Hyatt Place in downtown Columbia, South Carolina has suites and spacious studios, like the studio pictured here.

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As a native Columbian and a graduate of the University of South Carolina, I always love visiting Columbia, South Carolina.  I have stayed in a number of hotels (and you may remember some of our reviews of these hotels on this blog).

But recently, I stayed at a new hotel that my family really loved.  That hotel is Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista.

We had never stayed here before, but there were a lot of reasons we wanted to stay there.  And the hotel did not disappoint.  In fact, I would say it exceeded my expectations!

You’ll see for yourself during this review.

Location

The location of this hotel is exceptional.  It was just around a ten minute walk to Colonial Life Arena.  We were in town to watch a South Carolina’s Women Basketball Game, so the location was perfect for us.

The parking lot is very convenient for the location.  You park right outside the building.

A picture of the parking lot at Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown/The Vista

I like not having to bother with a parking garage across the street, which is often the case when you stay in a downtown area.

There are a lot of great dining options around the hotel.  One of our favorites is Grill Marks.  But there are other good dining options, too.  They even had a helpful list of nearby restaurants in the elevator.

There are a lot of great restaurants within walking distance of Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown/The Vista

Additionally, there are some grab and go options in the lobby.

A picture of the grab and go food from Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista

Room

For a hotel with a good location, the room was pretty spacious.  And that was really one of the things we were hoping when we booked our stay.  We did not get a suite but got a studio instead.  However, these studios have both a living room area and a bedroom area which my family really likes.

The bathroom was a deent size as well, which I don’t normally expect when I stay downtown.

Hyatt Place in downtown Columbia, South Carolina has suites and spacious studios, like the studio pictured here.

It’s nice to be able to relax in the living room area and then go to bed in a different part of the room.

I really like the living room area, too.

I like the spacious living room area of studio guest rooms at Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown/The Vista.

It’s nice how you can turn the TV so everyone in the TV area can watch.

I like how you can tilt the TV so everyone in the room can watch the TV in a guest room at Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown/The Vista

But at the same time, you can watch in bed.  Though with two queens, those in the bed closest to the window don’t get a great view.

The beds were so comfortable.

A picture of the beds at a studio guest room at Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista

So much so that you won’t want to get out of bed in the morning.

Free Breakfast

Except that you will, because the breakfast was good!  First of all, I wasn’t expecting a free breakfast.  I would have booked this hotel otherwise.

But I am so glad there was a free breakfast, and not just because that saves me money (which it does).  But I am glad it was this specific free breakfast because the food selection was amazing!

A picture of waffles, eggs, and other breakfast foods available as part of the continental breakfast at Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista

A picture of free food at the continental breakfast at Hyatt Place in Columbia, SC near Colonial Life Arena

I am seriously not used to that many choices.  Part of me wanted to keep eating because the selection was so good, but I was full because, well, the selection was so good!

My favorite part was that there was Almond Milk!  Hotels rarely have almond milk, so that was great.

Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista has a free breakfast with plenty of milk including nondairy versions

But the bacon was also delicious.  There was great vanilla yogurt.  I could have tried the waffles or bagels but didn’t.  The sliced fruit was really good, too.  I didn’t like the French Toast as much but that wasn’t a big deal since the rest of the food was so good.  It was a really nice mix of foods, too.

There was also plenty of seating available for the breakfast.

Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown The Vista has a nice spacious area for breakfast.

Additional Things I Liked About the Hotel

I love the decor throughout the hotel.  The artwork really adds.

I really like the decor at Hyatt Place in downtown Columbia, South Carolina

I like the decor at Hyatt Place in Columbia, South Carolina in the Vista neighborhood.

I love all the comfortable, inviting chairs on each floor.

I love how each floor at Hyatt Place Downtown Columbia The Vista has inviting chairs.

The indoor pool is a really nice touch.  It adds something to do on your trip.  And it’s a good size pool, too.

A picture of the indoor pool at Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista

They also had a nice fitness room.

Hyatt Place in the Vista neighborhood of Columbia, South Carolina has a nice exercise room.

They Hyatt Place in the Downtown/Vista area of Columbia, South Carolina has a nice workout room.

The staff was all really nice and friendly.  A definite plus to my stay.

Price

When you consider all of the great things about staying here, the price really is reasonable.  But it is not a cheap hotel (again, which you should expect, given the hotel benefits).

Luckily, you can at time find good deals on the hotel.  I would look here for the cheapest price.