South - Columbia, SC: hotel recommendations?

I have to travel up to Columbia, SC toward the end of January for a very short 2-3 day business trip and I've never been to the state. So was wondering what hotels might be near the airport that have some business center amenities and are also close enough to have an airport shuttle as part of their deal? I have looked at travelocity but wasn't impressed with the very low range of stuff they had in the results as far as airport area with shuttle.

I'm originally from Columbia so I can help you as much as possible. The area around the airport is not a nice place to stay. I would never recommend it. What is your destination in Columbia?

It's a mid-sized mostly university based city, not really a business or tourist mecca. Everything that could be considered nice will either be right downtown in a few certain areas near the school (The Vista area has some nice hotels and I know the Hilton on Senate is new and quite nice) or out in the suburbs.

My family is still there so I'm in Columbia many times a year. Actually, I'll be there later this week.

Not by the airport, but both Courtyard and Marriott claim to have complimentary shuttle service (using the same minivan?). Maybe best to call for verification.

Kayak has search options for distance to CAE and airport shuttle.

Maybe. The Columbia Marriott and the downtown Courtyard are only about a mile, mile and a half from each other. Both are suitable choices but let me warn you about staying on Main Street. Main Street closes when the office buildings close. Also, true downtown Columbia is in the middle of a slow revitalization so do not expect to walk out on Main St. and have countless dinner options open to you (I'm guessing you won't be renting a car since you need the shuttle). There are a few places open but the Vista is much more suited for things like that. You will also very likely not always be so comfortable walking anywhere on Main St after dark. The Courtyard would be better but there isn't anything near there that won't be packed with students. It's practically on campus.


Of course, this is all assuming your business needs you to be downtown. A lot of Columbia businesses are not in downtown. I'll wait for your reply before I give you an actual specific hotel reservation. Where do you need to be for business and what do you want to do in the evenings?

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've since also been chatting with the business associate I have to meet up there and they can drive me to and from the hotel, so at this point I'm interested in either the Hilton on Senate or the Hilton Garden Inn which is some area called Harbison, all depending on using up my HH Honors points which I suddenly remembered I have enough to use, and the distance from the airport. Both locations have dining onsite but I'm wondering if Senate isn't closer to the airport than Harbison and easier for someone driving me to a hotel?

Harbison Blvd is out in the Irmo area, where I grew up and went to high school and my mom still lives. Downtown is closer to the airport.

Harbison is about 13-15 miles from the airport and the Hilton on Senate is probably about 7 miles from the airport.

Harbison is right by a mall, tons of restaurants and shopping. Very busy suburban area. Most of the restaurants will be chains, very normal mall area. I looked at their website to see exactly which hotel this was (there are a lot of hotels in the area) so I could tell you exactly what stuff is close and their site says they offer complimentary airport transportation so that's a plus. This one is right across from a large restaurant/sports bar that I always visit when I'm in town. Good food if you like that type of atmosphere. It's maybe 5 minutes walk from the mall and about 10+ other restaurants.

Hilton Downtown is in an area called the Vista. It's close to the river. Right next to downtown and the USC campus. Tons of bars, restaurants, some shopping. Some chain restaurants but a lot of local favorites and bars with tasty bar style food.

Both are safe and the hotels are nice.

I would go with whichever is most convenient for your business purpose in Columbia.

By FAR the best option is the Hilton in the Vista, or the Hampton Inn in the Vista too. The Hilton is quite new, the HI is not too old.

The Vista is the right place for dinner/drinks/going out. Try The Blue Marlin for seafood.

The immediate area around the Marriott is not what I'd call "hustle and bustle" at night, but there are a few dining options, especially "Hampton Street Vineyard" across the street, which is my near-#1 in Columbia. I also wouldn't call the area around the Marriott dangerous by any means. It's just pretty quiet at night. I go north of the Marriott on main street to "Mac's on Main" for jazz and blues quite often. Never had a problem there.

The Sheraton on main is supposed to be very very nice, but I haven't been there yet. It's not far from the Marriott.

Harbison is NOT a good option if you don't have a rental car. It's a good ways away from downtown.

If I had to choose, based on being on foot:
1) Hilton Vista
2) Hampton Inn Vista
3) Sheraton Main St
4) Marriott FS Main St
5) Courtyard on Assembly.

For what it's worth, I live in Columbia. And I travel like you all the time. :D:D:D

JP

The Sheraton on Main is gorgeous. If I ever for some odd reason needed to stay at a hotel in Columbia, I would have to give that one a try.

As for Main St being dangerous, I have a friend who lives in one of the converted buildings right on Main and while I've never felt in immediate danger, there tend to be people milling around out on the street at odd hours of the night sometimes and I wouldn't really want to walk around by myself sometimes. With a group to go to one of the few restaurants that's open at night, sure, but not alone. But, I am a young-ish female. The area has gotten much, much better over the past few years though. There used to be barely any reason to go to Main St after dark. I doubt you'll be walking outside at 1 or 2 am anyways so there really is no worry, just not a lot going on down there.

I would agree that Harbison is not a good option to go back and forth to downtown but it doesn't sound like the OP is worried about that. He hasn't yet said if he even has to go to downtown for business at all. If so, then no, it doesn't make much sense. As I said, Harbison Blvd is a very typical suburban mall area so that tells you how the area is laid out. Not the best for walking around but not really that bad if your only worry is grabbing dinner once or twice and not sightseeing or anything else.


Also, I hope the last line wasn't meant to discount my info because I no longer live in Columbia. I lived there for 25 years and I'll be there in about 4 hours so I can visit my family this week. I just have slightly different opinions on some aspects of the city. If I were the OP, I would take both bits of info and apply it to my actual situation. I gave a more broad opinion because he did not say that he was even working downtown and for all I know, may not even be have time to do more than just eat dinner in the evening. Plus, the OP seems to be picking hotels on points so that may be the biggest deciding factor.

But, good luck with your business trip and I hope you have a nice time in Columbia. :)

It's been about 18 months ago now, but we were very impressed with the Marriott in Downtown Columbia. I even posted a favorable review on Trip Advisor about it. The stafff was all very attentive, we were travelling with kids and it was late and they were very tired, service from check-in to accomodating servers in the restaurant, to getting a roll away with minutes all left me impressed. And this was during a high occupancy period with a convention in town. The facilities were very nice too, and an exceptional indoor pool exercise area. If you don't find availability to use your Hilton points, definitely look into this option.

I'll agree that downtown/Main St at night may be a bit questionable for a female traveling alone. As a single male, I've never been concerned for one bit. There are plenty of folks living in the converted buildings, many are single females and single males. I would not rule the main street properties out based out that.

The Garden Inn is a ways off from the airport. The restaurants near it are not very far, but not very near either. On foot, it'll be a good walk on Columbiana Drive with no sidewalk (if my memory is right).

I still think that the Hilton and HI in the Vista are the way to go though. It's "all right there". No need to stroll back to Main St after dinner.

If one wanted to stay on Main, a walk down to the Vista is a 10-min walk, and if concerned about safety, about a 5$ cab ride.

HTSC

As for Main St being dangerous, I have a friend who lives in one of the converted buildings right on Main and while I've never felt in immediate danger, there tend to be people milling around out on the street at odd hours of the night sometimes and I wouldn't really want to walk around by myself sometimes. With a group to go to one of the few restaurants that's open at night, sure, but not alone. But, I am a young-ish female. The area has gotten much, much better over the past few years though. There used to be barely any reason to go to Main St after dark. I doubt you'll be walking outside at 1 or 2 am anyways so there really is no worry, just not a lot going on down there.

I would agree that Harbison is not a good option to go back and forth to downtown but it doesn't sound like the OP is worried about that. He hasn't yet said if he even has to go to downtown for business at all. If so, then no, it doesn't make much sense. As I said, Harbison Blvd is a very typical suburban mall area so that tells you how the area is laid out. Not the best for walking around but not really that bad if your only worry is grabbing dinner once or twice and not sightseeing or anything else.


Also, I hope the last line wasn't meant to discount my info because I no longer live in Columbia. I lived there for 25 years and I'll be there in about 4 hours so I can visit my family this week. I just have slightly different opinions on some aspects of the city. If I were the OP, I would take both bits of info and apply it to my actual situation. I gave a more broad opinion because he did not say that he was even working downtown and for all I know, may not even be have time to do more than just eat dinner in the evening. Plus, the OP seems to be picking hotels on points so that may be the biggest deciding factor.

But, good luck with your business trip and I hope you have a nice time in Columbia. :)

Thanks to any and all of you for your various suggestions, if you're still reading. I think the Hilton on Vista will work and plan B might be the Hampton Inn which is also round there somewhere. One thing I'm wondering about since I've never traveled in this part of the deep south in winter months is what the weather is like typically in late January or early February? It's not a major concern because in total the trip won't take more than two full days but if I need winter clothing beyond a sweater and a jacket I'd rather know than not. I've heard about freak winter storms in the south....but I'm sure South Carolinians don't like being confused with events to the north in North Carolina or Va. :D

Late Jan. to early Feb. will tend to be a period that is the least perdictable to forecast weather wise. Columbia can be very cold (20's - 30's F.) for lows in the winter. Of course, cold is subjective, but down here that's cold. Snow and ice can occur although not common. Best approach I think would be to check weather.com's 10 day forecast prior to leaving. That should give you a good idea if snow or ice (the two biggest potential problems) are likely.

According to the little temperature clock display on Main St, today it was 75 degrees. :)

Totally depends on what you're used to. I never owned a proper "winter coat" just heavy jackets until I moved up to the midwest for a short time. Well, I thought I had a coat until they informed me that I would freeze and die up there in what I had previously considered a coat. lol

Those freak winter storms are rare. We had some snow in Atlanta last year but it was melting within hours. We have had a few inches here and there that actually stuck around but not for too long. As was said, check the 10 day and you'll be fine. Most likely, 30's for lows and highs in upper 40's or low 50's.

And yes, NC and VA (especially VA) are for the most part faaaaar colder than SC.

Nice choice on the Vista Hilton. I think you'll like it and the area. Let us know if you want any dinner suggestions or any other info. We'll be glad to help.

yes the Hilton in the Vista (not "on" Vista) is the right place to be.

Just to name a few good restos: Blue Marlin, Ruth's Chris, Liberty's, Devino's.

Sports bars: Wild Wings, Carolina Ale House, Jillian's.

Bars: Wet Willie's (opened not too long ago), Flying Saucer.

HSC

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Weather in Columbia in Jan/Feb can be in the upper 70s or below freezing. Check the forecast a few days before your trip and you should be fine. I recall a few years back one day in January it was 80 and the next day we got freezing rain / snow.

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For restaurants my favorite is Al's Upstairs Italian restaurant. Its located at 300 Meeting Street in West Columbia (right accross the river off Gervais street)

Devinos is also a nice place which is located in the heart of the Vista. If you are looking for a nice southern meal Mr. Friendlys is good.

BTW, The Hilton is a great choice!

Thanks for responses. Do you know if either Al's or Mr. Friendly's participate in the mileage dining plans? I always try and target a few restaurants that give points for that. But I'll check into that separately before I arrive.

Regarding the weather, it sounds as though some of you are saying it goes down to 20-30 F. in the overnight hours but does warm up during the daytime as high as into the 70's, is that right? Anyway, I'm in southern Florida so when there's cold snaps here that's how the temperature swings - although not down that low thank God.;)

Somewhat. We're saying that sometimes it will be very seasonal with high 20's or 30's for lows and 40's and 50's for highs and then other times it will be lows in the 30's or 40's and highs in the 70's. It was 75 yesterday and I believe in the mid 30's last night.

I've worn shorts on Christmas a few times.

Divino's is great (for search purposes it's Ristorante Divino). We used to have an annual company dinner there with open bar and anything you wanted to eat and I always enjoyed it very, very much. Al's is very good. I haven't been in a few years but we ate there almost weekly when I was a child.

I also really like Carolina Ale House. I usually stop by there for dinner and drinks when I'm in town. Mr. Friendly's participates in SkyMiles dining, I do know that much.