The Lantern Columbia

We spent four nights here in February, and it made a great base for our Asheville trip. The location is excellent, close to Biltmore, restaurants, and shops. Our one-bedroom condo was clean, roomy, and reasonably well equipped, with a large bathroom and an amazing gas fireplace. Good value for the money. We could've used another blanket, and the internet was slow at 5Mbps download. The walls are thin, too. We heard every step from upstairs. I left a voicemail with the front desk about the blanket and never got a response.

We feel so comfortable at the Lantern and would recommend it to anyone visiting Columbia. My fiancée is a huge Dawn Staley fan, and since we're going to the game on Sunday, I booked here because it's an easy walk to the arena. We were celebrating our engagement, and the front desk even texted about it while we were booking. That care continued when we arrived. The bartenders were wonderful, the bar menu was a highlight, and we finished our first night around a beautiful bonfire outside.

The lobby feels more like a living room, somewhere guests can relax, connect, and have a real conversation. The hotel carries its firehouse history throughout the building in a way that feels welcoming and full of character. Staff and management made us feel genuinely welcome as soon as we walked in, and the beds were wonderfully soft and cozy after a long day. It felt like an experience, not just a place to sleep.

We had a delightful stay at The Lantern. Everyone we dealt with, from the first call about room options to check-in and the rest of our visit, was helpful, kind, and gracious. Our room was comfortable and attractive, with little details that made it feel special. Dinner downstairs at Ladder 13 was fantastic too, the meal, service, and lively atmosphere all hit the mark.