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The Principal Hotel

3.5 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Principal Hotel

A restaurant with multiple tables and booths, large windows, and a modern interior design.
A neatly made bed with white linens and a dark headboard, flanked by two bedside tables with lamps.
A modern kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and a dining area.
A wooden wall with the sign "THE PRINCIPAL HOTEL" and a row of books below.
A hotel named "The Principal Hotel" with a brick facade, multiple windows, and a parking lot in front.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Business services
The current price is $125
$113 nightly
$125 total
Total with taxes and fees
Jul 27 - Jul 28

Explore the area

View in a map
310 S Main St, Columbia, IL, 62236
  • Place, Historic Peterstown House
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Waterloo Town Square
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Arsenal BG Ballpark
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, St. Louis, MO (STL-Lambert-St. Louis Intl.)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Freshman K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

Freshman K

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(16 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for ADA Freshman K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

ADA Freshman K

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(6 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Freshman Honors K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

Freshman Honors K

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Sophomore Honors K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

Sophomore Honors K

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Junior Honors K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

Junior Honors K

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Senior K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

Senior K

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Senior Honors K

A large bed with a dark headboard, two bedside lamps, and a window with curtains.

Senior Honors K

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Large Twin Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Sophomore QQ

A hotel room with two beds, wooden flooring, and bedside lamps.

Sophomore QQ

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Sophomore Honors QQ

A hotel room with two beds, wooden flooring, and bedside lamps.

Sophomore Honors QQ

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for ADA Sophomore Honors QQ

A hotel room with two beds, wooden flooring, and bedside lamps.

ADA Sophomore Honors QQ

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for ADA Junior QQ

A hotel room with two beds, wooden flooring, and bedside lamps.

ADA Junior QQ

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Junior Honors QQ

A hotel room with two beds, wooden flooring, and bedside lamps.

Junior Honors QQ

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Senior QQ

A hotel room with two beds, wooden flooring, and bedside lamps.

Senior QQ

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Junior Q

A neatly made bed with white linens and pillows, flanked by two bedside tables with lamps, in a room with wooden flooring and plain walls.

Junior Q

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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  • Parking included
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  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,688 reviews
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The price is $154
Aug 2 - Aug 3
Total with taxes and fees
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About the neighborhood

Columbia

With a stay at The Principal Hotel in Columbia, you'll be 8.9 mi (14.3 km) from Missouri Civil War Museum and 11.9 mi (19.2 km) from River City Casino. .This hotel is 12.3 mi (19.7 km) from Arsenal BG Ballpark and 15.2 mi (24.4 km) from Busch Stadium.

What's nearby

  • Historic Peterstown House - 10 min drive - 9.0 miles
  • Waterloo Town Square - 11 min drive - 9.4 miles
  • Arsenal BG Ballpark - 11 min drive - 13.8 miles
  • Waterloo City Hall - 11 min drive - 9.8 miles
  • Busch Stadium - 18 min drive - 18.3 miles

Getting around

  • St. Louis Gateway Station - 23 min drive
  • Belleville, IL (BLV-MidAmerica-St. Louis) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Jimmy John's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Proving Ground Coffee Roaster & Café - ‬3 min drive

About this property

The Principal Hotel

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.
Make yourself at home in one of the 40 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, hair dryers, and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and coffee/tea makers.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness center, or other amenities including gift shops/newsstands and a television in a common area.
Stop by the hotel's restaurant, Graphite Restaurant, for dinner or brunch, or grab snacks at the coffee shop/cafe.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
Graphite Restaurant - This fine-dining restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open select days.
Cafe on the Abbey - This café serves breakfast and lunch. Open select days.

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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.
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

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

The Principal Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 300 out of 345 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 345 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 10 out of 345 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 345 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 345 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a great place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

bonnie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I love staying here whenever i come to town.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
From the staff to the smallest details, the hotel was amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Denise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is great.Beds were very comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynette

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was the best property I have booked through Hotels.com. Clean, comfortable, great staff and excellent restaurant on site.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kadi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was perfect for a little weekend getaway. Decor is amazing! I love the book lockers! Will definitely be staying again!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheri

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean comfortable rooms!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great stay and very clean!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super clean and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sondra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, spacious room with a comfy bed. Graphite restaurant is fabulous. Highly recommend and will definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Juan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a very clean property super quiet slept all night. If I could give it a six stars I would.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Adorable hotel. Extremely clean and welcoming. Attached restaurant is excellent. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paulina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute, super clean property- would stay here again if visiting stl area !! Highly recommend
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My first thought was how nice the room was, very clean, very appealing. The staff were super kind and checking in and out was quick and easy. I would highly recommend this hotel and definitely will be staying here on my next trip to St. Louis.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Qiming

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Right in town for walking Everything.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Every staff member we interacted was so kind, friendly, and helpful! They all either truly love their jobs, or are really good at acting like it. The room was much more beautiful in person than the photos made it seem, and seeing as I did not look into the hotel further than the room availability, I was pleasantly surprised by the fun theme and walk to our room!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

This was a very fun place to stay. Professional & Friendly staff and the owner was very nice and helpful to our situation while my daughter was at Shriners for surgery . Awesome design with the remodel. Everything was modern and convenient looked and smelled great . Only recommendation would be to add or allow small outdoor grilling space. The on-site restaurants were delicious as well.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very need property. Comfortable bed and super clean
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable, interesting concept, great restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Good staff, easy check in, very comfortable and safe.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, interesting place. Great event location!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joshua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Refurbished old school. Great idea, very clean! Great atmosphere!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026