<p>Our son just selected USC and will be a freshman in the fall. I am already planning a parents weekend visit but all the hotels within walking distance of campus are wildly expensive.</p>
<p>Any nearby lodging recommendations?</p>
<p>Are you driving? What direction are you coming from? That will help narrow down the choices…</p>
<p>Driving from the DC area.</p>
<p>JM2817 - I’m so glad I saw your post- it reminded me to book a room as well… but every single hotel on the USC website list is full! - Or at least it appears that way- with each one I checked, it said they were fully booked those nights. I have to assume USC has a block of rooms on hold that (hopefully) won’t be released until they open registration for this event; otherwise, I can’t imagine everything within walking distance is already booked before they open the event registration. </p>
<p>I found a room- VERY reasonable price at Country Inn and Suites, 220 East Exchange Boulevard, Columbia, approx. 5 miles to USC at $76 for 2 queens. I would prefer one within walking distance so I’m hoping the others are on a room block until the registration opens. Meanwhile, I went ahead and booked this one but will probably cancel if one closer opens up.
NOTE: If you book at this hotel, do it through Priceline. The hotel site said this was a pre-payment- NON-refundable rate; but via Priceline it was pre-payment- refundable if done by Oct. 2nd.</p>
<p>Last year I booked a package at the Clarion Hotel Downtown.</p>
<p>If you are staying two nights, this can get you in for $120/night instead of $200. And it is right next to campus. I’ve stayed at this hotel, it’s decent.</p>
<p>According to the web site there are rooms available.</p>
<p>[Hotels</a> in Columbia, South Carolina - The Clarion Town House Hotel - Columbia, SC Hotel](<a href=“http://www.clarionhotelcolumbia.com/]Hotels”>http://www.clarionhotelcolumbia.com/)</p>
<p>Great tip about the Clarion! I booked 2 nights at $120/night including breakfast using their B&B package option. Thrilled to be 4 blocks from my son’s likely dorm.</p>
<p>I’m glad I checked this again. I tried all the websites earlier and I believe this one (Clarion) was having ‘technical difficulties’ but all the others showed as being fully booked. I just booked the package as well and will cancel my other room. I really wanted to be within walking distance so this is perfect! Thanks.</p>
<p>There is a Courtyard by Marriott and a Hampton Inn, among others, out off Harbison Blvd. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive. We stayed in both a couple of times when closer hotels were booked. The Hampton (I think) has a deal where you pre-pay the full price in advance and save a good bit. But then you cannot cancel if your plans change.</p>
<p>The Clarion reservation was reasonable and cancelable up to a week before for those interested.</p>
<p>Other options fairly close in but not walkable include Embassy suites, Springhill by Marriot, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge. Look at Columbia SC visitors bureau for more accomadation choices. Only caution about Harbison area…if you are in town and heading out to Harbison on a Friday from 4-6 pm you will sit in commuter traffic for :30 for what should be a 10 min trip from downtown!</p>