Airbnb or hotels? Which is the better summer trip deal for Hilton Head?
It’s no secret that hotels and short-term rental prices change almost daily.
But now, with the summer months right around the corner and people anxious to plan their summer vacations, 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 for stays, according to Nerdwallet, ResortFeeChecker.com, Airbnb.com and Touch Stay.
To find the best deal, The Island Packet searched through 23 hotel options and 507 short-term rental properties available on the island in May 2025.
Average fees for Hilton Head 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
Average fees for Hilton Head Airbnbs
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?
In April, The Island Packet found that rental properties offered the cheapest price point for a five-day stay.
Here is a breakdown and comparison of hotel and rental fees for a five-day, four-night vacation for a group of four people on the island in May.
Websites used to find hotels included Booking.com and Expedia. Websites searched to find rentals included Airbnb.com and Vrbo.
The following prices reflect the current availability of locations on the island from May 21-25, ranked from cheapest to highest price points when using search filters on the booking websites to find the most comparable price points.
What are the cheapest hotels in Hilton Head?
Cheapest: $115 per night at the Hotel Carolina Days Inn by Wyndham
Middle: $263 per night at the Spark by Hilton Head Island
Highest: $375 per night at Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island
Where are the affordable Hilton Head area rentals?
Cheapest: $191 per night at a Full Condo at Singleton Beach
Middle: $364 per night at a Full Condo in Shipyard Plantation
Highest: $501 per night at a Full Condo by Coligny Beach Park
Here is the total you can expect to pay when adding in the additional fees for each location, based on the fee information listed on the respective booking site:
Hilton Head hotels with cheapest fees
Cheapest with fees: $462 total at Hotel Carolina Days Inn by Wyndham (Free parking, wifi and breakfast available)
Middle with fees: $1,051 total at Spark by Hilton Head Island (Free parking, wifi and breakfast available)
Highest with fees: $1,501 total at Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island (Free wifi available; Breakfast $13 and parking $10 per day)
Where rentals cost the most in Hilton Head
Cheapest with fees: $767 total at the Full Condo at Singleton Beach (all fees included; varies by property)
Middle with fees: $1,457 total at the Full Condo in Shipyard Plantation (all fees included; varies by property)
Highest with fees: $2,006 total at the Full Condo by Coligny Beach Park (all fees included; varies by property)
What’s the best deal in Hilton Head?
While choosing a place to stay can be a hassle, for the month of May, hotel options were cheaper overall than rental properties, even when considering the hidden fees.
Hotel and rental prices fluctuate often, so price comparisons can help you determine the best option for your stay at Hilton Head.
Check back in June to see where it’s cheapest to stay.
This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM.
