Holiday Inn Columbia - Downtown by IHG — Hotel in Columbia

Update from previous review (please note that they state "We appreciate you as an IHG One Rewards member")

Obviously they do NOT appreciate me being a rewards member based on their response!:

Holiday Inn contacted me about the issue I had with them charging me for a room that was supposed to be from a different date and they refused to refund the charges.

This was their response: Thank you for reaching out to us. We appreciate you as an IHG One Rewards member.

We will support the hotel. You may contact the hotel directly to request an exception or open a dispute with your bank.

Please note additional messages regarding this matter will only be documented on our end.

Thank you.

This is a review of Holiday Inn in general and particularly Holiday Inn Columbia, SC (downtown).

I will never stay in an IHG hotel ever, EVER again.

I made a reservation at this hotel on August 28, 2024. I was intending (and had chosen) to stay on September 28, 2024. For whatever reason, the web site both changed the date of my stay to August 28, 2024 (and changed the rate from "Senior rate" to "Best rate").

I did not realize the date and rate had been changed until I looked at the confirmation the next day. (I made the reservation after 5 in the afternoon on August 28).

I noticed I had been charged for the room on August 29 (the day after I made the reservation).

As soon as I saw I was being charged for the room, on August 29, I immediately called customer service for Holiday Inn. Customer service stated that it was my fault that the reservation was made for the wrong date. They asked me to stay on the line while they called the manager at the hotel to see if anything could be done. Customer service came back on the line and said the manager of the hotel wanted to discuss this with me. Customer service tried transferring me to the hotel manager, and I was disconnected.

I called the hotel itself on August 29, August 30, and September 3. Each time I left a message for the manager (Jodi) and asked for a return phone call. Never did have my call returned.

On September 4, I called again and the manager finally picked up the phone call. I explained what had happened and she told me that nothing could be done. (I was asking if, since a charge was made to my card for a "no show", and I was planning on staying on SEPTEMBER 28...not August 28, could you offer me a room on September 28 at no charge.) Every answer from her was NO...NO...NO

Bottom line is...every answer to me was negative, whether it was corporate talking or the actual hotel manager. (I work at Costco and their mode of business is they try to never lose a customer. Management will always try to do the best for the customer, if reasonably possible.)

Most businesses and customers are reasonable. IHG and this Holiday Inn in Columbia, SC is...

This is a review of Holiday Inn in general and particularly Holiday Inn Columbia, SC (downtown). I am currently a "One Rewards" member.

I will never stay in an IHG hotel ever, EVER again.

I made a reservation at this hotel on August 28, 2024. I was intending (and had chosen) to stay on September 28, 2024. For whatever reason, the web site both changed the date of my stay to August 28, 2024 (and changed the rate from "Senior rate" to "Best rate").

I did not realize the date and rate had been changed until I looked at the confirmation the next day. (I made the reservation after 5 in the afternoon on August 28).

I noticed I had been charged for the room on August 29 (the day after I made the reservation).

As soon as I saw I was being charged for the room, on August 29, I immediately called customer service for Holiday Inn. Customer service stated that it was my fault that the reservation was made for the wrong date. They asked me to stay on the line while they called the manager at the hotel to see if anything could be done. Customer service came back on the line and said the manager of the hotel wanted to discuss this with me. Customer service tried transferring me to the hotel manager, and I was disconnected.

I called the hotel itself on August 29, August 30, and September 3. Each time I left a message for the manager (Jodi) and asked for a return phone call. Never did have my call returned.

On September 4, I called again and the manager finally picked up the phone call. I explained what had happened and she told me that nothing could be done. (I was asking if, since a charge was made to my card for a "no show", and I was planning on staying on SEPTEMBER 28...not August 28, could you offer me a room on September 28 at no charge.) Every answer from her was NO...NO...NO

Bottom line is...every answer to me was negative, whether it was corporate talking or the actual hotel manager. (I work at Costco and their mode of business is they try to never lose a customer. Management will always try to do the best for the customer, if reasonably possible.)

Most businesses and customers are reasonable. IHG and this Holiday Inn in Columbia, SC is...

We were in town for the HARDY concert and wanted to be relatively close to the Township Auditorium and within walking distance to restaurants since we wouldn't have a car. I am glad we chose the Holiday Inn. When we arrived our room was ready, check in was easy and painless. We were greeted with a smiling face which is rare in today's world.

We had a King room. We were on the 9th floor and had a view over the parking garage across the street. It sounds bad, but it was fine as we watched the Christmas parade from our window. We could see over the garage into the distance so it wasn't all concrete. The room had a mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave, ironing board/iron, safe and hairdryer. There was a walk in shower with Dove shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion. The water pressure was phenomenal even though we were on the 9th floor.

We were there Friday through Monday and had the opportunity to walk all over the area and eat at various places. The ones that stand out are Cantina76 (Mexican), Republic Biergarten and Kitchen (Bottomless mimosas for $14.95 at brunch), Market on Main was great for an evening out, East Bay Deli for sammie's, and Crepes and Croissants. We at at Stoner's Pizza right across the street twice. Be sure to order online and pick it up if there's something happening in town because the wait can be long. All of the above were delicious and we had no problems at all.

The hotel has a bar with TV's to watch the games. You can also order food here, but we just had a couple of drinks before going out for the night.

We used uber to and from the airport. Both rides were clean and drivers friendly.

I know this was supposed to be for Holiday Inn, but I also want to let everyone know what is within walking distance because we had no idea based on the map how far things really were. We felt safe walking day and night. We live outside of a high-crime area so your experience may differ, but I doubt it. College students were out walking at all times as this is close to the USC campus. If we ever return to Columbia we've already decided we'd...