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Olentangy Motor Inn

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Olentangy Motor Inn

Exterior
Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Coffee service
Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
1445 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, 43212
  • Place, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Ohio Stadium
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Ohio State University
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Columbus, OH (CMH-John Glenn Columbus Intl.)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

7.6 out of 10
Good
(17 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(67 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(24 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(17 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(99 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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About the area

Columbus

With a stay at Olentangy Motor Inn in Columbus (Grandview Heights), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Ohio State University and Ohio Stadium. .This hotel is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) from Greater Columbus Convention Center and 9.2 mi (14.8 km) from Easton Town Center.

What's nearby

  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • James Cancer Hospital - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Ohio Stadium - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Schottenstein Center - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Ohio State University - 3 min drive - 1.8 km

Getting around

  • John Glenn Columbus Intl. Airport (CMH) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Natalie’s - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪GetGo - ‬11 min walk

About this property

Olentangy Motor Inn

Olentangy Motor Inn offers 55 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. Televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include showers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Business-friendly amenities include phones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is provided on request.

Make yourself at home in one of the 55 individually furnished guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers, as well as phones with free local calls.
This smoke-free hotel has 2 floors in 1 building and offers wheelchair access.
Enjoy a meal at Crimson Cup or snacks in the hotel's coffee shop/cafe. A complimentary on-the-go breakfast is served daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary on-the-go breakfast is served each morning between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Crimson Cup - Onsite coffee shop.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Food and drink

  • Free on-the-go breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Restaurants on site

  • Crimson Cup

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping on request

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
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Smooth flooring in room
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1986
  • Renovated entire property - September 2023
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • 55-inch TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Individual furnishings
  • Mobile key entry
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests will receive an email within 7 days before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests
This property enforces quiet hours from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
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 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total (up to 30 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 12 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
  • 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; cash is not accepted
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Varsity Inn South Hotel
Varsity Inn South Hotel Columbus
Varsity South Columbus
Varsity Inn Columbus
Varsity Inn
Varsity Columbus
The Varsity Inn
Olentangy Motor Inn Hotel
Olentangy Motor Inn Columbus
Olentangy Motor Inn Hotel Columbus

Olentangy Motor Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 929 out of 1412 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 320 out of 1412 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 100 out of 1412 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 30 out of 1412 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 33 out of 1412 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Doug

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Kaden was amazing!!! Loved the hotel and super comfy beds. Very cozy place and will stay again!!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Jeni, Lincoln

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
There are active train tracks next to the motel so it was pretty noisy. And you really don’t get a breakfast, but the room was nice and clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very clean. Very convenient!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Diane

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very loud heater…other than that fine
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Deborah

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
comfortable and spacious bed. room was clean and staff was very friendly. complimentary drip coffee was meh but otherwise was everything else was pleasant. Only real complaint is the curtains; they’re thin and let light in and you can literally see right through them into the rooms so be careful 😅 Location is in a busy area with plenty of shopping spots in walking distance.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Travis

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, staff was friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Kia

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was nice for a quick stay. There is a train that comes by every now and then.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Charles

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The great: affordable in a busy area. Generally safe and well lit. Rooms were fresh and looked great. Showers amazing. Free Breakfast sandwiches in the morning AMAZING! The not so great: mattresses were super firm and in unit thermostat served to fluctuate all night. Then around 5 am there was a rumbling and shaking ( it was a train somewhere nearby, didn’t even notice tracks) but it was very loud.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The location of the hotel is fantastic. Close to shopping and restaurants and DT Columbus. The room was clean and the beds were comfortable. Loved the breakfast sandwiches.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff was friendly, the space was clean and quiet
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

CHARLES

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Room was clean and spacious. Breakfast sandwich was excellent. I have been staying in Columbus once a week for the past 3 months for visits at the James. This place has been the only place I have stayed that the place was worth the money I paid.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Deborah

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frankie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The check in with the staff was flawless. My son and I were spending the weekend at Galaxycon in Columbus, OH. We were traveling from out of town and really did not want to have to wait to check in at the normal time of 4pm. So we called and we were able to explain our situation and our itinerary for the day. Without hesitation we were able to get checked in early. The room was pristine. Very clean, smelled good and over all a great room 2 doors down from the office. We felt wanted and safe. I would certainly stay here again and I encourage others to do so as well.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay - clean, friendly staff, easy parking and great breakfast sandwich and coffee too. Took off one star because our room was at the very back next to the train tracks and the train noise woke me up a couple of times. But we would stay here again for sure!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Older Updated motel. Clean. Staff was wonderful!!!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vince

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Free breakfast and coffee! Room was clean!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Excellent handicapped room. Great room for the price. It was clean.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenevieve, Arlington

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean, well appointed, cute and friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Harry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good place to stay for a Buckeyes game
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Rod

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
The hotel is clean and up to date but is kinda noisy
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025