See all properties

The Principal Hotel

3.5 star property
Enjoy the free WiFi at this 3.5-star Columbia hotel

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Principal Hotel

Exterior
Reception
Breakfast, dinner and brunch served
40-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels, Netflix, Hulu
Room amenity

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
310 S Main St, Columbia, IL, 62236
  • Place, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Jefferson Barracks Historic Park
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, River City Casino
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, St. Louis, MO (STL-Lambert-St. Louis Intl.)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Freshman K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Freshman K

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(13 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for ADA Freshman K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

ADA Freshman K

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Freshman Honors K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Freshman Honors K

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Sophomore Honors K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Sophomore Honors K

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Junior Honors K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Junior Honors K

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Senior K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Senior K

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Senior Honors K

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Senior Honors K

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Large Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Sophomore QQ

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Sophomore QQ

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for Sophomore Honors QQ

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Sophomore Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for ADA Sophomore Honors QQ

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

ADA Sophomore Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for ADA Junior QQ

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

ADA Junior QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Junior Honors QQ

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Junior Honors QQ

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Senior QQ

In-room safe, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Senior QQ

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

View all photos for Junior Q

Junior Q

Junior Q

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the area

Columbia

In Columbia .At this Columbia hotel, you'll be within 9 miles (15 km) of Missouri Civil War Museum and 12 miles (20 km) of River City Casino. Arsenal BG Ballpark is within 12 miles (20 km) and Busch Stadium is within 16 miles (25 km).

What's nearby

  • Sylvan Springs County Park - 10 min drive - 15.1 km
  • Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery - 11 min drive - 13.4 km
  • Jefferson Barracks Historic Park - 11 min drive - 16.1 km
  • Missouri Civil War Museum - 11 min drive - 13.7 km
  • River City Casino - 15 min drive - 19.9 km

Getting around

  • St. Louis Gateway Station - 22 min drive
  • St. Louis Lambert Intl. Airport (STL) - 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
  • ‪The Coffee Pot - ‬13 min walk

About this property

The Principal Hotel

Enjoy the free WiFi at this 3.5-star Columbia hotel
There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe. A fitness center, gift shops/newsstands, and coffee/tea in a common area are also featured at The Principal Hotel. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3.5-star Columbia hotel.

  • 40 guestrooms or units
  • Meeting rooms
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Dry cleaning
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Gift shop
  • Television in lobby
  • ATM
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Water dispenser
  • Dining venue
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.

Similar properties

Lobby
Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Arnold
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 1,002 reviews
The price is CA $125
CA $144 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 4 - Jan 5, 2026
Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Arnold

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave

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

Things to do

  • Gym
  • TV in common areas

Accessibility

  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 40-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

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

  • No pets 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

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 100.00 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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 Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Cash is not accepted. This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

The Principal Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 170 out of 188 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 188 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 188 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 188 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 188 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really amazing place, extremely quiet, comfortable and very reasonably priced.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emory

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joe

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful stay, great experience and the hotel decor absolutely one of a kind. Accommodations were extra clean and the bed slept well. Staff very hospitable and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrea m

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
staf went above and beyond to make sure our trip was the best
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean place to stay. We would definitely come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nick

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall was the best stay we have had with any one. The only downside would be no hot breakfast unless you went to the restaurant on location. Staff was great and so helpful when we needed anything for the room.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ivy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved it!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hui-Min

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alexandria

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roy

Business traveller
Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice s

Room was great , hardwood floors that U love , very nice bathroom , excellent, highly recommended
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cassandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love staying here! The staff is very nice & always making sure you have what you need!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tianyong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
wonderful place
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Banu

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very pleasant, super clean… Definitely recommend if you’re in the area. St Louise has a lot to offer, best part was Cahokia pyramids (wish they were renovated relating to past versions) and of course a teip to the top of Gateway Arch.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jammie

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Unique!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

charlotte

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clyde

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

When I come back it won't be for work!

Man man man. I was so glad to find this little hotel in this little town of Columbia Illinois. I was working in St Louis and I didn't want to stay anywhere close to where I was working. This was about a 30-minute drive and worth every mile. Told my wife I'll be bringing her back to this little quaint town and hotel. Good restaurants nearby too. I stay in hotels about 2 weeks a month in different cities throughout the world and this was one of the trendiest, cleanest, most comfortable places I stayed in recent memory.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly A

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing stay. This hotel is incredible.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

craig

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel was well kept, and very clean and comfortable. Columbia appears to be a very safe and quiet town. The only 'issue' we had was the one time I returned to find my room door blocked open by the dead bolt, and it appeared that no housekeeping persons were on the floor. I assume while supplying our room with fresh towels, they must have forgotten to reopen the dead bolt and let the door lock. Probably because of the hotels location, it appeared that we did not have anything missing. This could have turned out bad. The good thing is the room did have a combination lock box that I had taken advantage of with a valuable or two
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025