Columbus OH Hotel

[Muddy Rivers]

Hi All! We are driving to the Kentucky Derby from NJ and figured Columbus might be a good place to stop along the way. (Don't want to drive straight through) Any suggestions for a one night hotel stay? Looks like we will be taking Route 70 to Route 71. Don't want to stray too far from our route.

We sometimes stay at an Embassy Suite but wasn't sure if there was anything else that might work out better.

Thanks !!

 

[unrequited23]

I like to stay in the Polaris or Dublin areas. If you get a downtown hotel most only have valet parking that costs about $20/night. You will be able to find pretty much any hotel chain you like around Columbus.

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you don't mind a small step down from Embassy in class and food variety, the Drury hotels will be the "easiest" hotels to stay at...they feed you light or kid-friendly dinner and drinks (think 2 soups/salad and then with added hot dogs, mac and cheese, chips, etc), soda and popcorn til 10pm, breakfast all days, and local free calls and internet...and they can sleep 6...

https://www.druryhotels.com/content/kickback
https://www.druryhotels.com/locatio...s-columbus-convention-center?view=p#amenities

PS - There are 3 in the area - only the downtown one charges parking, I think...

 

[Bound and Rebound]

If you don't mind a small step down from Embassy in class and food variety, the Drury hotels will be the "easiest" hotels to stay at...they feed you light or kid-friendly dinner and drinks (think 2 soups/salad and then with added hot dogs, mac and cheese, chips, etc), soda and popcorn til 10pm, breakfast all days, and local free calls and internet...and they can sleep 6...

https://www.druryhotels.com/content/kickback
https://www.druryhotels.com/locatio...s-columbus-convention-center?view=p#amenities

PS - There are 3 in the area - only the downtown one charges parking, I think...

There’s one in Grove City that is right on 71 and also that’s a safe area.

 

[Maniacmous]

I've stayed a number of times around Polaris - just off 71, north side of Columbus, plenty of shopping and restaurants. I usually stay at the Fairfield Inns and Suites there - not expensive, has an indoor pool if that's your thing, and has always been very clean in my experience.

 

[Capitalangel]

If you look for hotels near Stringtown Road you will be in a suburb called Grove City as stated by a previous poster. It is just a few exits after you make the turn south on 71. It is a very busy area with Target, Walmart, strip malls,and lots of restaurants as well.

I agree with those saying Polaris ( since I live there) but that will put you around 30 mins north of the 70/71 interchange.

 

[MyBuddyBaloo]

If you enjoy casinos. The Hampton Inn Columbus Scioto Downs would be on your route. It is fairly new and attached to the casino.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you everyone!!

 

[Bellesadventure]

There is a nice Embassy Suites (Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus, 2700 Corporate Exchange Dr, Columbus, OH 43231) on 270 that I like to stay at but it looks like that is North of where you will come into Columbus. If you are just using the hotel as a place to sleep, I don't think I'd waste the 20-25 minutes driving up there. There is an Embassy Suites near the airport (2886 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219) that is much closer to where 70W comes into Columbus. I haven't stayed there, so I cannot comment on how nice it is. Like you, I really enjoy having a suite. If you are looking for somewhere to stretch your legs, that hotel is very close to Easton Town Center, which is a huge outdoor mall with tons of stores, restaurants, even a splash pad for kids to play at.

 

[GreatLakes]

If you want to experience a little Columbus stay downtown. It isn't far from the highway and the short north has some great restaurants and stuff to do. If you just want to sleep and get out I would suggest getting south of the city so you are going against traffic the next day. Really anything right off the highway will do.

 

[adelaster]

Hi All! We are driving to the Kentucky Derby from NJ and figured Columbus might be a good place to stop along the way. (Don't want to drive straight through) Any suggestions for a one night hotel stay? Looks like we will be taking Route 70 to Route 71. Don't want to stray too far from our route.

We sometimes stay at an Embassy Suite but wasn't sure if there was anything else that might work out better.

Thanks !!

Are you looking for entertainment, shopping, and dining options on the fancier side, or just a place to crash out of the way of traffic?

If the latter, definitely stay outside of the city/Polaris area. If the former, Polaris and downtown area are solid recommendations. Not knowing what you're into, it's hard to be more specific. Just be aware of the traffic in those areas.

If you want a more tailored suggestion I'd need more info.

 

[krysenchips]

I concur with the PPs who said the Strington Rd area of Grove City. I drive from Pittsburgh to Louisville semi-regularly to visit family and I use this as my halfway rest point to get food and fuel every time. It is easily accessible, has many hotel and food options.

 

[krysenchips]

Oh! OP, how far in advance of Derby are you going down? Louisville has the Derby Festival going on for 2 weeks prior to race day and certain events can cause ridiculous traffic back ups.

I recommend looking at the entire schedule to see if it is going to affect your drive! Have a fun time! Derby is an experience.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

We are just looking for a place to spend the night on our way to Louisville. Definitely trying to stay out of major traffic but not drive too far out of our way.

We are getting to Louisville on Thursday so we won't have a lot of extra pre-Derby time there. We are looking at eating at Doc Crow's and Merle's Whiskey Kitchen for dinner and Wild Eggs, Toast on Market and The Cafe for breakfast. Any suggestions?

 

[krysenchips]

Thursday is the Pegasus Parade, so there are a ton of traffic restrictions in the Downtown area that day, so be prepared for traffic delays and detours if you are staying near downtown. Those are all really good restaurants to go to! Try the everything muffins at Wild Eggs and the hashbrown cassarole at Toast, they are my favorite!

Try and get down to Waterfront Park and the Fest-a-Ville, but make sure you have purchased Pegasus Pins beforehand. It's a big carnival style area with live music, food trucks, and activities for the kids. I've always found it fun.

 

[kydisneyfans]

The Polaris, Dublin, and Easton areas would take you out of the way to the north if you are taking 70/71 through Columbus.
I would recommend Stringtown Rd in Grove City. Most of the chains are there. You could also look at NE Cincy, an hour south of Stringtown if you want an Embassy Suites.

Take 270 around SE Columbus if you hit downtown during rush hour. The mileage difference is next to nothing.

We live NW of Lexington, less than an hour from Louisville. We have driven to/from NJ and take 81/68/79/64 instead of the 70/71 route. Have you considered that route?

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you for the great suggestions. It is our first Derby trip and we are very excited about it.

 

[jimandami]

We always stay at the Embassy Suites in Dublin when we go to Columbus! I find it nicer than the one on Corporate Exchange Dr.

 

[buckeyeguy1]

My wife and I really like staying at the Courtyard by Marriott at Easton Town Center. Its about 10 min north of I-70 on I-270 on the east side. Very clean. Easton Town Center is an outdoor shopping district with quite a few restaurants and places to get drinks. Its great because you can park your vehicle at the hotel and walk around shopping and dining. You won't need to get in your vehicle again until you leave. No parking fees either.

I second kydisneyfans suggestion about hitting I-270 south on the east side if you plan on driving through during rush hour. The I-70/I-71 split can be a little slow at those times.

 

[mslhb]

I agree that the Easton area is nice with hotels, restaurants and shopping and isn’t that far north of 70. That would be my recommendation. If you are just looking for a hotel for the night the Stringtown Rd area off 71 just south of the city is probably the most convenient.