Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus OSU

About The Hotel

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites by OSU-Medical Center (4.6 rating, 1,370 reviews) is Columbus’s highest-rated stay, perched on Olentangy River Road just steps from Ohio State and the Wexner Medical Center. Spotless rooms (cleanliness 4.8), mini-kitchen suites, free breakfast, and free parking make this the benchmark for value and quality combined. Subratings for rooms (4.7), sleep quality (4.7), and value (4.6) underscore consistency — guests arrive for game days or medical visits and encounter polished, attentive service. The indoor pool appeals to families and game-day crowds. Reviews consistently praise Millie and the front-desk team for flexibility with early breakfasts and group accommodations. A few guests note the property books up fast on Buckeyes weekends and can feel crowded during events.

What Guests Are Saying

“We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Columbus for the final leg of our trip and had a wonderful experience overall. The hotel was exceptionally clean from the moment we arrived. Our room smelled fresh, the towels were plentiful and clean, and housekeeping clearly takes great pride in maintaining the property. The breakfast was also quite good, with a nice variety of options to start the day. What truly stood out was the staff. Every front desk team member we encountered was kind, professional, and genuinely helpful. They consistently checked in to make sure our stay was going well and were always available if we needed anything. We especially appreciated the attention to guest safety, the parking lot is secured and gated after 9:00 PM, which provided additional peace of mind. Our only negative experience was a neighboring guest who began loudly slamming doors and yelling down the hallway around 6:30 AM for nearly an hour. While it was certainly disruptive, this was not a reflection of the hotel or its staff. It was simply inconsiderate behavior from another guest and not something the staff could have anticipated or reasonably prevented. Overall, we had a very positive stay and would gladly return. Clean rooms, excellent staff, good breakfast, and strong attention to guest comfort and safety make this an easy recommendation.” — Erica F., 5 stars

“We are in town For the High School National Bowling tournament with our son’s team. The accommodations have been comfortable, location is great and we were able to rent a space for our “family meal” with the whole team and all the families. A special shout out to Millie at the front desk (and everywhere). She is a real gem! She helped accommodate our group with an earlier breakfast because of The early match time, all the while being friendly. Thanks Millie for being so personable, and sharing World Cup conversation.” — Paul L., 5 stars

“Absolutely phenomenal experience! The staff was amazing and so attentive to every need. The room was clean and service by the hotel cleaning staff was just as great. I have never been to a better hotel and we will be back.” — Savannah F., 5 stars

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Highest-rated Columbus hotel (4.6 on 1,370 reviews)
• Exceptional cleanliness (4.8) and comfortable, well-maintained rooms
• Free breakfast, free parking, and mini-kitchen suites offer outstanding value
• Steps from OSU campus and medical center — ideal for game days and hospital visits
• Attentive, accommodating staff with flexibility for group needs

Cons:

• Books up fast on OSU game weekends — plan ahead
• Crowded with sports teams and families during events
• River-road location is practical but not walkable to downtown attractions
• No in-room jacuzzi — a full-service value hotel, not a hot-tub property

The Location

Olentangy River Road north of downtown, walking distance to Ohio State campus and the Wexner Medical Center. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.