Have you ever tried Airbnb? You can find rentals in just about every city, ranging from rooms in a shared apartment to entire 10 bedroom mansions. You can book a place for a night or two, or extend your stay for months at a time. The possibilities are endless!
We tried our first Airbnb when we went to DC for our anniversary a couple years ago and absolutely loved it! We stayed in an industrial style loft in the middle of Georgetown, and could walk to all the local restaurants and shops.
We’ve tried a few since, and for the most part have had enjoyable experiences. I like staying in an Airbnb because it lets you feel like one of the locals. You don’t get as many anti-tourist eye rolls when it appears that you live there. Plus, it’s a great way to just dive into a community. The cost is often less than the price of staying in a hotel, and having an entire place (including the kitchen) allows for not only a homier feel, but an opportunity to save money by eating a few meals in your rental.
With summer coming up, I had traveling and beaches on the brain, so I started searching. Here are some appealing options along the Carolina coast.
This two bedroom, one and a half bath apartment is in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. I love that the owner has kept it light and airy, and hasn’t tried to cram too much furniture into the space.
This is an old firehouse that’s been converted into apartments in the Antique & Arts district of Wilmington. It can sleep up to 6 people, which makes the price tag extremely manageable. And fun fact, apparently a design star lives just below.
My family used to vacation at OIB every summer, so it has always held a special place in my heart. I love this spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with all its pink features and multiple porches!
Close enough to Charleston, but just far enough to soak up some quiet relaxation. That front with the palms is to die for, and the large kitchen would definitely make me want to stay in and cook a night or two. And can we talk about those intracoastal views?!
Need a place for 12 people? This is it! This 6 bedroom, 5 bath monster would be perfect for a family reunion or a multi-family getaway. The wall to wall windows and wrap around porches are really doing it for me.
So those are my favorites. A word to the wise: make sure you read all the fine print and calculate all of your fees. Many places require pet fees, extra guest fees, cleaning fees, etc.
Have you tried Airbnb? Or VRBO? What did you think? Would you do it again?