Aloft by Marriott Columbia Downtown

We travel with our dog and use Alofts around the USA, and this one was AWESOME. Jimmy and the front desk crew were very helpful, the valets were nice, and everyone took good care of us. The property was super clean, the pool table and bar area were well kept, and the rooms were up to date. It's right in downtown. After checkout, a billing error came up, and the GM sorted it out within 24 hours of being notified.

The beds and pillows are comfy, the room lighting isn't harsh, and the TV sits centered between the two beds. I also loved the ground-level step-in shower. The staff are sweet and lively, and valet costs the same as the local garage. After months of business travel and several hotel stays in 2026, this is the hidden gem I've found, and the only Marriott brand that's put coffee creamers by the in-room coffee pot. It's modern and chic. Downtown noise comes with the location, so there's not much they can do about it. I'll pay for Aloft whenever I can. Highly recommend.

I'm disgusted by how this was handled. I canceled my reservation the day after booking through Booking.com, but the property refused to refund me. I may have made a mistake using a third-party agency, but that doesn't excuse this poor business practice. Tyler was rude and infuriating, and wasn't helpful. She said they would've called to confirm my stay but had no phone number, which doesn't seem accurate. This was a small issue that could easily have been resolved with better customer service. I was also charged almost $50 more than Booking.com said I should be charged. This was a serious disappointment in professionalism, and now they have nearly $300 for nothing.

Kayla, the bartender, was awesome and made great cocktails. Keisha at the front desk made check-in and checkout smooth and welcoming, and the rest of the staff were friendly and attentive too. The room was spacious, clean, and had everything I needed, including a comfortable bed and roomy workspace. With shops and restaurants within walking distance, the location is great for exploring downtown. I had a fantastic stay at this modern, vibrant Aloft in Downtown Columbia, SC, and can't wait to return. Highly recommend.