Just steps away from the University of South Carolina campus, the Graduate By Hilton Columbia is a nostalgic blend of local history, USC Gamecock traditions, and Hilton amenities.
Heading Back to College For a Few Days
When my neighbor asked me if I’d like to accompany her on a 6-hour drive to University of South Carolina to celebrate her daughter’s 21st birthday, it sounded like a fun 3-day girl’s trip. In fact, it was a welcome change to not have to plan my own trip but instead, just hop in the car and enjoy the ride.
All I knew was that she booked a suite at the Graduate By Hilton Columbia so we would have our own sleeping space and plenty of room to just sit, chat, and enjoy a cup of tea. From what she told me (she insisted on paying,) she got a great room rate on the suite since it was a Tuesday through Thursday night booking, dates nowhere near a holiday, Spring Break, or any overcrowded college campus events.
About Columbia South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina, home to University of South Carolina. It is also where you’ll find Fort Jackson and multiple rivers including the Saluda River, Broad River, and Congaree River. There are fascinating historic sites like the South Carolina State Museum and many outdoor adventures including hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, and more. The South Carolina weather was a bit chilly and windy when we visited so we looked for indoor attractions. We’ll save visits to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens for another trip.
More importantly, Columbia offers outstanding restaurants and cute café’s with a huge array of delicious Southern food and just about every cuisine you can want. I may have gained more weight on this trip to South Carolina than I do on a cruise.
Graduate By Hilton Columbia, Mere Steps From the USC Campus
I had not stepped foot on any college campus in many years so it was a treat to visit the University of South Carolina. The Graduate by Hilton Columbia hotel is located practically right on the picturesque campus and home of the Gamecocks athletic teams. We traveled by car on a fun road trip but you can also take a flight to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport located 8.2 miles from the hotel.
The University of South Carolina is a beautiful campus to stroll around. In addition to the scenery, there is history to explore as well. The horseshoe area houses 12 historic buildings dating back to the 1800s. Now recognized as the campus “green space,” you can follow a brick walking path to admire several monuments set in the lush green landscaping with huge oak trees. Aside from lots of opportunities to watch sporting events, the campus also features the McKissick Museum along with a food service teaching restaurant.
Accommodations: Colorful, Clean, and Comfortable
The hotel is nice, not a luxury hotel by any means, but still a comfortable place to sleep for three nights. There are 119 adorably decorated guest rooms on three floors, each featuring a bit of local USC college décor. We stayed in the colorful “Graduate Balcony King Suite” accommodations that sleeps 4 guests. Although it was not warm weather, we still enjoyed getting some fresh air on the balcony.
The separate living room area is where I slept, on a comfy sofa bed. The private master bedroom featured a king bed and offered us adequate privacy when sleeping. The amenities were what you’d expect from a mid-priced Hilton by offering complimentary Wi-Fi, desk workspace, mini refrigerator, HDTV, blackout curtains, radio alarm clock, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, digital key, fitness center, guest laundry room, meeting rooms, and pet-friendly rooms.
Dining at the Hotel and Nearby Columbia
The Trophy Room restaurant in the hotel was a convenient option for all three slow moving mornings. Our lunches and dinners were enjoyed out while exploring Columbia. We also planned a special dinner for the birthday girl who was busy with classes and studying during the day.
Our breakfasts at the Trophy Room were impressive. The Breakfast Sandwich with eggs, American Cheese, and bacon on a brioche bun was my favorite. Our lunch at The Gourmet Shop located in the Five Point’s area, was the cutest café and the weather warmed up just enough for us to eat outside. The Goat Cheese & Pesto Panini was amazing.
For the special birthday dinner, my friend’s daughter selected Halls Chophouse. While the steak was cooked to perfection, the star of my dinner was the Halls Chop Salad, a mix of all my favorites like bacon, peppers, feta cheese, peas, tomatoes, and buttermilk dressing.
And now let’s talk about the SNACKS! Each dining location that we bought snacks had been recommended by college students. SmallSUGAR, another cute café, was where we enjoyed cheese Danish pastries and sipped on hot cocoa. We went back to The Gourmet Shop for snacks and picked up French Macarons and Tiramisu. At Halls Chophouse, our fancy dinner was capped off with a warm chocolate chip cookie skillet (cookie with vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, and chocolate ganache.) The perfect dessert to sing “Happy Birthday” to our favorite 21 year old.
Things to Do Near the Hotel
For me, any location with a “small town” feel and lots of café’s is such a treat and Columbia was an impressive town. Less than one mile from the Graduate By Hilton Columbia hotel, Five Points is where we spent most of our time. It’s a popular, historic downtown area for college students, locals, and visitors. We shopped and ate, shopped some more, and ate some more. It was exactly what a “girls’ trip” should be.
As two history buffs, we excitedly visited the South Carolina State Museum to learn about South Carolina history. The museum features four floors of exhibits from natural history, science, and technology to cultural history and fine art. The highlight of the visit was the Áróra Planetarium Experience, stunning celestial constellations and colors of the Northern Lights blended with incredible sound effects.
Part of the birthday girl’s gift were tickets to see “Chicago: The Musical,” a Broadway play at The Koger Center For The Arts located right on the campus. It was a spectacular play and made for a wonderful memory for my friend and her daughter, and so nice of them to let me join the experience.
Key Takeaways
- Located steps away from the USC campus
- The hotel suite was spacious, colorful, clean, and comfortable
- The Trophy Room served delicious food, offering a bit of South Carolina charm
- Short drive to Five Points area, shopping, museums, restaurants, and more
- Hotel is pet-friendly and accessible rooms are available
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a pool at the Graduate By Hilton Columbia?
While there is no pool onsite at the hotel, in warm weather, you can opt to visit Waterfall Junction, a three acre splash park located at Riverbanks Zoo. Enjoy a 25-foot cascading waterfall, splash pad, giant treehouse and more.
- What dining options are there at the hotel?
There is one restaurant, The Trophy Room, open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Enjoy coffee and breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and desserts. Fees apply.
- Is this hotel pet-friendly?
Yes, up to two pets per room are allowed in pet-friendly guest rooms. There is a $75.00 non-refundable fee and a 75 pound maximum.
- Does this hotel offer parking?
Guests can self-park at the hotel for $15.00 per day with in/out privileges. Valet and EV charging are not available.
- What is the closest major airport to the hotel?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is 8.20 miles from the hotel. There is no airport shuttle service provided by the hotel.
- Does this Hilton hotel provide event space?
Yes, the hotel offers meeting and event space. The scenic location on the USC college campus provides a unique setting whether scheduling a conference or planning a wedding in the ballroom.
Final Thoughts
We had a wonderful “girl’s trip” to South Carolina and the Graduate By Hilton Columbia at the University of South Carolina campus added to the memorable experience. We appreciated the charming college-inspired creative décor in our comfortable suite with balcony. The staff was polite, pleasant, and helpful, especially at the hotel’s restaurant. Although this hotel could use a bit of TLC, the overall vibe of this hotel is warm, fun, and inviting.
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Hotel amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.