrogen.

Progesterone And Estrogen Kiawah Island, SC

Progesterone and Estrogen: What Are They?

As a female, your reproductive health thrives on progesterone and estrogen. Made by your ovaries, these hormones play a major role in a range of functions, such as:

  • Thickening of Your Uterus Lining
  • Vaginal Health Regulation
  • Blood Pressure Regulation
  • Calcium Regulation
  • Bone Loss Prevention
  • Facilitating Sleep
  • Mood Enhancement

During your childbearing years, estrogen is responsible for preparing the lining of your uterus for a fertilized egg, while progesterone helps prepare and sustain the pregnancy once the egg has implanted. However, as you age, both of these hormones begin to decline, leading to a stage known as perimenopause, which occurs before menopause.

This transition period is characterized by significant changes in your body as it prepares for the next stage of life, where you can no longer bear children. Unfortunately, the years leading up to menopause can be extremely uncomfortable due to these hormonal fluctuations. That's where female HRT starts to make a lot of sense.

Understanding Hormone Replacement Therapy in Kiawah Island, SC

During menopause, many women opt for hormone replacement therapy. Menopause marks the end of the reproductive phase, and as you enter perimenopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels decline, and eventually, your body produces a fraction of the hormones it used to. This hormonal imbalance results in uncomfortable symptoms.

Hormone replacement therapy restores the depleted levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in your body, helping to alleviate the common symptoms of menopause and reducing the risk of long-term diseases. At Better Life Carolinas, our goal is to provide hormone replacement therapy that ensures healthy and balanced hormone levels for your overall wellness.

HRT Therapy Kiawah Island, SC

Are You a Good Candidate for HRT Therapy in Kiawah Island, SC?

Maintaining hormone stability is crucial for women to live a healthy life. This is where Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) comes into play, as it helps in balancing the hormones that would otherwise get altered due to menopause.

At Better Life Carolinas, we recognize that every woman is unique, and, by extension, every patient is different. Therefore, our team of specialists and doctors offer personalized treatment options by combining holistic treatment, nutrition, fitness plans, and more to supplement our HRT treatments for women.

Many women wonder if HRT is the solution to their exhaustion, weight gain, and mood swings. It's hard to say if you're a good candidate for treatment without a comprehensive examination by an HRT expert at our clinic. What we can say is that when a woman's hormones are better balanced, she has a much better chance of enjoying life without the debilitating symptoms that other women experience. At Better Life Carolinas, that's our primary goal - to help you live a healthy life that you love.

Unlike some women's health clinics, money isn't our main motivator. Our HRT options aren't meant to keep you coming back for years and years. They have been developed to help provide your body with the balance it deserves through a patient-focused approach.

The Better Life Carolinas Approach

The Better Life program by Dr. Barber empowers patients with information about their health and wellness and, most importantly, puts in place a plan for the future. Most of us have a financial plan, but very few have a health plan. Our greatest asset is our health, and setting goals to manage our health plan is vital.

Better Life wants to partner with you to make the right choices for optimal health. For women going through menopause, hormone replacement therapy is often the best choice to reclaim your quality of life. Most of us know we need to lose weight, exercise, eat better, and quit smoking. Unfortunately, very few of us understand how to get out of the rut we tend to fall into. Our experienced team will design custom programs to empower you to make this life change for years to come.

5 Big Benefits of HRT in Charleston

One of the first and most frequently asked questions that our women's health doctors get usually focuses on the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. If you're trying to ease your way into menopause, chances are you're wondering about that too. When combined with healthy life choices like diet and exercise, we're happy to say that the benefits of HRT are both numerous and significant.

1

Relief from Menopausal Symptoms

By now, this benefit probably sounds like a no-brainer, but it's one of the major advantages of HRT, so it's worth mentioning again. Menopause can often lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can vary in intensity and can significantly impact your daily routine. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment option that can help regulate estrogen and progesterone levels, thereby alleviating many of these symptoms.

2

Improved Bone Health

While the most obvious benefit of HRT for women is relief from menopause symptoms, there's good evidence that suggests this treatment helps improve bone health, too. One study conducted on over 25,000 women aged 50-79 found that HRT reduced the risk of fractures. This benefit is especially important for women who had their uterus and ovaries removed before the age of 45 and experienced "surgical menopause." Such women are at a higher risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.

3

Reduced Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Perimenopausal Women

Your brain's ability to get energy from glucose, your body's primary fuel source, decreases during menopause due to a drop in estrogen levels. As a result, your brain switches to using fats (lipids) for fuel, which unfortunately leads to the harvesting of fat from the brain's white matter. This process produces ketones - chemicals created in the liver - to provide energy. However, starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) before reaching menopause can reduce the risk of this fuel switch and cut a woman's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in half.

4

Healthy Sex Drive

As people age, their libido tends to decline, which is true for both men and women. For women, menopause can also cause vaginal dryness, which can make sexual intercourse less appealing. Hormone replacement therapy in Charleston can help boost your libido by restoring the levels of reproductive hormones in your body. When your reproductive hormones are balanced, you can get a boost in sex drive and alleviate problems like vaginal dryness.

5

Make it Easier to Manage Your Weight

As you approach menopause, you may notice that your weight tends to fluctuate more frequently. While this is a common occurrence as you age, it can make it difficult to shed extra pounds. Hormone replacement therapy isn't a magic solution for weight loss, but it can address the hormonal aspect of weight gain. Hormones can make it harder to maintain or lose weight, and hormone replacement therapy can help with that. By combining hormone replacement therapy with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you may be able to manage your weight more effectively and improve your overall health.

Women's Health Kiawah Island, SC

Additional Women's Health Treatments from Better Life Carolinas

The benefits listed above are only a snapshot of what HRT can help you deal with and overcome. Contact Better Life Carolinas to learn about other advantages of hormone replacement treatment. But our women's health services don't end with HRT. Our doctors also provide several pain-free, non-surgical solutions for female intimacy problems.

We're talking about Femiwave Therapy, O Shot, and the Emsella Kegel Chair.

Address the Root Cause with Femiwave Therapy

Are you ready to enjoy a normal sex life without having to rely on strange pills or invasive procedures? Femiwave therapy uses pulse waves to improve blood flow to the vaginal area without ever needing to go under the knife. This procedure enhances sensitivity, lubrication, tightens, strengthens, and improves the physical appearance of your vagina and the surrounding area. It has been shown to boost sexual satisfaction and function with no downtime, drugs, or lasers, and the results are long-lasting. The procedure is based on established shockwave therapy and has been backed by clinical studies for years to increase blood flow and restore healthy tissue.

Femiwave Therapy Kiawah Island, SC

Ideal candidates are women experiencing low libido, urinary incontinence, menopause symptoms such as painful intercourse and vaginal dryness, or women looking to improve their sex life. This procedure is quick and comfortable with no downtime, meaning you can swing by our office when it's best for your schedule and get treatment without disrupting your day.

Women in South Carolina use Femiwave therapy alongside hormone replacement therapy in Kiawah Island, SC because it is:

  • Recommended by Doctors
  • Backed by Clinical Research and Studies
  • Personalized for Your Body and Female Health Conditions
  • Guaranteed to Provide Results Long-Term

Putting the "O" in Orgasm

While our male patients have enjoyed many benefits from our P-Shot (or Priapus Shot), we know that women deserve to enjoy some fun, too. Better Life Carolinas now provides a powerful treatment called the O-Shot (Orgasm shot) that can deliver incredible results for women. This simple procedure utilizes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate new tissue growth, and as a woman's own PRP is used, the O-Shot is completely safe and free of side effects. The health benefits of the O-Shot are numerous, and a revitalized sex life is just one of them.

The O-Shot earned its name by increasing a woman's intensity during orgasm, but it is also a natural approach to treating the following:

  • Depleted Sex Drive and Libido
  • Urge or Stress-Related Urinary Incontinence
  • White Spot Disease (Lichen Sclerosus)
  • Postpartum Fecal Incontinence
  • Inflammatory Conditions (Lichen Planus)
  • Long-Term Pain from Childbirth Mesh or Trauma

Emsella Chair for Women

The Emsella Chair is a breakthrough innovation for women experiencing urinary incontinence. This common issue affects over 15 million women in the US and can cause embarrassing leakages, loss of sleep, and poor work performance. The Emsella Chair offers a non-invasive solution to this problem without the need for surgery or medication.

The Emsella Chair is an FDA-approved device designed for patients who want to improve their quality of life by addressing the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Sometimes referred to as the "Kegel Throne," this comfortable chair is an excellent option for those who have tried other solutions like medication and surgery but found that they negatively impact their daily lives.

The Emsella Chair uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology (HIFEM) to stimulate contractions in your pelvic floor muscles. These contractions can help you regain control of your bladder and improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles, much like kegel exercises but with greater efficiency. The Emsella Chair is unique in that it targets the entire pelvic floor with thousands of contractions per session, making it a highly effective treatment option for women.

While using the Emsella Chair, you may feel your pelvic floor muscles contracting. This is a normal reaction and indicates that the machine is functioning correctly. You might also experience a mild tingling sensation during the treatment, but it is not painful. After your session, you're free to resume regular daily activities without any downtime required. The best part is that, unlike surgery, there is no need for any medications to manage the pain or grogginess that usually comes after an invasive procedure.

The Emsella Chair is an excellent solution for women of all ages, but it is more commonly used by older women who tend to experience urinary incontinence. There are various symptoms related to urinary incontinence which can be effectively treated with the Emsella Chair.

Some of those symptoms include the following:

  • Increased Urination Frequency
  • Unmanageable Urges to Urinate
  • Unexpected Urinary Leaks
  • Smaller Leaks During Periods of Physical Activity
  • Urinary Leaks During Menopause
  • Urinary Leaks After Childbirth

As thousands of women across the United States have said, our doctors can help you say "NO!" to urinary incontinence with Emsella Chair treatments.

Your Partner for Better Health and Wellness

At Better Life Carolinas, we're proud to be a partner on your path toward better wellness and healthy aging. Our team of women's health specialists and doctors provides constant encouragement, status checks, and recommendations to ensure that you receive personalized and ongoing medical management. We believe that receiving plenty of face-time and individual care from your personal physician is crucial to making a profound difference in your life - both now and in the future.

Whether you're approaching middle age or have already started menopause, our hormone replacement treatments could be an answer to your age management challenges. Contact our office today to learn more about the Better Life Carolinas difference and how our team provides the guidance you need to achieve a healthy life.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Kiawah Island, SC

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The 28 Best Things To Do In Beaufort, South Carolina

There's a moment at Hunting Island State Park as you're biking along the Lagoon Trail—ocean breezes and intoxicating beach vistas playing peekaboo to your left—when the sandy path turns inland and a sign points to Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail. A good idea? Yes."Yes," it turns out, sums up the best way to experience Beaufort, South Carolina, and its environs, including Hunting Island. Yes, the path less taken is an excellent idea, as is the sweet tea at Blackstone's Cafe. Spending hours strolling through The Old ...

There's a moment at Hunting Island State Park as you're biking along the Lagoon Trail—ocean breezes and intoxicating beach vistas playing peekaboo to your left—when the sandy path turns inland and a sign points to Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail. A good idea? Yes.

"Yes," it turns out, sums up the best way to experience Beaufort, South Carolina, and its environs, including Hunting Island. Yes, the path less taken is an excellent idea, as is the sweet tea at Blackstone's Cafe. Spending hours strolling through The Old Point and gazing at historic homes and even older live oaks offers endless enchantment. But with my eyes peeled for rattlers, I was (yes) relieved that the only serpentine thing I discovered was more of the winding trail along old dune ridgelines through a primordial wonderland.

Ahead, the best things to do in Beaufort, South Carolina, from local shopping to exploring the restaurant scene to appreciating the area's subdued beauty.

Visit Hunting Island

The trail affirms why Hunting Island, a breathtaking 25-minute drive from Beaufort, is South Carolina's most popular state park. With a dozen similar paths and 5 miles of pristine beach, this place leads you back eons in time through an untouched maritime forest with towering pines and ospreys soaring overhead as well as magnolias and saw palmettos tangled with yaupon hollies and wax myrtles in the dense understory. Here you breathe deeper and look more closely. Life slows down, and a sense of awe percolates up.

Take In The Scenery At Waterfront Park

Take a seat on one of the bench swings at Beaufort's Waterfront Park. Wide and welcoming, they move back and forth in a rhythmic lullaby. You can't help relaxing, especially if you happen to catch a sunset or tune into the soft lapping of the Beaufort River against the floating dock, hearing the jingling clink of pulleys against sailboat masts—a mariner's wind chime.

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards A slice of the sweet life from Beaufort’s upscale Saltus River Grill. Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Waterfront Park showcases the smart civic planning that makes Beaufort such a delight: The town's best vistas are protected and preserved. There are thoughtful amenities (parking, public bathrooms, an amphitheater, picnic tables, and plenty of green lawn for kids and dogs to play on). Plus it's all conveniently adjacent to an enticing array of restaurants, coffee shops, and stores along Bay Street. What better nightcap than to sit and swing a spell after enjoying grilled scallops or top-notch sushi at Saltus River Grill?

Appreciate Beaufort's Subdued Beauty

Beaufort is subdued in the best possible way. She has the same deep history and stunning architecture that her nearby sisters, Charleston and Savannah, are celebrated for, but she's fine staying slightly out of the limelight. Wise and mature, Beaufort wears her age like the badge of honor it is. Her Lowcountry aura feels elemental, with more patina and less pomp. Along Short Street at the edge of The Old Point, moss-heaped limbs cradle historic mansions. Beaufort's treescape shouts of grandeur in whatever language oaks speak. Gardens and yards aren't so much manicured as they are magical. It's easy to see why Hollywood frequently comes calling (a stairwell at The Beaufort Inn features posters from major motion pictures filmed here). Longtime resident Pat Conroy was so smitten that he wrote, "When I came to Beaufort I had struck upon a land so beautiful I had to hunt for other words."

Learn About Beaufort's History

Not far from Short Street, the First African Baptist Church, a Gothic Revival gem built by freedmen in 1865, bears witness to Beaufort's African American, Gullah, and Reconstruction-era history. "Robert Smalls was a member here. This document notes his Sunday school attendance and that he put a few cents in the offering plate," says the Rev. Alexander McBride, a jovial former marine and the church's pastor of almost 20 years, pointing to framed, yellowing pages hanging behind the sanctuary. A statue of Smalls, an enslaved crewman who heroically commandeered a Confederate ship and later served as a U.S. Congressman, is less than a mile away at Tabernacle Baptist Church, where a monument to Harriet Tubman is also planned.

Join Tabernacle Baptist Church for Worship at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays and for a prayer meeting and Bible study at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Both churches are worthy stops, along with the Penn Center, the first Southern school for formerly enslaved people, across the bridge on St. Helena Island. Each place gives a deeper insight into the region's vibrant and enduring African American and Gullah Geechee culture.

Providing an overview of Beaufort's past, Capt. Henry Brandt of Coastal Expeditions offers a boat tour that cruises through the area's Native American, Spanish, and French history; Union occupation; and a view of Camp Saxton's tabby ruins, where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in South Carolina—all interspersed with musings on estuary ecosystems and the fecund marvels of pluff mud.

"You don't fully experience Beaufort until you see it from the water," Brandt claims. After watching dolphins curl and glide from the boat's bow and admiring the town's steeples rising in the background, I absolutely believe him.

tabernacle1863.org; 901 Craven Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29901penncenter.com; 16 Penn Center Circle East, St. Helena Island, South Carolina 29920coastalexpeditions.com

Where To Stay

Anchorage 1770 Boutique hotel in an 18th-century mansion with fine dining at the Ribaut Social Club ; 1103 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

The Beaufort Inn Historic main inn plus several cottages clustered around a courtyard beaufortinn.com; 809 Port Republic St, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Rhett House Inn Historic Greek revival mansion that's been a favorite of movie stars rhetthouseinn.com; 1009 Craven St, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

What To Eat And Drink

Blackstone's Café Classic diner-like options blackstonescafe.com; 205 Scott Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Red Rooster Cafe Extensive breakfast menu, whether you like it country, continental, Lowcountry, or Tex Mex facebook.com; 2045 Boundary Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, 29901

Lowcountry Produce Kitchen Locally sourced salads and sandwiches and a legendary tomato pie lowcountryproduce.com; 302 Carteret St, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Chapman's Grocer Grab-and-go items plus beer, wine, and snacksinstagram.com/chapmans_grocer_beaufort; 208 West St, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Plums Waterfront dining featuring soups, salads, and sandwiches plumsrestaurant.com; 904 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Saltus River Grill Fine dining with fresh local seafood, Southern fare, steaks, sushi, and a well-curated wine list ; 802 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Old Bull Tavern Gastropub featuring a lively bar scene and a lamb shank that does not disappoint oldbulltavern.com; 205 West Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Breakwater Restaurant and Bar Seafood, steaks, and seasonal dishes with Southern flair breakwatersc.com; 203 Carteret Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Paninis on the Waterfront Stone-baked pizzas, paninis, seafood, and pastas paninisonthewaterfront.com; 926 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Wren Bistro & BarModern-American food with low country hospitalitywrenbeaufort.com; 210 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC 29902

Where To Shop

Cabana22 Coastal-chic boutique cabana22.com; 819 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

The Chocolate Tree Confections such as fudge, truffles, and peanut brittle facebook.com; 507 Carteret Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

The Beaufort Candy Shop Classic candies and sweet treats of every kind; 103 West Street Extension, Beaufort, South Carolina 29906

Lisa Rivers Fine Art Gullah-inspired art, prints, and gifts lisariversart.com; 917c Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Cassandra Gillens Art / Gullah Art in De Woods Paintings, posters, and gifts; 711 Bladen Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29906

Good Aura Sustainable clothing and jewelry boutique shopgoodaura.com; 221 West Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Monkey's Uncle Toys, fun, and games for children of all ages monkeysuncletoys.com; 909 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

What To Do

Hunting Island; St. Phillips Island; southcarolinaparks.comPat Conroy Literary Center; Coastal Expeditions; Reconstruction Era National Historic Park; nps.gov/reerSpanish Moss Trail; Craven Street en route to The Old Point to explore historic neighborhoods

Elevated Experiences on the Horizon: Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina

Condé Nast Traveler editorial staff were not involved with the creation of this content.Before the island awakens, the gentle roar of the Atlantic Ocean steadies its harmony along the shoreline. The rustle of pampas grass drifts through the air, blending seamlessly with the cool serenity of the misty ocean breeze. Sunlight quietly warms the world-class fairways and meandering waterways, while ospreys eye up the salt marshes, anticipating their morning catch.This is Kiawah Island at its most intimate. A paradise where the...

Condé Nast Traveler editorial staff were not involved with the creation of this content.

Before the island awakens, the gentle roar of the Atlantic Ocean steadies its harmony along the shoreline. The rustle of pampas grass drifts through the air, blending seamlessly with the cool serenity of the misty ocean breeze. Sunlight quietly warms the world-class fairways and meandering waterways, while ospreys eye up the salt marshes, anticipating their morning catch.

This is Kiawah Island at its most intimate. A paradise where the day begins not with noise, but with possibility.

Approximately 21 miles from Charleston, the unspoiled, private island is where nature, sport, and luxury intertwine. Experiences range from spa treatments, tennis, fine dining, and pickleball to naturalist tours, kayaking, and championship golf. It’s more than a destination. It’s an oasis of Southern hospitality, sun-warmed paths, and towering palms that stir the senses—and make you feel worlds away.

Unpretentious elegance leads to unforgettable impressions

A leisurely drive under canopies of Spanish moss-draped live oaks leads to the entrance of The Sanctuary, the property’s acclaimed crown jewel. Enveloped with subtropical surroundings, this aptly named haven is bestowed with South Carolina’s only Forbes Triple Five-Star rating for dining, accommodations, and spa. The reasons why are apparent.

Sincere welcomes are a constant here. As is a serenade of rolling surf, pristine sands, and far-reaching landscapes, all framed by expansive windows. This is where the journey begins. The unplugging. The clarity. The serenity.

Inside The Sanctuary, grand staircases positioned at either side of the lobby lead the way to world-class accommodations anchored by 255 exquisite guest rooms and suites. Décor throughout is refined without sacrificing Southern charm. Luxe amenities create an environment that is both exceptional and endearing—whether traveling solo or with family.

The botanical solitude of the Forbes Five-Star spa is a source of endless bliss. Think trickling water fountains, the calming aroma of essential oils, detoxifying mineral-based massages, and holistic facials. Expect no pretense. Just pure, award-winning renewal and rejuvenation.

SC has 7 of the best resorts in the South for 2025, Condé Nast says. Take a look

Seven resorts across the Palmetto State have been ranked among the top 20 in the South by the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.From oceanfront escapes to serene Lowcountry retreats, these South Carolina resorts made the ranks for their hospitality, scenery and world-class amenities — with more locations on the list than any other southern state.There were 757,109 travelers who participated in the 38th annual survey, casting votes between April 1 and June 30, 2025. Results are based on a five-po...

Seven resorts across the Palmetto State have been ranked among the top 20 in the South by the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

From oceanfront escapes to serene Lowcountry retreats, these South Carolina resorts made the ranks for their hospitality, scenery and world-class amenities — with more locations on the list than any other southern state.

There were 757,109 travelers who participated in the 38th annual survey, casting votes between April 1 and June 30, 2025. Results are based on a five-point scale and averaged to a percentage to determine final scores. The awards recognize excellence across a wide range of travel categories, including hotels, resorts, cities, and airports.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation, where you stay matters just as much as where you go.

Here are the South Carolina resort destinations that made the ranks and how each location scored.

This oceanfront resort blends luxury with Lowcountry charm, offering pristine beaches, world-class golf and spa experiences all nestled within a barrier island setting.

Located just outside Charleston, Wild Dunes offers a relaxing beach atmosphere and easy access to historic charm, complete with golf courses, bike trails, and upscale accommodations.

Set along the Atlantic Ocean, just steps away from the beach, this resort features oceanfront dining, three pools, and a full-service spa, making it a top pick for both relaxation and recreation.

This boutique waterfront resort combines coastal elegance with Southern hospitality, all just a short drive from the city.

Famous for its iconic red-and-white lighthouse and scenic bike trails, Sea Pines offers an immersive experience in nature, golf, and coastal living on Hilton Head’s southern tip.

With spacious suites, beachfront access, golf, trails, and tennis courts, this resort provides a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere ideal for both couples and families.

Tucked between Hilton Head and Savannah, Montage Palmetto Bluff delivers Southern charm and luxury with a rustic twist in its moss-draped oaks, gourmet dining and homes on the water.

What other resorts in the South made the list?

The other top resorts in this ranking by Condé Nast readers include:

The Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina

The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia

The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia

The Swag in Waynesville, North Carolina

The Cloister at Sea Island in Sea Island, Georgia

Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee

The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia

The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina

Blackberry Mountain in Walland, Tennessee

The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina

The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia

The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection in Meadows of Dan, Virginia

How does Condé Nast conduct these surveys?

Condé Nast states that the Readers’ Choice Awards survey is administered via a secure platform from cntraveler.com and includes a range of criteria relevant to each category.

Categories range from cities, resorts, hotels, and more. For a candidate to be voted on in a respective category, it must meet a minimum number of responses and achieve a qualifying rating to be eligible.

Results are based on a five-point scale and averaged to a percentage to determine final scores.

The rankings aim to highlight places and experiences that travelers value most and serve as a guide for future travel planning.

To view the full list of top resorts in the South and other awards from Condé Nast readers, click here.

Kiawah Island Civic Center design competition finalists unveiling plans

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Kiawah Island could be expanding its Town Hall campus with a Civic and Cultural Center and Wednesday, the town is taking a unique approach to the process.After launching a national design competition, the town has selected three firms as finalists. Those teams will present their conceptual designs to the public Wednesday afternoon at the Town Hall.The event will be held inside the Council Chambers, where residents can view the designs and learn more about the project. The presentations are scheduled...

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Kiawah Island could be expanding its Town Hall campus with a Civic and Cultural Center and Wednesday, the town is taking a unique approach to the process.

After launching a national design competition, the town has selected three firms as finalists. Those teams will present their conceptual designs to the public Wednesday afternoon at the Town Hall.

The event will be held inside the Council Chambers, where residents can view the designs and learn more about the project. The presentations are scheduled to occur between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The competition is not about choosing one specific design. Instead, the town is selecting the firm and team behind the concept. The finalists were picked from 12 national submissions earlier this summer. Over the last six to eight weeks, each of the three remaining teams has developed its own vision for a Civic and Cultural Center on the existing 21-acre Town Hall campus.

Town officials said the proposed center could feature a performing arts auditorium, gallery space and flexible areas for meetings and community events— all amenities the island currently lacks.

“I think why everybody’s so excited about the potential is because the Kiawah Arts Council has been putting on programming for more than two decades. The challenge has been that all of these are held in churches nearby, clubhouses; all of those venues are less than desirable from a sound quality standpoint, comfort seating, et cetera. This is an opportunity to have a dedicated purpose-built facility that will provide an opportunity to the community to really truly benefit from the programming that the council’s been putting on for a long period of time,” Mayor Bradley Belt said.

Belt said that, although they want the best design and the most efficient process, there are a variety of factors that go into a project like this one. Considerations like funding, functionality and long-term planning are still ahead.

“We’re choosing the firm based upon their creative vision and the depth and breadth of their team because it’s not just the architectural firm. They’ve also got affiliates that deal with theater design acoustics, construction firms and landscape related issues,” Belt said. “We want to make sure that the team that’s selected is the right one to lead this project.”

Belt said Wednesday’s unveiling is about getting residents involved and helping them envision the potential of the space, rather than letting them decide.

“There’s not really an opportunity to vote on one design or another because there’s a whole host of considerations,” Belt said. “The public may be blown away by one design, but that may not be a cost-effective option. It might not be the best team or it might not take the best advantage of the site conditions. So, this is really just a chance for the community to see what we’ve been seeing evolve over the last several weeks.”

Belt said the main goal of this addition is to take advantage of the full 21-acre campus by utilizing it to give back to the area and the people who live there.

“This is really an underutilized campus right now, 21 acres that just houses administrative buildings and the council chambers. But, we hope this becomes a true asset for the community, for residents of the sea islands, not just Kiawah Island residents, but also visitors to the islands,” Belt said.

Once the design selection committee chooses a winning team, the project will still need Town Council approval before moving forward. If approved, officials expect construction to take at least two years.

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