Planning a trip and looking for a hotel in downtown Columbia, SC?
Staying at one of the hotels in downtown Columbia, South Carolina is a great choice whether you’re coming to the Soda City for pleasure or business.
Staying at a Columbia downtown hotel gives you easy access to some of the best attractions like the SC State Museum, the State House, and even Riverbanks Zoo, just across the river. It also puts you close to the financial heart of the city and state as well as the University of South Carolina. Even Williams Brice Stadium is only a short drive away.
So, for most travelers, staying at a downtown Columbia, SC hotel is the absolute best choice for where to stay in Columbia.
However, which are the best hotels in Columbia, SC downtown?
Here I’ll share my picks for the best downtown Columbia, South Carolina hotels with a view towards offering a little bit for every kind of traveler.
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Best Hotels in Columbia, SC Downtown Quick Guide
I’ll have a full write up and description for each of these downtown Columbia, SC hotels below, but if you’re just looking for a quick list of the best hotels in downtown Columbia, you can see it below:
- Aloft Downtown Columbia – Best downtown Colombia, SC hotel for pleasure travel.
- Hilton Columbia Center – Best hotel in downtown Columbia for events and business travelers.
- Cambria Hotel Columbia – Best value for a hotel in downtown Columbia, SC.
- Holiday Inn Express Columbia Downtown – Best Columbia, SC hotel downtown for families.
- Marriott Columbia – Best hotel in Columbia’s downtown on Main Street.
Top 5 Hotels in Columbia, South Carolina’s Downtown
Ok, now let’s get into looking at each of these top Columbia, SC hotels downtown.
One very quick note, if you are looking for hotels in downtown Columbia, you might also see the area referred to as The Vista.
The Vista is the area where there are many restaurants and bars west of main street between the capital and the river. I guess technically you could consider it a district of downtown Columbia.
Because there are so many dining options here, this is the best place to stay in downtown Columbia, and all but one of these best downtown Columbia hotels are located here (and the one that isn’t is on Main Street, so just a hop, skip, and jump away).
Now, without further ado, here are the best hotels in Columbia, South Carolina downtown or best hotels in The Vista of Columbia, SC.
1. Aloft Columbia, SC – Best for Leisure Travel
Honestly, I think the Aloft Columbia, SC is the best hotel in downtown Columbia, SC for all types of travelers but particularly for those traveling strictly for leisure.
It’s in a great location, just a block removed from Gervais Street in the heart of the Vista. That means you’ve got easy walking access to a bunch of restaurants and bars, not to mention the historic district and the museum. It’s also plenty close to the zoo, USC, the commercial district, and the State House.
There is a nice bar in the hotel and even a pool table. The restaurant underneath the side of the hotel named Coa is our favorite place for upscale Mexican food too.
Rooms here are very nice, hitting that perfect blend between sophisticated, comfortable, and elegant. The rooms have desks and there is a nice lounge, meaning it works well for business travelers too. There is just overall a lot to like and that means it’s a pretty easy choice to top this list as the best hotel in downtown Columbia, SC.
2. Hilton Columbia Center – Best for Events or Business Travel
While I think Aloft makes for a great choice for business travelers too, for those traveling strictly for business or events, I give a very slight edge to the Hilton Columbia Center. It would make a great choice for families or leisure travel too though.
The reason I think it’s the best downtown Columbia hotel for events and business travelers is it is located across the street from the Convention Center. It is also just a block away from the heart of the Vista, so easy access to everything there is to do there as well as to the State House, financial district, and USC.
Rooms here are terrific, with a sort of classic elegant style. We actually stayed here for my sister’s wedding, and they gave her a great group rate. For those looking to host a business event, besides the nearby convention center, there is also a business center, fitness center, and event room. The snazzy Ruth Chris Steakhouse and hotel bar also make it convenient for those that want something tasty or to unwind at the hotel.
Oh and there is also a very nice outdoor pool here, something missing at the Aloft, so if that’s important to you and you’re coming in the summer time, this may in fact be your choice for the best hotel in downtown Columbia.
3. Cambria – Best Value for a Downtown Columbia, SC Hotel
What’s not to love about the Cambria Hotel?
It has a location just as good as the first two places on this list, located just off Gervais in the heart of The Vista. It has very pretty and comfortable rooms. There are meeting rooms, a small gym, and a nice looking hotel bar and lounge.
There is no pool, but you do get all that at lower prices than anywhere else on this list of Columbia, South Carolina hotels downtown.
It’s also got a great reputation for top notch service and lots of great reviews.
So, if you’re looking to save a few bucks and not sacrifice quality, it’s another great choice for the best downtown, Columbia, SC hotel without a doubt.
4. Holiday Inn Express – Best for Families
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown is my top choice for a family friendly hotel in downtown Columbia, SC.
Really all the above places would also be fine for families, but I think this place stands out due to the fact that there are suite options here for a bit more space and even standard sized rooms with trundle beds. All of those rooms are plenty nice and comfortable too.
There is also a good pool on site, perfect for families with kids.
There are meeting rooms and rooms do have desks, meaning this could be a good choice for business travelers as well, especially those that want something slightly cheaper than the Hilton.
Plus, the location is also great, located just two blocks of Gervais Street and at a perfectly strategic location half way between Main Street and the State House and the State Museum and EdVenture Children’s museum. You’ve got easy access to everything, and I like that this area of downtown usually has very little traffic.
5. Marriott – Best Columbia, SC Downtown Hotel on Main St.
While a lot of Columbia’s best bars and restaurants are downtown, Main Street has seen a big resurgence in recent years.
There are a number of great restaurants and bars here now, and the weekly Soda City market is good fun on Saturdays, with lots of neat artisan crafts and food trucks.
Plus, you can’t get closer to the State House or financial district than here.
The Marriott Columbia would be my choice for a hotel on Main Street in downtown Columbia without a doubt. The business center, fitness center, meeting and conference rooms, and indoor pool means it caters a tad more to business travelers, but its great location would make it a good choice for couples or families traveling for leisure too.
In short, it’s a fine choice to round out this list of the best hotels in downtown Columbia!
Ready to book your hotel in downtown, Columbia?
Now you have 5 great options for great downtown hotels in Columbia, SC and hotels in The Vista in Columbia, SC. You really can’t go wrong here, and I’m sure you’ll be happy at any of these Columbia, South Carolina hotels downtown!
Regardless of where you stay, I hope you have a terrific time in my hometown Soda City!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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