Are you looking for a 5 star hotel in Columbia, South Carolina?
Ok, the honest truth is there are no true Columbia, SC 5 star hotels.
Hopefully one day, the Soda City will get one (or more!). But for now, those looking for a 5 star hotel in Colombia, SC will have to settle for one of the 4 star hotels in Columbia.
With an eye towards easing your disappointment that there aren’t any 5 star hotels in Columbia, here I’ll be running down my picks for the best luxury hotels in Columbia, SC.
Luckily, even with no 5 star Columbia hotel, there are still some very nice places to stay, and I think you’ll be more than satisfied with any place on this list of Columbia, SC luxury hotels.
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5 Best Luxury Hotels in Columbia, SC
There are a number of middle high to high end hotel chains operating in the Soda City. All have pretty similar offerings. Since many of them cater to both leisure and business travelers, most offer desks, gyms, and pools.
Many of the best are located downtown, which offers easy access to many of Columbia’s top tourist and historic attractions, is convenient to business, and is also close to the University of South Carolina.
So, it shouldn’t be surprising that 4 of these 5 best luxury hotels in Columbia, South Carolina are located downtown. One of them is right by campus and is the perfect place for visiting USC, while three are in the area known as the Vista which has a lot of great restaurants and bars and is just a few blocks from commercial center of the city and the State House.
Finally, I did want to include one place near the airport for those who may just be passing through for a layover or a day or two with an early flight to catch. This is also the perfect place for those that want or need to be in West Columbia or close to Lexington, SC.
All of these luxury hotels in Columbia offer great rooms and service, and are as close as you’ll get to a 5 star hotel in Columbia, South Carolina.
1. Hilton Columbia Center – Closest to a 5 Star Columbia Hotel
The Hilton Columbia Center is as close to a 5 star hotel in Columbia, SC as there is, and it would be my choice for the best overall luxury hotel in Columbia, South Carolina, hands down.
It’s in about as good of a location as it can get, and it is convenient to everything. The convention center is practically across the street, the State House is a 3 minute walk, and tons of great dining and entertainment in the vista are just 5-10 minutes away by foot. USC’s campus is a 5 minute drive or a 15 minute walk.
In short, no matter the reason you’re coming to Columbia , this location is tough to beat!
Rooms are also really nice. Susana and I actually stayed here when my sister got married close by at the State Museum. We couldn’t have been more comfortable. All the rooms have desks, and there is also a business center and fitness center. There is also a nice outdoor pool, perfect for cooling off in the sweltering summers!
So, consider this the overall best luxury hotel in Columbia for combination of convenient location and quality.
2. Aloft – Another Great Luxury Choice Downtown
The Aloft Columbia Downtown is a close second on this list!
It arguably has an even better location than the Hilton Columbia Center for easy access to the restaurants and bars of the Vista. It’s located just off the main thoroughfare of Gervais Street a couple blocks away. The fact it’s so close means it’s easy access, but the fact it’s a block off means there isn’t as much noise from traffic at night either. So, best of both worlds!
Rooms here have a neat design that mixes a sort of modern sophistication with a colorful vibe. I might say if you are coming to Columbia purely for leisure, this would be an even better choice than the Hilton.
Susana and I have eaten at the Mexican restaurant Coa attached to the hotel and loved it. There’s no better place in Columbia for gourmet style Mexican. And, I really appreciated that they had a huge mezcal list.
So, if you looking for a very nice hotel in Columbia with easy access to everything downtown has to offer, Aloft makes a terrific choice.
3. Graduate – Best Columbia Luxury Hotel By Campus
Planning a visit with your child to see if the University of South Carolina is a good college choice?
Have a child or other loved one enrolled and coming to visit but would prefer something a bit nicer than a dorm or a grungy college apartment?
Look no further than the Graduate Columbia!
This very cute and uniquely styled hotel is located just off campus near the green spaces of the Horseshoe and Gibbes Green. That location means it’s also very close to the State House, Main Street, and the Vista so you still have easy access to some of the city’s main tourist attractions too. They also have free bikes you can use to explore.
What I really like about this hotel though is its neat and unique style. It’s at once artsy, old fashioned, and eclectic but still elegant. Of course, there’s a steady dose of gamecock mixed in to the decor too!
This really makes for a nice and cozy stay near USC, and would be a fine choice for those coming for any reason but perfect for those coming to visit the university.
4. Hyatt Place – Third Good Downtown Option
The Hyatt Place is another great option downtown. It’s located on Gervais Street itself and offers easy access to all the dining and places to go out in the Vista as well as the commercial district and USC.
Rooms are very nice, as you’d expect at a Hyatt.
I appreciate that they all not only include a desk, but they also have a small sitting area. There is an indoor pool here, so if you’re coming during the cooler months and want access to a pool, you might even consider this place over the Hilton and Aloft. There is also a fitness center on site.
In short, this makes another great choice for a downtown Columbia, SC luxury hotel.
5. Hilton Garden Inn – Near Airport in West Columbia/Lexington
If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Columbia, SC that is close to the airport for a layover or short stay with an early flight out, check out the Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Airport.
While this is a little further away than the small handful of hotels located right outside the airport, it’s much better quality. Here, you’ll get actual high end quality for a high end price rather than the medium quality for a high end price or low quality for a moderate price you’ll get at the places right by the airport.
Plus, you’re still just a 10-15 minute drive away from the airport, and a 15-20 minute drive from downtown. This hotel is actually located right next to Lexington Medical Center, and while it’s much less walking friendly than the downtown options, there are plenty of places to eat nearby.
Rooms are very nice and comfortable. They are actually quite spacious. There is a pool on site, plus a fitness center.
For those who want to be close to the airport or in West Columbia or Lexington while not sacrificing quality, this is a great choice. For that reason it rounds out this list of best luxury hotels in Columbia, South Carolina.
Ready to book your Columbia, SC luxury hotel?
There you have my picks for the best luxury hotels in Columbia, South Carolina! Unfortunately, there aren’t any 5 star Columbia, SC hotels as of yet, but hopefully these will still be plenty hospitable to you!
I hope you found this list useful and regardless of which Columbia, South Carolina luxury hotel you pick, you have a wonderful stay!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!