Tru by Hilton Columbia Greystone — Hotel in Columbia

What a disappointment. Booked and paid for a room in advance for a one-night stay during a long road trip. Arrived to find trash piled up (looked like a feast from KFC) next to a bench at the main entrance. Not a good sign.

Of the two sets of entrance doors, the outside set kept opening and closing. The inside set was off its track and hanging open, allowing what air conditioning there might have been in the lobby to escape on a stifling day.

Upon approaching the check-in desk, I had to wait my turn behind two guests who had complaints...one about one of the elevators not working and the other about the lack of air conditioning on the entire floor he was staying on.

When it was my turn, the snippy girl at the desk informed me that the hotel was oversold and that my room was no longer available.

As all of this was playing out, she shouted to a maintenance worker who was shuffling through the open front door with a part from an HVAC unit, asking him if an out of service room could be fixed in order to accommodate our stay. He mumbled something back to me when I said I wasn't interested in staying in a room without AC, especially after hearing what I heard from the previous guests.

Having experienced an oversold situation at places in my past travels, I expected/hoped that Miss Thang would have made other arrangements for me or, at the least, been familiar with other nearby accommodations. Neither was the case.

She then shared that it was not her job to book my stay elsewhere nor to know where the nearest available hotel was.

I asked for my money back. She refused and said that my only option would be a credit toward a future stay. As I didn't expect to be in Columbia again, I told her the offer was not acceptable. When I demanded a refund again, she stormed away from the desk and came back after a few minutes with a receipt for the refund.

I asked for her name. She refused to answer. I asked for the manager's name. She refused to answer. I asked for the owner's name. She refused to answer.

At this point, when I turned to leave, she enlisted the involvement of another guest in the lobby who berated me for "being an **shole" about the situation.

Fortunately, we found accommodations at a nearby Holiday Inn Express where the front office staff was very gracious. Upon telling him why we were there, he first asked if the Tru had made and paid a reservation, a practice he called "customary" in the hotel business during oversold situations. Obviously not in this case!

Needless to say, my Tru experience was pretty unpleasant. While the place was only built a few years ago, it has clearly not been taken care of and is a dump. And the lack of professional staffing and poor customer service make this a place you should...

I came later at night to check in. First I noticed no awning at front entrance. Good thing it wasn't raining when I was unloading. Plenty of carts available. I stood there for a bit before staff member acknowledged me. He was kind though. Never got a name. None of the staff ever introduced themselves during my stay. I was given a bag with 2 waters and bag of chips. I've not stayed in a Tru by Hilton before. I will say when I walked in it was very over stimulating with colors & shapes. Very chic vibe. Several types of chairs to lounge in, a pool table, an area for children to sit/play/watch TV. Desk is round and is stocked with different types of food, drinks (wine/beer as an option), and toiletries (facial mask). In the lounge there were desks to plug in your lap-top or other items. I did like the board at the elevator on the first floor that had fun facts or recommendations; I'd suggest not using yellow marker, hard to read. Room was minimalist yet all needs met. No closet but Several hooks, a bench with area to store items underneath and area at front of bed to place items. Eclectic lighting throughout the room and a small desk with chair. Double pull down shades, one solid white the other light filtering with design. Chain was easy to pull shades down but was a work-out to pull back up and even with both down it didn't make the room dark. I liked the shelf beneath the light in the bathroom but above the sink. Squeeze bottles of soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotion available. Nice touch, be careful when you squeeze it comes out fast. I noticed in the room the yellow bottle had something different then the lobby bathroom which could be confusing if your putting lotion in one yellow bottle then in another area yellow bottle has soap. Room walls were not completely sound proof but not too bothersome except for the heavy doors to rooms. If a person doesn't take the time to gentle close it will slam. Breakfast was better than most free continental. Pancakes with toppings was a nice touch. I didn't leave hungry. Bedding was clean and very comfortable. Price point to me was a Lil high compared to the fact I just came from a luxury Hilton in downtown Atlanta. 2 nights in Columbia was almost $500. Atlanta for 3 nights with Valet parking wasn't too much more & there you get made to order omelets & better breakfast choices as well as prime walking district. All in all Tru Hilton Columbia is new, hip, clean, and felt safe. If you have issues with extreme over stimulation this isn't the place for you. It's colorful with loud prints & signage. Just an FYI. If the price is right I'd probably stay again. Hopefully staff will be more upbeat & welcoming. They weren't rude...

Tru by Hilton Greystone proved to be exactly what we needed for our spontaneous Columbia getaway. Sometimes the best travel experiences come from hotels that simply execute the essentials flawlessly, and this property does just that.

Effortless Service

Both check-in and check-out were refreshingly smooth and hassle-free. The staff made the entire process quick and efficient, which is especially appreciated when you're dealing with last-minute travel plans. No complications, no delays – just professional service that gets you settled in or on your way without stress.

Clean Comfort Done Right

The room delivered exactly what Tru by Hilton promises: spotless accommodations with a no-frills approach that focuses on what truly matters. Every surface was impeccably clean, and the bed was genuinely comfortable – the kind that has you sleeping soundly after a day of exploring Columbia. The simplicity works perfectly when cleanliness and comfort are prioritized over unnecessary amenities.

Ideal for Spontaneous Travel

This hotel is a fantastic option for last-minute getaways. The straightforward booking process, reliable quality, and consistent standards make it perfect when you need dependable accommodations without the planning stress. It's reassuring to know you can count on this level of cleanliness and service even with short notice.

Local Dining Gem

Don't miss Oceanview Seafood Restaurant nearby – it's an absolute winner! Having a fantastic dining option within easy reach really enhanced our stay and gave us a memorable meal to cap off our spontaneous trip.

Bottom Line

Tru by Hilton Greystone excels at providing clean, comfortable, and reliable accommodations with seamless service. It's proof that you don't need elaborate amenities when the fundamentals are executed this well. Perfect for travelers who value cleanliness, comfort, and efficiency over bells and whistles. Highly recommended for anyone needing quality lodging in Columbia, especially for those last-minute adventures.

Sometimes simple done right is exactly...