A Guide To Hotels in Downtown Columbia, SC

Downtown Columbia is the best place to go for the city’s best restaurants, attractions and hotels. It’s where you’ll find the weekly Soda City Market, the gorgeous SC State House, Carolina’s campus, a lively nightlife scene, and the many museums our city has to offer. Downtown also gives you easy access to Riverbanks Zoo via 126.

Downtown boasts the most hotels in Columbia, from local boutique hotels to larger chains with fine dining restaurants and all the amenities you need. So, if you are planning a trip to Columbia, definitely check out the downtown area to make the most of it!

This guide will help you find the perfect hotel for your visit whether traveling for business, visiting for a Carolina game or just looking to explore a new city.

Map of Hotels in Downtown Columbia, SC

Map of Hotels in Downtown Columbia, SC

We recommend staying near Main Street if you are visiting Columbia for the weekend. There are many things to see and do in this vibrant entertainment district, and you won’t have to go far from your hotel. Especially on Saturday mornings, when the Soda City Market is held on Main Street.

Soda City is a great place to find local food, handmade crafts, fresh produce and vintage goodies. And you may even spot a busker or two!

You can read more about Main Street’s restaurants and shops in our guide to the Main Street District. Also, be sure to check out our overview guide to downtown Columbia if you want to get a lay of the land. Otherwise, see below for a list of hotels in Columbia’s downtown area near Main Street.

Hotel Trundle is a local hotel and Columbia’s first boutique hotel! This gem is located in the heart of the Main Street District just a block off of Main Street.

Hotel Trundle puts character and care into their boutique hotel offering beautifully appointed rooms and the customer service that you can only find in a small family-owned business. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic getaway!


The Marriott Columbia is a large full-service hotel that offers all the amenities you can imagine including a pool and the southern-inspired restaurant Midlands’. On the corner of Hampton Street to Main Street it is located in the heart of the Main Street District just steps away from some of the best restaurants in Columbia.

The Marriott is also located close to all of Columbia’s downtown attractions and just across the street from the Columbia Museum of Art, three blocks from the SC State House and just steps from the popular weekly Soda City Market.


The Sheraton Hotel in downtown Columbia is perfectly situated to explore all that downtown Columbia has to offer. Located just two blocks from the SC State House, there is a plethora of fine dining options like Hall’s Chophouse and Hampton Street Vineyard.

The Sheraton is located in the historic Palmetto Building, a highrise with beautiful architecture dating back to the early 1900s. The hotel has some unique dining features as well. Their Hidden basement Starbucks is one of the coolest coffee shops in Columbia, they have a martini bar located in the building’s original vault and the Rooftop Lounge offers cocktails with spectacular views of the area.


The Holiday Inn is located right next door to the Sheraton hotel above and within walking distance to all of the same great restaurants and attractions. The rooms at the Holiday Inn are well-appointed and the highrise building offers nice city views on higher floors.


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Hotels in Downtown Columbia’s The Vista

The Vista District is Columbia’s premiere dining and entertainment district and it’s packed with awesome hotels and places to stay.

Some of our favorites include the Hilton Columbia Center, one of two 4-star hotels in Columbia, the Aloft Hotel which is a great casual option for traveling with family and pets and the Hampton Inn right in the middle of the action on Gervais Street. And don’t forget The Vista’s newest addition the Cambria Hotel, located near Cola’s and the SC State House.

For additional details, check out our guide on where to stay in the Vista.

Complete guide to hotels in The Vista

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Hotels in Downtown Columbia Near USC

The University of South Carolina campus is spread out throughout the heart of downtown Columbia, making it easily walkable and accessible. However, due to its size and layout, some hotels are closer to certain parts of campus than others.

There are awesome hotels all over downtown Columbia near USC that will make your visit. Whether you stay in the Courtyard on the west end of campus, the Graduate Hotel on the east end of campus near the Horseshoe or the Home2 Suites on the north end of campus near the Law School, you can’t go wrong.

For additional details on these properties, check out our guide to hotels near Carolina’s campus.

Complete guide to hotels near USC

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