Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

14 Coolest Rentals on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina

Lazy days tanning on the deck, mornings spent fishing, firing up the grill, and afternoons kayaking, paddling, or swimming: a lakeside vacation is the true definition of pure relaxation. And where better to do just that than Lake Hartwell? Spanning the South Carolina – Georgia border, this man-made lake is a popular choice for anyone who appreciates picturesque water views and nature-filled days. Rentals here come complete with everything you need to make the most of the lake, before heading back inside at the end of the day to cook up a feast, watch a movie and settle into a seriously cozy bed. Read on for some of our top picks in the area.

Beautifully Updated Waterfront Lake Hartwell Home Lakehouse overview with oval pool
Credit: Lakehouse overview with oval pool by Airbnb.com

Beautifully Updated Waterfront Lake Hartwell Home

This modern, airy Airbnb is a firm favorite for anyone visiting Lake Hartwell. Shrouded in greenery from every direction, it’s got space for up to 10 guests across four bedrooms and enough facilities to keep everyone amused. One of the best parts of this Airbnb is its swimming pool, for anyone who wants to cool off without getting into the lake itself. It’s also recently been renovated from top to bottom with new decking, fancy interiors, and charming decor. Its open kitchen is where you’ll likely find yourself at the end of each day, cooking up a feast with your family. And then it’s time to head downstairs to the converted basement, with its large screen TV that’s brilliant for movie nights.

Cozy 3 Bedroom Cottage With Beautiful Lake Views Cozy 3 Bedroom Cottage With Beautiful Lake Views
Credit: Cozy 3 Bedroom Cottage With Beautiful Lake Views by airbnb.com

Cozy 3 Bedroom Cottage With Beautiful Lake Views

Escape to this three-bedroom cottage that offers incredible lakefront views from its spacious outdoor patio and fire pit. In addition to admiring Lake Hartwell, you can take advantage of the large lighted deck with a BBQ grill and outdoor seating. Inside, spacious accommodations are perfect for groups or families, while the dock with a boat slip and lake toys (kayaks and floats) provide entertainment for all ages.

Lake Getaway on Hartwell with Kayaks & Fire Pit Lake Getaway on Hartwell with Kayaks & Fire Pit
Credit: Lake Getaway on Hartwell with Kayaks & Fire Pit by airbnb.com

Lake Getaway on Hartwell with Kayaks & Fire Pit

With a spacious three-bedroom layout, this Lake Hartwell getaway is quaint and cozy. It has a quiet location tucked away where you’ll see very few cars (but lots of deer), while you’re only 10 minutes from the historic downtown Hartwell. You can get out on the water with the kayaks, pedal boat, and floats that are available for use, while sunset views from the private dock offer the perfect place to unwind.

Hey Frame: Modern A-frame Cabin on Lake Hartwell Hey Frame: Modern A-frame Cabin on Lake Hartwell
Credit: Hey Frame: Modern A-frame Cabin on Lake Hartwell by airbnb.com

Hey Frame: Modern A-frame Cabin on Lake Hartwell

It’s hard to resist the charm of this black A-frame rental, which is a lakefront retreat with a list of modern amenities. Wake up to sunrises over the lake while you sip your coffee on the large deck, then roast marshmallows by the fire pit. When the weather is warm, you can also enjoy swimming, kayaking, or paddle boarding off the private dock.

Deep Water Dock with Paddle Board & Kayaks, Near Big Water Deep Water Dock with Paddle Board & Kayaks, Near Big Water
Credit: Deep Water Dock with Paddle Board & Kayaks, Near Big Water by Vrbo.com

Deep Water Dock with Paddle Board & Kayaks, Near Big Water

You’ll never run out of things to do at this three-bedroom Vrbo. Designed to perfectly fit two families under one roof, it’s kitted out with all kinds of fun. But the range of activities here means you’ll more than likely want to spend your days in the sunshine. This rental comes with three kayaks, a paddleboard, oars, one boating tube, and life vests for all guests to enjoy. One kayak can hold three people, which is all the information you need for a day of adventures. A wonderful spot for unwinding, you’ll love the comfortable beds, spacious kitchen, Smart TV (with Netflix), and games in the living room. There’s a basement with a 40 inch TV, video game console, DVD player, and board games and also a sunroom that you’ll love for spontaneous afternoon naps.

Lake Home for 15 - Double Slip Dock, Fire Pit, Golf Cart Blue lakehouse exterior
Credit: Blue lakehouse exterior by Airbnb.com

Lake Home for 15 - Double Slip Dock, Fire Pit, Golf Cart

This four-bedroom, recently renovated lakehouse is suitable for adults, kids, and even furry friends, with individual areas of the house designed for each of the above. Cool and modern, there’s room for up to 15 guests at this Airbnb, with plenty of amenities both inside and out to ensure a jam-packed vacation with stunning views. This large property enjoys almost endless water frontage, which means it’s perfectly located for waking up and enjoying a cup of coffee while gazing out at the water. There’s a beautifully maintained beach and a huge, covered, double-slip dock if you want to get a little closer to the water, and two new kayaks if you’d like to adventure across it. Inside, you’ll find huge bedrooms with queen-size beds, a full kitchen, and multiple living rooms. Outside the main rental, there’s a separate games room that kids will love with a new flatscreen TV, pool table, and couches.

Sunny Lake Hartwell Home With Private Boat Ramp Sunny Lake Hartwell Home With Private Boat Ramp
Credit: Sunny Lake Hartwell Home With Private Boat Ramp by airbnb.com

Sunny Lake Hartwell Home With Private Boat Ramp

It’s basically impossible to have a bad time at this beautiful lake house. Designed to fully maximize the outdoors, it’s an ideal, spacious family getaway for anyone who loves fishing, swimming, tanning or simply being at one with nature. With four bedrooms and space for 16 guests, it’s a place most enjoyed by large families looking to spend more time together.  Boasting a large deck, lush yard, and a private boat dock and ramp area, it’s a perfect location for a whimsical few days on the water. While this Airbnb might seem fairly remote, it’s actually in a great location if you’re looking to explore more of the area. When you’re not on Lake Hartwell, you’re not far away from visiting Sadlers Creek State Park to swim by the sandy beach or hike the mountain trails all around.

Lakefront Cabin Retreat for Large Groups Overview of lakehouse
Credit: Overview of lakehouse by Vrbo.com

Lakefront Cabin Retreat for Large Groups

This six-bedroom Vrbo might call itself a cabin but that’s a word that doesn’t really do it justice. Suitable for large groups and family getaways, there’s room for up to 20 guests at this lake-side spot. This waterfront retreat shows off both inside and outside, with endless balconies overlooking more than 1100 feet of unobstructed lake views. It’s also a very private spot, with no other Airbnbs within viewing distance. Along with the six bedrooms, this Vrbo is home to two fully-stocked kitchens and plenty of living space. Enjoy handcrafted wooden features throughout, a private study area, a billiards space, a poker table area, and even a chess and checkers nook for cozy evenings by the fire. This is also a wonderful spot for nature lovers: it’s officially located on a protected shoreline area and is home to a bird sanctuary.

Hartwell Manor Upstairs view over open plan living and dining area
Credit: Upstairs view over open plan living and dining area by Airbnb.com

Hartwell Manor

The unique design of this Airbnb means you’ll never lose sight of the spectacular lakeside views. This two-story manor is specially designed for large groups, with space for up to 16 guests across seven bedrooms and more room than you could possibly ever need for activities. The muted design of Hartwell Manor looks even more beautiful with the natural sunlight coming through. And that’s something you can enjoy from almost every room, with forest views from one side of the house and lake views from the other. A large deck lets you get up close to nature and a hot tub will keep you warm during the evenings.

Lakefront Home, Amazing Long Water Views, Deep Cove Lakehouse in the forest
Credit: Lakehouse in the forest by Vrbo.com

Lakefront Home, Amazing Long Water Views, Deep Cove

This stunning lakefront chalet is one of the most popular Vrbo rentals in the area and for a very good reason: everything about it is designed with its guests in mind. This five-bedroom place has amazing long water views and is situated on a deep cove. Right on the front of tranquil Lake Hartwell, it’s nestled on one full acre of woods and rolling lawns without any neighbors or external noise coming from any direction. You’ll want to check in here for at least a few days to fully make the most of everything it offers. There are multiple decks overlooking the backyard and lake, a private covered boat dock, a pool table, and a custom fire-pit deck with a 42-inch fire pit at the edge of the yard. The star of the show inside is the oversized master bedroom suite taking up the entire third level of the house.

Relax at Red Door Cottage and Enjoy the View Relax at Red Door Cottage and Enjoy the View
Credit: Relax at Red Door Cottage and Enjoy the View by airbnb.com

Relax at Red Door Cottage and Enjoy the View

If you want to get away from it all, book this peaceful cottage. It sits in a deep water cove on Lake Hartwell and features two queen bedrooms and a full sleeper sofa that can accommodate up to six adults. Wake up and see the sun come up from the screened porch and large deck, or bring your boat to play on the water, while sunny days call for relaxing on the dock. You can also bring your furry four-legged friends with you to this lake retreat.

Lake Living at its Finest Tree-lined wooden lakehouse
Credit: Tree-lined wooden lakehouse by Vrbo.com

Lake Living at its Finest

A cute and cozy log cabin takes lakeside living to the next level – and this one covers a huge 3800 square feet. This Vrbo comes complete with four bedrooms and space for up to 10 guests, who’ll love its proximity to the deep water and the cozy features all around the property. This is an especially great location if you’re a fan of fishing, with an outside grill just waiting to be fired up with the day’s catches. Step inside to enjoy the large bedrooms, full kitchen with double oven, and open plan living room with TV. It’s a place you’ll feel almost immediately at home, surrounded by wooden beams with soft furnishings.

The Cobb Lake House External view of lakehouse
Credit: External view of lakehouse by Airbnb.com

The Cobb Lake House

The essentials list looks a little different at The Cobb Lake House. As well as obvious staples like bathrooms, a kitchen and places to sleep, this Airbnb also comes complete with all of the extras needed for a wonderful day out on the lake. Two kayaks, noodles, and floats are included in the list here, which means all you need to bring along is your toothbrush and closest friends. Suitable for up to 16 guests in five bedrooms, this quaint rental looks out directly onto the lake, with some carefully positioned sun loungers for optimum tanning opportunities. A kitchen and dining room sets the scene for the evening when you’ve worked up an appetite after adventures in the kayaks.

Lake Front House Near Clemson University Night time view of the lakehouse
Credit: Night time view of the lakehouse by Vrbo.com

Lake Front House Near Clemson University

This six-bedroom Vrbo has the perfect fusion of indoor and outdoor space, with floor-to-ceiling windows that promise spectacular lakeside views from the moment you wake up until it’s time for bed. With room for up to 12 guests, it’s large and welcoming: the perfect spot for a family vacation. This rental covers a huge 4,500 square feet of space and that’s before you’ve even wandered around the surrounding grounds or taken the kayaks out onto the lake itself. Outside, there’s a screened porch for dining with cushioned outdoor seating and a gas grill. You can chill out on the deck overlooking the lake, accessible by sliding glass doors from three of the bedrooms. Inside there’s a games room in the basement and a living area with space for plenty of fun.

Travel Deals

Air & 12-Day New Zealand Vacation w/ 9 Tours

$4599+

Air & 8-Day Lisbon to Madrid Escape Guided Tour

$1799+

10-Day Dublin, Cork, Killarney, & Galway by Rail

$1399+

10-Day Danube River Cruise | Up To $4,000 Off

$3245+

Punta Cana | Riu Palace Macao - Recently Renovated

$104+ pp/pn

14-Days - 5 Countries | Best of Eastern Europe Tour

$3619+

Aruba | Riu Palace Antillas 18 & Over All-Inclusive

$293+ pp/pn

Air & 8-Day Scotland Small Group Tour | $200 Off

$2399+

9-Day Southern Spain Tour w/ 3 Excursions Options

$2029+

Air & 9-Day Southern Italy Escape w/ Daily Breakfast

$2699+

Air & 9-Day Ireland Express By Rail | Get $200 Off

$1999+

Norwegian Cruise Line Caribbean Cruise Specials

$30+ pp/pn

Air & 7-Day Italian Escape w/ Daily Breakfast

$2399+

Unleash Your Wild - Discover Anchorage Today

VISIT

Air & 11-Day Auckland & Queenstown w/ 5 Tours

$3299+