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The Principal Hotel

3.5 star property

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Photo gallery for The Principal Hotel

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

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Gym
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
  • 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

Room options

View all photos for ADA Freshman K

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

ADA Freshman K

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

View all photos for Junior Honors QQ

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

Junior Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Senior QQ

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

Senior QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Senior K

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

Senior K

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

View all photos for Sophomore QQ

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

Freshman Honors K

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Junior Q

Junior Q | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board

Junior Q

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Sophomore Honors QQ

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

Junior Honors K

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Senior Honors K

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

ADA Junior QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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About this property

The Principal Hotel

3.5-star Columbia hotel with restaurant
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.
The hotel offers a restaurant and a coffee shop/cafe. This Columbia hotel also offers a fitness center, gift shops/newsstands, and coffee/tea in a common area. Onsite uncovered self parking is complimentary.

The Principal Hotel has designated areas for smoking.

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 transportation

  • 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 elevator

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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

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

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 100.00 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per day

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
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.

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

The Principal Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 94 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

Cathi, Silverthorne

Traveled 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 traveler
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

Traveled 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

Traveled 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 traveler
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 traveler

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Shawn

Business traveler
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 traveler

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

10/10 Excellent

Dave

Traveled with group, Business traveler
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

Traveled 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

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I found it very unique that it was once a school and still maintaining a touch of decor still pertaining to its past. The pictures and explanation of its past history are informative and interesting. The lockers in the hallway to the railings that were made out of the old radiator heating systems from the classrooms to the Detention Bar that is for hotel guests that is soon to open are all nice touches. The Graphite restaurant that is attached to the hotel is very nice and the dinner was very good. The new Courtroom bar that is still under construction in the old gymnasium and will be open to the public in the future is also attached to the hotel and is going to be large and spacious. This is an ideal situation for hotel guest to enjoy by just having all these different accommodations in one spot and never having to drive anywhere if you choose not to. Great place..
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Trish

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful design and cleanliness.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Lovely stay with family

My wife was thrilled about this stay and thought it was her favorite which is saying something given that we have stayed at many 5 star properties over the years.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

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

Sleeping in the school

It was a great stay. The room was exceptionally clean, and pleasing to the eyes. Definitely will stay there again!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

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

Beautiful new hotel

Beautiful new hotel! The theme was fun, with the hotel being a converted Catholic school. Loved our stay!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024