DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia South Carolin

During my exams, I had an amazing stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia. Kadesia at the front desk went far beyond what most people would do to make sure everything was perfect. Her kindness and professionalism really stood out. Nita from the restaurant was attentive and friendly, and made every interaction a pleasure. The whole team, from the managers to housekeeping, was pleasant, welcoming, and seemed to genuinely care about giving guests a great experience. I look forward to returning. This is what true service looks like.

We’ve been charged $1,000 for a room we didn’t use, after being told there would be no charge, and there’s still no resolution. I’m posting because future travelers should steer clear of this location. My husband and I had a wonderful experience in Lafayette, Indiana, with an impeccable room, so we booked this Columbia, SC, hotel as our final destination. After we got the keys and unloaded our belongings, I went to the bathroom and found what looked like a tampon string, toe prints on the floor, and blood on the walls and baseboards. My husband asked the front desk about it. They offered another room, but after seeing that, why would we trust that the next room had been cleaned? They told us we wouldn’t be charged, but we were.

The good: My room was clean when I arrived, early check-in through the app was easy, and the Digital Pass opened the side doors. The restaurant was tasty and well priced. There’s also a small self-checkout area for things you forgot or need, though I think razors, toothpaste, and basic travel items should be complimentary. The bad: I stayed two nights for Banzaicon 2026. The event seemed understaffed even though it was small, trash cans were full, and complimentary water was running out everywhere. Charging $15 for a basic hotel breakfast is unacceptable. I got no housekeeping on the second day: no fresh towels or sheets, and no trash emptied. This doesn’t feel like Hilton quality or a four-star hotel, and calling it that is misleading. Conrad Hilton would have the place overhauled. The area felt sketchy, though it’s near lots of amenities, and interstate traffic was loud. I’ve stayed in much worse, but this is by far the worst Hilton brand hotel I’ve been to.

The room layout worked well, with two beds and a desk, and I liked having the bathroom and sink walled off. There were quite a few amenities that were easy to get to and mattered in my hotel choice. The desk clerks were kind and helpful. After checkout, I used the comfortable lobby to work on my computer. It was worth a couple of extra dollars to stay here, though breakfast costs extra. “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” Kind David in Psalms 40.