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The Principal Hotel

Property class: 3.5

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 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 neatly made bed with white linens and a dark headboard, flanked by two bedside tables with lamps.
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 $109
$98 nightly
$109 total
Total with taxes and fees
Nov 3 - Nov 4

Explore the area

View in a map
310 S Main St, Columbia, IL, 62236
  • Place, Waterloo Town Square
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Arsenal BG Ballpark
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Busch Stadium
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Airport, St. Louis, MO (STL-Lambert-St. Louis Intl.)
    ‪37 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
(20 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

View all photos for Senior K

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

Senior K

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The price is $118
Nov 10 - Nov 11
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 - 10 min drive - 9.4 miles
  • Arsenal BG Ballpark - 11 min drive - 13.8 miles
  • Busch Stadium - 18 min drive - 18.3 miles
  • Gateway Arch - 18 min drive - 18.6 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
  • ‪Jimmy John's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Top Shooters Sports Bar - ‬6 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

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

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. 380 out of 450 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 45 out of 450 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 17 out of 450 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 450 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 450 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place to stay. Clean room, comfortable bed, nice decor and friendly staff make this hotel a great choice!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean , air was amazing, parking was great, staff was very friendly .Would definitely stay again ….
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room and bathroom were large and clean. Staff were extremely friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel and nice staff!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed another relaxing stay! Also, enjoyed all you can eat fried chicken at Washy’s Pub a five minute maximum walk.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love the school theme throughout the property! Very nice hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was very cute and clean. The location was lovely. Room was very spacious. We loved the theming!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Highly recommend will stay again!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent hotel in Columbia, Illinois! Comfortable room. Great location. Restaurant adjoining hotel is convenient. Cafe on the Abbey next door. My go to hotel in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved this hotel! Definitely where we will stay next trip to St. Louis.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Kind and thoughtful staff in this cozy one of a kind hotel. It is adorable and clean. Great price for a great stay. Good parking and cute community surround this gem. Highly recommend
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the design concept. Great stay and will be back. Staff was kind and room provided good space.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place - clean and safe! Nice shower!! And so quiet!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pretty unique building, old school building that's been remodeled. Columbia is such a quiet cool little town also. Lots of restaurants within walking distance.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is a very unique place and the area it resides in is very small town feeling. Great comfortable bed, plenty of pillows, and quiet
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best hotel in Columbia to stay at!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was very clean and rooms were spacious.. staff was also very friendly. Only thing is I wished they had a pool.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Honestly, this was probably one of the best hotels I have stayed at in a long time! The refurbished school items was a neat touch to the hotel! Super clean, also very affordable in a town that’s just amazing! Staff was super helpful and welcoming! I can’t wait for the pool to be finished This will definitely be our hotel when we travel to St. Louis. Only 30-35 mins from the zoo and magic house. I highly recommend this hotel!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute hotel in small town with good local restaurants within walking distance. Very clean and neat. Easy parking
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place, converted old school. Rooms are modern decor, nice quality. Staff was really friendly. Beautiful little suburban town.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Principal Hotel was amazing... Clean, creative, and fun.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the school themes throughout the property. Nice to have Graphite and Cafe at the Abby immediately next door!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026