Where To Stay In Columbia, South Carolina

Established in 1850, The Chestnut Cottage Bed and Breakfast is a hotel with a captivating past, which remains one of Columbia’s best kept secrets. During the civil war, this traditional South Carolina building was home to Mary Boykin Chestnut and her husband, General James Chestnut, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning wartime memoir A Diary from Dixie, a book written inside the house itself. As a military family, the Chestnuts hosted President Jefferson Davis and his entourage during October 1864, and he is said to have given his last speech as president to the citizens of South Carolina on the inn’s porch. Today, The Chestnut Cottage is a charming bed and breakfast set in a historical area, which contains some of the city’s last surviving Neoclassical Antebellum architecture.

Set in a beautiful 1910 redbrick building, this elegant hotel enjoys an ideal location in downtown Columbia whilst remaining a quiet and peaceful place in which to repose and unwind. Once named Black House, the building was saved from demolition in 2003 when the Historic Columbia Foundation blocked proposals to use the site for the inn’s construction. Consequently the current property was built around the original house, which is now the hotel’s grandly-designed lobby. Situated right on the University of South Carolina campus, visitors can wander around the pristinely kept flower beds and landscaped gardens of the university without having to slum it in student accommodation. The Inn at USC aims to provide home-style Southern hospitality and thus each guest’s needs are catered to as an individual, with the friendly and helpful staff happy to offer advice or provide information whenever needed. Guests can enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast with their stay incorporating all the stateside classics, from bacon and eggs to waffles and grits, and with their handsomely decorated rooms and comfortable beds, there is nothing not to love about staying at the Inn at USC.

This boutique hotel is situated in the heart of town, and is within walking distance of all the city’s main attractions. A converted bakery, The Inn at Claussen’s was built in 1928 and is listed on the USA’s National Register of Historic Places. With the hotel owners having carefully preserved its original features, guests here can marvel at the bakery’s rustic hardwood floors and red brick walls, taking in its unique architecture and vintage character. Combining its history with the modern demands of its guests, this inn aims to provide every luxury possible, from 300 thread count sheets to a classy lobby bar and a fitness room. Stylish and contemporary, the rooms are bright and airy, providing some much needed relaxation and a touch of sophistication. The complimentary breakfasts are served in-room, giving guests that chance to leisurely enjoy fresh bagels and bread which aim to pay homage to the building’s delicious past.

This converted home is Southern refinement at its best, with the elegant polished wood floors, glittering chandeliers and plush furniture giving The 1425 Inn the feel of a luxury countryside plantation. Cozy, snug and decidedly laid-back, guests at this hotel can feel instantly at home and can enjoy the beautiful South Carolina weather by lounging on their traditional porch, a feature which stretches all around the property and gives a real feel for daily life in Columbia. With 7 different rooms all of their own unique style and ambience, visitors can choose an accommodation which suits them and really personalize their stay, and the inn provides a complimentary breakfast catering to the tastes and dietary needs of all guests. Showcasing over 100 original pieces of original artwork within its walls, The 1425 is soon to be home to its own gallery, created in conjunction with the Trenholm Artists Guild to showcase and sell works from talented local artists.

For those seeking a more peaceful retreat away from the bright lights of the city center, Spinner’s Resort and Lake Club is situated just outside of Columbia on neighboring Lake Murray, a picturesque reservoir popular amongst hikers and campers. Spinners is not only an idyllic place to stay, with its quaint, well-kept cottages providing an ideal amount of privacy and relaxation; it is also an entertainment hub, where guests can enjoy a number of lakeside activities such as kayaking and boating. With its clubhouse deck overlooking the peaceful waters of the lake, guests can sit back and enjoy a cocktail from their substantial drinks list, or sample a few plates from their a la carte menu, including delicious mussels and succulent steaks cooked to perfection. Within 30 miles of Columbia’s museums, bars and restaurants, a stay at Spinner’s is a holiday in itself, where guests can be tempted not to venture in to the city at all.