Have just a layover or short trip with an early departure out of Columbia, South Carolina?
Then you might want to consider staying at one of the Columbia, SC airport hotels. There are some good options for hotels near the Columbia, SC airport and, well some not so good options.
To help you pick out one of the good Columbia, South Carolina hotels near the airport, I’ve put together this guide to the best ones so you can be sure you avoid the not so good ones.
So read on, to see which Columbia, SC airport hotel is best for you!
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Columbia, SC Airport Hotels Quick Guide
I’ll have more details on each of these hotels in Columbia, SC near the airport below, but if you just want a quick overview, see it here:
- Hilton Garden Inn – Best Overall – just a short distance from airport with easy access to town and interstates too.
- Country Inn & Suites – Best Quality Closest to Airpot – just beside the airport and nice quality.
- Courtyard by Marriott Cayce – Best for Access to I-77 – a few minutes away from airport but right next to I-77 and very nice.
- Econo Lodge Inn & Suites – Best Cheap Option by Airport – best value for a place right outside the airport.
- Hampton Inn I-26/Airport – Best Cheap Option with Easy Access to All of Columbia – just a short drive from airport with easy access to I-26 and downtown Columbia at a good value.
Should I Stay at a Columbia, SC Airport Hotel?
Ok, before going into more details about these Columbia, South Carolina hotels near the airport, it’s worth asking if you really need to stay at a hotel near the airport in Columbia?
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is located just across the river from downtown Columbia in the town of Cayce, part of West Columbia. The truth is it can be reached in half an hour or less from most of the greater Columbia area.
Also, we aren’t exactly JFK here, so usually the Columbia airport has fairly short lines and minimal hassle.
So, you might want to consider one of the best hotels in downtown Columbia or best luxury hotels in Columbia since they still give you easy access to the airport.
Still, there are some advantages of staying at a hotel near the Columbia airport though.
If you have a really early flight or won’t need or want to do much recreational/touristy activities then it really doesn’t get any more convenient.
Also, if you will be visiting or conducting business in West Columbia or Lexington, staying close to the airport also puts you close to those areas. Riverbanks Zoo, arguably Columbia’s premier attraction, is also in West Columbia, not far from the airport. Plus, downtown is still really close and easy to access even from hotels in Columbia near the airport.
One quick word of warning though.
There are a handful of hotels right next to the Columbia airport. Most are overpriced and not so good with reviews ranging from mediocre to horrid.
I have included the 2 best of the bunch on this list, which are actually good options, but I’ve also included others that are a little bit further away but will still get you to the airport within 15 minutes and offer not only better quality but also easy access to other things as well.
Best Columbia, South Carolina Hotels Near the Airport
Ok, let’s get to this list of the best hotels near the Columbia, South Carolina airport. All offer easy access to the airport, and I’ve noted what else they offer easy access to as well.
1. Hilton Garden Inn – Best Overall Option
I think the Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Airport makes the best overall option for a hotel near the Columbia, SC airport.
It is located just off I-26 on Highway 378 in West Columbia, very close to Lexington Medical Center. I-26 will take you right back to the airport in 10 minutes, and you’re 20 minutes or less from both downtown Columbia and Lexington. Riverbanks Zoo is less than 10 minutes away.
So really, you’re getting the best of all worlds here in terms of location.
Rooms here are very nice, and there is a nice outdoor pool on site. There is also a hotel restaurant and bar, and there are lots of other dining options nearby. There is also an airport shuttle, which is perfect for those who are just stopping for a layover and won’t have a vehicle.
In short, while there are Columbia, SC hotels closer to the airport, this offers the best overall experience and is an easy choice to top this list.
2. Country Inn and Suites – Best Quality Very Close to the Airport
If you do feel you need to be right next to the airport, the Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Columbia Airport is the best choice.
Most of the other airport hotels in Columbia, SC have pretty mediocre or worse reviews. However, this hotel has good reviews and is an ok value all things considered.
The rooms are very solid and comfortable looking. There is an indoor pool, as well as a small fitness center.
Finally, there is also an airport shuttle for the less than 5 minute drive over to the airport. While I would recommend at least considering one of the other places on this list if you’re coming for more than just flying in and out, this is by far the best option for a Columbia, SC airport hotel that is most convenient to the airport itself.
3. Courtyard by Marriott Cayce – Best with Easy Access to I-77
The Courtyard by Marriott Cayce might be a really good option if you want a hotel near the Columbia, SC airport but also with easy access to I-77.
I-77 makes it easy to get to Williams Brice Stadium as well as Fort Jackson and the entire eastern side of the Columbia area. This hotel is also very close to I-77 and I-26’s junction, so really, you have easy access to the entire greater Columbia area via the two interstates.
All of that is just 10 minutes away from the airport.
The only possible downside of this location is there isn’t much else in the immediate vicinity. The hotel does have a restaurant and bar, and you’re just a 15 drive from lots of options in Cayce, West Columbia, and even downtown though.
One great thing about the location though is it offers easy access to some nearby trails and the River Walk, great if you want to get outdoors a bit during your stay. It might make for a particularly great choice for those coming for business who want a quiet place to stay where they can also get some exercise and fresh air.
Rooms are also very nice as you’d expect from a Courtyard by Marriott property. All in all, it makes for a good option for those that would benefit from I-77 access or want to be in a bit quieter area perhaps with access to a bit of nature.
4. Econo Lodge Inn & Suites – Best Cheap Option Close to Airport
If the Country Inn & Suites would be my top pick for a hotel right next to the airport, the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Cayce would be my pick for saving a few bucks and staying right next to the Columbia airport.
In fact, it’s really the only other one of the cluster of hotels right by the airport I would recommend.
This Columbia SC, airport hotel is more or less what you’d expect from the name. It’s a no frills property with basic rooms, but they are plenty comfortable, and best of all very clean. Reviews here are overall pretty good, much better than the other nearby cheaper places. There is even a small outdoor pool here.
So, if you just need a place to lay your head for a night or few nights while flying in and out of Columbia, this makes a really good budget option, where you can save a few bucks but not have to worry about sacrificing all semblance of comfort.
5. Hampton Inn I-26/Airport – Best General Location for a Budget Option
If you are on a tighter budget and willing to be 10-15 minutes rather than 5 minutes away from the airport, the Hampton Inn I-26/Airport should be your choice.
Prices at this hotel near the Columbia airport are quite reasonable. Plus, this hotel is just off of I-26 and 378, near Lexington Medical Center and where the Garden Inn that tops this list is located. That means it also offers easy access to downtown, the zoo, and Lexington.
Rooms here are all around solid and comfortable. There is a pool and a fitness center. The hotel has an airport shuttle.
All together, there is a lot of value packed into this option for a hotel near the airport in Columbia, SC. It is not only easy to get toe airport but also comes with easy access to the city’s attractions and at a decent price. I think it’d make a particularly fine choice for families or business travelers on a budget.
Which Columbia, SC airport hotel will you choose?
Now you’ve got some great options for hotels in Columbia, South Carolina near the airport.
From a nicer and cheaper option just a stone’s throw away to some other nicer properties that give you access to other things as well as a short trip to the airport, you really can’t go wrong with any of these hotels close to the airport in Columbia, SC.
Whichever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful stay and smooth flying!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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