Radisson Hotel Columbia

We were told we wouldn’t be charged, but we were charged $1000 for a room we didn’t use, and there’s been no resolution. My husband and I had a wonderful stay in Lafayette, Indiana, with an impeccable room, so we booked this location in Columbia SC as our final destination. After we got the keys and unloaded our belongings, I went to the bathroom. There was what looked like a tampon string and a set of toe prints on the floor, plus blood on the walls and baseboards around the bathroom. My husband went to the front desk. They asked whether we wanted another room, but after seeing that, why would we think a different room had been cleaned?

The hotel still wouldn’t speak with corporate or meaningfully address what happened. Corporate tried to reach the property while I was on the phone, but no one at the hotel got on the line. They said they’d “called corporate,” but I can’t know if that’s true. Nothing was documented or resolved, and nobody followed up. I spent the whole day calling the front desk for an actual manager and got nowhere. I was also told to come downstairs for towels even though I was naked in the shower, and I was accused of smoking despite never smoking in the room. It began when I needed more towels. My friend called the desk several times and clearly asked, repeating the request at least five times, but no one brought any. I started calling from the shower and asked for a manager. They kept telling me to come down in person, even after I explained I couldn’t leave the room while naked in the shower. After I kept asking for a manager, they said one would speak with me. Instead, Rick, the “Sales Supervisor,” came to my door with towels and immediately accused me of smoking. I had been in the shower for about an hour waiting, so the room and bathroom were hot and very steamy. That’s likely what he saw, but there was no smoke. I felt talked down to, not listened to, and nobody seemed interested in checking what happened or considering that I was telling the truth. They misrepresented who would come speak to me, then sent someone from sales with accusations instead of a solution. I understand hotels have to enforce non-smoking rules, but there’s a difference between enforcing them and making baseless accusations, refusing to show proof, and hiding behind titles that don’t match what guests were told. The lack of accountability from the property and management was unacceptable and completely unprofessional. I would caution anyone thinking of staying here to think twice. Document everything and be prepared to advocate for yourself, because in my experience they won’t do the right thing on their own. Sherlyn le shore is now accusing me of things I did not do. Kadesha did not help. Rick lied. Erick did not address the issue properly and still hasn’t. Update: Hilton and random local numbers have kept calling me for the last few days.

Unless I absolutely need to be minutes from Fort Jackson and have no other options, I wouldn’t stay at this DoubleTree again. Its convenient location is the one real positive. The hotel feels dated, and the concept seems stuck in another era. The lobby was underwhelming, with stained furniture and floors that looked neglected. One front desk employee was staring at my daughter so much that he seemed oblivious to me and to my noticing his disrespectful behavior. The rooms show their age. There’s no ventilation in or near the shower, so it gets stifling. The mini-fridge was almost useless, with barely enough space for two 24oz. bottles of water. The TV remote barely worked, and the lighting setup made it inconvenient to switch lights on or off from bed. There’s no complimentary breakfast, just a paid buffet. The poor cleanliness and aging facilities mean I’ll avoid this place in the future.

I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia during my exams and had an amazing experience. Kadesia at the front desk went above and beyond to make sure everything was right. Her kindness and professionalism really stood out. Nita from the restaurant staff was attentive and friendly, and every interaction with her was a pleasure. The whole team, from the managers to housekeeping, was welcoming, pleasant, and clearly cared about giving guests a great stay. I’m looking forward to coming back. That’s what real service looks like.