One of the best culinary destinations in the States, Charleston’s culinary heritage is influenced by Europe, West Africa, and the Caribbean – and it boasts hospitality to match!
The city has confronted its uncomfortable past, too – with several important monuments that educate on the oppression of African-Americans.
Outside of the city, you’ve got beaches, marshes, and much more to explore if you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a day.
A visit here is like stepping back in time, and there are numerous quirky vacation rentals in Charleston. If you want to really embrace the town’s character, this is the way to go – instead of choosing a drab and dull hotel.
To help you find the perfect place to stay, we’ve put together this list of the 15 best Airbnbs in Charleston. Not only that, but there are some cool Airbnb Experiences that you can enjoy during your stay, too. Let’s check it out!
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Quick Answer: These are the Top 5 Airbnbs in Charleston
Downtown Charleston Single
- > $$
- > 4 Guests
- > Incredible location
- > Loft style master bedroom
Clean, Private Bed and Bath
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Free parking
- > Private bathroom
Spacious Oceanfront Home
- > $$$$$$$$$$
- > 12 Guests
- > Jetted tub
- > Beachfront location
Charming Home with Paws
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Warm welcome
- > Queen bed
Historic Charleston and Beach Nearby
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Dedicated workspace
- > Incredible location
What to Expect from Airbnbs in Charleston
Charleston has one of the most exciting vacation rental scenes in the country. There’s everything from city centre townhouses with pools to tiny houses out in the sticks; you could even stay on a yacht if you so wish! The only downside of staying in Charleston is that it can be seriously pricey (that applies to hotels and other forms of accommodation, too).
If you’re looking to keep your costs down, don’t worry! You’ll be able to find a place, such as a private room in a local home. With the money you save, you can sample the city’s fine food.
Because many Charleston Airbnbs are enormous and/or expensive, you’ll find more properties being managed by businesses than you would in other cities here. They should still be able to help with any issues you face or questions about the local area, though.
A type of accommodation that has its own specific type in Charleston?! This sounds like the unique accommodation you might be looking for. Charleston cottages are small single houses that have two rooms per floor.
Mostly found in Central Charleston and around Folly Beach, townhouses are normally multi-storey buildings that offer a home away from home. You can be assured of a fully equipped kitchen, living space, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
Charleston is surrounded by water, so, why not embrace that and stay on a boat? In the areas around Charleston Harbor and Mount Pleasant, you’ll find several boats that double as Airbnbs.
The Top 15 Airbnbs in Charleston
Now that you know what to expect from Charleston Airbnbs and why you should stay, let’s get to the main event. Here are the 15 best Airbnbs in Charleston, hand-picked with you in mind!
Downtown Charleston Single | Overall Best Value Airbnb in Charleston
A renovated Charleston single cottage, this cool property is ideally suited to a couple or small group of family/friends. Sleeping up to four guests, it’s in a quiet and residential neighbourhood just a stone’s throw from all the action, which makes it ideal for a short trip or a weekend in Charleston. Enjoy a fully-equipped kitchen, two flat-screen TVs, and a king bed if you’re in the loft-style bedroom!
Clean, Private Bed and Bath | Best Budget Airbnb in Charleston
Charleston can be seriously expensive. However, it is possible to find somewhere on a budget if you try hard enough. This private room in a local’s home is close to Downtown and Mount Pleasant, and it’s just ten minutes from the airport. You’ve got free parking and a private bathroom in addition to your room. You’ll be sharing with your host and their dog.
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View on Osprey View on REISpacious Oceanfront Home | Over the Top Luxury Airbnb in Charleston
If you’re looking for an over the top and extravagant property in Charleston, you won’t struggle to find one. This one by Folly Beach has a huge deck that looks more like a cafe… but it’s all yours. Run down to the soft sand and the sea first thing in the morning! Back in the house, there’s a huge living space where you and your group can spend quality time together.
Charming Home with Paws | Perfect Airbnb for Solo Travellers
Unless you’re a seriously rich solo traveller, chances are you’ll be looking at a private room when you travel to Charleston. That’s a good thing, though; homestays mean you can keep your costs down and enjoy more of a local experience. This home is two miles from Downtown and near to Charleston’s historic area, so you’ll never have to travel far for things to do in Charleston when staying here. There are a number of pets at the home, so it may not be the best if you don’t like animals!
Historic Charleston and Beach Nearby | Perfect Airbnb for Digital Nomads
You’ll have the whole second floor of this Charleston home to yourself – ideal if you need to hole up and work on a project. There’s a dedicated workspace and fast Wi-Fi, as well as a double bed. When you’ve closed your laptop for the day, the cinema, restaurants, and cafes are just a short walk away. You could even switch up your scenery on a couple of days of your trip and work from a nearby coffee house!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Airbnbs in Charleston
Here are a few more of my favorite Airbnbs in Charleston!
Boutique Home and Courtyard | Most Romantic Airbnb for Couples
This beautiful carriage home is ideal if you’re travelling to Charleston with your other half. Not only do you get a king-sized bed in the master bedroom, but there’s a huge tub and shower in there, too. You can chill out in the piazza outside or go exploring the city on the two cruiser bikes that are included. A wonderful place to enjoy quality time with a loved one – you’ll never want to leave!
Sweet Retreat Steps from King Street | Best Airbnb in Charleston for Families
The good news when travelling to Charleston is that there are several great places for families to stay. Here’s our favourite. With ten beds across three bedrooms, there’s enough space for everyone. As we’ve said, eating out can be quite expensive, so avoid a big restaurant bill by whipping up a family favourite in the fully equipped kitchen and enjoying it all together in the dining room.
Lagoon View Cottage | Best Cottage in Charleston
We mentioned earlier that some Charleston cottages have become bigger and more luxurious as tourism has boomed in the town; this is the sort of place we were talking about. Located at Charleston Harbor, this beautiful cottage boasts a private swimming pool and a screened porch running along the length of the cottage. It’s a wonderful spot for birdwatchers; you may just spot some herons, cranes, and pelicans.
The Treehouse on James Island | Best Townhouse in Charleston
Another wonderful property for a small family or a group of friends, you’ll be surprised at how little this Charleston townhouse costs. Though it undercuts many of the other properties on this list, you still get a lot of bang for your buck. There are front porches and back decks on both levels, and a cosy living space and fully equipped kitchen inside. All that, and it’s just 15 minutes from the beach!
A Pirates Life for Me | Best Boat in Charleston
There are a lot of cool things about this Charleston boat. One of them is that it’s been on the TV show ‘Tiny House Hunters!’ You don’t just have to take our word that it’s an awesome Airbnb: it’s been dubbed the city’s best Airbnb experience. Lovingly crafted from reclaimed materials, a pirate’s life is a spacious houseboat that offers a queen bed, a cute living area, and an outdoor terrace overlooking Charleston Harbor.
The Cedar House Rules | Best Tiny House in Charleston
The tiny house movement is growing bigger every day, and you can find quite a few cool ones on Airbnb too. They offer everything you’d usually get in an entire flat or a townhouse but concentrated into a much more compact space. Though the listing is for three people, we reckon it’s much more of a romantic option for a couple. It could even be used for a honeymoon! There’s an outdoor patio should you wish to enjoy the sun, and two cruiser bicycles can help you get acquainted with your surroundings.
Under the Bamboo Trees | Most Unique Airbnb in Charleston
You’ve heard of staying in a camper van, but how about bedding down in a bus? This cute and unusual Airbnb is perfect for a quirky couple or solo traveller. Hidden away under the bamboo trees as the name suggests, the bus has a private entrance, and there’s a fire pit and patio for you to enjoy. There are some simple cooking facilities and an outdoor toilet. The steering wheel is still intact!
Award Winning Renovation | Most Beautiful Airbnb in Charleston
It was hard to decide on the most beautiful home in Charleston. But the more you look at this place, with its cool pink paint job, the easier it gets. It also has a vibrant colour scheme in the open plan living area and kitchen, and there’s stylish indoor brickwork and wooden beams throughout. It’s not all about the aesthetic – the facilities are awesome. And there’s space for up to 14 guests!
Tranquility in your Garden | Best Airbnb in Charleston with a Pool
Charleston can get mighty hot, so it’s good to have your very own swimming pool to cool off in. Located at the side of the house, it’s long enough to do lengths, or you could just dip your feet in after a day of exploring the city. The home is an Airbnb Plus property, meaning that it’s met the platform’s highest standards – consistently great reviews, attention to detail from the hosts, and it’s even passed an in-person inspection!
The Moonstone Suite | Best Airbnb in Charleston for a Group of Friends
When travelling with a group of friends, it’s nice to have a large living area where you can spend some quality time catching up and enjoying each other’s company. There’s a large dining table and fully equipped kitchen here, so another option is to chat over a meal. It’s great value for money, and that price split between eight people means you’ll have lots of cash left over to enjoy what Charleston has to offer.
What To Pack For Charleston
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for an Airbnb stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Don’t Forget Your Charleston Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Charleston Airbnbs
So, there you have it. We’ve not only shown you the best Airbnbs in Charleston, but how to make the most of your vacation when you get there. Whether you want to stay in a beachfront home, a cottage with a swimming pool, or want to save your dollars with a charming private room, there’s an Airbnb in Charleston for you.
If you still can’t make up your mind, go for our overall best value Airbnb in Charleston. That’s the Downtown Charleston Single. As well as that sublime location in the city centre, it’s a cool and stylish place for up to four guests.
- Check out our Backpacking USA guide for in-depth info for your trip.
- Use our Where to Stay in Charleston guide to plan your adventure.
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- Make sure you visit the other best places in the USA too.
- That will of course include many of the stunning National Parks of the USA.
- A great way to see the country is by taking an epic road trip around USA.
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