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The Lantern Columbia

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for The Lantern Columbia

Lobby sitting area
Restaurant
Lobby
Lobby
Lobby sitting area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
1001 Senate St, Columbia, SC, 29201
  • Place, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, University of South Carolina
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Colonial Life Arena
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, Columbia, SC (CAE-Columbia Metropolitan)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible

  • 38 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Tower

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Tower

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Premium Suite, 2 Queen Beds, Tower

Premium Suite, 2 Queen Beds, Tower

Premium Suite, 2 Queen Beds, Tower

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, No Windows

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, No Windows

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Patio

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Patio

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Patio

Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Patio

Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Patio

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Tower

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Tower

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Premium Room, 2 Queen Beds

Premium Room, 2 Queen Beds

Premium Room, 2 Queen Beds

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

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Downtown Columbia
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Gym
  • Parking available
4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 633 reviews
The price is NZ$201
includes taxes & fees
24 May - 25 May
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About the area

Columbia

With a stay at The Lantern Columbia in Columbia (Downtown Columbia), you'll be a 1-minute drive from University of South Carolina and 9 minutes from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. .This hotel is 6.5 mi (10.4 km) from Fort Jackson and 12.5 mi (20 km) from Lake Murray.

What's nearby

  • Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • University of South Carolina - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • South Carolina State House - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Colonial Life Arena - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Koger Center for the Arts - 8 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

  • Columbia Station - 18 min walk
  • Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cola's Restaurant - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Hickory Tavern - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪IHOP - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Republic Biergarten & Kitchen - ‬3 min walk

About this property

The Lantern Columbia

The Lantern Columbia offers 59 accommodations with hair dryers. Beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. 55-inch Smart televisions come with satellite channels and Netflix.

Bathrooms include showers. This Columbia hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 50+ Mbps. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Stay in one of 59 guestrooms featuring Smart televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, shopping on site, and a fireplace in the lobby.
At The Lantern Columbia, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, an elevator, and a water dispenser.
Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 6:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
The Lantern Columbia has a restaurant on site.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Valet parking on site (USD 30 per day)
  • Limited on-site valet parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: USD 15 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Shopping
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Mini-fridge

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 4 accessible parking spaces
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Handrails in stairways (86 centimetre high)
  • Lift (91 centimetre wide door)
  • Phone accessibility kit
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Visual fire alarm
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (76 centimetre high)
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking
  • Wheelchairs on site

More

  • Communal living room
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Egyptian cotton sheets

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 55-inch smart TV with satellite channels
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 150 per accommodation, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 15.00 per person
  • Valet parking fee: USD 30 per day
  • Pet fee: USD 150 per accommodation, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

The Lantern Columbia Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 70 out of 75 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 75 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 75 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.8/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mindi

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My recent stay at the Lantern Hotel in Columbus, South Carolina was truly exceptional. From the moment I arrived, the manager and his team made me feel welcomed, supported, and genuinely cared for. Their kindness and professionalism set the tone for the entire experience. What makes this hotel even more special is the heart behind it. The owner built the Lantern as an inspiration to his daughter, who has a slight disability, and created a place where young women and men can learn, grow, and work with dignity. That mission shines through in every detail — the atmosphere, the service, and the pride the staff takes in their work. It wasn’t just a hotel stay; it was an uplifting experience. I left feeling grateful, inspired, and eager to return. Mindi Lane
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our stay at The Lantern Hotel was truly incredible. This brand-new hotel is such a special addition to Columbia, and we feel so lucky that we were able to stay in the Fire Tower, it made the experience even more unique. Everything about the property was wonderful. The hotel itself was incredibly clean, and the housekeeping staff were so kind and welcoming every time we saw them. The ambiance throughout the hotel was beautiful and relaxing. One of our favorite parts was spending hours outside by the fire pit with drinks and food, it was the perfect place to unwind. The restaurant was amazing as well. The food was so good that we ended up eating there both nights of our stay, and the drinks were just as impressive. It really added to the whole experience. What truly made our stay unforgettable, though, was Quentin. From the moment we arrived, he went above and beyond. He checked us in and personally walked us to our room, which immediately made us feel welcomed. Quentin seemed to be there every day and night, we joked that we don’t think he ever leaves! Every time we saw him, we stopped to talk, and he was always so kind, funny, and genuinely helpful. It’s clear that Quentin truly cares about hospitality and about both the guests and the staff. He went out of his way for us multiple times to make sure our stay went smoothly. His level of service is rare and so appreciated. Honestly, he’s so great that he should be the Senior General Manager! Highly recommend staying here!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Newly removated building and very friendly staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were in Columbia overnight for a graduation at Fort Jackson. The hotel was in a great spot-close to great food, bars, and the capital. Staff were exceptional. The in-hotel bar was lovely. Room was super clean and very comfortable. Wish we could have stayed longer. Will definitely stay again if we are ever back in town.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful stay! Great staff and location.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent stay
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Delaney

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, and staff was amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the hotel. I enjoyed the restaurant on site. The room was very comfortable. I loved the lights on the bed that lit up when you needed to use the restroom. The front desk staff was very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Sherrie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is amazing. It is in a great location, the staff go above and beyond and our room was very clean. We highly recommend staying here and we will definitely book The Lantern for our next stay in Columbia.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

marilyn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
the location was great.the staff was very helpful. the rooms were a good size. the only drawback was we wanted to have dinner on a sunday night but it was only salad & pizza.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Erika

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a beautiful boutique hotel - a converted fire station. It was unique, clean, quiet, comfortable, and modern. I would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Carla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Lantern is a beautiful hotel and the staff was friendly and competent. We absolutely loved it! We enjoyed drinks at the bar, delicious food, and the neighborhood. My husband attended the university about 50 years ago, and the campus was a short walk from The Lantern, so he was able to show me all of the places he lived, attended classes, and worked back then.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Gregory

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was just a great overall experience. Location, lobby, bar, rooms…we have stayed at a bunch of hotels in Columbia and I would put this towards the top of your list of hotels in town.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My new favorite hotel in Columbia!! Clean, bright, amazing staff & fantastic location! Rooms are spacious & had all the extra features we would want! We already booked another stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

8/10 Good

Romiah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Dianna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A great new hotel a few blocks from colonial life stadium and downtown. Park your car and walk for the weekend. Super comfy beds with elevated linens. The new restaurant at the facility is amazing and the bar staff is top notch. I love that this facility employs people with disabilities. They over deliver on customer service and a warm positive attitude. I will definitely stay there again!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Joshua

Y
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Denise

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a brand new hotel with great amenities such as a Keurig outside your room in a shared corridor with many choices of coffee or tea, a water dispenser, and bags of ice. We slept amazingly well!! Will definitely be returning for another stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

8/10 Good

Amanda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great space and room was super nice! I loved the lobby and evening vibe with fire pits on terrace. We also loved the workout center. Staff were very kind and welcoming. Great stay!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Whitney

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Super clean and sleek. New property in buch was nice. Valet parking great pizza and drinks. Lots of thoughtful touches like a night light under the bed when you get up at night. Kudos for design. Only issues I had was frosted windows in our room. 206 so no view outside. Otherwise outstanding.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Anita

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Tim

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was very clean, and the staff were professional and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026