Aloft Columbus University District

Our stay at Aloft Columbus - University District on Olentangy River Drive was absolutely fantastic! The accommodations were modern, stylish, and comfortable, making for a perfect getaway for an NHL game. One of the highlights was the beautiful patio, offering a great space to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. And a warm fire. The bar was a standout experience, thanks to Alex, the bartender, who went above and beyond to craft amazing drinks and provide top-notch service. His expertise and friendly personality truly elevated our evenings. And the food? Simply outstanding, fresh, flavorful, and far beyond typical hotel fare. Great pizza and wings. If you’re visiting Ohio State University or the Columbus area, this is the place to stay. Great service, fantastic drinks, and an unbeatable atmosphere. Great pool too.

Wish this hotel was in a different part of town. Lots of car break ins happened last night and the police were here this morning handling the reports. The front desk said it happens all the time. Maybe leave your doors unlocked/windows down with nothing in your car so you aren’t dealing with broken windows.

Upon checking in, I was informed of a $50 deposit requirement. I used my prepaid card, the terminal approved the transaction, and the funds were immediately deducted from my account. However, the clerk claimed that the system did not register my deposit and insisted I pay an additional $50. I checked my bank account, confirmed the funds were removed, and showed them proof. Despite this, management got involved and continued to deny that the deposit had been processed. When I calmly tried to explain the situation, they were dismissive, condescending, and made derogatory comments about me using a prepaid card. This was extremely unprofessional, especially since the card had already fulfilled the deposit requirement. I also had my support animal with me, which is a medical necessity for managing epilepsy. The stress of this situation could have triggered my condition, yet not once did it seem to occur to them to be accommodating in any way—at an establishment specifically meant to provide accommodations. This complete lack of understanding or compassion made an already bad experience even worse. Ultimately, they refused to honor my stay, leaving me stranded with no accommodations during a 1,500-mile holiday trip home, even though I had already paid for the room in full. To make matters worse, I now have to wait 5–10 days to have my money refunded. This experience was unacceptable and caused significant stress during what should have been a straightforward transaction. Slimmy

Location was perfect. Very easy to find, close by shopping and multiple choices of food. Hotel hand ample free parking, was very clean, and staff was very friendly. The outdoor bar looked friendly and inviting for Monday night football. It appeared everyone was having a fun time.

Overall, the hotel was nice and up to date. It seemed to be kept clean also. There was a nice bar and plenty of relaxed and unique seating near the bar. I loved that there was a pool table and plenty of games for people to play. There were a few things that could have been better. No breakfast was served in the morning, except for an a la carte grab and go breakfast. The pool did not have any heat. The bedroom lighting was incredibly confusing and difficult to understand. There were so many switches and it was hard to know what turned on and off each light. We spent a bit of time trying to figure out how to turn off some of the lights after arriving after 1 am. The bathroom has a sliding door which wouldn’t be so bad if it closed tightly. There isn’t a fan in the bathroom, so not only is it steamy, but everyone can hear everything that happens in the bathroom. The wall separating the bedroom and the bathroom area has openings in it, so means that sound isn’t even being blocked by the wall. If you are not staying with family, it could be very uncomfortable. The decor is nice, though a little odd at times. There are not enough hooks in the bathroom to hang towels or even clothing. Once again if someone is sharing a room with someone they don’t feel comfortable being naked around, no hooks is not helpful. There was a nice table and bench in the room which would be nice on a longer stay. The hotel had a unique design to it and had some of the things I mentioned been better, I would stay again. But, as it is now, I’m not sure that I would choose this hotel again.