Airbnb vs. hotels: Which is the better deal on Hilton Head, SC right now?
It’s no secret that hotels and short-term rental prices change almost daily, but now, with the summer months right around the corner, what’s actually a better deal?
Is there even a price difference at all?
Rental properties are notorious for having hidden fees, whereas some hotels may add other small services to your bill, like parking.
Here is a breakdown of some of the added fees you may encounter and their average price points, according to Nerdwallet, Resort Fee Checker, Airbnb and Touch Stay.
Fees for hotels
Parking: $40 per day
Luggage storage: $5-$15 per item/time stored
Wifi Access: $10-$20 per night
Late/Early check-in/out: $50 or higher
Resort activities: $35
Mini bar snacks: $6 or higher per item
Fees for rentals
Pets: $60-$100 per-stay (service animals are free)
Cleaning: $80
Extra guest fee: $50 a day
Security deposit: $300 per stay
Cancellation fee: 25-50% of your total rental locations
With all of those additional charges to your wallet, booking a stay can quickly add up. So, what’s the most bang for your buck on Hilton Head right now?
Here is a breakdown of hotel and rental fees for a five-day, four-night vacation for a group of four people on the island.
Websites used to find hotels included Booking.com and Expedia. Websites searched to find rentals included Airbnb and Vrbo.
The following prices reflect the current availability of locations on the island from April 21-25, ranked from cheapest to highest price points.
Hotels available
Cheapest: $88 per night at the Hotel Carolina Days Inn by Wyndham
Middle: $162 per night at the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort (Only condo spaces, but due to booking operations & amenities, resort representatives stated that it does not identify as an Airbnb operation).
Highest: $317 per night at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa
Rentals available
Cheapest: $115 per night at Coligny Plaza Condo
Middle: $142 per night at a Full Condo near Folly Field Beach
Highest: $282 per night at a Full Condo near Shipyard
Here is the total you can expect to pay when adding in the additional fees for each location, based on the respective booking site:
Hotel total
Cheapest with fees: $622 total
Middle with fees: $1,088 total
Highest with fees: $1,799 total
Rental total
Cheapest with fees: $462 total
Middle with fees: $571 total
Highest with fees: $1,130 total
What’s the takeaway?
While choosing a place to stay can be a hassle of its own, for the month of April, Airbnb and rental properties seem to be the cheaper option when tacking on the cost of hidden fees.
However, while cheaper, most short-term rental properties do not have the same amenities as hotels. Guests are often required to care for their accommodation location, such as doing dishes, taking out the trash and other household tasks.
Hotel and rental prices fluctuate often, so price comparisons can help determine the best fit for your stay on Hilton Head.
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
