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The Principal Hotel

3.5 star property
VIP Access

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Photo gallery for The Principal Hotel

Exterior
Room amenity
40-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels, Netflix, Hulu
Breakfast, dinner and brunch served
Reception

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Gym
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
310 S Main St, Columbia, IL, 62236
  • River City Casino
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Busch Stadium
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Gateway Arch
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • St. Louis, MO (STL-Lambert-St. Louis Intl.)
    ‪44 min drive‬
VIP Access
Curated for quality and service, VIP Access stays consistently receive our highest guest ratings.
  • Expect exceptional service
  • Extra savings and perks for BONUS+ members
Learn more about VIP AccessOpens in a new window

Room options

View all photos for ADA Freshman K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

ADA Freshman K

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Junior Honors QQ

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Junior Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Senior QQ

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Senior QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Senior K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Senior K

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Sophomore QQ

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Sophomore QQ

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for Freshman Honors K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Freshman Honors K

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Junior Q

Junior Q

Junior Q

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Sophomore Honors QQ

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Sophomore Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for Sophomore Honors K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Sophomore Honors K

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Junior Honors K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Junior Honors K

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Senior Honors K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Senior Honors K

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Large Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for ADA Sophomore Honors QQ

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

ADA Sophomore Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for Freshman K

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Freshman K

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(8 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for ADA Junior QQ

1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

ADA Junior QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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About this property

The Principal Hotel

Hotel with free parking, in the vicinity of Missouri Civil War Museum
This hotel features a restaurant, a fitness center, and a coffee shop/cafe. Self parking is free. Other amenities include coffee/tea in a common area, dry cleaning, and a 24-hour front desk. Housekeeping is available on request.
The Principal Hotel offers 40 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and coffee/tea makers. 40-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels and Netflix.

Bathrooms include showers and hair dryers. This Columbia hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness center.
During your stay at The Principal Hotel, you'll be close to Triple Lakes Golf Course. You'll find features like free self parking, plus a restaurant and a gym.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Options for a bite to eat include a coffee shop and a restaurant
  • Amenities include meeting rooms, a gift shop, and an ATM
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym
  • 8.9 mi (14.3 km) from Missouri Civil War Museum and 11.9 mi (19.2 km) from River City Casino
There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe. A fitness center, gift shops/newsstands, and coffee/tea in a common area are also featured at The Principal Hotel. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3.5-star Columbia hotel.

Graphite Restaurant - This fine-dining restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Cafe on the Abbey - This café serves breakfast and lunch. Open select days.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Cafe on the Abbey
  • Graphite Restaurant

Things to do

  • Gym
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Luggage storage
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Accessibility

  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No lift

More

  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 40-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival
This property enforces quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per day.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 100.00 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. The credit card used when booking the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo ID. Other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival. At the property, quiet hours are enforced between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

The Principal Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 99 out of 108 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 108 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 108 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 108 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 108 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was outstanding! It was very clean and the staff were very friendly. You could tell they put a lot of effort into providing an incredible stay. From nice thick towels to offering free drink tickets the property was. Class act. We would highly recommend this hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Cutest boutique hotel!

The staff is always incredible! The location is convenient. You have a cute coffee shop next door and now a great restaurant! I always stay here when I'm in Columbia.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jana

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
They did a great job of converting a school into a hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kent

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Very nice hotel.

This s hotel is very neat, a modified school. Very well done, not a cheap rush job like many hotels that get updated.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Refreshing!

The atmosphere was uplifting; the decor exuded uniqueness and joy; the grounds were impeccably clean and secure; the town embodied a refreshingly authentic American charm!
Aerial view
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place to stay outside of St. Louis

We were traveling through to visit family on our way to Nashville and wanted to check out a non-chain hotel. I am really impressed with the renovation of this old Catholic school and how they tied together the history into the concept of the hotel. Very clean, comfortable and accommodating. I was impressed with everything from check in to check out, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the price was great! We felt right at home. The beds were comfortable and the rooms well taken care of. I look forward to a return stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cathi, Silverthorne

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I can't say enough about this GEM! We travel multiple times a year across the US & will aleays add this new FAVORITE STOP & BEAUTIFUL TOWN of Columbia IL & THE PRINCIPAL HOTEL & surrounding establishments The GRAPHITE, THE ABBEY ETC ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dallas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
When I got in my room I noticed a brown spot on my bed. No big deal. I asked the girl working the desk if the could change it while I went out to eat. She was super nice. When I got back I noticed she had not only changed it but left me several snack
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Taja

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

10/10 Excellent

Tracy

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome renovations of 'old school' kind of time. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at. The shower was incredible, everything was nice and clean. My only complaint is that it can be a bit of a winding walk to get to rooms but I won’t ding them anything for that because it’s good to reuse old buildings (in this case a school). Would recommend this to anyone.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tiffiney, West Frankfort

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was just a unique place. A school turned hotel with the decor absolutely fitting. We were looking for something different not far from home and this nailed it!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Thomas Francis

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Larry

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

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful

charming boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Columbia. Many restaurants in walking distance.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Loved it!

The hotel was clean and inviting right as we walked in. The room was spacious and clean. The shower was soothing. The staff was friendly and helpful with ideas on things to do in the area. There were plenty of eating options close by. Loved our stay and will return when we are in this area again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
An amazing atmosphere
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shawn

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The school theme is fun, and the fact that it was a school and has that history is really interesting. I will stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful little spot. The restaurant was excellent and beds were comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

JONATHAN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing!!! Clean , new and 1 of a kind
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Exceeded expectations

What a beautiful and unique facility! Loved every part from the spacious rooms to the schoolhouse decor. I will be back!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Justin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was very clean. The service of the staff they were very polite and helpfully . The history of the building is a incredible story. Great experience
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margot

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025