Is Charleston the world's best city?

It is according to readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

For the second year, the South Carolina destination famed for antebellum architecture and fine dining was ranked the No. 1 U.S. destination in the magazine's Readers' Choice Awards survey, taken by a record 46,476 people. Charleston also was anointed the favorite city in the world (pretty amazing considering Paris, Rome or London often have a lock on such laurels).

Ranking criteria included atmosphere, friendliness, lodging, restaurants, culture, attractions and shopping.

Charleston's "food, history, architecture and people are wonderful," one survey respondent was quoted as saying. "A bucket list city!" Rounding out the top five U.S. cities: San Francisco, Chicago, Santa Fe and New York.

Other survey highlights:

-For the 19th year, Maui was chosen as the top island in the United States, and for 2012, No. 1 in the world.

-The Waldorf Astoria Chicago won top honors among U.S. hotels.

-In Las Vegas, Wynn and its sister casino resort, Encore, took the top hotel spot, followed by the Four Seasons, Palazzo, Bellagio, Venetian and Mandarin Oriental..

-New York boasts 10 hotels scoring above 90 points with CNT readers, including The Peninsula, Trump International Hotel & Tower, and Four Seasons.

Here's a real surprise. Top property in the world is Qualia, a resort Down Under on Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef. It got a perfect 100 score. (I have never heard of it and wonder how many readers stayed there. Obviously, those who did thought it amazing. And it's a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winner, too).

The results of the survey, in its 25th year, can be viewed at condenasttraveler.com. Readers, care to share your thoughts on the findings and your own top destinations and lodgings?