Grandview Heights stay.Your stay at this Grandview Heights hotel places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Ohio State University and Greater Columbus Convention Center. Olentangy Bike Path and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are also within 2 miles (3 km).
What's nearby
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
James Cancer Hospital - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Ohio Stadium - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
Schottenstein Center - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
Ohio State University - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
Getting around
John Glenn Columbus Intl. Airport (CMH) - 13 min drive
Restaurants
Starbucks - 7 min walk
Chick-fil-A - 13 min walk
McDonald's - 8 min walk
Natalie’s - 9 min walk
GetGo - 11 min walk
About this property
Olentangy Motor Inn
Hotel near Ohio State University in Columbus
There's a coffee shop/cafe on site. Free breakfast is available daily. Free self parking is available. A complete renovation of Olentangy Motor Inn was completed in September 2023.
This Columbus hotel is smoke free.
1 building
55 guestrooms or units
2 levels
Built in 1986
To-go breakfast (free)
Front desk (24 hours)
No smoking on site
Coffee shop
Olentangy Motor Inn offers 55 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. Televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include showers.
Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Business-friendly amenities include phones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is provided on request.
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Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus-Ohio State University OSU
Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus-Ohio State University OSU
Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
Onsite parking includes off-street options
Food and drink
Free on-the-go breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
A coffee shop/cafe
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
4 accessible parking spaces
Assistive listening devices
Smooth flooring in public areas
Smooth flooring in room
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair-accessible van parking
Room amenities
Entertainment
55-inch TV with premium cable channels
Bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
More
Access via exterior corridors
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free local calls
Heating
Individual furnishings
Mobile key entry
Phone
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
Guests will receive an email within 7 days before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests
This property enforces quiet hours from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets: USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
Only dogs and cats are allowed
Maximum 1 (weight limit: 30 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Restrictions apply
For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
Service animals are exempt from fees
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
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
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. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Cash is not accepted. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in each accommodation. Guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.
We should mention
Children 12 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
Property is also known as
Varsity Inn South Hotel
Varsity Inn South Hotel Columbus
Varsity South Columbus
Varsity Inn Columbus
Varsity Inn
Varsity Columbus
The Varsity Inn
Olentangy Motor Inn Hotel
Olentangy Motor Inn Columbus
Olentangy Motor Inn Hotel Columbus
Olentangy Motor Inn Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Every time I come to Columbus this is the hotel I stay in. It's a great hotel and I love the little coffee Cafe too. The rooms are always clean and the people that check you in are always friendly too.
The great: affordable in a busy area. Generally safe and well lit. Rooms were fresh and looked great. Showers amazing. Free Breakfast sandwiches in the morning AMAZING!
The not so great: mattresses were super firm and in unit thermostat served to fluctuate all night. Then around 5 am there was a rumbling and shaking ( it was a train somewhere nearby, didn’t even notice tracks) but it was very loud.
The location of the hotel is fantastic. Close to shopping and restaurants and DT Columbus. The room was clean and the beds were comfortable. Loved the breakfast sandwiches.
Room was clean and spacious. Breakfast sandwich was excellent. I have been staying in Columbus once a week for the past 3 months for visits at the James. This place has been the only place I have stayed that the place was worth the money I paid.
CHARLES
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Scott
Dec 7, 2025
Scott
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
8/10 Good
Deborah
Dec 6, 2025
Deborah
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Frankie
Travelled with family
Dec 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The check in with the staff was flawless. My son and I were spending the weekend at Galaxycon in Columbus, OH. We were traveling from out of town and really did not want to have to wait to check in at the normal time of 4pm. So we called and we were able to explain our situation and our itinerary for the day. Without hesitation we were able to get checked in early. The room was pristine. Very clean, smelled good and over all a great room 2 doors down from the office. We felt wanted and safe. I would certainly stay here again and I encourage others to do so as well.
We enjoyed our stay - clean, friendly staff, easy parking and great breakfast sandwich and coffee too. Took off one star because our room was at the very back next to the train tracks and the train noise woke me up a couple of times. But we would stay here again for sure!
Clean updated rooms, Staff was excellent and parking was easy. There is a train in the back nearby that was a little noisy but did not come through often. Parking was good. Breakfast sandwiches were good but would of been nice to have more options. Overall, it was a great stay especially for a Motor Inn.
Andrew
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Joshua
Travelled with group
Nov 17, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room. friendly staff, great location close to campus, and a fabulous breakfast.
The motor inn was close to the Convention Center, OSU campus and the heart of Columbus. It was clean, easily located, inexpensive, had all the amenities of more expensive motels, free parking outside my unit, safe and secure. I would stay there again.
Yes, it's a motel, yes it's clean, yes it's safe. I've stayed here a few times now when I've had to come in and out of town for various reasons. Rooms are quiet. Bathroom is clean. TV works. Front desk is kind of cute. How it doubles as a coffee shop? And I don't really have anything bad to say about it. Very close to downtown free parking right outside your door.