Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio – 3 TOP Areas (with Hotels!)

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A cityscape view of downtown Columbus, Ohio, at dusk with a river in the foreground and buildings reflecting in the water.

Columbus, the capital of Ohio, is a super interesting and diverse city. It’s also home to funky festivals, sports events, and cool attractions, making it a desirable destination. If this sounds like a good fit for your next trip, it’s time to start thinking about where to stay in Columbus, Ohio.

No worries, I’m here to help! I compared all the Columbus neighborhoods and picked out the 3 best places to stay in Columbus, Ohio.

The ultimate spot for your first trip to Ohio’s capital is Downtown Columbus, where you’ll find the best museums, theaters, restaurants, and hotels.

For each of the areas I recommend in this post, I also handpicked the top hotels for all types of travelers, from luxury to budget. So, as soon as you choose a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, go ahead and make a reservation – early booking guarantees you get to stay at amazing hotels at the best prices!

Let’s go!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you want to book now, these are the best hotels in Downtown Columbus, Ohio:

Here’s the map with the 3 best areas to stay in Columbus, Ohio that I will be talking about in this post, so you can visualize them:

1. Downtown Columbus – where to stay for the first time

Aerial view of a cityscape featuring several tall buildings, including the prominent LeVeque Tower, surrounded by green parks and a river running alongside.

Downtown Columbus is the lively heart of the city! During your stay in Downtown, you can explore the city’s top attractions, go for relaxing walks along the Scioto River, and immerse yourself in the city’s diverse culinary scene. The Downtown area is centrally positioned, so it’s also very convenient for exploring the rest of the city!

Here, you can roam around Capitol Square (map), catch a show at the Ohio Theater, and visit one of several museums, such as the Veterans National Monument and Museum and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI)!

Not to mention the great dining places in the area, from international restaurants to craft breweries, cool bars, and hip coffee shops on every corner. In terms of food, you’ll have countless options to choose from!

Other attractions that are definitely a must during your stay in Downtown Columbus are the Scioto Mile Promenade (map), the Bicentennial Park (map), and the perfectly landscaped Topiary Park (map).

Exterior view of the North Market building with a parking lot in front, featuring several parked cars under a partly cloudy sky.

There are plenty of other cool things you can do in Downtown Columbus! You should definitely check out the North Market Downtown (map), and if you’re a sports fan, catch a baseball game at Huntington Park (map). And if you’re visiting with kids, I’m sure they’ll love John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons (map), a cool park with a carousel!

The cool thing is that you can reach any place by car or foot: the area offers pedestrian-friendly facilities (like bike lanes and bus stops) and many parking spots!

If you want to explore your surroundings a bit more, you should visit the German Village! Situated directly South of Downtown, this laid-back neighborhood boasts charming architecture and many unique shops. While in the German Village, visit Schiller Park (map) – if you’re lucky, you might get to see a show or a live performance!

TIP: Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the Brewery District! Located South of Downtown and West of the German Village, this neighborhood abounds with beer bars and restaurants – it’s an amazing spot for a night out!

Luxury hotel

Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection

If you’re looking for luxury and comfort right in the city center, Hotel LeVeque Autograph Collection is the best place to stay in Columbus, Ohio! Here, you can enjoy a cocktail at the on-site bar, stay in shape at the fitness center, or even make use of the business center.

Other options in Downtown Columbus

Mid-Range

Drury Plaza Hotel

Located just near the Greater Columbus Convention Center, this pet-friendly hotel offers free WiFi and a pool

Budget

Holiday Inn Columbus

A budget-friendly 3-star hotel offering a good breakfast, access to a pool, bar, and on-site parking

Airbnb

The KING APT

This luxuriously furnished apartment has a spacious living room, a full kitchen, and a comfy bed, plus a balcony

Seeing as Downtown is the best area to stay in Columbus, Ohio, the good hotels are quick to sell out. This doesn’t mean you should compromise on quality! If there’s no availability for your dates in any of the recommended hotels, here are a few more great options (2 luxury and one mid-range hotel), ordered from most to least expensive:

Renaissance Columbus ($$$) – this 4-star hotel features an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and an on-site American restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and valet parking are available at an extra charge.
Hilton Columbus Downtown ($$$) – guests at the Hilton Downtown can enjoy access to an indoor pool and a witness center, choose from several breakfast options, and benefit from private parking.
Hyatt Regency Columbus ($$) – a 3-star hotel with air-conditioned rooms, a bar, a restaurant, and a 24/7 front desk. Other perks include room service, free Wi-Fi, and access to a sun terrace.

Cityscape at dusk featuring illuminated buildings against a deep blue sky, viewed from a nearby park with ornate stone fences and shrubbery in the foreground.

Things to do in Downtown Columbus

Admire the architecture at Capitol Square and catch a show at the Ohio Theater
Visit the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and the Columbus Museum of Art
Learn some history at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Walk or bike the Scioto Mile Promenade, Downtown’s best riverfront destination!
Unwind in Bicentennial Park or at Topiary Park
Explore the stalls at the North Market Downtown
Catch a game at Huntington Park and grab a beer at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (map)
Explore the nearby German Village and the Brewery District

2. Italian Village & Short North District – the coolest areas

A serene park with a central lake, featuring a gazebo and fountains in the middle, surrounded by green lawns, trees, and benches. A person sits on a bench near the water under sunny skies.

Located a 5-min drive North of Downtown Columbus, the Italian Village and the Short North Arts Districts, are vibrant neighborhoods dotted with numerous bars and eateries that attract a young crowd. Whether you’re a foodie, a party person, or you’re traveling with family, these 2 neighborhoods are definitely the coolest places for your stay in Columbus!

This residential Italian Village is also home to a big Irish and African American community, so it has a special multicultural vibe that you will immediately feel wandering around its pedestrian-friendly streets.

The Italian Village is a great neighborhood to engage in many activities with the family! Here, you can have picnics in the beautiful Italian Village Park (map), featuring a playground, and visit the famous St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (map).

If you happen to be here during fall, you absolutely have to attend the Italian Festival, where you’ll taste delicious Italian dishes like (of course) pizza, live music, parades… you might even forget you are in the US!

Street view of a mixed-use building with modern glass and concrete design, adjacent to older brick buildings. Cars leave light trails along the road, and a decorative arch stretches over the street.

The neighboring Short North District, not even a 10-min walk from the Italian Village, is known for its contemporary art exhibitions and galleries and multicultural vibe (that’s what the two areas have in common!).

With its several bohemian cafes, vintage shops, record stores, craft beer bars and restaurants, this is definitely the coolest area in town! Here you will also find lively nightlife, due to the big LGBT community and many gay-friendly bars and clubs!

PRO TIP: If you’re an art lover, I highly recommend you visit Otherworld, an immersive art museum located just a 15-min drive from Short North. This experience is super fun for kids and adults alike, but make sure you get tickets in advance – they’re available exclusively online!

Last but not least, the 2 areas are well connected by public transport with the rest of the city, so you can also have access to the best attractions of Columbus Downtown… What more do you need?

Luxury hotel

Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph

This 4-star accommodation has one of the best locations in the Italian Village area, and some great amenities to make you enjoy your trip to the fullest! You’ll find a great on-site restaurant and bar, as well as business facilities. A plus? The hotel gives you access to free Wi-Fi and parking on site!

Other options in Italian Village & Short North District

Mid-Range

Moxy Columbus

This top-rated 3-star hotel offers rooms with private bathrooms and free toiletries and provides a 24-hour front desk and Wi-Fi

Budget

50 Lincoln Short North

This is the cheapest accommodation in the area, with air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor dining area, and free private parking

Airbnb

Refurbished Duplex

Enjoy an extended stay at this 2-bedroom apartment that has a private patio and a fully equipped kitchen

Things to do in Italian Village & Short North District

Have a picnic with the family in the Italian Village Park
Visit the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Enjoy a hearty meal at the Budd Dairy Food Hall (map)
Visit the Otherworld art museum
Have a fun night at the Northstar Cafe in the Short North (map)
Spend a relaxing day at Goodale Park (map)

3. University District – where to stay in Columbus for nightlife

Aerial view of Ohio Stadium, a large football stadium with a field marked with "Ohio State," surrounded by seating and city buildings in the background.

Aerial view of Ohio Stadium, a large football stadium with a field marked with

Where can you find the best nightlife in town if not near the University? The University District is mostly a residential neighborhood, but it has a super lively atmosphere! Located a 10-min drive North of Downtown Columbus, the University District hosts Ohio State University (OSU), one of the most important universities in the country!

FUN FACT: Columbus Campus is the 4th-largest university campus in the United States, hosting more than 1,000 student organizations and the biggest college football programs.

And with the many cool clubs and bars with live music, the area is a perfect choice where to stay in Columbus to enjoy some good nightlife! But that’s not all: the University District is home to many green parks, restaurants, and shopping options… so you have plenty to do even during the day!

The Ohio Stadium (map) is situated at the heart of the neighborhood, so if you want to catch a football game, be sure to check the schedule! The Summit Music Hall (map) is a popular live music venue, but if you’re looking for bars and more laid-back eateries, be sure to go for a stroll along North High Street (map) – you’ll find everything there!

A campus landscape featuring a pond, surrounding greenery, a brick building in the background, and several chairs placed on the green lawn.

And with the very well-connected public transport system, you will reach the other neighborhoods in Columbus very easily, so you take a break from partying and enjoying everything this cool city has to offer you!

However, if you’re staying in the University District, I highly recommend you rent a car! If you do so, you can drive yourself to and from the airport – it’ll only take you 20 minutes – and visit other cool neighborhoods and attractions.

If you have some time, definitely check out the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the Franklin Park neighborhood (15-min drive), and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium near the city of Dublin, Ohio – 25 mins away by car from the University District.

And if you’re into shopping, you can either drive out to Polaris (20-min drive) and shop at the Polaris Fashion Place (map), or head to Easton (also 20-mins away) and check out the Easton Town Center (map).

Luxury hotel

Columbus Marriott Residence Inn

One of the best hotels for your trip to Columbus, Ohio, is located in the University District, only a mile from Ohio State University! This pet-friendly hotel offers an indoor pool to relax after visiting the best attractions in the city and even a business center. Guests particularly love the delicious breakfast… don’t forget to try it; it’s free!