The Best Vacation Rentals to Book in South Carolina

Festiva Wachesaw Plantation East offers a sense of tranquil southern hospitality amid lush grounds | Courtesy of Festiva Wachesaw Plantation East / Expedia

Nick Dauk

16 December 2021

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Finding a place in the shade to vacation is effortless in the Palmetto State. With the mountains to the west and the beaches to the east, you’ll have no trouble finding the outdoor fun that suits your seasonal style. Lowcountry living and memory-making in the mountains await you whether you stay a day, week, or whole month. Unwind in southern hospitality when you stay at these vacation homes in South Carolina, all bookable with Culture Trip.

Cassina Palms, for easy beach access

Cassina Palms living room with corner couch, big tv and wooden floors

Courtesy of Cassina Palms / Expedia

What makes this vacation rental in South Carolina more than a home? For you, it might be the instant one-minute walk to the beach, the short drive to Hilton Head’s best golf, or the jetted tub just as close as the shoreline. Your kids might not see how this rental is much different than any old Hilton Head hotel – then you’ll see their faces light up when you show them the on-site arcade and game room.

Xanadu II by Elliott Beach Rentals, for family fun

Make Ocean Boulevard your address for however long you please at this South Carolina vacation rental. An oceanfront condo is primed for relaxation and ready for your book club, beach gang, or small family. Watch the waves from your balcony, picking out the exact spot on the sand where you’ll get the best tan before the tide rolls in. If you can set your alarm early enough, Cherry Grove Point will thank you with a marvelous sunrise.

Mint House Downtown Greenville, for a killer kitchen

An open-plan kitchen and living area at Mint House Downtown Greenville, including a blue couch

Courtesy of Mint House Downtown Greenville / Booking.com

Who’s got time for the beach when there’s Southern cuisine that needs devouring? This vacation rental in South Carolina’s mountainside city of Greenville is a buffet for the eyes and taste buds. These modern apartments with all of the gingerbread: full kitchens, a 24/7 digital concierge, and way more space than a hotel room could offer. Everything from fresh oysters to fine Italian dining is right outside your door. Digest it all, literally speaking, with a long walk around the Reedy River Falls.

A Place at the Beach by Beach Vacations, for fun in the pool

A Place at the Beach by Beach Vacations outdoor pool with palms and benches

Courtesy of A Place at the Beach / Booking.com

If the sand, sun, and surf are all you need to be happy, this condo will generously provide it all. The shore is within footsteps from both bedrooms, as is the outdoor pool and barbecue grills. Myrtle Beach is yours to enjoy, one grain of sand at a time. Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar is right next door, as good of a place as any to sit your buns in the sand next to a cold beer.

Spinnaker at Shipyard, for long days on the course

Spinnaker at Shipyard room with classic decor, wooden headboard and carpet with art on walls

Courtesy of Spinnaker at Shipyard / Expedia

That Hilton Head holiday you’ve always dreamed of has arrived. Wade into the Lowcountry lagoons and you’ll find this two-bedroom townhome on a great lie between the links of Brigantine Golf Course. View it all from the window seat in your high-ceiling master suite. Greens fees are complimentary if you want to play a round, as is the on-site putting green where you can get a few mulligans out of the way.

Ocean Green Cottage #9651, for ultimate convenience

Ocean Green Cottage #9651 sofa with art and light wood tables

Courtesy of Ocean Green Cottage #9651 / Expedia

Let the soft songs of windchimes lure you into this Myrtle Beach condo. You’ll hardly need to lace up a pair of trainers or key on your ignition during your stay; an outdoor pool, restaurant, and convenience store are on-site. You’ll need only flip-flops to walk down to Apache Pier. Singleton Swash is a bit farther, but this eight-minute beach drive will be a breeze when you roll down the windows and crank the tunes.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Lake Marion, for lakeside living

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Lake Marion room with trad decor and desk with oak headboard and carpets with art on walls

Courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Lake Marion / Expedia

Pull off of I-95 and stay awhile at the Wyndham on the state’s largest lake. Hopefully, you’ve remembered to tow your boat; this vacation rental near South Carolina’s Santee State Park has a place for you to dock and launch endless outdoor adventures. The interiors of these holiday homes aren’t too shabby either. Two and three-bedroom suites are sublime places to spend a hot summer afternoon when the A/C kicks a little cooler than the breeze.

Bridgewater, for private beaches

Bridgewater sofa with art on walls, wooden floor, balcony with countryside views

Courtesy of Bridgewater / Booking.com

When a simple vacation home in South Carolina just won’t do, the Bridgewater will amplify your stay in Litchfield by the Sea. This beach and golf resort has ocean view rooms with galley kitchens, dedicated living spaces, and dreamy balconies. Not that you’ll spend any time there. The outdoor pool’s lazy river, plenty of quiet walking trails, and access to a private beach will steal all of your time.

Festiva Wachesaw Plantation East, for a good night's sleep

Festiva Wachesaw Plantation East outdoor pool with sitting area

Courtesy of Festiva Wachesaw Plantation East / Expedia

A few nights in the low country will do anyone’s soul good, especially when you stay at these vacation villas in South Carolina’s seafood capital. Moss-covered oaks shade the one, two, and three-bedroom villas, giving you a respite from the balmy summer heat when you’re hanging out on the balcony or patio. You won’t miss any time in the sun; the beach is fifteen minutes away and you can walk the links of the resort’s golf course if you’re so inclined.

The Creek on Lady's Island, for getting away from it all

Steal away on a private peninsula and let this waterfront South Carolina vacation rental show you the quiet side of historic Beaufort. The sunroom faces Lucy Creek and spans the entire back of the house, granting space for your entire group to sit for a spell. Try your hand at crabbing or fishing off of the floating dock or leave your phone on silent, grab a book, and bring a cold glass of iced tea over to the gazebo for undisturbed moments of tranquility.

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