Candlewood Suites Columbus Fort Benning by IHG

We’d booked two nights in advance at the Candlewood Suites in Columbus, GA, but the front desk worker said she was new and couldn’t find our reservation in her paper check-in printouts. It seemed strange to be using paper in 2026 when we’d booked online. After a long wait, she gave us keys. Someone screamed when I opened the assigned room, so I shut the door right away. A woman came out in a panic, and I explained that the desk had sent us there. Back downstairs, the worker was overwhelmed and couldn’t work out how the other guests had been given our room. She couldn’t find us another suite and spent a while complaining and digging through papers. Another guest also struggled to buy drinks and toiletries because the desk couldn’t ring them up properly. I called another hotel, which immediately booked a room for my family. We told the desk we were leaving and would contact corporate about the refund. I’d already been charged, and the worker didn’t seem able to process transactions, especially a cancellation and refund. That night, I used the IHG Hotels and Resorts automated customer service system. It took an hour to get a case number and a promise that management would call the next day. No one called, and the room charge hasn’t been refunded. Avoid this poorly managed hotel. At best, it’s extremely incompetent, and at worst, it’s predatory.

The staff are nice, and there’s a grilling area. Walmart is just down the street if you need groceries. There’s no breakfast because each room has a kitchenette, and they don’t offer room service. Since it’s an extended stay hotel, you can ask for fresh linens and things like that.

The young woman at the desk was very understanding, but there weren’t any other rooms available, so we had to go find another hotel. Our first room was extremely hot because the AC wouldn’t turn on, and after we were moved, we discovered small roaches all over the kitchen area and signs of an infestation in the cabinets. While I waited at the desk for help, another guest was reporting a broken AC, roaches, and a toilet that didn’t work. The clerk was great, but the property needs serious care. I’m surprised IHG would put its name on a hotel in this kind of disarray.

La'Monica is one of the sweetest people I’ve met. My family and I were stuck waiting for hours until check-in, and she went out of her way to pull some strings so we could get into our room early. Steph, the manager, was kind and professional too. They both made the effort and cared, so we had an amazing stay. I wish there were more places like this where I live.