12 Best Hotels in Columbus, Ohio

On the Ohio State University campus, this upscale hotel serves as the residence for Fisher College's executive education program. Decorated in a modified Mission style with soft tones and warm woods, the rooms have touches like plush bathrobes and pillow-top mattresses. Access to the 24-hour fitness center is free.

Formerly a warehouse, this unusual hotel has a bi-level, contemporary lobby and luxurious suites with kitchens. Work desks with lamps, coffeemakers, and high-speed Internet access appeal to businesspeople spending their days at the Columbus Convention Center, which is just two blocks away.

You'll be in the midst of all the hustle-bustle at the Crowne Plaza, but you are also in the middle of Downtown's attractions. This 12-story brick-face hotel is connected to the Columbus Convention Center and adjacent to the Arena District. The two-story lobby—with its wall of windows along the street and slate and dark wood paneling—is a contrast to the neutral tones and art deco–inspired oak furniture found in the guest rooms. There is 8,000 square feet of meeting space here and a car rental desk in the lobby.

Twenty-five minutes north of Downtown, in a serene business park with man-made lakes, this suburban-style three-story stucco lodge contrasts with the commercial blocks around it. Rooms are spacious and decorated in earth tones–reds and light browns with cream-colored walls, the result of a 2006 renovation to convert this former Wyndham property. Some rooms have skylights and balconies.

Near the Scioto River, the 10-story stone-faced hotel is within walking distance of the Convention Center. The well-appointed one-bedroom suites with a separate living area are decorated in neutral colors and have wet bars; some have river views. Fun perks, from the free chocolate-chip cookies at check-in to the free limousine service within a 3-mi radius, add to the appeal of the Doubletree.

This turquoise-and-cream 1890 Queen Anne is a perfect fit in its Victorian Village surroundings. It's easy to imagine yourself in another century as you lounge in a wicker chair on the bright blue front porch. The inn, which is near the Ohio State campus and the Short North, has a reputation for impeccable service, and guests rave about the candlelit breakfast. Rooms are individually styled but maintain a scheme of mauves and creams. A fully stocked apartment designed for short stays and appropriate for guests with children is also available.

One of Columbus's newer hotels is directly across the street from Polaris Fashion Place and an easy drive to most of Columbus's northern suburbs. Rooms have sofas, microwaves, and coffee pots, and the Wi-Fi is complementary.

The hotel is reliable and adjacent to campus—travelers seeking convenient lodging for OSU events need look no further. For business travelers, clean and respectable might not be enough to compete with the hotels they frequent.

Connected to the Columbus Convention Center, Columbus's first and bigger Hyatt is a modern 20-story glass-and-concrete structure. Business-class rooms have a desk and a fax machine. Close to both Downtown offices and the entertainment options in the Short North and Arena District, the hotel works for travelers on business and those there on pleasure.

An old warehouse dating from 1882 has been converted to loftlike rooms at this unique hotel. Rooms have exposed bricks and beams, arched doorways, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Fixtures and furnishings are a mixture of IKEA and Ralph Lauren. The white bathroom tiles are the type used in New York City subway stations, and indeed, the interior looks like something out of ultra-modern Manhattan hotels—but with more space. The Lofts is across from the Columbus Convention Center, and the second floor is connected to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

A bed-and-breakfast with an artistic theme, this restored 1917 brick town house in Italian Village is near Downtown. Each room is named for an artist—Ansel Adams, Degas, Picasso—and furnished with antique and modern furnishings. Downstairs, a gallery displays the works of local artists in exhibitions that change every two months. The cobblestone patio off the rear of the house is a fine place to sit and ponder whether life really does imitate art. All rooms have private baths.

Author James Thurber once lived in this Downtown Victorian building, built in 1897. The elaborate public spaces—with high ceilings, marble floors, and stone columns—house art exhibits, including some prints by Thurber. Rooms have marble baths, high ceilings, and dark-wood furnishings. Some are small, however, and their layouts aren't necessarily conducive to modern amenities (e.g., king-size beds), so be sure to ask about size when making a reservation.