
If you were hoping to book a summer vacation to the Carolina coast, you might be too late.
What’s happening: Bookings for beach house rentals have surpassed not just 2020, but also pre-pandemic summer levels.
- In Hilton Head, demand for Vrbo rentals soared by over 50% compared to summer 2019, CharlotteFive reports.
- Airbnb had a better Q1 this year than in 2019, despite the ongoing pandemic.
We’re all antsy to get out of town: About 72% of Americans are planning summer trips this year, compared with 37% in 2020, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Where’s everyone going? The Carolinas rank high on folks’ list whether or not they live around here.
- The Outer Banks was No. 4 on Vrbo’s emerging destinations list. (Maybe it’s the show?)
- Hilton Head ranked as one of Airbnb’s top destinations of summer 2021.
- Camp sites are another popular choice this summer, Axios’ Erica Pandey reports.
It’ll take some digging, but finding accommodations this summer isn’t impossible. Here are some tips.
(1) Book a little inland like the new boutique hotel Dreamers Welcome in Wilmington. It’s impeccably designed, pet-friendly and only 20 minutes from Wrightsville Beach.
(2) Search Facebook. Get to know the locals in a Facebook group. I’m a member of the Daufuskie Island, South Carolina group, and it’s very helpful for visitors even on weekends when rentals appear booked.
(3) Travel on weekdays. If you can, search for a rental mid-week versus on the weekend for more options. (You could even work from “home”!)
(4) Skip the beach — there’s always next year. Instead head to the mountains, a city or a lesser known vacation destination. Need an idea? Check out this new mid-century modern lodge owned by the same team behind O-Ku in Charlotte.
(5) Look for new listings from trusted posters. You can often get a discount on Airbnb or Vrbo when you book a new listing — plus new listings won’t be booked solid (yet).
Here are 10 Airbnbs that are still available this summer:
(1) Carolina Beach cottage, $110+/night
Details: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds
Availability: Some weeknights in August, weekends in September
(2) The Green House in Beaufort, S.C. $235+/night
Details: 6 guests, 3 bedrooms, 3 beds
Availability: Weekends in July, August and September
(3) Pool house in Carolina Beach, $170+/night
Details: 2 guests, 1 bed
Availability: Some weeknights in August, weekends in September (including Labor Day!)
(4) Guest suite in Kitty Hawk, OBX, $101+/night
Details: 2 guests, 1 bed
Availability: A few weeknights left in August, weekends in September
(5) Houseboat on Town Creek in Beaufort, N.C. $250+/night
Details: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds
Availability: Weekends in July, August and September
(6) Custom bus in Carolina Beach, $99+/night
Details: 2 guests, 1 bed
Availability: A few weeknights left in June and July, weekends in August and September
(7) Boardroom cottage in OBX, $149+/night
Details: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed
Availability: Weekends in August and September
(8) Studio in Kitty Hawk, $120+/night
Details: 2 guests, 1 bed
Availability: Weekends in July, August and September
(9) Beach bungalow in Nags Head, $272+/night
Details: 6 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds
Availability: Weekends in June, July, August and September
(10) Kitty Hawk pool cabana, $99+/night
Details: 2 guests, 1 bed
Availability: A few weeknights left in August, weekends in September
All photos used with permission from respective Airbnb listings.