OverviewLocated just off Interstate 26 and a 10-minute drive from Columbia's city centre, the Comfort Inn Columbia is geared towards road travellers who require a stopover hotel with a free breakfast and easy highway access.
Each of this non-smoking hotel's air-conditioned guest rooms comes equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a desk, a mini-fridge, a microwave, an iron and ironing board and a hair dryer. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available.
The hotel also offers a seasonal outdoor pool, an exercise room, meeting/banquet space, a business centre, a free weekday newspaper, free coffee in the lobby, guest laundry facilities, a complimentary breakfast and free parking. Up to two pets per room (under 20 lbs) are permitted for an additional $15 per pet, per night.
The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and the University of South Carolina are both about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, while Dutch Square Shopping Mall can be found about 10 minutes away on foot. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is roughly a 10-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, pets permitted for $15/pet/night, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: September 10, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with much praise going to the hotel's staff, rooms, breakfast and location.
Numerous reviewers praised the hotel's staff, characterizing them as friendly, accommodating and professional. One patron remarked, "You will be served as if you are staying at a $400.00 a night hotel. The staff is well educated, extremely polite, well dressed, and has a service mentality".
The hotel's rooms were complimented by many lodgers. They were described as clean, well maintained, spacious, well decorated, quiet and well equipped, with comfortable beds. A few patrons had complaints about their rooms, however (see below).
Several guests were pleased with the hotel's free breakfast. They described it as excellent, fresh, well prepared and frequently re-stocked, with several hot and cold items and attentive staff.
The hotel's location was also enjoyed by several guests. They found it close to highway access, restaurants, shopping, the University of South Carolina and the Riverbanks Zoo.
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a few common complaints about noise transfer and the rooms.
A few lodgers complained of noise disturbances during their stay. They reported hearing traffic noise and noise from guests in the hallways and in rooms overhead, as well as noisy in-room air-conditioning units.
While the majority of reviewers were pleased with their clean and comfortable rooms, a few lodgers had complaints about their accommodations. They reported dated decor and worn carpets.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #15 of 91 Columbia hotels with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 327 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 4.3 out of 5 with a 93% recommendation rate from 303 reviews.
Hotels.com guest reviews rated the hotel 4.3 out of 5 from 158 reviews.
The author called the hotel on September 10, 2013 to verify some information.