Looking for the best Airbnb Raleigh properties and short term rentals for your upcoming trip to the City of Oaks? Look no further, we’ve done the research for you!
Down below we have handpicked the best places to stay in Raleigh whether you are taking a business trip, weekend getaway, college sports weekend, or visiting family and friends.
Take it from us that staying in one of the Raleigh vacation rentals like a home, apartment, or condo can be a great alternative to staying in the best hotels in Raleigh and once you get the taste for it, you may change your travel style forever!
Benefits of Using Vacation Rentals
By using vacation rentals in Raleigh, you typically get access to a full kitchen (saving you money on eating out), separate bedrooms and privacy (perfect for families), a living room, a washer and dryer, the chance to stay in nice neighborhoods and feel like a local, and many of the comforts of a home-away-from-home.
AND, considering the recent pandemic, Raleigh vacation rentals can be a great way to isolate yourself compared to staying in a hotel with many others!
Criteria Used to Select these Rentals
If you are planning to visit Raleigh, this post is designed to save you time as we have narrowed down the list and chosen a select few properties that sleep from 2-12 people including these styles of properties:
- Homes
- Apartments
- Townhouses
- Condos
We have focused our search around downtown Raleigh and inside the beltline (interstate I-440 that circles the city).
By staying close to downtown Raleigh you are convenient to all the best things to do in Raleigh including the best restaurants, bars, breweries, museums, coffee shops, entertainment venues like PNC Arena, and of course NC State University!
You could stay further out, but Raleigh and the Triangle area is predominantly a driving city with limited public transportation, so by staying closer to downtown you can walk to places or have more access to public transport.
Whether you visit Raleigh for pleasure, a business trip, or to visit family, we’ve got you covered.
Although there are not a lot of short term rental properties compared to the number in the big cities, the scene here is growing and currently there are 300+ properties available for short term rental though VRBO that is still an overwhelming number and time consuming to research!
But we are here to help narrow the field, using the filters and our knowledge of Raleigh to search more specifically.
Considering social distance measures are currently in place, when searching for the “Type of Place” we chose the ENTIRE PLACE option so you have the place to yourself and are not renting a room in a home and sharing with other people you don’t know!
Here is the full list of filters and amenities we used to search to create our suggested list of properties:
- Superhost / Premier Host
- Entire place
- Instant book } Instant Confirmation
- Self check-in
- Beds 1+
- Bathrooms 1+
- Kitchen
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Washer/dryer
- TV
- WiFi
- Smoke alarm
- Free parking
Please Note:
Whilst we have stayed in many vacation rentals around the world, we haven’t personally stayed in these properties in Raleigh. But we live in Raleigh and know the city very well and with 20+ years of world travel with experience in solo travel, couples travel, family travel and business travel, we consider ourselves experts on travel research and know what features to look out for in accommodation and how to sift through reviews with a careful eye.
Airbnb is no longer a company we really stand by and want to recommend, so we are sharing short term rentals via VRBO instead. You can also find them on Booking.com and Expedia.
All property images used are care of VRBO and the respective hosts.
We hope these choices below help save you time and narrow down your choice of Airbnb Raleigh properties for your upcoming stay.
Bungalow in Heart of the City
Rating:
- 5 star rating
- 19 reviews
Located in a desirable neighborhood just off Wade Avenue and a short drive to NC State University’s North Campus and Cameron Village Shopping Center, this adorable bungalow features 3 bedrooms (6 guests total), 3 baths, a private fenced yard and plenty of parking.
Perfect for a family or small group of friends, this comfortable bungalow with hardwood floors is beautifully decorated, peaceful, and has all the amenities for a home-away-from-home. Fully fenced in yard and pet friendly (extra fee).
Driving distance to:
- State Capitol Building: 3.3 miles (7 minutes)
- NC State University: 1 mile (3 minutes)
- PNC Arena: 3 miles (8 minutes)
- Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU): 12.9 miles (17 minutes)
See full listing and book your stay here.
Homey Downton Apartment in the Warehouse District
- 4.9 Star Rating
- 14 reviews
This beautiful space is located in the Warehouse District, walking distance to experience the best bars, restaurants, parks and museums in the area!
This two bedroom, two bathroom rental sleeps up to six people
The huge master bedroom has an added futon and attached full bathroom with a spacious bathtub and ample closet space This room is on the second floor and overlooks the family room. This apartment has very high ceilings with French doors to view outside.
It’s a great Raleigh rental for families with young children.
What’s nearby
- Raleigh Convention Center 0.3 mi
- North Carolina State Capitol 0.3 mi
- Raleigh City Hall 0.1 mi
- CAM Raleigh 0.1 mi
- Raleigh City Museum 0.3 mi
- Marbles Kids Museum (10 min walk)
See full listing on VRBO and book your stay on here
Cute and Cosy Oasis in Mordecai
- 4.7 ratings
- 7 reviews
This is a fantastic vacation rental in Raleigh for those who want an historic neighborhood experience – a true local gem. We love the Mordecai and Historic neighborhood.
Expect a friendly ambiance walk among leafy streets and beautiful homes on your way to local coffee shops, restaurants, bars, breweries, and parks.
This downstairs apartment in a freshly renovated home in Downtown Raleigh has a fenced in back yard with outdoor dining and grilling. You have a deck and a patio to enjoy the beautiful Raleigh weather. It is a 1 bedroom with a King sized bed, 1 Bathroom, also a living room with a pull out queen sleeper sofa.
See full listing on VRBO and read reviews here.
What’s nearby
- Mordecai Historic Park 0.2 mi
- North Carolina Executive Mansion 0.9 mi
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 0.9 mi
- North Carolina Museum of History 1 mi
- North Carolina State Capitol 1.1 mi
- You could walk downtown in 20 mins
Home with Outdoor Oasis in Downtown Raleigh
If you like a central location with amenities like a grill, private deck and firepit after a day of relaxing this Southern style home with an outdoor oasis is for you.
Conveniently located within walking distance of restaurants, parks, Fayetteville Street, City Market, and downtown museums, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers endless opportunities for adventure.
This is a new property in Raleigh with a beautiful mid-century modern interior.
What’s nearby
- Raleigh Convention Center 0.5 mi
- North Carolina State Capitol 0.8 mi
- Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts 0.3 mi
- Moore Square 0.5 mi
See full listing on VRBO and read reviews
Large Home Close to PNC Arena
Rating:
- 4.88 star rating
- 115 reviews
Looking for larger houses for rent in downtown Raleigh, this home is ideal for large groups near PNC Arena with plenty of space to entertain both indoors and outdoors. Featuring 3 bedrooms (12 guests total) and 3 baths, the open floor plan has 2 floors and 2 separate living areas.
When you stay here you have the option of a regular stay or event stay: small birthday parties, graduations, game nights, cook outs. Pets welcome (extra fee). Parking for up to 4 cars. All up, a comfortable space for a family or group getaway!
Driving distance to:
- State Capitol Building: 3.4 miles (11 minutes)
- NC State University: 1.5 miles (5 minutes)
- PNC Arena: 2.4 miles (8 minutes)
- Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU): 11.5 miles (16 minutes)
See full listing and book your stay here.
Quaint Condo in One of Raleigh’s Most Sought After Areas (near NC State)
Rating:
- 4.85 star rating
- 231 reviews
Conveniently located within walking distance to NC State University’s North Campus (but without the campus feel) and in one of Raleigh’s most sought after areas to live. This apartment is also just a short drive away from Cameron Village and downtown Raleigh.
Featuring 2 bedrooms (5 guest total) and 1 bath, 2 car parking space, this is a spacious and welcoming place and although close to plenty of shops and restaurants on Hillsborough Street it’s a very quiet and pretty neighborhood for walking.
Driving distance to:
- State Capitol Building: 3 miles (9 minutes)
- NC State University: 1 mile (3 minutes)
- PNC Arena: 2.9 miles (9 minutes)
- Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU): 11.6 miles (16 minutes)
See full listing on VRBO and book your stay here.
Impressive Apartment Near Glenwood South
Rating:
- 4.88 star rating
- 285 reviews
Located within walking distance of Glenwood South (Raleigh’s premier entertainment district) and just minutes from downtown and Cameron Village, this apartment features two guest suites with queen beds (5 guests total), sofa that pulls out to make a single bed, wifi, and Apple TV.
Super clean with an updated bathroom and kitchen, quiet area, and across the street is Fletcher Park with beautiful walking trails – and you can walk to anywhere downtown from here!
Driving distance to:
- State Capitol Building: 1.1 miles (4 minutes)
- NC State University: 2.9 miles (6 minutes)
- PNC Arena: 5 miles (11 minutes)
- Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU): 13 miles (18 minutes)
See full listing on Booking,com and book your stay here.
Cute and Sparkling Clean Condo Close to Downtown
Rating:
- 4.84 star rating
- 231 reviews
Very centrally located for a trip to Raleigh for all occasions, and located just off Hillsborough Street with easy access to NC State’s North Campus, the beltline, and all the attractions downtown.
This condo is super clean and cozy space in a charming condo community in a quaint neighborhood, well stocked with essentials, nicely decorated. Short drive to downtown and convenient to all of Raleigh.
Driving distance to:
- State Capitol Building: 3 miles (8 minutes)
- NC State University: 0.9 miles (3 minutes)
- PNC Arena: 2.9 miles (9 minutes)
- Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU): 11.9 miles (16 minutes)
See full listing on VRBO and book your stay here.
Historic Oakwood Hideaway
Rating:
- 5 star rating
- 9 reviews
This Oakwood hideaway house (circa 1090) is close to everything Raleigh has to offer. The downtown is within walking distance as is North Person St district with shops and fantastic local restaurants.
Walk through the historic Oakwood Cemetery at the end of the block , and enjoy the historic neighborhood with all the beautiful homes to admire!
Updated and modern amenities mixed with historic and charming features makes this house a true hideaway! This is true Southern style with a huge screened in porch, a rocking chair front porch with porch swing, and a fenced in pet friendly back yard and deck for grilling!!
Nearby
- North Carolina State Capitol 0.6 mi
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 0.6 mi
- North Carolina Executive Mansion 0.4 mi
- Marbles Kids Museums 0.6 mi
- North Carolina Museum of History 0.6 mi
See full listing on VRBO and book your stay here.
Bungalow in the Heart of Downtown Raleigh
Snapshot:
- Ratings: 5
- 21 reviews
- 3 bed/ 2 baths
Gorgeous renovated bungalow in the heart of downtown Raleigh in the wonderful neighborhood of Five Points. Within walking distance to fantastic local restaurants, breweries and parks.
Homely, modern design with a clawfoot bath, and patio area with grill and fire pit in back.
This is a wonderful neighborhood to experience local Raleigh style!
See full listing and book your stay here.
Didn’t find a suitable property?
See the full list of Raleigh rental properties here.
Questions to Ask Your Airbnb Raleigh Host
If this is your first time staying in an Airbnb property, from our personal experience there are some initial basic details to confirm with your host ahead of your date of stay.
And always communicate with your host and pay your host via the Airbnb system:
- Is it self check-in or will you be meeting us on arrival? If not you, then what is their name?
- If self check-in, will you text or email us the instructions?
- How many sets of keys will I get? Or is there an entrance code? Important if you have multiple travelers arriving at different times.
- Do you live nearby?
- Where do we park? Is it by permit? Any restrictions?
- If you are physically challenged, ask: What floor are you on? Is there an elevator?
- Is the Wi-Fi reliable? Important for business travelers like us!
- Is there anything about your place that families with kids/babies should know?
- Review the cancellation policy – the level of strictness varies by each property, so make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to and what flexibility there is if you need to cancel or change your dates – remember, it’s 2020.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Not having travel insurance on any trip is not worth the risk. Anything can, will, and sometimes goes wrong.
What happens if:
- You need to cancel your trip unexpectedly?
- You get sick or injured on your trip?
- There is a natural disaster?
- You lose important documents?
- Your luggage is lost or stolen?
Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, your personal effects, and other related losses incurred while traveling.
We are ambassadors of Allianz travel, who want you to travel happy!
Best Things to Do in Raleigh
Below are some of our top local travel tips for Raleigh:
- 50+ places to eat in Raleigh (broken into categories)
- 6 best coffee shops in downtown Raleigh
- Locals guide to downtown Raleigh
- Free things to do in Raleigh
- 8 fun day trips from Raleigh
- Getting around Raleigh (by car, bus, bike, walking)
There you have it. We will be updating this list of Raleigh vacation rentals over time.
Now you tell us, have you stayed in any awesome Airbnb Raleigh NC properties that you love? Comment below to share.
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